*PR: Features some gifted food

Sian Victoria © - Browns Restaurant, Bullring, Birmingham

Best Places to Eat in West Midlands

There have been far too many restaurants close due to the ‘thing’ that shalt not be named. When I heard my favourite independent restaurant Burger Theory inside Kong’s was closing the thought I may never get my chops around Rory’s Best Ever Veggie Cheeseburger (unless I head to Bristol for their flagship restaurant) sunk my heart a little for all the amazing foodie places and hospitality venues that we have here in the UK and the people involved in making them into the places, we enjoy coming back to.

When life was ‘normal’ you’d often find me indulging at the many independents and chain restaurants in Birmingham and the surrounding West Midlands. Although I’ve enjoyed whipping up homemade vegan recipes throughout lockdown while binging Good Girl on Netflix in sweatpants and ordering the occasional home delivery at the weekends. I’ve missed the experience of dining out with friends, to new restaurants and cafes around the city that have flavoursome dishes to ignite taste buds and enjoying the atmospheric interiors that make a venue unique.

I feel that the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme is going to be the last hope for some businesses. Therefore, I wanted to create this post to let you know of just a few of the restaurants, cafes, and pubs that locally and nationwide need our help to get through this.

I’ve only listed venues that I can personally recommend and have the foodie photos that shall hopefully encourage you to visit by reminding you how damn good dining out tastes.

So, this is a great opportunity to skip the washing up at home and try somewhere new to eat while supporting local businesses and people at a variety of independent and chain restaurants in the West Midlands.

1. Browns Brasserie

Browns Brasserie is a place I visit often for either a three-course menu, afternoon tea or alfresco cocktails on the terrace overlooking St.Martins at the Bullring, Birmingham. The French-British style restaurant offers a luxurious yet relaxed dining experience, a delicious A La Carte menu and attentive customer service.

After reviewing the Browns vegan menu last summer, I’ve been coming back ever since. The dishes are colourful, flavoursome and light and they use only fresh seasonal ingredients in their food and drink menus. This summer they have an Asparagus & Butternut Curry on the vegan menu made with fragrant coconut curry, lemongrass, ginger, green vegetables and sticky jasmine rice for £13.50 making it just £6.75 during the scheme.

As well as the A La Carte menu Browns also have a gluten-free, afternoon tea and a children’s menu. Plus, a Sunday roast menu if you are not able to visit during the Monday to Wednesday offer.

2. Cucina Rustica

Sian Victoria © - Cucina Rustica, Italian Restaurant, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham

To celebrate my birthday the last place I visited for Afternoon Tea in Birmingham before the lockdown was Cucina Rustica. The independent Italian restaurant is located on Ludgate Hill in the Jewellery Quarter. They offer an authentic dining experience, friendly service and an Italy-inspired atmosphere to match.

The delicious Afternoon Tea can be made vegan when booked in advance and costs £19.50pp or £23.50pp with Processco. So, with the scheme, this colourful and fulfilling three-tier experience can be enjoyed for as little as £9.75pp and is available from 12 pm – 5 pm.

Alternatively, in true Italian style, they have a variety of pizza, pasta, risotto, salad and meat dishes on their main menu.

3. Bank Restaurant

Sian Victoria © - Bank, Restaurant & Bar, Brindleyplace, Birmingham

Bank restaurant in Brindleyplace is perhaps one of the best venues to dine at if you have anxiety about eating out. The restaurant is spacious with plenty of indoor and outdoor areas making it easy for diners to keep a distance from fellow guests.

For instance, there are a variety of dining spaces that are individually styled and there’s also outdoor dining at the front facing the Brindleyplace water feature or at back-overlooking Birmingham’s iconic canals.

Besides the luxury dining experience Bank which is part of the Individual Restaurant group, also offers an extensive food and drink menu. Over the past few years, I’ve reviewed vegetarian dishes at Bank and the launch of the Vegan menu at Bank. Therefore, I can confirm they serve up delicious food and the service has always been exceptional.

The ‘Salt & Pepper Tofu’ and ‘Tempura vegetables with chilli jam are without a doubt among the best vegan starters I’ve ever had.

