Honest Bao

My recent trip to Six by Nico for their newly launched "Seoul" theme was a heartbreaking disaster. If you haven't heard of the concept, Six by Nico is a Glasgow-born powerhouse that rotates its six-course tasting menu every six weeks. It’s meant to be accessible fine dining, but this time, the only thing "fine" was the exit door. The decor is chic and modern, fitting the Colmore Row vibe perfectly. However, the service was agonizingly slow. We spent over two hours on a weekday lunch—longer than some ten-course Michelin meals I've had—watching other tables arrive after us and finish before we even saw our dessert. The "Seoul" Food Breakdown It’s a brave move for a European kitchen to tackle Korean street food, but nearly every dish had a major technical flaw: Pork belly: A decent optionally snacks, pork is relatively tender but a bit under seasoned but overall a decent one. Cho Yoonsun’s Hand Cut Noodles:  The pork dumpling skin was incredibly thick...

Crowned as Top 50 British Bakery, Levain & Cherry is not every day a local spot in King’s Heath gets , and it is the only one in Birmingham to make the prestigious 2026 top list. Naturally, my expectations were higher than a well-proofed sourdough. Founded by Pascal and his partner, Levain & Cherry is famous for its French artisan roots and commitment to traditional methods. Very attractive croissant and pain au chocolat but lacking the butter flavour I swung by in the mid-afternoon, but the vibe felt a bit like the party had already ended. The kitchen was packed down and cleaned, and the croissants were being stored in large plastic box. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, it’s a bit of a buzzkill when you’re paying a premium price; you really want that "warm from the oven" magic. Artisan bakery with focused items  Visually, the pastries are stunning—perfectly shaped, beautifully laminated, and sporting a satisfyingly crispy, flaky crust that shatters o...

It’s official— The wait for Blacklock Birmingham is finally over! After a string of delays that had us meat-lovers weeping into our morning coffee, the doors to St Philip’s House have finally swung open as of Monday, 20th April 2026. I managed to snag a spot during their soft launch, and while the "half-price food" certainly makes the heart grow fonder, Blacklock’s transition from London legend to Brum heavyweight is looking very promising indeed. Nice historic building The setting is spectacular. They’ve taken over a historic Victorian vicarage overlooking Cathedral Square (Pigeon Park to us locals), and the decor strikes that perfect balance between "industrial moody" and "cosy tavern." The staff are on top form—professional, friendly, and they know the menu inside out. Small menu but all you want is simply steak Snacks are ok Great prime rib, nicely grilled with strong flavour Now, let’s talk meat. The snacks were a bit of a mixed bag; the crackers felt...

For those of us who grew up with the clatter of tea cups and the scent of steaming bamboo baskets, finding authentic Dim Sum isn’t just a meal—it’s a nostalgic necessity. The tradition of Dim Sum actually started centuries ago along the Silk Road. Weary travellers would stop at teahouses for Yum Cha (drinking tea), and soon, owners began adding small, bite-sized snacks to accompany the brew. What began as a traveller's respite evolved into a Cantonese art form that we now lucky enough to have right here in Birmingham. The Reliable Veteran: Ken Ho Ken Ho is a true legend that’s been holding it down for years. They’ve recently undergone a bit of a glow-up with some refurbishment, and the vibe is better than ever. The pricing remains honest, and the portions are generous. A nicely done Har Gow The Must-Order: Their Har Gow (prawn dumplings). They are stuffed to the brim with plump, snappy prawns and seasoned with that perfect hint of sesame and white pepper. My secret favourite - quai...

If Birmingham has a soul,  it’s currently residing in Digbeth. Once the city’s industrial engine room, it’s now the "creative quarter"—think of it as Shoreditch’s edgier, louder cousin or a Birmingham-style Brick Lane. It’s a labyrinth of Victorian warehouses, world-class street art, and the iconic Custard Factory, where Alfred Bird famously invented egg-free custard in 1837 because his wife was allergic to eggs. Romantic, right? Tasty KrayFC Tucked right into this historic fabric is 670 Grams, a restaurant named after the birth weight of chef Kray Treadwell’s daughter. Kray (a former Michelin Young Chef of the Year) has created a space that matches the area’s grit: industrial, quirky, and unapologetically cool. When we visited for an early weekend lunch, the vibe was surprisingly quiet—we were the only ones there—but the "fine dining with a twist" experience was in full swing. Tasty and funny snacks Mains are bit let down overall The journey starts in the lower-flo...

Glynn Purnell  is a name synonymous with Birmingham’s culinary rise. He earned the city’s first Michelin star back in 2005 and held a star at his flagship, Purnell’s, for a staggering 17 years. Sadly, in a move that shocked the city, the flagship restaurant closed its doors permanently (and controversy) in October 2024 due to the "insane" rising costs of hospitality. However, Glynn isn't staying quiet—he’s doubled down on his smaller ventures, including the recent opening of Trillium at Snow Hill in late 2025. Bland prawns Plates by Purnell’s is his "cosy" Spanish venture, and it definitely feels like a passion project. The space is small, intimate, and has a great buzz, with service that is exactly what you'd expect from a Michelin-pedigree team: professional, friendly, and helpful. As it’s a tapas spot, they suggest ordering a few plates to share, which is standard procedure—but this is where the experience started to plateau for me. Nicely cook but not a ...

