If you could jump into a time machine and visit a beloved, bygone restaurant, which one would you choose? We’d have no trouble assembling a long list of our favorites, from casual lunch spots to fancy dining establishments.

In fact, just thinking about this topic makes us hungry — and nostalgic for the restaurants we’ve loved and lost over the years. Here are five places we’d love to have back in metro Birmingham, known for serving great soups and sandwiches, tasty Greek chicken, hearty pasta dishes and must-have meat-and-three fare. (A cup of great coffee was a bonus.)