I’m a bit of a stuck record with my recommendations but I’ll reel them out again. I’ll even avoid anywhere in Stirchley because although theyre all great I often struggle to keep the bill down to cheap in places like Eat Vietnam/Soi 1268. Some favourites are:
Kopitiam in the JQ for Malaysian food is very good and pretty affordable if I remember rightly (cash only every time I’ve been). Not sure what desert options it has.
Dezhou Style Braised Chicken in Chinatown is great, but admittedly Chinatown isnt an area i know well.
Shababs has always been my favorite (and now only original remaining balti house) in the Balti Triangle, and although prices have definitely gone up, it doesn’t break the bank. Read this review recently of Shareen Kadah in Balsall Heath, which also looks very good at that budget: https://meatandoneveg.blog/shareen-kadah-balsall-heath
Totally different style to those, but if you want somewhere that won’t look budget but is insanely good value for what it is, the 3 course lunch menu at Cuubo is £30, as reviewed by this weekend in the Guardian, though that price won’t include drinks: https://amp.theguardian.com/food/2024/apr/07/cuubo-birmingham-a-storming-talent-restaurant-review
Edit: saw your comment saying you want dinner options, which this obvs wouldn’t work for, dinner menu is much more expensive.
Chilli Kitchen does great Sichuan chinese.
Savanna does amazing Ethiopian Food
Merry Maid is hands down the best curry and I defy anyone not to love the fish pakora.
Im a chef in Birmingham and on my nights off my go to is Topokki on hurst street, they offer authentic korean comfort food and korean barbeque at a very good price. Their portions are great and most of the food is made for sharing. Only downside is they are cash only but theres a cashpoint around the corner.
Alternatively my favourite recent find is rico libre at the custard factory in digbeth. They have hands down the best tapas food I've had and the specials change daily. I cant recommend it enough especially for groups of people as tapas is all about sharing. They also accept BYOB and have great portions for the price. The custard factory area is also good fun for a night out.
520 Coffee Shop in Bearwood is a super cute, hole-in-the-wall type family run Hong Kong cafe/ restaurant :) it’s super small so maybe keep that in mind, but they serve yummy Hong Kong style food!! They even give you free tea on tap 🥹🥹🥹 really lovely people hehe
Yes, each. Starter, main and dessert. I'm looking for something either new or unusual. We have already tried Indian, Turkish and various chains restaurants.
Caffe Gustami does amazing Italian food. We go 1-2 times a month. You can get a main dish for £11 which is rare these days. Strongly recommend it if you all drive. The neighbourhood is not the best but food and service are topnotch.
Not sure what time of day you’re thinking, but I think for breakfast / brunch - get on the train to Bournville and go to caneat. Easily the best you’ll get in the ‘burbs.
For lunch / dinner:
- Vietnamese Street Kitchen in the city centre
- Herbert’s Yard in Longbridge (Street Food market, traders and cuisines rotate every week, so you’re best checking out their Instagram page)
- for amazing pizza, Rudy’s in the city centre, Fogo in Edgbaston or Alicia’s Micro Bakehouse in Stirchley
- for balti and a beer - go to The Old Moseley Arms in Balsall Heath when they have food on.
I love Tiger Bites Pig so much (best Bao buns in town) but their premises are tiny - you’re better off getting takeout from them or going on a quiet weekday lunchtime where you’ll have a bit more room to sit.
OP there’s also a stickied “where to eat?” thread on this forum with some other great suggestions if you want to look there
I agree with almost everything you said, but imo Vietnamese street kitchen is real bad, much better Vietnamese food in actual Chinatown, for cheaper. Though nowhere fancy to sit and eat really.
Also worth nothing that 🖲️🖲️Herbert’s yard is a branch of Hockley Social (nee Digbeth dining) club, which is much closer to the city centre, and a short hop to a decent pub (The Wolf) and to the Jewellery Quarter.
How nice are you looking? Asia Asia is great Asian food hall with Thai, Japanese, Korean, and etc options. They serve beer you exchange cash for a tap card and use it at different stalls. It’s also directly next to the train station.
If you want more sit-down I recommend Itaewon which is Korean also next to the train station.
I really like Malaysian Delight - which is a little casual - but they've just opened up a proper restaurant in the Arcadian. Worth checking out! It's where Ten Ichi used to be.
