Michelin chef reveals his favourite Birmingham restaurants

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Aktar Islam from Birmingham’s Michelin-starred Opheem has given a list of recommendations for the top restaurants in the city (separate to his own)

Award-winning Birmingham chef Aktar Islam runs two restaurants in Birmingham.

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There’s his Michelin-starred Indian fine dining venue Opheem on Summer Row and Pulperia, which offers an authentic Argentinian menu, in Brindleyplace.

But when he’s not in the kitchen Aktar likes to explore the city’s exciting restaurant scene.

He recently highlighted his top five favourite dining spots to The Telegraph.

Here they are:

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Tiger Bites Pig

“This is a restaurant I treat myself and my team to once a week. It’s a little ­hole-in-the-wall, and their baos are incred­ible. They’re made in-house, and all the fillings are really well ­balanced. My favourite is made with chicken breast, with some texture from crispy bits of chicken, a lovely dressing and spring onions. Their slow-cooked aubergine in chilli and garlic is beautiful, too,” he told The Telegraph.

34 Stephenson St, Birmingham B2 4BH; tigerbitespig.co.uk

Michelin chef Aktar Islam with West Midlands Mayor Andy StreetMichelin chef Aktar Islam with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street
Michelin chef Aktar Islam with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street | LTV still

Loki Wine Merchant & Tasting House

“Try a rare fine wine by the glass at Loki Wine Merchant & Tasting House

This was one of the first places in the city where you could go and have rare fine wines by the glass. They have a great selection, and the staff, mostly ­ex-sommeliers, are really knowledgeable. If you want to go out for a drink and try something new, this is definitely the place to go to,” he said.

36 Great Western Arcade, Birmingham B2 5HU; lokiwine.co.uk

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The restaurant serves over 20 species of fish and shellfish dailyThe restaurant serves over 20 species of fish and shellfish daily
The restaurant serves over 20 species of fish and shellfish daily | JPI

The Cod’s Scallops

“This recently opened fish and chip shop is really traditional, with a great menu. There’s a lot more on offer than just cod and haddock: they do things like bass, mackerel, monkfish and potted shrimps, too. Their pies are also really good. It’s all done well, like in the good old days,” Aktar told the Telegraph.

85 High St, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9ND; codsscallops.com

Soho Road

“I love Soho Road. It’s full of shops selling mithai Indian sweets, and places where you can pick up chaats and pakoras – all that sort of stuff. There’s a really good range, and you can still find lovely vegetable samosas with tamarind dip for 45p. It has a real old-school vibe,” he said.

Carters of Moseley owners Brad Carter and Holly Jackson Carters of Moseley owners Brad Carter and Holly Jackson
Carters of Moseley owners Brad Carter and Holly Jackson | JPI

Carters of Moseley

“I’ve always admired the Michelin-starred Carters of Moseley. I love what owners Brad and Holly are doing. They really celebrate Birmingham and its food history. One dish they do is Birmingham soup, which is based on a beef and vegetable soup that the industrialist Matthew Boulton served to his workers in the 18th century,” he told the Telegraph.

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2c St Mary’s Row, Wake Green Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 9EZ; cartersofmoseley.co.uk

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