Birmingham has a large South Asian population and it is one of the original spots for the country’s first Desi pubs. Back in the 1970s, when immigrant workers from India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh moved to the UK, including the West Midlands, there weren’t many eateries willing to offer them a job.
Desi pubs and restaurants were the answer to that problem and now they have become a part of the West Midlands pub scene. Affordable beer, great grills and curries with rice or naan are part and parcel of the hospitality scene in this multicultural city.
These Desi pubs are located all over Birmingham now and are popular not only with the Desi crowd but everyone. Many of them have stayed true to the food back home and serve authentic home-style food.
So, if you are looking for a new place to eat, here are eight Desi pubs in and around Birmingham worth a visit:

5. Copper Fox Grill, Harborne
Located on Quinton Road, this laid-back Indian restaurant and pub offers signature grills, wraps & vegetable platters. They also offer some tasty curries and salads. (Photo - Google Maps) | google maps

6. The Grove, Handsworth
This is a no-frills pubs serving serving BBQ and Indian dishes in a Victorian building. It is one of the oldest pubs in Handsworth and has a four-star rating on Tripadvisor. (Photo - Google Maps) | google maps

7. The Sportsman, West Bromwich
The Sportsman in West Bromwich was the latest West Midlands restaurant reviewed by food critic Jay Rayner. He said he couldn’t keep his hands off the food. The critic says that their Desi bakra lamb curry on the bone is not to be missed and was delighted by a boneless chicken tikka made with thigh meat. Of the lamb curry, he writes: “It’s a wonder of thick, spiced ghee-rich gravy and bone marrow suckage, topped with fresh coriander and onion. The meat just tumbles off into the heavily spiced depths.” (Photo - Google Maps) | google maps

8. The Red Lion, West Bromwich
The Red Lion in West Bromwich is another popular Desi pub with flavoursome food and beer. It won the Desi pub of the year award at the Birmingham Prestige Awards 2019. It’s a family-run business with the current owners being in place since 1997. (Photo - Google Maps) | google maps