SOUL FOOD OF BIRMINGHAM
They say art feeds the soul – but for those times when a watercolour just won’t cut it, get inspired with Gemma Corden’s pick of the best foodie spots in Birmingham’s cultural hangouts.
Marmalade at The Rep Theatre
Broad Street
This bustling bar and restaurant courtesy of Bitters N Twisted, the creative team behind a number of the city’s much-loved independent venues, delivers dramatic food in quirky surrounds. Perfect fuel for a night of culture on the Rep’s famous stages.
Nomad at Birmingham Open Media
1 Dudley Street
Art and food – is there a better partnership? Experimental culinarians Nomad demonstrate it here to its fullest potential, getting creative with food in a changing menu driven by a philosophy of memory, nature and place. Expect the unexpected in this dynamic gallery and workspace shared by artists, technologists and scientists.
Edwardian Tea Rooms at BM&AG
Chamberlain Square
Glorious high ceilings and mad Alice in Wonderland-ish furniture provide a suitably grand setting for the Tearoom’s now famous (and absolutely massive) Afternoon Tea. A range of food and drink offers run throughout the week.
Digbeth First Friday
On the first Friday of each month Digbeth explodes into life in a series of exhibitions, late-night openings, special events and culture in unexpected spaces across the district. Expect exceptional street food from Digbeth Dining Club regulars and more.
Centrala
Unit 4 Minerva Works
This cosy cafe in a multifunctional gallery space, set up by the Polish Expats Association, to showcase work from across Central, Eastern Europe and the UK, has a homely feel that truly warms the cockles. Hot and cold food available, including the Polish classic, pierogi.
Waterstones
High Street, Birmingham
This newly renovated branch of the famous booksellers now houses two independent coffee bars offering local produce from the likes of the Jewellery Quarter’s Peel and Stone Bakery and Mrs Mills Makes Cakes, based in Kings Norton. With customers free to roam the shop’s four floors with their beverage, perhaps curling up with a cappuccino in one of the many Art Deco windows, this really is a haven for the bookish.