If the Birmingham food scene had a throne,  Opheem would be sitting on it. As the only restaurant in the West Midlands to boast two Michelin stars, it’s the crown jewel of city dining. The man behind the magic is Aktar Islam, a local legend who started working in his father’s restaurant at age 13 and famously won Gordon Ramsay’s The F Word. Beautifully baked bread Aktar’s journey hasn’t been without a few "closed doors," though. While Opheem (opened in 2018) has been a runaway success, his other ventures like the Italian spot Legna and the Argentine steakhouse Pulperia both shuttered between 2020 and 2022 due to development issues and the post-pandemic climate. It seems his focus is now purely on making Opheem a world-class destination—and it shows. Great lamb cutlet The experience starts in the sleek lounge with a parade of Indian-inspired snacks. They are undeniably pretty and punchy, but I have to agree with the "deja vu" feeling—after the third or fourth one, th...

Jewellery Quarter’s  fine dining scene just got a massive validation stamp. In February 2026, The Wilderness—the self-proclaimed "rock and roll" restaurant—officially bagged its first Michelin Star. I managed to sneak in for lunch just before the announcement, and honestly, looking back, the writing was on the wall. Finding the place is half the adventure. You’ve got to navigate a nondescript corridor before being spat out into a dark, industrial space that feels more like a cool underground club than a Michelin-starred venue. The vibe is loud, rebellious, and set to a soundtrack of punk and heavy metal, but the service is surprisingly warm and down-to-earth. Great beef tartare - Big Mac  The menu is a playful journey. Their "Big Mac" beef tartare is a clever, tongue-in-cheek nod to fast food that actually tastes sophisticated. However, the absolute peak of the meal was the Orkney Scallop. It had that perfect, golden-brown crust with a centre so soft it practically ...

Jewellery Quarter  is teeming with coffee shops, but if you’re hunting for a spot that serves a proper hot brunch rather than just a dry pastry, your options start to slim down. Perched right on the edge of the leafy St Paul’s Square—the undisputed heart of the district—it’s the go-to sanctuary for locals and visitors alike. Be warned: its prime location means it’s no secret. On a late weekend morning, I had to join the queue for about 15 minutes before snagging a seat. The vibe inside is bustling but relaxed, making it the perfect base of operations for a lazy Saturday. While the hot food menu isn't exhaustive, it focuses on doing the classics exceptionally well. The smashed avocado toast was vibrant and fresh, topped with a poached egg that hit that "perfectly runny" gold standard. Even as someone who isn't a coffee connoisseur, their brews felt smooth and high-quality. Verdict: A quintessential JQ brunch spot. It’s the perfect place for a slow weekend morning or a ...

In the second instalment of my Jewellery Quarter deep dive we’re swapping Italian pasta for the bold, punchy flavours of Southeast Asia. Kopitiam (which literally means "coffee shop" in Hokkien) is tucked away on a quiet side street where you’d sooner expect to find a metal workshop than a world-class meal. It’s a humble, family-run gem where the owner’s kids are often seen playing—a true "neighbourhood" spot that feels like stepping into a kitchen in Kuala Lumpur. The service can be a bit "hit and miss"—if the small team gets slammed with orders, your patience will be tested. But let me tell you, the food is worth every second of the wait. Everything is cooked to order, and the authenticity beats every high-street Malaysian or Thai chain in Birmingham city centre. The Star of the Show: Chicken Leg Nasi Lemak My favourite dish - Chicken leg Nasi Lemak You cannot visit without ordering the Nasi Lemak. Often called Malaysia’s national dish, it has a rich his...

Birmingham  food scene is moving faster than a chef on a Saturday night! While we’ve got some exciting "new kids" arriving in the city centre, we’ve also had to say a tearful goodbye to a couple of boba legends. Here is the lowdown on what’s opening, what’s closing, and what you should be eating right now. The Great Boba Exodus: T4 & Gong Cha Ice-cream season is coming It’s a sad day for the straw-and-pearl crowd. T4, a long-standing veteran on New Street, has officially bolted its doors for good. After a brief "Will they? Won't they?" reopening stunt in late 2025, they’ve permanently shuttered. While their tea was—let’s be honest—pretty average compared to the new wave of boba spots, their crispy salt and pepper chicken was the ultimate "guilty pleasure" snack. It will be missed. Joining them in the afterlife is Gong Cha. But as they say, when one door closes, a gelato freezer opens! The space has been taken over by the famous Amorino Gelato. Know...