4. Premium Country Pubs

Sian Victoria © - The Barnt Green Inn, Premium Country Pub, Birmingham

There are a lot of Premium Country Pubs located in the West Midlands. Such as The Barnt Green Inn in Barnt Green, The Lyttleton Arms in Stourbridge, The Crown Wergs in Wolverhampton, The Bulls Head in Meridan, The Plough & Harrow in Aldrige, The Boot Inn in Studley, The Victoria in Barnt Green and The Green House in Sutton Coldfield. These are just a few I’ve visited with friends and family over the years.

As they are all located outside the city, the venues are a lot more spacious and they have a variety of indoor and outdoor tables that should make it easier to dine out while social distancing.

Most of these Premium Country Pubs are located nearby lovely places to go for a stroll so that you can enjoy the local nature parks before or after food. For instance, The Victoria Inn is close to the Lickey Hills Country Park and The Lyttleton Arms is by the beautiful Clent Hills.

So, what’s not to love? A delicious meal for half the price followed by a walk around the local nature reserve in the West Midlands to enjoy summer views.

5. Chiquito

Sian Victoria © - Chiquito, Vegan food menu, Mexican Restaurant

Before life as we know it got turned up-side-down, Chiquito was one of the many chain restaurants I would eat at before going to the cinema. They launched a vegan menu this year, so I’ve visited twice so far before lockdown.

Now that restrictions are more relaxed, and cinemas are beginning to re-open with measures in place. I’ll be booking a movie screening and a table at Chiquito as soon as possible so that I can indulge in the Vegarrito (£11.69) made with Salty & Smoky Oumph, black beans, jalapeno slaw, rice and greens wrapped in a spinach tortilla and the vegan Chocolate Coconut Lava Cake (£5.99).

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme makes this two-course meal just £8.84. Chiquito was one of the first brands I collaborated with on an Instagram takeover, in 2015 for their festive fiesta campaign.

So, it is sad to hear they are now in administration. Because of this, I would check first to see if your local Mexican eatery is still open.

6. All Bar One

Sian Victoria © - All Bar One, Vegan food menu, Brindleyplace, Birmingham

Another chain restaurant I’m fond of is All Bar One. On many occasions, I’ve enjoyed a cocktail masterclass in Birmingham with friends at their Brindleyplace and Newhall Street venues. For this reason, they have made it to my list of one of my recommended cocktail bars in Birmingham to visit. It’s also always the place I go for food before jetting off, as they can usually be found in airports too.

Besides the cocktails, another reason why I continue to keep visiting All Bar One is that they have a brilliant vegan menu. You can see more from the vegan menu in my restaurants with vegan menus in Birmingham post.

The Plant-Based Burger (£10.50) made with a Beyond Meat patty, dairy-free cheese, mayonnaise and crispy onions accompanied with seasoned fries is undoubtedly one of my favourite dishes on the menu. So, while it is half the price this month it’s a great opportunity to try a meaty patty that looks and cooks just like meat without the meat.

7. Frankie and Benny’s

Sian Victoria © - Frankie and Bennys, Italian restaurant

For Mother’s Day, this year my sister and I went to Frankies & Benny’s with our Mom making it the last restaurant we visited as a family before lockdown. Sadly, the Italian American-themed chain restaurant is closing 120 locations so visiting the ones that are currently open and are set to re-open in September should hopefully help.

Just like Chiquito and Nandos they too are usually located near a cinema and shopping complex so could be an ideal restaurant to visit if you fancy spending some time away from home while supporting your local community.

They currently also have an offer where students can enjoy a free starter with the purchase of the main meal on Thursday’s and Friday’s. This offer can be redeemed when you show proof of results to staff.

8. Cafe Rouge

Sian Victoria © - Cafe Rouge, Mailbox, Birmingham

Another venue facing closures is the French-styled restaurant chain Café Rouge. According to the website, my favourite venue at the Mailbox overlooking the canal is closing. Including the one at Brindleyplace that I’ve visited a couple of times too.

I’ve indulged in the Cafe Rouge summer menu and autumn menu over the years and have a lot of memories with friends and family there so it will be sad if they don’t get re-opened. The waiting staff are always so lovely at both sites.

