Birmingham’s food scene represents cuisine from all over the world – dining out in the city feels like dining out around the globe. With restaurants serving world cuisine and venues that celebrate local produce, there are some stellar gems scattered around the city that await to be discovered. Whether you’re looking for the perfect spot for a weekend brunch with family, a celebratory bottomless brunch with your mates, a romantic destination to wow a special someone, or some of the city’s best curry for a group get-together, the best restaurants in Birmingham promise a memorable time.
In Temple Row, a glamorous aperitivo joint serves some of the best spritz in town complete with stellar Napeolitan pizzas. In Summer Row, an exceptional Indian gem just got awarded a second MICHELIN star. In the fashionable suburb of Moseley, a transporative menu brings adventurous diners straight to Peru. In the business district, oysters, creative cocktails and 360-degree panoramic views promise to set the tone for an unforgettable date night.
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For one of the best Chinese restaurants in Birmingham – take a trip to Lulu Wild
Lulu Wild in the heart of Birmingham is a great spot for celebrations and special occasions. Embark upon an enchanting journey as you enter a world of neon lights, smoking cocktails and velvet upholstery. The dining experience at Lulu Wild is all about harmony and as such, many dishes are designed for sharing. Start with firecracker squid or shitake and truffle spring rolls or whet your appetite with a dim sum sharing platter, before moving on to the main event. Juicy Sichuan lobster tail, wagyu steak with General Tso sauce and crispy chilli paneer are just a few of your options. Hire The Hideout for your next event – a private room with a baby grand piano, stage and exclusive bar and service team.
For one of the best restaurants in Birmingham city centre – book a table at Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar in the city centre
Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar Birmingham is known as one of the best restaurants in Birmingham for a reason. Serving classic Italian dishes with a modern twist, with recipes straight from the Amalfi Coast, you’ll wonder why you ever eat anything else. The nautical interior in tranquil Italian ocean colours creates a relaxing ambience with just a touch of glamour. Pull up a stool at the classy cocktail bar and indulge yourself with classics such as the iconic aperitivo spritz, or house specialty cocktails featuring watermelon vodka and passionfruit liqueur with fresh fruits. Alternatively, enjoy al fresco dining on the open-air terrace or watch the chefs get creative in the open kitchen. Start your meal with fluffy hand-stretched garlic focaccia with rosemary before enjoying thinly sliced carpaccio of beef. Move on to linguine frutti di mare with wild red king prawns, and finish with a classic panna cotta with tart and fragrant berry compote. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Neapolitan pizza with a signature dough created by the house master baker, from stuffed calzone to white base pizza with soy truffle cream, a taste of Naples awaits. Try the signature oven-baked gnocchi platters served in garlic pizza dough for an indulgent sharing experience for two.
For a culinary journey to Peru – visit Chakana in Moseley
As the first Peruvian restaurant and bar to open in Birmingham, Chakana in Moseley is something of a trailblazer. And it’s a trail you will want to follow, as soon as you try the delectable food on offer. Self-billed as casual fine dining, you can expect the high-quality food of a previously MICHELIN-starred chef with the soulfulness of old Peru. Chef Robert Ortiz has crafted a menu that showcases the very best of Peruvian cuisine, with a contemporary twist. The daily tasting menu is the perfect way to try a bit of everything, and enjoy the complete Peruvian experience with dishes such as crab causa with tamarillo sauce, juicy confit suckling pig and cornbread with seaweed butter. Plant-based choices include asparagus causa, dragon fruit tiradito or artichoke ceviche, each more delicious than the last.
For one of Birmingham’s best sushi restaurants – book a table at Gaijin Sushi in the city centre
One of the best restaurants in Birmingham city centre is Gaijin Sushi, which opened to much fanfare in 2018. Not just a place to dine, but a place to experience. Join up to ten people at the sushi bar, where you can watch the chefs work up close as they prepare your selections. These range from only raw to nothing raw, depending on your preferences. Tuna, salmon, eel, scallops and sweet prawns all feature on the menu, served in a variety of ways to get the juices flowing. If you’ve ever had any questions about sushi, from where the fish is sourced to how the chefs can slice it so thinly, Gaijin is the venue for you. Pull up a stool at the bar and ask the chefs questions to your heart’s content as they expertly prepare your meal in full view.
For one of the best French restaurants in Birmingham with stunning views – head to Orelle Birmingham in the business district
Sky-high dining inspired by classical French recipes with immaculate service is what you can expect when you visit Orelle Birmingham. Situated on the 24th floor of 103 Colmore Row, you can experience 360-degree panoramic views while you dine. Choose from a window seat indoors or enjoy cocktails and snacks on the terrace in the warmer months. Or stay closer to earth with a coffee at the Orelle café on the ground floor. The prix fixe menu is served Monday to Saturday at lunchtime and in the early evening from Monday to Thursday. Enjoy a carefully curated selection of dishes such as the juicy pork and venison terrine, the cured salmon ballontine and the crispy pan-seared seabass. Alternatively, visit for Sunday lunch, where you can start with fresh oysters and finish with creamy tiramisu.
