Birmingham – ‘The City of a Thousand Trades’ – has a serious food scene to get stuck into. Whatever your occasion – a pre-event breakfast, a bottomless brunch, a special date or a fine dining tasting experience, the best restaurants Birmingham can offer await us with open arms – and as Birmingham is our home town, we didn’t have to travel too far to sample these great eateries.
Our guide will help you locate some awesome establishments, sensational menus, and a few Michelin stars here and there, for some unforgettable meals. Whatever it is you’re looking for, take a look at some of the best places I visited during my last visit to the city of Birmingham.
Our Favourite Places To Stay In Birmingham
The Grand Hotel – combines Victorian elegance with modern luxury. Beautifully restored building in a fantastic central location offering a fitness centre, sun terrace, restaurant and bar with city views.
Bloc Hotel – a great value budget hotel that offers clean rooms with everything you need in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
Hyatt Regency – very central hotel only 800m from New Street station. Great for families with a beautiful indoor pool.
1: Opheem
Opheem is my standout favourite Birmingham restaurant and it seems I have good taste as is it has earned not one, but two Michelin stars – the only restaurant in Birmingham to have been bestowed such an honour.
Now famous chef Aktar Islam who owns Opheem started out at nearby Lasan’s when he led them to victory on the Channel 4 TV show ‘The F-Word’. In what became a bit of a bitter ordeal, Aktar then opened Opheem as a competitor to Lasan’s and while the former restaurant is good – Opheem is another level.
I’ve visited 4 times in total. I first visited prior to them gaining a star, then once when they had just received their first star and I’ve been twice since they have gained the second star – and each time has simply blown me away. What I would say is that in that time the cost of their signature tasting menu has vastly increased – and although it certainly represents good value – it is without a doubt on the pricey side and for most of us will be a special occasion sort of meal.
I highly recommend grabbing a pre-meal cocktail in the lounge area which is almost as opulent as the main restaurant and the cocktails are incredible – with the servers being incredibly knowledgable and able to make you anything you desire.
The main event is of course the 10 course tasting menu (there is smaller lunch option available) and will take you through a range of Indian flavours, all carefully crafted and selected. I’ve not had a single course I’ve not enjoyed here.
If you are worried about the spice you needn’t be. Although some dishes are on the warmer side, they are always well balance and promote flavour over pure heat.
I’m also a big fan of the Aktar At Home range for when I fancy a quality takeaway style – but if you want the full Michelin style treatment and a great atmosphere to boot then Opheem is unbeatable.
Location: 65 Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1JJ
Contact: 0121 201 3377
2: Adam’s Restaurant
Adam’s Restaurant is a Michelin star establishment that’s achieved an incredible reputation for fine dining in Birmingham. Come here if you want to sample exquisite dishes and experience food for sensational flavours and creativity. For me, it was an experience I won’t forget.
The dining room is modern and chic, and every detail feels intentional.
I went for the nine-course tasting menu with wine pairings. Each dish was unbelievable and carefully thought out, prepared and presented. Plenty of unexpected flavours, sometimes with clever techniques like a liquid roast chicken.
The staff were excellent – they know their menu, and were discreet yet highly attentive and very friendly. We had a flight of wine with our meal, which I recommend, due to such a variety of flavours.
The vibe is relaxed, not stuffy, which made the evening feel special but not intimidating. I’d definitely love to go back again.
Location: New Oxford House, 16 Waterloo St, Birmingham B2 5UG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 643 3745
3: The Wilderness
Now this place is absolutely unbelievable. The Wilderness, tucked in the Jewellery Quarter, really does things differently. The space is a revamped factory, and you’ll hear rock and punk music in the background – definitely not your usual fine dining soundtrack, and I loved that.
They can only seat up to 24 guests so for goodness’ sake make a reservation well in advance – it’ll be worth it.
Their tasting menus are playful, with seasonal British ingredients and a lot of attention to detail. It was one of the best dining experiences I’ve had, with some really cool and creative ideas that tasted so different.
The staff keep things friendly and relaxed, and were very helpful and attentive. They really contributed towards a fantastic atmosphere.
Chef Alex Claridge leads the kitchen and isn’t afraid to experiment. The place has earned mentions in the Michelin Guide and picked up 3 AA Rosettes, which says a lot. I would come back in a heartbeat to this place. Definitely one of my favourites.
Location: 27 Warstone Ln, Birmingham B18 6JQ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 233 9425
4: Dishoom Birmingham
Dishoom in Birmingham is one of ten restaurants in the Dishoom chain, most of which are in London hotspots like Covent Garden and Canary Wharf (which speaks volumes on its own). When you walk in you’re made to feel so welcome, and the restaurant has a warm Bombay café charm about it.
Dishoom are all about bringing all the flavours and dishes of Bombay to the table, including breakfasts. Their breakfast menu is one of the best I’ve seen, and with extra flavours and spices I never would’ve tried before.
The lunch menu is also very good – the Paneer Roomali Roll I can definitely recommended, and the chai here is extremely popular. So much so, you can even buy it online.
Their menu is packed with Bombay comfort food – Akuri, Keema Pau, Brun Maska… it’s definitely all on the spicier side. That being said, my friend doesn’t like spice and they still managed to create something a little milder for her to relish.
