The 28 best restaurants in Birmingham

Adam’s began life in 2013 as a less than glamorous pop-up in a former sandwich shop. Thanks to subsequent high demand and an almost cult-like following, it amped up the production pace and outgrew its original location  – receiving a Michelin star in the process. These days, you’ll find Adam’s in a much grander premise on Waterloo Street, where contemporary British dining is the name of the game. And while Michelin-starred restaurants can often feel pretentious, Adam’s manages to avoid this and excite with its refreshing, approachable fine-dining experience.

An old favourite at this point, Original Patty Men still holds up against the seemingly never-ending competition as a favourite haunt of Birmingham’s burger connoisseurs. Launched by a bunch of designers and now with two restaurants – one in a Digbeth archway, the other at The British Oak in Stirchley – staff refer to themselves as ‘purveyors of filth’. OPM’s menu is deliciously messy (it’s not unknown for OPM to replace a burger bun with a glazed doughnut) and hip-hop megastar Drake even placed a rather large order from here too. Kudos.

After 13 years, Carters left its home in Moseley over the summer and decamped to Westlands in Evesham for a six-month residency, where diners have been able to continue enjoying the restaurant’s farm-to-fork experience – perhaps in part because 75 percent of the produce comes from the surrounding nurseries. This year also saw chef-owner Brad Carter retain his Michelin star for the eighth time, as well as taking gourmet kebab pop-up One Star Doner Bar to Kings Heath institution the Hare and Hounds. Later in 2024, Carters is set to move to a permanent home in Birmingham city centre – expect an imaginative menu with sustainability at its heart.

Purnell’s completes a triple-pronged Michelin-starred welcome to Brum’s dining scene – aren’t you lucky! Purnell’s is the brainchild of celebrity chef Glynn Purnell; his menus blend British influences with French and East Asian ingredients to create a truly unique dining experience. The Purnell’s menu evolves with the seasons and is famous for featuring Britain’s finest seafood, such as Gigha halibut and Orkney scallops. Make time for the cocktail lounge afterwards.

The Wilderness is a somewhat provocative experience. Spearheaded by proud Brummie Alex Claridge, this could well be Birmingham’s most creative fine-dining experience; his passion for local heritage, food and rock and roll is plain for all to see. What feels playful on the surface is deadly serious, though: The Wilderness unlocks senses and unearths flavours you didn’t even know existed. Seriously cool, and seriously overdue a Michelin star.   

Ming Nham, the brains behind the effortlessly brilliant Eat Vietnam, turned his street food pop-up into a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in 2019, and Stirchley locals will tell you it’s one of the best things to happen to the suburb. Nham, who grew up in Vietnam and arrived in Birmingham as a child, heads up a team of passionate young chefs whose modern takes on traditional Vietnamese dishes gives diners the gift of marmite and peanut butter cauliflower and salt and pepper-crusted tofu. The curries are an absolute must, with both veggie and meat options that hum with coconut, fresh herbs and delicate jasmine rice. For those that can’t nab a table at this perpetually booked-up gem, they now offer a click-and-collect service.

There’s little else to be said about Bonehead other than it is Birmingham’s best fried chicken – hands down. This effortlessly cool chicken joint near New Street station attracts fried chicken fans from all over the country to devour its wares, and despite its speciality being succulent chicken, its sauces aren’t far behind. Think: hot wings, sriracha honey butter burger dressing and blue cheese tater tots.

It was only a matter of time before affordable dining concept Six by Nico added Birmingham to its now 10-strong list of locations. Just before Christmas it opened its egregiously weighty doors on Colmore Row to diners who needed no more than £39 in their wallets to enjoy six courses inspired by the great British chippy. Punchy onion ketchup, a smoke-filled cloche hiding a scene-stealing trio of pork, and a tangy sorbet somehow embodying the very essence of Irn Bru were just some of the highlights from the restaurant’s first menu in the second city. Those who dilly-dallied on their reservation might have missed out however, because every six weeks the restaurant unveils a new theme tied to memory, place or idea. More recently it has gone down the rabbit-hole into Wonderland with a Mad Hatter-style tea party and a red velvet cake fit for the Queen of Hearts. Whatever comes next is sure to be as fanciful – and given the price tag, one can afford to experience multiple gastronomical journeys. 

