Frothy Monkey

part of what makes 2nd avenue north worth paying attention to is that good coffee keeps showing up there. frothy monkey is one reason why. birmingham's specialty scene has grown quietly but seriously over the last decade, and a spot like this one, well regarded by locals who've had plenty of time to make up their minds, fits into that story without needing to announce itself. you don't have to go far down the list of places people actually return to before frothy monkey comes up. the address puts you in a part of downtown that repays walking around in, which matters when you're deciding where to anchor an afternoon. worth going on a weekday morning when 2nd avenue is still finding its pace.