If you’re in the mood for something punchy at night, try the Bombay Mule cocktail with its spicy kick and citrus zing. That was my favourite.
This place does get booked up in the evenings, so I recommend you book in advance – though they are very accommodating to walk-ins too.
Location: One Chamberlain Sq, Birmingham B3 3AX, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 809 5986
5: Simpsons Restaurant
Dining at Simpsons Restaurant felt like stepping into a bit of Birmingham history. The Georgian building in Edgbaston gives the place a special charm.
Inside, the atmosphere is both elegant and laid-back. The conservatory and garden terrace are perfect if you want to keep things quiet.
The menu focuses on inventive British dishes, and every plate looked as good as it tasted. Staff were helpful and knew their stuff, which made it easier to pick the right meal.
Simpsons has built a solid reputation over the years, and you can tell they care about what they do. Their Eureka Kitchen cookery school is a fantastic extra if you’re keen to learn more about food.
Location: 20 Highfield Rd, Birmingham B15 3DU, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 454 3434
6: Tattu Birmingham
Tattu Birmingham impressed me right from the start with its interior design. The restaurant is split over two levels – downstairs feels moody and calm under a ceiling of cherry blossoms, while upstairs is brighter and a bit livelier.
The food is modern Chinese, and everything’s meant for sharing. I liked the creative menu and how the dishes looked as good as they tasted.
Cocktails here are a big deal, too, and matched the stylish vibe. The building itself, tucked in the old Grand Hotel’s basement, adds to the sense of occasion.
Staff were friendly, and service ran smoothly the whole time. I left feeling like I’d had a real night out.
Location: 18 Barwick St, Birmingham B3 2NT, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 236 5556
7: MyLahore Birmingham
MyLahore in Birmingham buzzes with energy, whether you’re there with family, friends, or just grabbing a solo bite. The space is modern and welcoming, and staff are quick to help if you need anything.
I tried a burger and sampled some wraps. The menu goes beyond classic Indian fare – you can get milkshakes, desserts, and loads of options for picky eaters.
The Indian dishes were fresh and nicely put together. I liked that you can choose to eat in or get your food to go.
Even when the place was busy, it never felt rushed, and the food stayed consistent. That’s not always easy to pull off.
Location: 191-194 Bradford St, Birmingham B12 0JD, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 771 1117
8: Harborne Kitchen
Harborne Kitchen is definitely worth a mention for being one of the best places to dine. We’re talking fine dining here, though you can pop in just for a bite, too. I’m not quite sure how this establishment hasn’t got a Michelin star, to be honest – it’s way up there with those that have been awarded one.
Staff made us feel very welcome even though they were busy and we didn’t have a reservation – they found us an immaculate table and treated us spectacularly with humour, professionalism and kindness throughout.
The kitchen focuses on progressive British food, blending local and global ingredients. Flavours were amazing – I enjoyed both the mains and the dessert, both of which were very creative and exciting.
Their cocktails are worth a mention, too, and matched the food nicely. You can tell both the kitchen and front-of-house teams take pride in making your visit memorable. I’d love to return here.
Location: 175-177 High St, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9QE, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 439 9150
9: Grand Central Kitchen
Grand Central Kitchen is a cozy spot I stumbled into after a busy morning. The place has a no-fuss, friendly feel, and the staff made me feel at home right away.
Their full English breakfast is a highlight – cooked fresh, piping hot, and full of fresh and flavourful ingredients. If you want something lighter, there are wraps, pizzas, and sandwiches, which sounds plain but they looked awesome.
Food came out fast, despite how busy they were. The café is right across from Birmingham New Street station, so it’s handy for a quick bite before or after a train.
Location: 7 Stephenson St, Birmingham B2 4BL, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 633 3883
10: Restaurant Folium
The Restaurant Folium on Caroline Street is a delightfully small and intimate restaurant with chic and modern interiors. I did wonder if it would feel stuffy, but actually we were made to feel very welcome.
It’s fine dining here, and you can opt for a long menu or short, with or without wine pairing. If you’re not sure, the staff are incredibly helpful here at guiding you through it. They answered my questions and seemed genuinely interested in making sure I enjoyed the experience.
Folium is known for its multi-course meals. Each dish brought very smart twists on British classics. The cod and wagyu beef though were my absolute favourite, and the sauce with the cod… well, I’d go back just for that. One of those meals you think about for quite some time afterwards!
The wine pairings felt thoughtful and really lifted the meal. The attention to detail with absolutely everything, especially with the plating, was standout.
You can tell there’s a lot of care behind the scenes. Booking a table in advance was easy on their website and I recommend it.
Location: 8 Caroline St, Birmingham B3 1TW, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 121 638 0100
Summary
One of the best things to do while you’re in Birmingham is sample their food and hospitality. Many of Birmingham’s best restaurants stand out for their unique atmosphere. I tried to make sure I covered all bases – from a good breakfast to desserts that would satisfy the entire family, and some exquisite and/or quirky locations that really make an occasion special.
Most of these places I’d recommend you book a reservation for if you can, especially for fine dining. They’re worth the extra planning, and it ensures you get a seat at the best tables in Birmingham!