Birmingham has its fair share of Indian Restaurants, Desi Pubs and Baltis. In fact, it’s claimed the humble Balti was invented here, or at least made popular in the 1990s. The city became famous internationally for its Balti Triangle, but times have changed, and the city’s Indian cuisine has since evolved beyond recognition.
There are still some tantalising Balti houses to choose from, and in addition, there is a new wave of young professional, passionate and inventive Brummies who are cutting their own path when it comes to Indian flavours and the colourful style synonymous with India’s Sub Continent.
We pick out some of the best Indian restaurants Birmingham has to offer, based on personal experience, and backed up by online reviews. From super sized naans and delicious baltis, to mixed grills, Indian tapas and tandooris, it’s all here, so tuck your napkin in and start tasting your way around the city!
Lasan
Lasan opened in 2002, quickly establishing itself by serving the city’s finest contemporary Indian cuisine. The restaurant later rose to fame when celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay featured this already popular culinary destination on national TV. Lasan is now widely considered as one of the UK’s finest Indian restaurants, presenting award-winning cuisine in warm, sumptuous surroundings from its Jewellery Quarter location, the artisanal heart of Birmingham.
3-4 Dakota Buildings, James Street, St Paul’s Square Birmingham, B3 1SD. Tel: 0121 752 3322. https://lasan.co.uk/
Indico Street Kitchen
Opened in November 2016, Indico Street Kitchen is an award-winning Indian street food restaurant with a cocktail bar situated in Parkgate, Shirley and also The Mailbox Birmingham City Centre. Indico specialise in authentic Indian street food. The food at Indico has been carefully selected to showcase some of the tastiest examples of the North Indian street food culture. The interior is a reflection of the Indian heritage. Inside you will discover customised artwork by 13 different local and international street artists.
16, Parkgate Shopping Centre, Stratford Road, Shirley, B90 3GG. Tel: 0121 448 5204. & 113-115 Wharfside Street, Level 3, The Mailbox, Birmingham B1 1RF. Tel: 0121 643 5121. https://www.indicostreetkitchen.com/
The Indian Streatery
The Indian Streatery is home to a family of foodies who started as street food traders. They worked the street food scene in Birmingham and around the UK and became firm favourites at the city’s Digbeth Dining Club under their street food name The Indian Rasoi. Serving up a traditional, authentic, menu with a concept that bridges the generations, they cleverly renamed the brand, sticking to their street food roots by day and transforming the Bennetts Hill building into a sleek, chilled Indian Eatery by night. There is also a second Express outlet now at The Bullring.
The Indian Streatery, Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Tel:
0121 643 5334. & The Indian Streatery Express, Unit 526 Central Street, Birmingham B5 4BU. Tel: 0121 643 0222. https://www.theindianstreatery.co.uk/
Dishoom
Dishoom is a renowned family of Bombay Cafés & restaurants dotted around the UK. The brand started out in London and now in Birmingham to for those with a penchant for fine Indian cuisine. Serving Bombay breakfast, lunch, afternoon chai, dinner & late-night tipples guests can book a table up to a month in advance for up to 6 guests. The owners behind Dishoom lovingly create bespoke designs to suit each venue, they all come with a little story too! There are some fantastic cocktails and Dishoom specials, the breakfasts are to die for.
One Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3AX. Tel: 0121 8095986. https://www.dishoom.com/birmingham/
Raja Monkey Cafe
Located in Hall Green, Birmingham, Raja Monkey is an Indian street food cafe that offers a variety of curries. Get closer to the real India at Birmingham’s most vibrant roadside cafe. Feast on classic curries from India’s far flung corners or explore the wonderful flavour variety of our Thalis, the undoubted stars of the show. It’s what tastebuds were made for. Dine in an informal rustic environment, transporting you to an inner-city cafe in downtown Delhi or Bombay – the true taste of India! Check out the cookery classes and Tiffin boxes to take away.
1355 Stratford Road, Birmingham B28 9HW, UK. Tel: 0121 777 9090. http://www.rajamonkey.co.uk/
Royal Watan
Established in 1984, Royal Watan on the Pershore Road, has maintained an emphasis on good homemade food. One of Birmingham’s most established Balti Restaurants, Royal Watan are still committed to using the freshest and finest ingredients to create authentic and tasty Kashmiri food. The naan breads are some of the finest you will find anywhere in the UK – if you like it hot try a chili, cheese & garlic.
602-604 Pershore Rd, Birmingham B29 7HQ. Tel: 0121 471171. https://www.royal-watan.co.uk/
Viceroy Tandoori
The Viceroy is consistently ranked highly on Trip Advisor as one of the best restaurants in Birmingham, perhaps not the cheapest but this modern establishment with stripped floors, serves authentic traditional Indian/Bangladeshi cuisine and is a firm favourite with Brummies and those venturing around the historic Jewellery Quarter. Expect signature dishes alongside classic curry house favourites with great ambiance and service.
108-109 Icknield Street, Jewellery Quarter. Tel: 0121 4390607. http://www.viceroytandoori.com/
Opheem
Opheem is a modern, opulent Indian restaurant which strives to push the boundaries with Indian flavours, but with cooking techniques from all over the world. Expect some traditional, and some very modern Indian plates alongside shaken cocktails & wine. The seasonal menu gives you the choice of three, five or seven courses depending on how long you want your adventure to last with tantalising signature cuisine by Aktar Islam.
