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Proudly flying the flag for international cuisine, Birmingham’s foodie scene is booming. The UK’s second city is home to thousands of eateries serving up anything from Argentinian to Italian and British to Indian. It can be hard to narrow it down, but in no particular order, these 10 are among what we’d call the best restaurants in Birmingham.

Fiesta Del Asado

Restaurant, Argentina

Fiesta Del Asado, Birmingham

Situated on the Hagley Road, just a short drive from Birmingham’s bustling nightlife district, Broad Street, is Fiesta Del Asado, a stunning Argentinian steak house. Here you’ll be able to sample some Argentine delights in the form of wine, fish and of course, steak. The slow-roasted belly of pork is to die for.

Carters of Moseley

Restaurant, British

Carters of Moseley, Birmingham

Birmingham has no shortage of Michelin restaurants (more than any other UK city outside of London, in fact) and Carters of Moseley is well and truly flying the flag for Birmingham’s fine-dining scene. Proudly one of the city’s four recipients of a Michelin star, Carters combines excellent British food and locally sourced, seasonal produce with a contemporary dining experience.

Purnell’s

Restaurant, Bar, British

Purnells, Birmingham
Purnell’s – also boasting a Michelin star – is situated just off Colmore Row on Cornwall Street, one of the most picturesque areas of the city centre. Flanked by grandiose architecture and the city’s business district, Purnell’s is celebrity chef Glynn Purnell’s stylish restaurant and bar, which serves up modern takes on British cuisine with influences as far afield as Scandic and menu options as close to home as their Brummie tapas.

Adam’s

Restaurant, British

Adams Restaurant, Birmingham

Just a stone’s throw from the city’s main attractions is Adam’s, a fine-dining restaurant specialising in British cuisine. What was initially supposed to be a two-year pop-up went down so well with Brummies and visitors alike that it now takes up three floors of New Oxford House on Waterloo Street. Whether you’re after a romantic dinner for two, a business lunch or a group tasting menu booking, you’re catered for here. Oh, and this place has a Michelin star, too. Not that we’re boasting about Birmingham or anything…

Simpsons

Restaurant, Restaurant with Rooms, British

Simpsons Restaurant, Birmingham

We’re sure you can guess what we’re going to say, but we’re going to say it anyway: Simpsons also has a Michelin star. Backed with a beautifully British seasonal menu, head chef Luke Tipping has created a modern, bright dining experience, led by the colours and shapes of nature in his stunning Georgian dining room. It’s perfectly normal to not want to leave, so once you’ve sampled the fine food on offer, Simpsons also offers three luxurious guest rooms at the reasonable price of £110, including continental breakfast.

San Carlo

Restaurant, Italian, Contemporary

San Carlo - Birmingham, Birmingham

A regular haunt for local and international celebrities, San Carlo is one of the city’s finest Italian restaurants. Located in the middle of the city centre on on Temple Street, the award-winning San Carlo boasts more than 140 dishes on its extensive menu with all of its ingredients implemented to engage your senses. Speaking of ingredients, San Carlo only uses the freshest ingredients – some are even flown over from regional produce markets across Italy to ensure the authenticity of its dishes.

The Wilderness

Restaurant, British

The Wilderness, Birmingham

Offering one of the more unique dining experiences in the city is Alex Claridge of The Wilderness. Using seasonal ingredients – including ants – and unusual quirks to create a sensory experience like no other, Claridge and his team merge art and contemporary cuisine with their painstakingly intricate and beautifully presented dishes. The Wilderness re-opens in its new Bennett’s Hill location in April 2018. You must see it to believe it.

Harborne Kitchen

Restaurant, British

Harborne Kitchen, Birmingham
© Harborne Kitchen

Offering fine dining at affordable prices, Harborne Kitchen is a laid-back neighbourhood restaurant with superb attention to detail. How do those two traits combine, you may ask? While the setting may be more relaxed than some of your fast-paced fine-dining restaurants, Harborne Kitchen offers as similar an experience as a Michelin-star restaurant would for a price that doesn’t leave you raiding the piggy bank.

Original Patty Men

Restaurant, British, American, Contemporary

Original Patty Men, Birmingham

Fine dining, this ain’t. Self-proclaimed ‘purveyors of filth’, Original Patty Men offer some of the dirtiest yet most satisfying burgers on the planet, let alone just in Birmingham. The last time US superstar Drake played in the city, he demanded the best burgers in Brum for him and his entourage, making OPM sell out of meat – so there’s your seal of approval!

Jilabi

Restaurant, Indian

Jilabi Indian Restaurant, Birmingham

For those looking to indulge in a spot of curry in the home of the balti, look no further than Jilabi. Catering for all dietary needs, this Sheldon-based Indian restaurant has been treating the locals – and those travelling to Birmingham specifically for Jilabi – to the best Indian cuisine in Brum for as long as we can remember.

About the author

Proudly born and bred in Birmingham, UK, Richard is passionate about all things travel and music. Having founded the regional online music magazine Counteract in early 2010, Richard has enjoyed a versatile writing career and writes for a number of publications, including The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, Metro and others. If he's not travelling around Europe, you'll often find him supporting his football team, Aston Villa.

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