Watch: We discover the best sky high fine dining in Birmingham with Orelle restaurant’s top chef

Birmingham boasts a robust hospitality industry that, in spite of numerous struggles, continues to thrive. I had the opportunity to visit Orelle - a relatively recent entrant to the food scene here in the city - to find out what goes into providing a fine dining experience.

Chris Emery, Executive Chef for Orelle says: “So the food at Orelle is modern French cuisine. What makes it stand out is that there’s not really anything in Birmingham doing what we’re doing.  We’re very much focused on using British suppliers.  We like to use as local as possible. 

“We take a small selection of ingredients that are prime and seasoned, great at the time, and then we just let them speak for themselves.  We treat them with as much respect as possible.  We do minimal to them. We just cook them the way they deserve to be cooked.“

Orelle consistently earns glowing reviews that extol not only its remarkable dining experience, but also its tranquil ambiance and captivating decor. This venue, primarily known for providing a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the city, crafts a mesmerising atmosphere. Executive Chef Chris Emery unveiled the artistic prowess behind the exquisite dishes that contribute to creating such a unique experience.

A report last year revealed Birmingham stands as the UK’s most vibrant city, attributing the hospitality industry as a central stimulus. Despite the wider industry enduring difficulties, it seems that providing distinctive experiences to patrons is a catalyst for success in the West Midlands. Venues like Orelle, with its unique view of the city and fine dining experience, perceive innovative Birmingham as an ideal location to establish their business.

Leandro Conti, General Manager for Orelle, says: “I mean, it’s a great city.  Okay,  obviously,  let’s say that it’s the second London.  You know, it’s a little bit like a smaller scale, but the mentality is there, the potential is there. And I believe that Orelle is a beautiful addition to the city,  as there is, I think, nothing similar to this yet. 

“We are the first one, and I believe we are at the moment the leading restaurant in the city, because obviously we’ve been working very hard on that. We keep working hard every single day.”