Birmingham Restaurant Guide

The “lovely Thai food” at these reliable cafés is “impressively authentic given that they are a chain” – “excellent value” and “fast”, if occasionally let down by “iffy service”. Founded in 2008 by Saiphin and Alex Moore, who inherited the name of their first East End site, the group has 18 branches in London and expanded to Liverpool, Manchester, Reading (delivery only) and Leeds following the sale of a majority stake to US investors. The couple also have two spin-offs, Lao Café in Covent Garden and the new Chinese noodle bar Hoh Sek in St Katharine Docks.

“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.”

TV-chef Glynn Purnell’s swish HQ in the business quarter was Birmingham’s most-mentioned restaurant in the survey last year and is often recommended as “Brum’s best” (with ratings on almost exactly level pegging with rivals Adam’s and Opheem). Criticism is most notable by its absence, with nothing but rapturous reviews for his “technically accomplished cuisine, with well-executed creative dishes” and “interested, attentive and well-paced service”.

“Passion for food and drink” is much in evidence, “along with a really warm welcome” at Brad Carter’s “smart casual” fixture, which again scores top marks for his “fantastic” and “inventive” cuisine, from an eight-course tasting menu (for £90), or, if you go earlier in the week, four-course and six-course options. Added attractions include a “really imaginative vegetarian option” and a “passionate wine supremo” who also has some “really interesting alternatives to wine” up his sleeve (“quirky beers, plum sake, natural cider…”).

Jamie Desogus has created a “vibrant, relaxed, open-plan environment” at the former butcher’s shop that he opened in 2016, and all reports are full of praise for his “exceptional” modern cuisine, available from a three-course à la carte (‘choice’) menu early week, or at weekends from six-course or eight-course (‘chosen’) menus.

“Aktar Islam (ex-Lasan) is doing a fabulous job in his new venue” – a “super-stylishy”, 70-cover venture that’s immediately hailed as “Birmingham’s best Indian”, with “dedicated” staff delivering an “equisite” and “exciting” modern twist on Indian cuisine. “It’s is a little off the beaten track from the city-centre but well worth seeking out”. In October 2019, Michelin – unusually for a regional Indian – awarded it a star.

With its black-painted walls and punchy sound track, Alex Claridge’s decidedly rock ‘n’ roll Jewellery Quarter four-year-old has courted attention over the years with ants on the menu (and this year a social media campaign involving fake guns). There’s serious intent in the open kitchen here, though – “something quite unique happens, with a tasting menu that blows you away” and “beautifully crafted” drinks to go with it; “more restaurants should aim for an ’80s soundtrack too!”