Birmingham, Indian Restaurant Guide

The deservedly popular retro Bombay-themed chain has made itself thoroughly at home in Brum with this “busy, buzzy venue in the city centre” – “a very slick operation” serving “authentic and tasty” food with a “good variety of tapas-style small dishes and sharing plates”. Much is made of Birmingham and Mumbai’s shared histories of manufacture, commerce and craftsmanship.

This city-centre venue wins consistently strong ratings – if not much feedback this year – for its classic “rich” cuisine from India’s northwest. It is part of an international group (with UK branches in Manchester and Solihull) owned by the prolific Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle and run by her son Anand; now 88, she is best-known in Britain from Cornershop’s 1997 hit single ‘Brimful of Asha’, which punned on her name, meaning ‘hope’ in Hindi.

“The tasting menu is an exciting journey” at Aktar Islam’s increasingly famous dining room a little out of the city centre, which is “going from strength to strength” as Brum’s most commented-on destination; one of the top-10 most mentioned outside London in our annual diners’ poll; and with some claim on being “the best Indian restaurant outside of London”. The “elegantly presented” cuisine is rooted in the subcontinent, but might equally be described as “European with Indian flavours and spices”. However you define the kitchen, it provides “a great experience with subtle spicing and some unique touches and flavours” complemented by “outstanding wine matches”. The main dining room is a dim-lit, modern and stylish space and among improvements in recent times “the new lounge in particular is a fabulous addition”.

Now in its 21st year, this “superior” Jewellery Quarter fixture has led the way in modernising British Indian cuisine, presented for “degustation” in a sophisticated setting. Ratings have remained very steady despite the travails of recent times – and the departure of high-profile chef-director Aktar Islam (see Opheem).

2022 Review: With its “good home-style Indian vegetarian cuisine”, the Joshi family’s canteen and sweet centre has developed into a Hall Green institution over almost five decades. Specialising in Gujarati and south Indian cooking, it lists no fewer than 72 main dishes… none of them is priced at over £5.95.