Where To Eat In Birmingham: 10 Best Places | [Updated 2022]

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Wondering where to eat as a student in Birmingham? We’re here for a helping hand. Brum is overflowing with foodie options, whether you’re into fine dining, eateries or some scrumptious street food, you’re spoilt for choice!

Known as the “first manufacturing city in the world”, Birmingham achieved its city status thanks to the number of businesses that chose to base themselves in the area.

If you’re looking for a more memorable dining experience, you’re certainly in the right place. From Michelin starred restaurants to stylish independent restaurants, get ready to get stuck in and give your taste buds the ultimate treat.

What better way to explore some of these fantastic food-hubs this summer than during the Birmingham Restaurant Festival?!

Where to eat in Birmingham

1. Gaucho Birmingham

Think designer furnishing and delicious Argentinian food and wine, and you’ve got Gaucho! Located on Colmore Row in Birmingham, you won’t be disappointed when visiting this fine establishment (especially if you love steak). 

Gaucho first opened in London in 1994 and has since grown to have twelve restaurants in London, and four regional sites in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Their delicious restaurants continue to serve some of the finest beef in the world complemented by a broad selection of wine.

For main courses, we’d thoroughly recommend the chorizo sirloin steak – mmm! Don’t worry, they do have some veggie and vegan options too.

This restaurant offers a lovely setting to enjoy a special occasion whether it be your family coming up to visit or a friends birthday! It does get super busy so we’d recommended booking a table in advance. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Address: Lower Ground Retail, 55 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2AA

2. Côte Brasserie

If you’re into French food, you’ve got to visit this delicious eatery in The Mailbox, inspired by brassieres and bistros of Paris.

With relaxed all-day dining, they serve authentic French dishes made from fresh, great quality ingredients, guaranteed to satisfy your palette.

For starters, you’ve got to try the calamari in garlic, lemon, parsley and tartare sauce, or the beef tartare if you’re feeling decadent.

If you love duck, we’d recommend the roasted duck breast with gratin potato and a griottine cherry sauce.

The steak is also a great choice on the menu and all come from 30 day aged grain fed cattle served with chargrilled chips. Not to mention, there’s a variety of vegan and veggie options too. 

It’s situated in a lovely location along the canal, with outdoor seating if you fancy making the most of the warm weather! 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Address: The Mailbox, 120-122 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RX

3. Harvey Nichols Brasserie and Bar

If you’re looking for where to eat in Birmingham, then The Harvey Nichols Brasserie should be on your list. Offering a casual yet luxurious dining experience, it has seriously stylish surroundings and tasty food to match.

The seasonal menu is filled with great flavours, offering a wide range of different meals to suit your taste buds.

Situated in The Mailbox in Birmingham, this eatery gives you the option to relax in leather banquette booths or try a more secluded dining experience in the private dining room for a special occasion.

The fish pie for a main, with dill and white wine sauce with mull cheddar mashed potato is highly popular here, and definitely worth a taste.

Other popular choices include the mini camembert flatbread – we NEED to try this! 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Address: 65 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1RE

4. Comptoir Libanais

Enjoy delicious, freshly prepared Lebanese food at Comptoir Libanais located in Grand Central Birmingham, perfect for a bite after some shopping.

They have a yummy choice of Hot Mezze on offer, consisting of delicious dishes such as cheese samboussek (pastry parcels filled with halloumi & feta cheese).

Another recommendation has to be the lamb kofta tagine, a dish of spiced minced lamb, tomato, pepper with courgette with mint and yoghurt sauce.

If you fancy something sweet, for dessert why not try the orange blossom mahalabia, a traditional Lebanese milk pudding with date, fig and apricot, with a prune & sultana compot.

Not to mention, the interior is just unreal and makes for the best Insta pics if you’re looking for where to eat and socialise in Birmingham with your pals!

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Address: Unit 29, Unit 29 Stephenson Pl, Birmingham B2 4BF

5. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill

Located in The Cube in Birmingham, this luxurious steakhouse features a modern comfort food menu with stunning 360-degrees views from the 25th floor rooftop.

As well as the amazing views, The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse ensures succulent steaks and brilliant cocktails in an atmospheric setting.

There’s also a rooftop terrace giving you an amazing opportunity to look over the city with a bottle of bubbly.

If you really feel like treating yourself, the 6oz fillet steak is absolutely delicious, served with roasted vine tomatoes, Béarnaise sauce and triple cooked chips.

