Harden's survey result
Summary
“Adam’s is probably the smartest and most formal restaurant in Birmingham”, and with the demise of Purnell’s (RIP) some would say it is “now by some way Birmingham’s number one spot”, especially if you are neither seeking a hip, multi-course experience nor non-European cuisine. Established in 2016 by Adam & Natasha Stokes, it’s a conventional space near Victoria Square – “front of house staff are smartly decked out and behave like professionals: polite and helpful with well-measured friendliness”. “Sound, thoughtful cooking is well-judged”, “prepared from high-quality ingredients” and “presented very attractively”. Most nights there is an à la carte (£89 per person) or five-course (£109 per person) option: on Saturdays it’s just the seven-course tasting menu for £137 per person. “The room is pleasant enough, though a large party can make it noisy”.
Summary
“Smart, chic, highly professional” – Adam & Natasha Stokes’s “commendably consistent” operation is “outstanding in every respect” and “one of the leading lights in Brum’s high-quality restaurant scene”: in fact the No. 1 in the city in our annual diners’ poll this year where European cuisine is concerned. “Not cheap but worth every penny”, its central location and “unfailingly impressive combination of brilliant cooking and presentation with excellent service” makes it “just the setting for a business meal” (the top option is to be “royally looked after at the chef’s table”). Top Tip – “the set menu at lunch is brilliant value”.
Summary
“Easily Birmingham’s top dining destination” (of the modern European variety), say fans of Adam & Natasha Stokes’s local luminary, which is entering its tenth year of operation. Its “exquisite and inventive food has evolved and reinvented itself over the years and just keeps amazing with new creations and combinations of flavours”. “Impeccable service” is “that lovely combination of being professional but also engaging” and “the general feel of the restaurant is classy with Art Deco influences”. All this plus the “comprehensive wine list” you would expect. Top Tip – “the kitchen table experience is a well-designed and great experience”.
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.
For 33 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).
Have you eaten at Adam's?
16 Waterloo St, Birmingham, B2 5UG
Restaurant details
Adam's Restaurant Diner Reviews
"We've eaten here several times. On this occasion the food was very good but perhaps not more than that, and less striking than before.. The staff have clearly been carefully trained and do all the right things, but there is little warmth or sincerity in it. As a result, overall the experience was pleasant but a little sterile and by the (high end) numbers. Since the demise of Purnell's, this is perhaps Birmingham's best restaurant. I'd hope for more."
"Consistently superb. How has this place not got its 2nd Michelin star yet!?"
"Sound, creative cooking that is well judged and neatly presented. Service is efficient and careful but 20% service charge is at the pain threshold. The whole experience is calmer and less flash than Purnells; and the cooking is rather better too. The room is pleasant enough, though a large party made it noisy on our last visit. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £80.00 |  |
|
|
|
| Lunch | £75.00 | |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 105.00 | Always available | 5 |
| Menu2 | 130.00 | Always available | 7 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £55.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
16 Waterloo St, Birmingham, B2 5UG
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
Best British, Modern restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Birmingham
Indian restaurant in Birmingham
British, Modern restaurant in Birmingham
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Stratford upon Avon
British, Modern restaurant in Mountsorrel
