It’s no secret that us Brummies love a curry and kebab every now and again, and where best to eat some of the best in town than at a Desi pub. Casual vibes, affordable beer (though, not always), and usually, live sports greet pub-goers, who just want to have a relaxing time with their mates.
Desi pubs started cropping up in the UK back in the 1970s when immigrants from India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh moved to the UK, including the West Midlands. They wanted a taste of home away from home and the solution was these family-run Indian pubs that served affordable food for South Asian immigrants.
You can find great grills, curries, rice, naan, and also traditional British food at some of them. And, they are not specific to any single part of the city. Desi pubs can be found in several places in and around Birmingham, and they bring in people from all groups. For instance, on a visit to Hen and Chickens in Jewellery Quarter with South Asian friends, we found very few South Asian peopl at the pub.
The flavoursome curries and in some cases, Indo-Chinese cuisine, is difficult to resist for most Brummies in the city. Residents have their favourites and return to them again and again. So, without wanting to pit one against the other, we took a look at how they are ranked on Google.
Here are 12 beloved Desi pubs in and around Birmingham ranked, according to Google reviews:
5. Copper Fox Grill, Harborne
This is a laid back Indian restaurant & pub offering signature grills, wraps & vegetable platters. It has 4.4 stars from 1,294 Google reviews. (Photo - Google Maps) | google maps
6. The Grove, Handsworth
The Grove is Handsworth is a no-frills pub in a Victorian building, with an informal restaurant serving BBQ and Indian dishes. It has 4.4 stars from 1,509 Google reviews. (Photo - Google Maps) | google maps
7. The Vine, West Bromwich
This family-run Indian grill and bar in West Bromwich has a great reputation for great food and drink. It has 4.4 stars from 1,854 Google reviews. (Photo - Google Maps) | Google Maps
8. The Sportsman Club, West Bromwich
The Sportsman in West Bromwich was reviewed by London 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.” The pub has 4.4 stars from 943 Google reviews. It’s located on the High Street. (Photo - Google Maps) | google maps