Birmingham is a foodies paradise - it has so much good quality and variety to offer. Whether you want pub food or fine dining - there are many amazing restaurants in and around Birmingham that are ready to meet your desires.
And, locals aren’t the only ones who want to try out the dining scene. Some of these restaurants, pubs, and cafes have been applauded by food critics from some of teh countries most renowned London based food critics.
The Observer food critic Jay Rayner, cookbook author and Royal stepson Tom Parker Bowles, the Guardian food writer Marina O’Loughlin and Grace Dent, The Times food critic Giles Coren and food critic and former host of the BBC’s The Late Show Tracey McLeod have visited Birmingham with varying regularity to taste the amazing food that we have to offer.
Not all of their visits are to Michelin-starred restaurants either. The eateries they have reviewed and visited will fit a range of budgets and moods.
So, here are the 13 restaurants in and around Birmingham recommended by London food critics:
9. Simpsons, Edgbaston - Tracy McLeod
Tracy McLeod visited the Michelin starred Edgbaston fixture in 2015. She wrote that the food is “playful without being whimsical.” She added: “Stand-outs from the seasonal five-course menu include a “crispy” duck’s egg, a lightly poached yolk held in a nest-like basket of finely spun filo pastry, heaped with shaved Jerusalem artichoke and black truffle, the emollience of the yolk countered by a belting cobnut and truffle pesto.” (Photo by Simpsons/Michelin Guide) | Photo by Simpsons/Michelin Guide
10. The Church Inn, Jewellery Quarter - Giles Coren
The Times’ food critic Giles Coren visited the Church Inn in 2015. He wrote: “The fried chicken was so good, I hollered out for more. I could have eaten everything on the menu.” He added: “I’ll come skulking back again someday, I’m sure, on a sad morning train to eat the house jambalaya on my own, but if you’re young and happy and anywhere in the Midlands with feet to dance and a mouth to eat, then I suggest you get your arse down here and make the place your own.” | Asmita Sarkar
11. Adam’s, Birmingham City Centre - Marina O’Loughlin
Marina O’Loughlin visited the Michelin starred restaurant in 2013. She wrote about Adam Stoke: “He’s got the chops, for sure: many of his dishes are glorious, technically assured while still being the kind of stuff you want to ram down your neck.” Chef Adam Stokes also runs The Oyster Club in the city centre. (Photo - Adam’s management) | Adam’s, Birmingham City Centre
12. The Karczma, Digbeth - Jay Rayner
This Digbeth restaurant was reviewed by Rayner in 2012 when he wrote: “The food is so good and so cheap that you’ll soon be crying into your vodka.” Located on the ground floor of Birmingham’s Polish Centre - the restaurant which has now closed was renowned for offering “Polish food the way you want it: deep, rich, soothing, hearty”. | google maps