The Café Rouge in Birmingham that is currently open is the Bullring site. I’ve never visited this venue, but the Bistro does have some space for alfresco dining facing St. Martin’s church.

For Mother’s Day, I bought my Nan and my partners Mother an afternoon tea experience at Café Rouge, so they’ll be visiting soon. I’ve not experienced the Afternoon Tea myself yet, but since it’s Afternoon Tea week it is a great excuse to book.

Or if burgers are your thing, I recommend the Spicy Chickpea burger or Oomph vegan burger. The grilled sourdough portobello mushroom sandwich on the Croques menu is lovely too.

9. Laura Ashley the tea room

Sian Victoria © - Laura Ashley The Tea Room, Solihull, Birmingham

Laura Ashley The Tea Room is the perfect place for catching up with friends and family in a beautifully styled and relaxed setting. I’ve visited The Regency Hotel in Solihull twice but there is also a venue in Coventry.

Since the launch of the very first tearoom in 2017, I’ve experienced both the Laura Ashley vegetarian afternoon tea and vegan high tea which I bought for all the women in my family last year for Mother’s Day and featured in my experience gift guide post.

I’m not saying this just because I’m vegan, but the vegan option is incredible. The warm scones topped with coconut cream and jam was dreamy and the variety of avocado, diary-free cheese and Mediterranean vegetable finger sandwiches have got me eager to book up again.

10. Wagamama

Sian Victoria © - Wagamama, Japanese cuisine, Bullring, Birmingham

The last time I ate at Wagamama was in January while in London for visiting a show at the Tate Modern. So, it is about time I visited my local Bullring restaurant for some tasty Japanese cuisine.

My favourite dishes are the mushrooms and aubergine steamed buns, wok-fried greens and edamame with chilli for starters. For mains, I either go for the kare burosu with silken tofu or vegatsu with seitan in crispy panko breadcrumbs smothered in katsu curry sauce.

Thankfully, to get my katsu curry fix during lockdown I was pleased to be able to re-create it myself at home after Wagamama revealed the recipe in a ‘Wok From Home’ tutorial on how to make it. Although it just wasn’t the same without sitting on those iconic benches while attempting to eat with chopsticks.

11. Vintage Inns

Sian Victoria © - Vintage Inns, Country Restaurant & Bar

The Wolseley Arms in Stafford is a Vintage Inns restaurant and bar I like to visit every few months as it’s located nearby Cannock Chase and the National Trust Shugborough Estate.

Two hiking places in the West Midlands I have enjoyed wandering around from a young age. The cosy restaurant is also located next to the River Trent making it a lovely place to visit especially during the summer.

Although the options are very limited for vegans, so I haven’t been in a while. Nonetheless, the food is lovely, and it does have a warm welcoming feel with rustic features, beamed ceilings and inglenook fireplace.

I also love how they have a dog-friendly bar area and a bowl of dog treats as you walk into the entrance along with fleece blankets in a basket for when it gets chilly if you are dining alfresco.

12. Bill’s

Sian Victoria © - Bill's Restaurant, Bullring, Birmingham

Bill’s at the Bullring and Leamington Spa are the restaurants I’ve visited in the West Midlands but there is also one located in Worcester. Bill’s is one of the many places for brunch in Birmingham I enjoy after a busy morning running errands in the city.

For the Eat Out to Help Out scheme Bill’s has created an all-day set menu where you can have two courses for £15.50 or three courses for £19.95 along with a complimentary glass of red wine for each guest. There’s also ‘the incredible menu’ where two courses can be purchased for £19.95 or three courses for £24.95.

They are also running a Breakfast specials menu throughout August where every Monday to Wednesday is a new dish to try, such as the 10 stack pancakes served with fresh bananas, strawberries, blueberries, vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce. Now that’s what the breakfast of dreams is made of.

13. Bodega Cantina

Sian Victoria © - Bodega Cantina, Mexican Restaurant, Bennetts Hill, Birmingham

A popular venue for Happy Hour is Bodega Cantina, a cocktail bar and South American food restaurant in Birmingham on Bennetts Hill. They also have locations in Leicester and Worcester.

