15 Best Restaurants In Birmingham To Satisfy Your Cravings!

Whether you’re a local or just visiting Birmingham, you need to know the best places to eat in Birmingham. This city is home to some of the tastiest cuisine around, so it can be difficult to narrow down your options. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up 15 of the best restaurants in Birmingham. From traditional British dishes to international flavours, there’s something for everyone. So, let’s get started and find out which restaurants are the crème de la crème of Birmingham’s dining scene!

Michelin Star Restaurants in Birmingham

1. Adam’s

Price: ££££
Location: Waterloo Street

What began as an average pop-up in a former sandwich shop quickly gained popularity as one of the best restaurants in Birmingham, outgrowing its initial location. Adam’s is now located on Waterloo Street, with a much larger land and is the go-to for people looking for fine dining in Birmingham. It can be quite expensive, but the award-winning kitchen, headed by James Goodyear, puts top-notch food on your plate, making it worth it. The place is also very conveniently situated around our best student accommodations.

2. Opheem

Price: ££££
Location: Summer Row

The latest addition to the list of Michelin star restaurants in Birmingham is Opheem, which is owned by the former head chef of Jewellery Quarter’s Lasan, Aktar Islam. At Opheem, he tests the limits of Indian cuisine by adding a modern twist to classic dishes. Located in a former nightclub on Summer Row, this elegant spot is one of the best restaurants in Birmingham. If you’re searching for fine dining in Birmingham, you cannot miss out on this. With a grey textured contemporary look to its interiors, Opheem features a thin glass pane that separates the diners from the kitchen, feeding the curiosities of their guests. The restaurant offers a creative menu with imaginative takes on classic Indian street food, such as the Aloo Tuk, which comprises smooth and flavourful layers. 

3. Carters of Moseley

Price: ££££
Location: Moseley Village

This Michelin-star restaurant is headed by partners Chef Bard Cater and Holly Jackson, and first opened its doors in 2010. Carter of Moseley's menu focuses mainly on British cuisine and has earned several achievements including a spot in the Good Food guide’s list of best restaurants in Birmingham. Located just 15 minutes away from the buzzing city centre, you can find this restaurant in Moseley Village, a leafy suburb with several places to eat in Birmingham. This restaurant is renowned for its twelve-course tasting menu, including a signature starter of oyster cooked in beef fat, served wrapped in its shell with a thin string. 

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4. Purnell’s

Price: ££££
Location: Cornwall Street

Coming straight from the pans of the kitchen headed by celebrity chef Glynn Purnell, this restaurant is preceded by its reputation as one of the Michelin star restaurants in Birmingham. Purnell’s menu is mainly British with a touch of flavours adapted from the French and Far East cuisines. This is definitely a must add to your list of places to eat in Birmingham during your stay here. Once you try their innovative dishes, you will surely deem Purnell’s one of the best restaurants in Birmingham. 

5. Simpsons

Price: ££££
Location: Edgbaston

Surprisingly neither bright yellow nor full of donuts, the Simpsons is a fine dining restaurant in Birmingham, located in the leafy suburb of Edgbaston. The eatery offers diners a fine-dining experience worthy of being one of the Michelin star restaurants in Birmingham. A glammed-up Grade II property, the Simpsons ives upto its status as one of the best restaurants in Birmingham and provides diners with an ambience balanced between contemporary and crisp, and homely and intimate. The menu mainly features fine British cuisine with options like guinea fowl, and suckling pig. If you’re vegetarian, don’t worry. Simpsons makes sure you won’t miss out with a vegetarian menu. 

Around the World in a Few Bites

6. Qavali

Price: ££££
Location: Brindleyplace

Inspired by the soulful culture of Qawwali, a music genre that has traversed all of South-East Asia, starting from Turkey and Iran, to Afghanistan, and further on to India and Pakistan, this eatery aspires to capture this very journey and present it onto the plates of those dining here. This dedication to absolute culinary delight is the very thing that has supported Qavali onto this list of the best restaurants in Birmingham, and also attracted the attention of those looking for the best places to eat in Birmingham. 

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7. Varanasi

Price: ££££
Location: Broad Street

As a foodie going around the city, crossing off the best restaurants in Birmingham off your list, you might come across a few trendy places that you would want to check out primarily for its popularity. Although Varanasi is a hyped-up spot, a single bite of their Indian cuisine will convince you that this is worth being on the list of best restaurants in Birmingham. Hand in hand with their perfectly curated dishes, you can also enjoy Varanasi’s soothing ambience that is carried through the chic rooms dimly lit by the overhanging chandeliers and decorated with serene sculptures. Fun fact! Johny Depp is known to have spent around 50k here on a single visit. So if you’re in the mood for something spicy, this eatery is sure to top your list of Indian restaurants in Birmingham. 

8. Tattu

Price: ££££
Location: Business District

Are you in the mood for Chinese? Stop by Tattu to experience culinary bliss in the form of contemporary dishes stemming from the traditional Chinese fused with modern flavours using novel methods, presented artistically. Make sure to check out the restaurant’s website before you visit so that you don’t miss out on any offers. Interpreting the philosophical concept of yin-yang in a creative new way, Tattu is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Birmingham, transporting diners to a tranquil space with its revived cherry blossom trees and traditional wooden fretwork. Diners can pick from two dining areas, each representing either yin or yang. Signature dishes include caramel soy beef fillet and saffron black cod, which head chef Andrew Lassetter is known for. You’re guaranteed good food when dining at Tattu, one of the best restaurants in Birmingham. 

