Birmingham, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

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.

D&D London are at last to open in Brum with this rooftop restaurant on the 24th floor of the new tower on the site of the old NatWest building near the cathedral. Originally announced in January 2020, an October 2021 update scheduled its debut for spring 2022.

One of the Ivy clones, which achieved a positive press this year. “Nothing like the original Ivy of course”, though the “attractive” design is a “very loosely based pastiche” of that luminary – and, “rather surprisingly, it works”. “The food is fairly simple but well prepared and served with some elegance” – “I didn’t think I would like it but ended up being quite impressed”.

“Continuing to excite since it first opened in 2018: we always leave feeling wonderfully fulfilled!” – Aktar Islam’s “sensational” fine-dining Indian a little way out of the city-centre “is another step up from his former restaurant Lasan” and it is nowadays Brum’s most-commented on restaurant. The cuisine is “arguably more modern-European-with-Indian-influences rather than pure ‘Indian’ but perfectly spiced and spectacular!”. Islam did his brand no harm at all with his “superb Aktar At Home service”, which also inspires many adulatory reviews.

“Superb in every aspect” – Glynn Purnell lives up to his moniker as the ‘yummy Brummie’ at this business quarter restaurant, which edged rival Adam’s this year for Brum’s highest food score. And his “consistently delicious” and creative cooking is backed up by an “excellent wine cellar”. “For a celebration the private dining room is excellent” (“the most expensive meal I’ve ever had by a long way, but I definitely don’t regret it!”).

Executive chef of nearby Craft and two times Great British Menu contestant Andrew Sheridan leads this October 2021 newcomer – a theatrical dining experience that doesn’t sell itself short on its website… ‘one of the most interactive, dynamic and pioneering dining experiences. Commencing in 8’s V8 Lounge, the story begins before guests are relocated to the heart of 8 where the brigade create a fully immersive dining experience around the story of 8 expertly narrated and created by 8’s Andrew Sheridan’. Afterwards, request a trip to ‘After 8’, described as ‘Quite possibly one of the most exclusive cocktail bars, ever’! Wow!!

Ben Tesh & Lucy Hanlon’s four-year-old pop-up turned permanent in the Jewellery Quarter showcases Ben’s “really exceptional” cooking, with up to 15 servings of refined and adventurous food to taste from a choice of ‘long’ or ‘short’ ever-changing menus. The chef developed his own approach after a stint in the kitchen at Noma in Copenhagen, and now earns consistently rave reviews.

“Brilliant tasting menus of creative fusion food” win consistent acclaim for chef-owner Alex Claridge at his high-impact Jewellery Quarter venue. “Love the flavours, the drinks pairings (including non-alcohol cocktails), the dark mirrored environment and the rock music (old favourites played not intrusively loud)”.

“A favourite Midlands restaurant with an ever-changing menu that’s never fallen short of being tantalising and special” – Andreas Antona’s handsome Edwardian villa in the city’s posh southern suburbs is one of Brum’s most consistent performers. It’s an approachable place, having taken on a more casual look a couple of years ago, with “welcoming and relaxed” staff who remove any stiffness from its “airy” interior and beautiful gardens in summer. (For the odd reporter, though, they’ve taken the laid-back approach too far: “once really special, now too like a modern bistro”.)

2021 Review: Yummy brunches, fine coffee and stone-baked pizza are the top attractions at this funkily decorated pub, on the high street (which has a good garden for the summer months).

“The tasting menu is superb!” at Jamie Desogus’s accomplished five-year-old. It’s a characterful space in a former butcher’s shop converted in 2016. Early in the week and at lunchtime, there’s a shorter menu alternative, but on Friday and Saturday evenings only the full tasting menu.

Brad Carter’s acclaimed fine-dining fixture in Moseley continues to ride high with its “truly magnificent food, decor, ambience and staff” (“could not have been looked after better”). The imaginative cuisine currently runs to a seven-course lunch and nine-course tasting menu (served on a variety of funky-looking plates), while the notable wine list (strong on natural options, plus quirkier sips like orange wines) is always of interest.

Vinoteca's first foray out of London.