With a handful of locations across the West Midlands (Birmingham city centre, Moseley, Harborne, Solihull and Stratford-upon-Avon), Sabai Sabai is thriving with quiet composure. Its pleasurable Thai menu caters to all dispositions, whether that be pad thai stalwarts, seafood lovers or the vegan-friendly crowd. Sabai Sabai really are local legends: they lead where others follow.

Orelle is the swanky new kid on Birmingham’s fine-dining block. This contemporary French restaurant sits pretty on the 24th floor of the shiny 103 Colmore Row skyscraper, in the heart of the city’s business district, with unparalleled skyline views accompanying its intricate dishes. Order the côte de boeuf and share a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Thank us later.

In the charming Great Western Arcade – home of independent bars, shops and restaurants – Land sets out to prove once and for all that plant-based dining is long past being dull. Since opening in 2019, the restaurant has focused on prioritising seasonal ingredients while taking inspiration from various cuisines around the world. Taste and texture are heightened by the stylish presentation.

A café by day and a restaurant by night, Tropea has brought the tastes of Italy – more specifically, Calabria – to Harborne. Favouring great coffee, pastries and focaccia before switching to contemporary yet seasonal Italian staples for the evening, this relaxed setting and authentic Italian wine set up a chilled dining experience.

Birmingham and Indian cuisine are a historically synonymous pairing and while purists are spoiled by the likes of the Balti Triangle, it’s Moseley hotspot Zindiya that slaps a truly original twist on modern Indian street food. If its colourful rickshaw booths and nostalgia-laden advertising don’t mentally transport you to the bustling markets of Delhi or Mumbai, its menu will finish the job. Puffed rice spilling out of paper cones and paneer-stuffed dosa are just the tip of the iceberg, while the playful cocktail list will take you on a tour of India by marrying your prosecco, tequila or non-alcoholic lemonade with chai bitters, delicate rose or lime pickle. High chai afternoon tea and festive menus offer yet more reasons to check out this criminally underrated spot.

One must heed the name of this brunch spot in Kings Heath and be standing outside its doors at opening time on the weekend because it operates a walk-ins only policy and is guaranteed to have a queue. So frighteningly popular is Early Bird that after five years on the high street it practically had no choice but to expand into the space next door. It means there’s now slightly more chance of devouring their delectable baked goods or sampling the Cowboy Breakfast, a plate stacked with spiced honey pork, hash browns, boston beans, fried egg and – somewhat outrageously – both jalapeno butter and peanut butter BBQ sauce on the side.

Hearty portions and delightful presentation showcase Tamu’s high-quality ingredients at their colourful best, and there’s plenty to cater for vegetarian and vegan tastebuds too. Open sandwiches, French toast and pancake stacks make this a prime brunch spot, with ‘super salads’ a decent healthier option. A real Bearwood gem worth making the effort for.

These are big burgers. Cool, edgy and lots of fun, The Meat Shack slings uproariously decadent stacks, chicken and loaded fries into suspecting mouths. The trademark smashed patties are a big draw (the Hell Shack packs a hefty punch), but vegetarians can indulge in an equally attractive cheese and mushroom beast called Bella Emberg (she was an iconic Brit comedy actress of the 1980s, trivia fans). Graffiti-strewn walls and a backstreet location make it seem all the more depraved, and happily so.

Another of the city’s most creative dining experiences comes with Kray Treadwell’s 670 Grams, based in the Custard Factory. His dishes often reflect the surrounding heritage; the rhubarb custard tart is a nod to that. 670 Grams is Michelin-recommended and Treadwell won the Michelin Guide’s Young Chef of the Year award in 2021 – it’s no surprise to see their ten covers often fully booked out. And at £110, the 18-course tasting menu might just be the best value in the city.

Possibly Birmingham’s most lauded restaurant is contemporary British restaurant Simpsons, a local institution that has held its Michelin star aloft since 1999. Simpsons offers more than just your traditional meal: for a start, it’s in a Grade II-listed Georgian villa on the city-centre peripherals. You’re also in the hands of multi-award-winning chef patron Andreas Antona who has three decades of culinary experience. Simpsons caters for all tastes: British fish and meat is highly regarded, but they have also been recognised by Peta as one of the UK’s top ten restaurants for plant-based dining. 

