Culinary delights in the West Midlands

The West Midlands is packed with award-winning restaurants and an abundance of food and drink highlights. Visitors can sample Michelin-starred fine dining, tuck into delectable vegan street food, sip beautifully crafted cocktails and discover the dish that put the Balti Triangle on the map. Our round up takes them on a gastronomic tour of the West Midlands, revealing just some of the delights the region has in store.

Michelin-starred fine dining

Birmingham is home to five different Michelin-star restaurants, the most of any British city outside of London. Carters of Moseley offers a blend of modern and classic dishes and champions a sustainable approach, with lots of produce coming from its own allotment and a selection of natural, organic and biodynamic wines on offer. Chef Adam Stokes serves up an array of modern cuisine amid the art deco surroundings of Adam’s, while Purnell’s is renowned for its contemporary fine dining, with chef Glynn Purnell creating British classics influenced by Europe and the Far East. Simpson’s Restaurant offers flavoursome modern dishes in a sleek suburban Georgian mansion and Opheem is a boldly decorated Indian restaurant, where diners can enjoy dishes packed with distinct flavours and a delectable tasting menu.

• The Michelin Guide reveals further fine dining options in Birmingham

The home of the Balti

Foodies can discover the original home of the Balti on a trip to the West Midlands. Located around three miles from the centre of Birmingham, the Balti Triangle is filled with authentic family-run establishments offering this much-loved classic. The region is said to have introduced the Balti method of cooking to Britain and there are multiple restaurants specialising in this style of dish, with options including Shabab Balti Restaurant and Lahore Village.

• Food fans can discover more about the Balti Triangle with Visit Birmingham

A celebration of food and drink

Held in the medieval ruins of Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, the Ludlow Food Festival celebrates the delectable array of produce found in the Welsh Marches, which run along the border of England and Wales. Alongside the Ludlow Spring Festival and Ludlow Magnalonga, it’s also one of a trio of events making the town a must-see spot. And with more than 180 local food and drink producers offering tastings, sampling and more, it’s an unmissable feast for foodies.

• Visitors can find more information at Ludlow Food Festival

A world of chocolate

Sweet-toothed visitors can discover a piece of chocolate heaven at Cadbury World while embarking on a unique 4D adventure through chocolate making. After jumping aboard a bean mobile to revel in the magic of Cadbury, they can test their chocolate piping skills in the Have A Go zone and learn about the region’s heritage in the Bournville Experience. They’ll finish up in the world’s biggest Cadbury’s shop, to stock up on chocolatey delights!

• Opening days and times vary. Pre-booking tickets is recommended.

Delectable street food

From small food wagons to collections of street vendors, visitors don’t need fine dining to enjoy the best of what the West Midlands has to offer. Digbeth Dining Club operates at a number of venues and events across the region, welcoming a diverse mix of vendors and cuisines. Two permanent sites at Digbeth Dining Club and Hockley Social Club can be found a short distance from the centre of Birmingham, as well as another permanent site, Herbert’s Yard, from autumn 2021.

• Digbeth Dining Club – Open every Saturday from 12pm to 10pm.

• Hockley Social Club – Open Thursday to Sunday, opening hours vary.

Brewing up a storm

Craft beer has surged in popularity in Britain, and there are plenty of breweries, microbreweries and tap rooms across the West Midlands where visitors can sample their creations. Based in Coventry’s FarGo Village, the Twisted Barrel Ale Brewery and Tap House has 23 beers on tap and a range of bottled options to try, including monthly specials and numerous seasonal concoctions. Birmingham Brewing Company is a short walk from Bournville Station and serves a delicious selection of vegan and gluten-free beers, as well as natural wines, local cider and an array of spirits and soft drinks. Alternatively, visitors can stop off at Brewhouse & Kitchen in Sutton Coldfield for freshly-brewed craft beers, as well as experiences including beer and gin tasting masterclasses and even the chance to be a brewer for the day.

• Twisted Barrel Ale Brewery and Tap House – Tap House open Wednesday to Sunday with varied hours.

• Birmingham Brewing Company – Tap Room open Thursday to Sunday with varied hours.

• Brewhouse & Kitchen – Open daily from 11am. Closing times vary.

Carefully crafted cocktails

Central Birmingham is home to several cocktail bars renowned for serving up a collection of bold and colourful signature creations. With canal-side views of The Mailbox to accompany its menu of carefully crafted cocktails, Gas Street Social also has a range of brunch and other dining options. Alternatively, foodies can head into the heart of the historic Great Western Arcade to sample the handcrafted cocktails on offer amid the funky surroundings of The Pineapple Club.

• Gas Street Social – Open daily from 12pm to 11pm on weekdays, with varied hours at weekends.

• The Pineapple Club – Open Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm. Closing times vary.

Varied vegan delights

Visitors will find an eclectic mix of food choices across the West Midlands, including an array of vegan and plant-based delights. Falafel Corner, in the heart of Coventry, serves up fresh falafel wraps and salads, accompanied by a range of smoothies and juices. Or there’s Dirty Kitch, in FarGo Village, for homemade vegan chick’n dishes that take inspiration from America’s Deep South. Meanwhile in Birmingham, Indico Mailbox serves up a selection of Punjab-style street food from a dedicated vegan menu, while Mowgli in Grand Central offers moreish Indian street food packed with flavour. For something a bit different, visitors can trot down to The Birmingham Stable to tuck into delectable plant-based and veggie sourdough pizzas.

• Falafel Corner – Open daily from 10am to 6pm.

• Dirty Kitch – Open Thursday to Sunday with varied hours.

• Indico Mailbox – Open daily from 12pm to 10pm.

• Mowgli – Open daily from 12pm. Closing times vary.

• The Birmingham Stable – Open daily from 11.30am to 11pm.

Restrictions on travel to and around Britain are in place due to Covid-19. Visitors are encouraged to always check individual websites for the latest information, as details are subject to change