If you want to include your drinks in the Eat Out to Help Out offer, the colourful and quirky venue stir up some gorgeous fruity mocktails for just £3.50 each (or £1.75 with discount). The Virgin Colada, Hummingbird and Horchata are my favourites. Alternatively, most cocktails are 2 for £9.00 during happy hour Mon-Sat 3 - 6 pm, 9 pm til Close & All-day Sunday.

The Bodega vegan menu has nibbles, nachos, sides, light bites, large plates and desserts. They are all affordably priced between £3.25 to £9.50 before the discount. Making it a great opportunity to try out lots of dishes on the homemade South American inspired menu.

14. The Botanist

Sian Victoria © - The Botanist, Restaurant & Cocktail bar, Temple St, Birmingham

The Botanist Birmingham on Temple Street is a botanical-inspired venue I’ve enjoyed visiting over the years. So much so that my friend and I featured in a floral spring lookbook video there because we just love the rustic interiors making it the perfect backdrop.

Botanist is well known for their unique cocktails served in smoking plant pots and their meaty hanging kebabs and beautifully presented food in deep wooden trays.

For vegans, the menu has improved, and they now have the Moving Mountains burger served with properly seasoned chips (£11.75) and a Mushroom and squash pie (£11.50). For starters, they have a Vegan Board with houmous, house salad, garlic mushrooms, grilled vegetables and Bang bang cauliflower for £13.95 making me eager to book another visit asap.

15. Cookhouse + Pub

Sian Victoria © - Cookhouse + Pub, Oldbury, Birmingham

The Cookhouse + Pub can be found in Oldbury and West Bromwich, it is a family restaurant and pub in the West Midlands. I’ve visited both venues over the years and have always been pleased with the menu and table service.

Cookhouse + Pub have a great Sunday lunch offer with a Fake & Ale Pie for vegans’. On the main menu, you’ll find the Vegan Sloppy Joe Burger made with a Beyond Meat patty topped with smoky chipotle sauce and served in a toasted brioche-style bun, with skin-on chips and mixed salad.

During the Eat Out to Help Out scheme they have included their all you can eat breakfast menu for restaurants with a Premier Inn hotel. So are serving unlimited cooked breakfast, continental, hot drinks, juices and smoothies with 50% off. Plus, kids eat free.

16. TGI Friday's

Sian Victoria © - TGI Friday's, American food restaurant, Resorts World Birmingham

Besides visiting for cocktails occasionally with friends before a night out or after the movies. It has been years since I’ve eaten at the popular chain, TGI Friday’s. The last time I visited for food was at the Resorts World Birmingham venue when it first opened.

Thankfully they have added a few vegan dishes to their food menu. So that when I next visit, I can soak up the cocktails with a cheeky American-style burger and fries.

The dedicated vegan menu has avocado houmous served with garlic ciabatta bread and tortilla chips for starters. While the main menu has a plant-based burger made meaty with beetroot and coconut oil and a Garlic & Chilli veg fajita.

17. Gusto

Sian Victoria © - Gusto, Italian restaurant, Colmore Row, Birmingham

Another popular Italian food restaurant in Birmingham city centre is Gusto located at The Grand Hotel on Colmore Row. However, Gusto also has restaurants in Mere Green, West Bridgford and Leamington Spa. But please check before visiting as only a select few are currently open.

What I love about Gusto Birmingham is firstly the grand Victorian architecture building it resides in but also the elegant interiors and the beautiful tree decorations with twinkling lights that create a romantic cosy atmosphere perfect for date night.

If you do choose to visit Gusto and make an online booking, please do let them know in advance if you are unable to attend as, like most of the hospitality industry, they get a lot of no shows. This can be damaging to all companies especially during the current situation.

For vegan mains, they now have a Moving Mountains burger and a vegan roast on Sundays. A starter I have been meaning to try is the Gusto Dough Petals (£4.95) with tomato, crispy shallots, and housemade romesco mayonnaise dip and the Vegan Biscoff Cheesecake (£6.95) for dessert.

