Birmingham’s buzzing food scene is powered by passionate independents, from flavour-packed street food spots to Michelin-starred marvels. Whether you’re grazing on bao or indulging in a tasting menu, these gems are serving up something seriously special. Here are some of our top picks to eat your way through Brum and beyond!
Laid-Back Gems
Txikiteo - Jewellery Quarter
Coal-fired Spanish small and large plates meet a cool, urban setting. It’s bold, smoky, and perfect for sharing (or not).
Tiger Bites Pig - City Centre
From handmade bao to slow-braised meats and house-fermented kimchi, this is Taiwanese and Sichuan-style food done properly. Fast service, but packed with soul.
Soi 1268 by Buddha Belly - Stirchley
Where street food meets sit-down comfort. Think Thai bowls, small plates, and a drinks list full of house favourites.
Eat Vietnam - Stirchley
A Stirchley staple, Eat Vietnam has been serving fresh, umami-loaded Vietnamese dishes since 2017. It's a rotating menu in a pop-up setting — always authentic, always exciting.
Chapter - Edgbaston
Modern British dining in elegant Edgbaston. Think seasonal dishes, a cosy-chic vibe, and a commitment to local producers. Bonus: dogs are welcome (and get biscuits).
Plates by Purnell’s - City Centre
Cosy, casual and unmistakably Purnell. Tapas-style sharing plates with Spanish flair and Brummie brilliance.
Smoke and Ash - Edgbaston
Neapolitan pizza done right. Add seasonal cocktails and a great playlist — this is pizza night, upgraded.
Trentina - Jewellery Quarter
Fresh pasta, British charcuterie, and Italian wines come together in this beautiful fuss-free eatery with a focus on big flavours.
Fiesta Del Asado - Edgbaston and Solihull
Fiery Argentine Asado vibes, juicy steaks, and plenty of passion. Come hungry, leave doing a happy tango.
Tropea - Harborne
Inspired by southern Italy, this cosy local favourite delivers refined, rustic dishes with a love of good food and great wine.
Fine Dining Favourites
670 Grams - Digbeth
Digbeth’s cool kid of fine dining, with playful tasting menus, cultural mash-ups, and creativity on every plate.
Grace & Savour - Hampton-in-Arden
An immersive Michelin-starred experience built into a Victorian Walled Garden. Stay overnight or just indulge in a soil-to-table tasting menu.
Opheem - City Centre
Aktar Islam’s Michelin-starred love letter to modern Indian cooking. Boundary-pushing dishes, global techniques, unforgettable flavour.
The Wilderness - Jewellery Quarter
Rock and roll meets refined plates. A moody space with bold, inventive food that’s as wild as the soundtrack.
Riverine Rabbit - Stirchley
South African roots, Brummie heart. Sustainable, seasonal dining in an intimate space — recently awarded a Bib Gourmand and Michelin Young Chef of the Year 2025.
Land - Great Western Arcade
Vibrant, plant-based tasting menus that change with the seasons. Inventive, refined, and perfect for the curious foodie.
Simpsons - Edgbaston
A true Brummie institution, Simpsons blends classic elegance with modern British cuisine. Michelin-starred since 1999 and still wowing with every course.
Lasan - Jewellery Quarter
An award-winning Indian restaurant known for its refined take on traditional flavours. Lasan delivers elegant plates crafted with precision, celebrating quality ingredients and culinary heritage.
Feeling hungry yet? Birmingham’s independent restaurants tell the story of a city full of creativity, culture, and a genuine love of good food. From relaxed neighbourhood favourites to trailblazing fine dining destinations, each one offers something unique.
Discover more independent foodie hotspots in and around Birmingham.