The Steakhouse Bar & Grill also has a fabulous selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes too, including creamy polenta with Italian cheese and gnocchi with fresh tomato sauce (sounds yummy, right?!)

You’ve gotta add this to your list of where to eat in Birmingham! 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Address: The Cube, 200 Wharfside St, Birmingham B1 1PR

6. The Ivy Birmingham Brasserie

If you want luxury and great food, The Ivy on Temple Row is a great option! Offering an extensive all-day menu, it serves the best of modern British dishes in a relaxed dining atmosphere.

The grill and brasserie is sophisticated, yet approachable with a warm and friendly atmosphere, perfect for a tasty bite to eat with your university friends – the vibes are unmatched here! 

If you like spice, why not try the monkfish and prawn curry with jasmine rice, shaved coconut, coriander and sweet potato crisps for your main!

The Ivy also offer afternoon tea from 3pm-5pm, prices start from £7.95 for a standard cream tea all the way up to £28.50 if you fancy treating yourself to a champagne afternoon tea.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Address: 67-71 Temple Row, Birmingham B2 5LS

7. The Karczma

This quaint thatched roof restaurant offers a cottage-style setting with a vast array of delicious and authentic Polish meals.

Located on Bordesley Street, just a 5-minute walk from the Bull Ring Shopping Centre and Moor Street Rail Station, it’s in the perfect central location!

The menu is designed to reflect a homely and hearty Polish theme, prepared using only the best fresh quality ingredients.

Popular favourites include the chicken shishkebab with fries and salad, and a melt-in-the-mouth beef stew, served in a crispy-edged large fried potato pancake.

The Karczma also has some tasty vegetarian options on the menu, including cauliflower steak with sweet potatoes, parsley and pear puree.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Address: Polish Millennium House, Bordesley St, Birmingham B5 5PH

8. The Oyster Club

This scrumptious restaurant by Adam Stokes takes a casual, relaxed approach to dining in Birmingham.

Situated on Oyster Street, they have a fabulous selection of wines on offer to accompany the seafood dishes.

They’re open Tuesday – Sunday from 12 noon for lunch, pre-theatre and dinner with some bookable tables.

You can choose from either six or twelve oysters to tuck into, with a choice of dressing including Japanese dressing, tempura, and caviar.

The menu isn’t just filled with oysters though! If you’d prefer something different, The Oyster Club has a variety of fish plates, small plates and large plates available for you to try.

We’d thoroughly recommend the grilled salmon teriyaki with pak choi and sesame, and the wild harbour mussels with a prosecco and smoked caviar sauce with sourdough.  

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Address: 43 Temple St, Birmingham B2 5DP

9. Restaurant Folium

If you’re on the hunt for where to eat in Birmingham wit your uni mates then this place is a MUST. The chic and modern venue offers classic British cuisine with tasteful wine pairings, what more could you want really?!

Folium opened in November 2017 and is co-owned and run by Ben Tesh and his partner Lucy Hanlon.

Although the dishes are fairly simple, they’re full of flavour with high quality ingredients from sustainable and ethical suppliers.

Highlights of their menu for spring/summer 2022 include the Wagyu Beef with Yeast Bearnaise and Spent Coffee, as well as the Warm Savoury Custard with Roast Chicken and English Truffle. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Address: 8 Caroline St, Birmingham B3 1TW

10. Lasan Indian Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Love Indian food? Then you’ll love this contemporary Indian restaurant on James Street in the infamous jewellery quarter.

The vibe in this restaurant is fun and relaxing, with a stunning space created for socialising. Their menus are filled with tasty meals featuring the finest ingredients combined to create timeless Indian classics you’re bound to enjoy.

For mains, why not try the Makhan Chicken curry or if you’re feeling super hungry and want to share a feast with your university friends, we’d recommend the sharing platter!

The platter consists of roasted bihari beef kabab, clay-oven chicken, sarson king prawn & mahi salmon served with a spiced yoghurt dressed chickpea salad, mint & red pepper chutney. 

Calling all dessert lovers looking for where to eat in Birmingham! We’d urge you to try the Bombay mess dessert, a light meringue with fresh mango cream, raspberry sorbet and textures of coconut and sweet pineapple.  

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Address: 3 – 4 Dakota Buildings, James Street, St Paul’s Square, Birmingham B3 1SD

You’ve reached the end of our post on where to eat in Birmingham. We hope some of these places have tickled your taste-buds! Go and try them for yourself whilst staying in luxury student accommodation in Brum.

Read next: Ultimate List of Birmingham Pubs to Visit During University.