18. Thai Express

Sian Victoria © - Thai Express, Grand Central, Birmingham

Like most, I was devastated to hear about John Lewis one of the largest shopping places in Birmingham was closing its Grand Central store. Over the past year or two, a few of my foodie favourites such as Not Dogs, Handmade Burger Co and Cereal Killer Cafe have left the Link Street passing that goes to the Bullring.

Plus, I’ve not seen Herman ze German open recently either so I’m thinking that may have closed too, but hopefully, I’m wrong. They do a delicious vegan hot dog.

For this reason, I wanted to share some of the great food outlets available at Grand Central that are taking part in the scheme.

Thai Express who serve up delicious Asian food in Birmingham opened almost two years ago, and I was there for the opening and have been visiting occasionally ever since. The Stir-Fry Cashew (£7.00) and Fried Rice Thai (£7.00) are among a few of my favourite dishes on the street-food menu.

19. Tortilla

Sian Victoria © - Tortilla, Grand Central, Birmingham

When I’m craving a burrito, Tortilla in Grand Central is the place I like to go after getting off the train to grab something quick and filling to eat ahead of meetings and events. I’ll usually have the toasted flour tortilla wrap stuffed with as many veggies as possible and topped with smashed guacamole and salsa.

They have a meal deal offer so you’ll find me going for the large burrito with a bag of crunchy tortilla chips and a drink.

There aren’t many tables at Tortilla for everyone to be spaced out. So, grabbing a discounted burrito, taco, salad or quesadilla to go and sitting in Pigeon park this summer makes a lovely lunch break that I’ve enjoyed myself on many occasions.

20. GBK

Sian Victoria © - GBK, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Birmingham

GBK has been one of my go-to burger venues for years. It’s a restaurant I’d go to with friends after long-winded university lectures for an essential pick-me-up.

In recent years the plant-based ‘Hippy Dippy’ at GBK was one of my favourite places for vegan burgers in Birmingham until they sadly stopped it. It was amazing so I don’t understand why they would. However, now they have three new vegan burgers with two featuring the Beyond Meat patty.

Although it’s the ‘Falafel Salsa’ burger made with quinoa & potato falafels, smashed avocado, house relish, garlic mayo and salad salsa that I have my eyes on to feast on next.

21. Nando’s

Sian Victoria © - Nando's, Resorts World Birmingham

Nandos at Resorts World Birmingham was always my restaurant of choice to get that PERi-PERi lemon and herb fix. Although I’ve not visited in years, it is great to see they are beginning to offer more vegetarian and vegan options.

The usual price for most meals with two sides is £11.75 so during the scheme heading to Nandos makes dining out a steal at just £5.87.

22. Pieminister

Sian Victoria © - Pieminister, Waterloo St, Birmingham

Pie and mash soaked in gravy must be one of the best traditional British comfort foods. For me it has to be stuffed with veggies, have a flaky top and a thick pastry.

The Pieminister restaurant on Waterloo Street is a foodie venue I can’t resist visiting for a ‘Wild Shroom’ pie made with British mushrooms, asparagus & white wine. Any pie and two regular sides are just £9.00 making it a great meal deal regardless of the eat out to help out scheme.

There’s also the ‘Chooks Away’ made with vegan ‘chicken’, celeriac, smoked garlic and sherry that’s also well worth tucking into with fries. Plus, if you find the pies too irresistible you can purchase cold pies to take away for 3 for £10 or £4.00 each.

If you are craving Sunday lunch in Birmingham this is the place to go!

To conclude

So, there you go, 22 restaurants in Birmingham that are taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. There are a lot more venues. However, I only recommend places on my blog where I have physically eaten at myself and have made the effort to take a photo before stuffing my face.

Other places to eat at are Kanteen and Waylands Yard who are two fabulous independents in the city who are joined to the scheme, you can find out more about them in my coffee places in Birmingham post.

There’s also The Lost & Found on Bennetts Hill you can find them in my places to eat vegetarian in Birmingham post. Or there is @Pizza in Grand Central, who features in my independent restaurants in Birmingham post.

Plus, there is the new Indian restaurant Dishoom located at Chamberlain Square who are one of the newest and most instagramable restaurants in Birmingham right now.

Follow & Support

22 Best Restaurants in Birmingham