A lot is going on in and around Digbeth landmark The Custard Factory, but Baked in Brick has been quietly smashing it. With a custom-built oven and an in-house bakery, you presume good things from the dough – play it safe with one of its thick-crust, thin-base pizzas, go a bit wild on a calzone, or pop in on a Sunday for the much-raved-about roast dinner.

Despite the prime location on New Street, it’s easy to walk straight past Medicine’s unfussy exterior. Pop inside, however, and you are greeted with a boggling range of sweet and savoury bakes, which could easily be considered a meal on their own. The excellent brunch menu includes traditional and vegan breakfasts, buddha bowls and a mouthwatering grilled cheese sourdough. And if you do struggle to find the entrance, head to the Mailbox where Medicine boasts a coffee stand for a flyby caffeine hit or take a seat in its standalone restaurant just a few feet away and enjoy the impeccable interior design and curated artisan menu.

La Galleria is tucked away on the short stretch between New Street and the thronging railway station bearing the same name. First-rate Italian cuisine awaits at this family-run venture, whose team are passionate about the food they serve; notably the top-notch pizza and fresh pasta dishes (served in reassuringly generous portions). Cosy with a relaxed atmosphere, it’s a snug spot for a date or family meal.

There’s a lot to be said for a good curry at the end of a night out, but nowhere does it better than Shababs: home of the authentic balti. This dish was invented in Birmingham in the 1970s when chefs attempted to make their dishes lighter to appeal to western tastes, and Shababs on the world-famous Balti Triangle is where everyone goes to try it. For less than £30 per head you can enjoy a starter, rice, naan, main and a drink - and it’s BYOB too. Great value.

Newcomer Trentina lays claim to serving the freshest pasta in the Jewellery Quarter but the true USP of this chic corner restaurant is its bottomless Sunday offering, where diners can choose two courses – typically pasta then dessert – while imbibing 90 minutes’ worth of frozen garibaldi and limoncello granita. Though its staple dishes lean toward the pappardelle-orecchiette-ravioli variety, don’t overlook its seasonal dinner menu which has recently featured BBQ guinea fowl luxuriating in a glossy jus and pink bream with braised fennel. As the Italians might say, delizioso. 

Located at the intersection of the Gay Village, The Arcadian and The Hippodrome, this understated Korean establishment whips up some of the best East Asian grub in the city centre. Aside from the eponymous dish, Topokki's dupbap and bibimbap tickle the tastebuds; take a punt on the bulgogi dupbap – sticky, tender beef – or classic ramen for an authentic Korean meal.

It’s true that fine-dining etiquette (and often the prices) can put people off – but this is where Harborne Kitchen comes in. Jamie Desogus heads up this neighbourhood restaurant which aims to do away with the stuffiness you expect at some establishments and provide equally good food at more attainable prices. See this as an informal introduction to high-end food, if you like, with simple British tasting menus to equal the very best in the city from just £55.

Isaac’s brings New York-style diner classics to the UK’s second city. Everything here is exceedingly rich: there are your famed New York steaks and cheesecake, plus Italian staples like gnocchi and ragú, but there’s a hefty section of the menu dedicated to oysters and seafood too. Top it off with a boozy Miami Vice milkshake. Top it off with a billionaire cookie or banana knickerbocker glory – both of which, in a pleasant surprise for coeliacs, are gluten free.

Another popular establishment in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, Saint Pauls House is a boutique hotel, restaurant and bar that has made a name for itself as a stylish abode with great food and drink without compromising on the hearty portions. Their full English breakfasts and Sunday roasts, for example, will set visitors salivating, while their hoisin-glazed confit pork belly and hefty steaks offer something a tad more indulgent. Stay the night for an all-round relaxed experience.

Birmingham’s only Peruvian restaurant doesn’t have to be this good, but it is. Robert Ortiz’s Chakana, housed within a former bank in Moseley, pushes all flavour and presentation boundaries here; micro herbs and edible flowers float on blobs of vivid green, purple and peach, while main-course elements are placed so meticulously that it’s almost a shame to dig in and ruin it. Less of a hidden gem, more of a slow discovery – and we’d advise you to discover it soon. See you at the bar for a pisco sour.