It’s a question we’ve been asked countless times. Typically, our answer is “it depends.” Because with so many diverse options in our city, from a fried chicken sandwich brined in sweet tea to an expertly prepared bowl of spicy miso ramen, it really does depend on what you’re looking for. But for Birmingham magazine’s first-ever Restaurants Issue, we decided to give up the ruse, and definitively name our 10 favorite places to eat in the city. They’re not all necessarily the oldest, or the most expensive, or even the most decorated, but they’ve all got that “it” factor that keeps us coming back for more. These are the 10 best restaurants in Birmingham right now.