Harden's survey result
Summary
Often cited by fans as “Birmingham’s top gastronomic destination”, Adam & Natasha Stoke’s central restaurant and bar wins ongoing praise for its “sublime food with service to match”, although you don’t have to have the tasting menu to enjoy it, as there is also a more conventional three-course option. After our survey concluded, in Sept 2021, it acquired a new head chef: James Goodyear, who joined from London’s Hide.
Summary
“No need to go to London restaurants that so often disappoint!” – Adam & Natasha Stoke’s “beautiful restaurant with a lovely bar and intimate dining area is in a central location that has parking outside”. Its food score remains the highest in Brum (by a very narrow whisker from Purnells) with practically all feedback describing “fine dining at its best” – “no over the top scientific nonsense”, just “food that continues to be innovative, beautifully prepared and presented” and service that’s “professional, never pompous and which knows how to connect without intruding”. “Enjoying the tasting menu downstairs at the chef’s table is a great experience.”
Summary
“No need to go to London restaurants that so often disappoint!” – Adam & Natasha Stoke’s “beautiful restaurant with a lovely bar and intimate dining area is in a central location that has parking outside”. Its food score remains the highest in Brum (by a very narrow whisker from Purnells) with practically all feedback describing “fine dining at its best” – “no over the top scientific nonsense”, just “food that continues to be innovative, beautifully prepared and presented” and service that’s “professional, never pompous and which knows how to connect without intruding”. “Enjoying the tasting menu downstairs at the chef’s table is a great experience.”
Summary
“Certainly Birmingham’s No. 1 restaurant” – Adam & Natasha Stokes’s “shining star of the city’s dining scene” occupies a “contemporary looking, peaceful and calm” site that’s “classy and comfortable, and – if lacking a picturesque view – buoyed by the happy contentment of diners”. The “outstanding” food “continues to impress, with superb flavour combinations, high quality sourcing, and real innovation – without resorting to gimmicks – to focus on letting ingredients shine”. “An excellent wine list contains many top growths but also good wines at reasonable prices”. “Service too hits a utopian balance of being professional but approachable and engaging”. Its most dedicated fans are furthermore “amazed that it doesn’t have another Michelin star” as they say “it is definitely deserving of at least two: I say that in comparison to the likes of The Fat Duck, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Simpson’s, to name just a few!”. The chef’s table again comes recommended: “a magical experience of true theatre!”
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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Restaurant details
Adam's Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Exquisite and inventive food that has evolved and reinvented itself over the last 5 or so years. Just keeps amazing us with new creations and combinations of flavours. Service is that lovely combination of professional but engaging. I would say the wine list is probably amongst the best in the UK. No rubbish vintages. General feel of the restaurant is classy with art deco influences. Always busy so a very good atmosphere. Kitchen table experience is a great design and experience."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £46.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
16 Waterloo St, Birmingham, B2 5UG
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 7 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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