Ocean: A New Wave
For more than two decades, Ocean has been a cornerstone of Birmingham’s dining scene, known for exceptional seafood, thoughtful hospitality, and memorable evenings in the heart of Five Points South. In 2026, Ocean entered a new chapter under the ownership of Chloe Kidd, bringing a fresh perspective to the restaurant while honoring the legacy that has made Ocean a Birmingham favorite for more than 20 years.
As owner, Chloe has focused on breathing new energy into Ocean—elevating the guest experience, strengthening relationships with local farmers and purveyors, and creating a restaurant that feels both refined and distinctly Birmingham. Her vision is to preserve what guests have always loved about Ocean while allowing it to evolve through a new generation of ownership, hospitality, and culinary creativity.
That evolution continues in the kitchen with Executive Chef James T. Neale II. Chef Neale brings years of fine-dining experience, a deep respect for quality ingredients, and a cooking style rooted in technique, seasonality, and creativity. Since joining Ocean, he has introduced a renewed culinary direction that pairs the restaurant’s seafood heritage with locally sourced produce, thoughtfully selected meats, and dishes inspired by both his professional experience and personal history.
Together, Chloe and Chef Neale represent the next era of Ocean: an owner with a vision for its future and an experienced chef with the talent to bring that vision to the plate. The result is an Ocean that feels familiar, but newly inspired—respectful of its past, connected to its community, and excited about what comes next.
After more than 20 years in Birmingham, the story of Ocean is still being written. We invite you to come experience the next chapter.