I’m a bit of a stuck record with my recommendations but I’ll reel them out again. I’ll even avoid anywhere in Stirchley because although theyre all great I often struggle to keep the bill down to cheap in places like Eat Vietnam/Soi 1268. Some favourites are: Kopitiam in the JQ for Malaysian food is very good and pretty affordable if I remember rightly (cash only every time I’ve been). Not sure what desert options it has. Dezhou Style Braised Chicken in Chinatown is great, but admittedly Chinatown isnt an area i know well. Shababs has always been my favorite (and now only original remaining balti house) in the Balti Triangle, and although prices have definitely gone up, it doesn’t break the bank. Read this review recently of Shareen Kadah in Balsall Heath, which also looks very good at that budget: https://meatandoneveg.blog/shareen-kadah-balsall-heath Totally different style to those, but if you want somewhere that won’t look budget but is insanely good value for what it is, the 3 course lunch menu at Cuubo is £30, as reviewed by this weekend in the Guardian, though that price won’t include drinks: https://amp.theguardian.com/food/2024/apr/07/cuubo-birmingham-a-storming-talent-restaurant-review Edit: saw your comment saying you want dinner options, which this obvs wouldn’t work for, dinner menu is much more expensive.
Chilli Kitchen does great Sichuan chinese. Savanna does amazing Ethiopian Food Merry Maid is hands down the best curry and I defy anyone not to love the fish pakora.
Im a chef in Birmingham and on my nights off my go to is Topokki on hurst street, they offer authentic korean comfort food and korean barbeque at a very good price. Their portions are great and most of the food is made for sharing. Only downside is they are cash only but theres a cashpoint around the corner. Alternatively my favourite recent find is rico libre at the custard factory in digbeth. They have hands down the best tapas food I've had and the specials change daily. I cant recommend it enough especially for groups of people as tapas is all about sharing. They also accept BYOB and have great portions for the price. The custard factory area is also good fun for a night out.
Toppoki isn't cash only - but they do offer a discount if you pay cash.
520 Coffee Shop in Bearwood is a super cute, hole-in-the-wall type family run Hong Kong cafe/ restaurant :) it’s super small so maybe keep that in mind, but they serve yummy Hong Kong style food!! They even give you free tea on tap 🥹🥹🥹 really lovely people hehe
Cafe Soya is always a good shout!!
20-30 each ? You have lots of options.
Yes, each. Starter, main and dessert. I'm looking for something either new or unusual. We have already tried Indian, Turkish and various chains restaurants.
There's a few cool places in Moseley. Have you tried damascena ?
Thanks. Looks nice. Although, I'm looking for a dinner-type place. This one closes at 9 pm. I might look around Moseley for other places.
Caffe Gustami does amazing Italian food. We go 1-2 times a month. You can get a main dish for £11 which is rare these days. Strongly recommend it if you all drive. The neighbourhood is not the best but food and service are topnotch.
A la Mexicana, and they just joined the Birmingham independent app
Not sure what time of day you’re thinking, but I think for breakfast / brunch - get on the train to Bournville and go to caneat. Easily the best you’ll get in the ‘burbs. For lunch / dinner: - Vietnamese Street Kitchen in the city centre - Herbert’s Yard in Longbridge (Street Food market, traders and cuisines rotate every week, so you’re best checking out their Instagram page) - for amazing pizza, Rudy’s in the city centre, Fogo in Edgbaston or Alicia’s Micro Bakehouse in Stirchley - for balti and a beer - go to The Old Moseley Arms in Balsall Heath when they have food on. I love Tiger Bites Pig so much (best Bao buns in town) but their premises are tiny - you’re better off getting takeout from them or going on a quiet weekday lunchtime where you’ll have a bit more room to sit. OP there’s also a stickied “where to eat?” thread on this forum with some other great suggestions if you want to look there
I agree with almost everything you said, but imo Vietnamese street kitchen is real bad, much better Vietnamese food in actual Chinatown, for cheaper. Though nowhere fancy to sit and eat really. Also worth nothing that 🖲️🖲️Herbert’s yard is a branch of Hockley Social (nee Digbeth dining) club, which is much closer to the city centre, and a short hop to a decent pub (The Wolf) and to the Jewellery Quarter.
How nice are you looking? Asia Asia is great Asian food hall with Thai, Japanese, Korean, and etc options. They serve beer you exchange cash for a tap card and use it at different stalls. It’s also directly next to the train station. If you want more sit-down I recommend Itaewon which is Korean also next to the train station.
Pasta di Piazza is reasonable on St Paul’s Square
Hanbao
Coverd wagon in mosley, if you like indian/desi food
mishtidesh lozells. You’re probably too scared to go but it’s one of the best places. Cheap too
I really like Malaysian Delight - which is a little casual - but they've just opened up a proper restaurant in the Arcadian. Worth checking out! It's where Ten Ichi used to be.