Nestled down York Road, just off the busy Kings Heath High Street, is Grace and James - a neighbourhood cafe, that brings the style of a European wine bar, to the suburban streets of Birmingham.

It is run by husband and wife team, Henry and Sophie. After living in London for multiple years, they decided to move back to the West Midlands in 2015. And when figuring out where to make the big jump too, it was the green and family-friendly streets of Kings Heath, that really stuck out.

“We moved up in 2015”, “York Road at the time, felt like a cozy, independent hub”. Says Henry

Sophie continues “We wanted somewhere to go where we could drink natural wine, have like a European vibe with the cheese and charcuterie. So we thought, why don’t we just open it ourselves?” 

And since they moved, Kings Heath - and especially York Road - has blossomed into a fully-fledged hub of independents, where young professionals and families alike, can peruse independent bookshops, see live music, and of course, try quality natural produce at Grace and James.

For the couple, specialising in quality ingredients was key, as Henry says, 

“We sell sustainable and organic wine, local cheeses, sandwiches, and host events and wine-tastings.”

“Everything we serve”, we know exactly where it’s from, we know who it’s produced by. We only serve things that we would want ourselves.”

continues Sophie.

Grace and James has since grown over the years, and now hosts a coffee shop inside, and a restaurant upstairs. The main cafe has recently had a renovation, and with outdoor seating, live events, wine tastings, and more - it definitely is a place to visit, whether on those chilly winter mornings, or long summer evenings.