We visit Birmingham's vibrant new food festival: Sweet pistachio cake, Greek halloumi and more
Discover a feast of global flavours at Birmingham’s vibrant new food festival, with crowd favourites like Greek halloumi and sweet pistachio cake.
Sweet pistachio cake, tangy olives, and mouth-watering Greek halloumi pittas stole the show at Birmingham’s vibrant new food festival New Street Eats, which launched on March 21.
The free event, held between Grand Central and New Street Station—usually home to the Frankfurt Christmas Market—brought a feast of global flavours to the city.
Caterers served up dishes from across the world, including Italian, Greek, Indian, Indonesian, Korean, African, and Spanish cuisine. Birmingham World attended the event to sample some of the offerings and soak in the bustling festival atmosphere.
Greek and Korean food proved to be crowd favourites, with long queues forming as the day went on. One of our first stops was Only Brunch, a stall owned by caterer Mattie, who was selling a selection of olives and homemade cakes. The olives ranged from tangy to fiery hot, while the sweet pistachio cake melted in our mouths—a true standout.
As the afternoon progressed, the festival grew busier, particularly around the Korean and Greek stalls. However, seating was limited, forcing many visitors to either stand while eating or find a spot further afield.
We later made our way to Greek Escape, where we opted for a vegetable pitta packed with fresh salad, golden halloumi, and perfectly crisp chips—priced at £9. It was our first time trying Greek food, and it exceeded all expectations, making it a highlight of the day.
But the festival wasn’t just about food. Stalls selling unique handmade items, such as jewellery and knitted keyrings, added an extra layer of creativity to the event. One eye-catching stall featured intricately crafted flowerpots and keyrings, showcasing the talent of local makers.
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For those with a sweet tooth, there were plenty of dessert options, including authentic Spanish churros, coconut macaroons, and rich brownies. We ended our visit at a macaroon stall run by Paddy, who was handing out samples. The chocolate chip macaroons were irresistible, so we bought one for £2.
Overall, the festival delivered a delightful mix of diverse cuisines, giving visitors a chance to explore flavours they may not have experienced before. The addition of handmade stalls added to the charm, highlighting the creativity of local artisans.
The event ran until Sunday, March 23, and organisers later confirmed it was a resounding success, with high turnout and enthusiastic feedback from attendees.
Whether visiting with family, friends, or solo, the festival proved to be a fantastic way to discover new tastes in the heart of Birmingham city centre.