65 Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1JJ. Tel: 0121 2013377. https://opheem.com/
Purnima
Purnima Restaurant serves traditional Indian cuisine in a smart, relaxing dining room. Experience the finest food, which perfectly combines the ancient traditions and authentic flavours of India and Bangladesh, fused with a unique edge. Natural ingredients incorporating fresh herbs and spices are used enabling diners to experience Indian, Eastern and Bangladeshi food as its mean to be, free from all the artificial additives, preservatives and food colouring.
622 Bearwood Road, Bearwood. Tel: 0121 4204499. https://www.purnima.co.uk/
The New Soho Tavern
The New Soho Tavern is a family run Desi Pub (Bar and Indian Grill) situated near to the Jewellery Quarter. Serving the finest quality Indian cuisine and superb mixed grills, along with classic Pub beverages served to a premium standard for an affordable price. Consistently good as per the reviews and ratings across the web.
407 Park Rd, Birmingham B18 5SR. Tel: 07492 544494. www.facebook.com/thenewsohotavern/
Asha’s
In the heart of central Birmingham, an authentic taste of India’s North-West frontier. With a knowledgeable, discerning and populous local clientele, Birmingham is indisputably the UK’s spiritual home of Indian food in all its wonderful diversity. A fusion of regional classics with spectacular contemporary signature dishes, Asha’s blends street food simplicity with the magnificence of a maharaja’s banquet.
12-22 Newhall St, Birmingham B3 3LX. Tel: 0121 200 2767. https://ashasbirmingham.co.uk/
Indian Brewery Snowhill
An offering second to none and unique. Different, innovative and delicious. Indian Street Food and Craft Beer, the official outlet for Indian Brewery’s very own Birmingham brewed beers including “Birmingham Lager” on tap. Here you will find a cool and youthful take on Indian streetfood in a very modern trendy British style. *now also in Solihull.
214 Livery St, Archway 16, Birmingham B3 1EU. Tel: 0121 296 9000 (Ext. 01). http://www.indianbrewery.com/snowhill/
Manzils
Manzils in Digbeth has been operating since 1966 and is still run by the same family. Specialising in mainly traditional dishes such as, Madras, Dhansak, Pathia and Balti this is a safe bet for a late night nosh up with some legendary visitors and a sometimes rowdy but entertaining atmosphere in the late evening (one of the city’s latest to stay open on a weekend). The restaurant are fortunate to have long serving chefs which ensures that the food remains consistently good whilst using the freshest ingredients.
Mazils, High Street Digbeth, B5 6DT. Tel: 0121 643 4051. http://www.manzils.co.uk/
Alleppey Boat
A taste of Kerela bought from India to the West Midlands. To experience Kerela, a state located on India’s tropical Malabar Coast, is to eat at Alleppey Boat. Capturing the essence of Indian cuisine is owner and Head Chef, Mr M K Acharya and local Hall Green chef Mr Dilip Patra, who have a combined 50 years of experience. Together they re-imagine their culinary experiences taken from their travels across the length and breadth of the Indian sub-continent.
1492 Stratford Road, Hall Green B28 9ET. 0121 7457935. https://alleppeyboat.co.uk/
Akrams
Akrams provide the finest in Kashmiri cuisine on the Pershore Road. All of the food is hand made using the quality ingredients to produce some delicious dishes. As can be witnessed on their Trip Advisor reviews/replies, great service and hygene is an essential part of this restaurants popularity. From Tandoori specialities to traditional Baltis and Biryanis Akrams hits the spot every time. Ask about their super sized naan breads.
1526 Pershore Road, Birmingham. Tel: 0121 4334320. https://www.akrams.biz/
1580
1580 is an ode to the natural flavours dating back centuries from India and the Indian Subcontinent. The cuisine is a contemporary interpretation of classic Indian cooking. The interiors are of simple English heritage, the wooden finish touches, strategic soft lighting and an earthy feel to the restaurant is almost reminiscent of a forgotten era. Ingredients are always fresh and the restaurant consistently gains high praise on review sites.
710 Chester Road, Erdington, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B23 5TE. Tel: 0121 439 4243. http://www.1580.co.uk/
The New Talbot
The New Talbot have brought Indian Tapas to Quinton. From Vegetarian Chilli Paneers to Sharing Platters, Mixed Grills and Meat Tapas this converted building houses a talented team of chefs and front of house team offering something quite special for this south Birmingham suburb.
43a Wolverhampton Rd S, Quinton, Birmingham B32 2AY. Tel: 0121 4293322. https://thenewtalbot.com/quinton/
Diwan Balti
One of the three original Balti restaurants in Birmingham’s world-famous Balti Triangle is Diwan. Diwan literally means ‘meeting place’; and Diwans is the ideal place to meet friends and family and dine in relaxed surroundings. Home to some very famous guests, a prime minister no less and many other local legends. This wondrous and popular balti house offers some great Diwan House Specialities such as Balti Butter Chicken, Diwan Khandani Chicken Masala and Balti Lamb Butter Masalla.
3A Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8AR. Tel: 0121 442 4920. https://diwanbaltionline.com