9. Tiger Bites Pig

Price: £
Location: Stephenson Street

Another spot that tops the list of best Chinese restaurants in Birmingham is Tiger Bites Pig. Standing out among the predictable chain restaurants and subpar stores near New Street station, this Chinese Bao bar first served its fresh and organic dishes to Birmingham in 2018. Although small, the eatery serves up dishes bursting with flavours that create an unforgettable dining experience when paired with cold beer and some friends. Serving up dishes resembling the streetfood of Eastern Asia, this quirky and quaint spot is known for stir-fried pickled mustard greens and red braised pork belly. When it comes to the famous bao that started it all, freshness is guaranteed as these light, fluffy buns are prepared early every morning. Another reason that makes Tiger Bites Pig one of the best Chinese restaurants in Birmingham is the bao kits that they deliver right to your doorstep. This is perfect for days when you’re craving those fluffy buns but don’t feel like stepping out. 

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10. Tropea

Price: ££ - £££
Location: Harborne

The superman of the best restaurants in Birmingham, Tropea is a cafe by day and restaurant by night. Bringing Italy to your plate, it is known for amazing pastries, focaccia and its contemporary take on Italian staple dishes. Grab their famous coffee in the daytime and sip on authentic Italian wine in the evening at this relaxed setting. A novel addition among the best restaurants in Birmingham, Tropea was started by Kasia Piatkowska and Ben Robinson-Young and features a chilled atmosphere complemented by the navy blue and orange hues inspired by Mediterranean sunsets and ingredients from Milanese markets. 

Best Restaurants in Birmingham

11. Original Patty Men

Price: ££ - £££
Location: Digbeth

A local favourite, the Original Patty Men is a well-aged favourite for burger enthusiasts in Birmingham. What started as a small project by a group of designers has now found its forever home in Digbeth and the hearts of its customers in Birmingham. One of the most quirky and best restaurants in Birmingham, the staff here call themselves the purveyors of filth. If you like the burgers here, you’ll share your taste with Drake, who got takeaway from here too. Served with generous helpings of fries, the Orignal Patty Men’s burgers are thick and bursting with flavour. Get in line to try out their fiery Pineapple Express over the weekend. If you visit on Wings Wednesday, you’ll find a variety of hot sauces to spice up mid-week. 

12. Bonehead

Price: ££ - £££
Location: City Centre

The go-to spot for chicken lovers, Digbeth’s Zumhof market is home to Bonehead’s undeniably modest premise. Though its signature dish is the juicy fried chicken, the sauces will win you over with spicy wings, blue cheese tater tots and sriracha honey butter burger dressing. A dimly-lit spot, Bonehead is one of the best restaurants in Birmingham, with walls adorning fading posters and comic artwork. The area upstairs is more traditionally styled and serves mouthwatering waffle fries and generously seasoned fried chicken. The Buffalo Soldier burger is a must try and earns Bonehead a spot on our list of best restaurants in Birmingham when paired with craft beer. 

13. Land

Price: ££ - £££
Location: Great Western Arcade

As you can probably guess from its name, Land offers a menu focused on plant-based dishes, and tries to establish a higher reputation for this variety of dishes. The restaurant prioritises freshness and seasonal ingredients and draws inspiration from a variety of international cuisines since it launched in 2019. The elegant presentation heightens taste and texture. Head chefs Adrian and Tony’s four and six-curse tasting menus alter daily based on the freshest ingredients available. This is certainly a must visit and has earned its way onto our list of the best restaurants in Birmingham. 

14. The Wilderness

Price: ££££
Location: Jewellery Quarter

Describing itself as one of the only rock & roll fine dining in Birmingham, the Wilderness serves diner meals prepared from the freshest ingredients with hints of inspiration from all around the world. Although it might seem spooky and gloomy at first glance, the restaurant’s seemingly cold charcoal black dining room is balanced by the staff’s warmth and an upbeat rock soundtrack. As one of the best restaurants in Birminghamhe menu includes a whimsical and skillfully presented tasting menu curated by Alex Claridge, owner and head chef. 

15. Harborne Kitchen

Price: ££££
Location: High Street

Away from the city’s dazzling lights, Harborne Kitchen, like Carters of Moseley, serves premium British cuisine. It does have its own peculiarities as a local legend, such as being adjacent to a dry cleaner and being one of the best restaurants in Birmingham. For the incredible tasting menu at this restaurant, it’s worth the drive out to the suburbs. However, don’t overlook the Mid-Week Treat menu, which is a fantastic value between Tuesday and Thursday and is prepared in a kitchen that’s garnering more and more attention from Michelin men. The menu changes around once a month, but be sure to order their acclaimed, award-winning white chocolate and chicken liver parfait, candied kumquat, and chicken skin granola presented on HK sourdough and cultured butter. 

In conclusion, Birmingham is a wonderful city with some of the best restaurants in the world. Whether you're looking for a luxurious dining experience or a quick bite to eat, you can find something to suit your tastes in this vibrant city. With so many claiming to be the best restaurants in Birmingham, you'll have a hard time deciding where to go next. So why not start by trying one of these 15 best restaurants in Birmingham? You won't be disappointed! If you’ve been wowed by the city’s student life and reasonable cost of living, check out our housing guide and book a place in the best areas to live in Birmingham.