For an exceptional MICHELIN-starred experience – book a table at Opheem in Birmingham
“Just me. Unleashed.” This is the philosophy of chef Aktar Islam of Opheem, Birmingham’s first ever two MICHELIN-starred restaurant. Pushing the boundaries of Indian cooking, Aktar Islam takes inspiration from vibrant Indian flavours and combines them with modern and traditional cooking techniques from around the globe. Experience the food of emperors and kings on your own doorstep when you book a table at Opheem. The seasonal menu is updated several times each year to reflect the best of fresh produce, with your choice of five or ten delectable courses. Highlights may include Persian Badami korma with mooli, apple and almond, aloo tuk with pink fir potato and tamarind from Delhi. Try tabak maas with tandoori barbecue sauce from Kashmir and a selection of amuse bouches. The bold wine flight pairings ensure your meal is the complete package. Vegetarian, pescatarian and some other dietary requirements can be catered for within the tasting menus with advance notice.
For one of the best Italian restaurants in the centre of Birmingham – visit Cucina Rustica in Birmingham
Homely and cosy with a classic Mediterranean vibe, Cucina Rustica Birmingham brings you the very best of the Italian culinary experience right in the centre of Birmingham. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets can all be catered for, and sharing is recommended – although not required if you can’t bear to part with some of yours. Outstanding antipasti choices include caprino fritto – lightly fried goat’s cheese with sweet balsamic and poached pear – and salmone con granchio – smoked salmon and crab meat with avocado, lemon and shallots. For the main event, tuck into your choice of a vast selection of pizzas, pasta, meat and fish dishes. If you really can’t decide, don’t worry. You can opt for the tris di paste to share – three different pasta dishes chosen by the chef based on the day’s freshest ingredients. Private and group dining bookings are also available.
For one of the best steaks in Birmingham with water views – visit Noel’s Bar and Restaurant in Birmingham
Noel’s Bar and Restaurant aims to serve Birmingham’s very best dishes from a charcoal-fired grill. The kitchen works with master butcher Aubrey Allen to offer guests a wide range of fine cuts of meat. These are served alongside homemade pasta and ravioli, made daily on-site by artisan pasta makers. Creative cuisine coupled with inspired cocktails make Noel’s one of the best steak restaurants in Birmingham. Menu highlights include fresh tagliolino with lobster, ox cheek ravioli and charcoal-grilled chicken souvlaki. Start your meal with a deluxe fish platter to share or indulge in some royal beluga caviar. Noel’s also offers a vegan and gluten-free afternoon tea, featuring bruschetta followed by macarons, brownies and scones. Add a choice of tea blends or indulge out with champagne or a pink butterfly cocktail. During warmed days, seat by the water and enjoy a meal out while watching boats and passengers go by.
For one of the best restaurants near Birmingham with a MICHELIN star – take a trip to Simpsons in Edgbaston
Boasting 30 years of culinary excellence and a MICHELIN star, Simpsons in Edgbaston is a must-visit for discerning foodies. The menu, designed by head chef Luke Tipping and chef patron Andreas Antona, focuses on contemporary classics crafted from the finest seasonal produce. Choose a three or five-course tasting menu for the full experience, with vegan options and a children’s menu available. Try the sea bream with white asparagus, Devonshire white chicken or heritage beetroot with sorrel and wasabi. And don’t forget to start with a signature tapenade bread roll. The venue itself is equally as spectacular as the food. Located in a Grade II listed building in Edgbaston, the bright and modern décor of the Georgian villa is both elegant and welcoming. Bi-fold patio doors open into the garden in the warmer months, with exposed stone and blond wood beams indoors.
For one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Birmingham – book a table at The Ivy on Temple Row
The Ivy has been a British institution since 1917, renowned for serving quality British food in luxurious settings. The Ivy Temple Row is no exception, enjoying a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Birmingham. Take in views of stunning St. Philip’s Cathedral or people-watch along busy Temple Row while you dine. Menu choices range from the best of British, such as classic shepherd’s pie and traditional fish and chips, to Asian-inspired delights such as miso-glazed fillet steak and crispy duck salad. In tribute to the founding of The Ivy in 1917, guests can enjoy a two-course prix fixe menu served Monday to Friday for just £19.17. Start your evening with an aperitif – champagne mojitos and salted caramel espresso martinis are popular choices – and end with a nightcap, with selected cocktails served from 9 pm Sunday to Thursday.
Birmingham has a vibrant and busy restaurant scene, with old and new venues alike across the city. Some of the best restaurants in Birmingham can be found close to the centre, but there are also plenty of hidden gems to discover on the outskirts. If you’re a foodie who likes trying new things, you’ll love to explore the culinary delights of Birmingham.
