Birmingham has a wealth of small independent places to eat, so over the coming months, I’ll add some interesting places that don’t cost a fortune, but that you may not have tried.
Birmingham College of Food – UCB Summer Row B3 1JB 0121 604 1010
Very high quality food prepared and served by students – echoing the standard of Michelin star food you’ll find elsewhere in Birmingham at a fraction of the cost. Try the Atrium on a Friday night for fine dining but if you’ve time for a leisurely lunch then prices are even better. They also have fun theme nights with food and entertainment. You must ring to book though – sometimes a long time in advance but worth the wait! Street parking in the evenings.
http://www.ucb.ac.uk/restaurants/award-winning-restaurants.aspx
The Indian Brewery, Livery St, B3 1EU
This is a very casual restaurant serving really tasty Indian food that you can see being cooked to order in the tandoor oven. Pull up a seat at the long wooden tables, sample their own, locally brewed beer and order from the simple tandoori based menu. Prices are low, food is delicious but there’s no booking so you have to take your chances.
On the edge of the Jewellery Quarter, under the railway arches next to one of the exits to Snowhill Station on Livery Street, open from 7am in the week until late, 8/9am at weekends. Some street parking outside.
Otoro Sushi – Birmingham Fish Market, Indoor Market tel.07860811371 Marcjek
Otoro Sushi is a tiny 6 seat bar right in the middle of the fish market. Marcjek who is a Polish trained sushi chef, prepares the fantastic sushi in front of you. You can chose individual platters or those to share, and there are many individual flavour twists such as using slow cooked teriyaki salmon that make the sushi that little bit more interesting. You can book by telephone but otherwise you take your chance on there being space. You can always pop off and do a bit of shopping while you wait. Take the opportunity to see the huge range of unusual fish on the market – and perhaps get a live lobster to take home at the same time!
Damascena Coffee House Temple Row B2 5NY
A great place to drop in for lunch or coffee right next to the Cathedral and the Old Joint Stock. Middle Eastern style food with lots of flatbreads, platters of dips and grilled meats at low prices. Turkish coffee is strong and beautifully presented. Great decor – a real gem inside although it looks like a chain from the outside. Only one other branch in Moseley.
http://damascena.co.uk/contact-us-city-centre/