Brunch in Brum: Birmingham Brunch Spots
Birmingham definitely has their fair share of great brunch spots - independent eateries, artisan bakeries and Bombay inspired restaurants are just some of your brunching options. Here are a few of our favourite places for brunch in Birmingham.
📍Medicine Bakery, New Street
Let’s start it off with one of the brunch hotspots in the city.
This artisan bakery, cafe and gallery offers the best baked goods, closely followed by their diverse brunch menu. With 4 locations across Birmingham and Wolverhampton, Medicine Bakery has been voted as one of the top 10 best restaurants in Birmingham.
Medicine New Street occupies what was previously home to the Royal Society of Birmingham Artists - as Medicine saw an opportunity to restore an abandoned building to its former glory, yet with a completely new purpose: Brunch.
My thoughts:
The entrance is quite easy to miss along New Street, however look out for the oak doors and staircase leading to the 200 sq ft first floor Victorian hall, now flooding with green wall installations lit by the overhead roof light.
Their menu focuses on ethical products in a mix of modern twists. Pictured are the Harissa Benedict - brioche, sautéed greens, field mushroom, tomato, chorizo, poached eggs & harissa hollandaise, and Sausage Brioche - sausage, streaky bacon, fried egg, chilli jam & rocket on a brioche bun. Not least forgetting the star , the Hash Brown with Romesco. All great stuff, although it was not the hottest - giving us a reason to eat up quickly! However, we did find the service poor and toilet facilities weren’t quite on par with just one stall up a narrow staircase and corridor, but the food is worth it!
Be warned, they ran out of pastries even when we finished morning brunch so make sure to secure the goods early on!
Medicine Bakery New Street Review:
Price: $$$ (there are plenty of options under £10)
Location: A stones throw away from New Street this is a great location. Or check out their other Birmingham location in The Mailbox.
Food: ★★★☆☆
Insta Worthy: ♥♥♥♥♥
Photo: Harissa Benedict, Sausage Brioche & Hash Brown with Romesco.
📍Dishoom, Chamberlain Square
A celebration of culture and food, Dishoom cherishes the diminishing Old Irani Cafes. Dwindling from 400 cafes in the 1960’s to just 30 now, the cafes were a home to all - students, families, rich businessmen and those of all culture, class or religion brought together by food and drink. Dishoom honours the Irani cafes by building an equal space to enjoy the warming dishes of Bombay, with Bombays art history encapsulated in each cafe.
Whilst Dishoom is ranked one of the best restaurants to work for, they serve with charity at heart as they donate a meal for every meal served in their cafe. Thats 13 million meals donated to children in need and counting.
Thoughts:
Dishoom breakfast is everything, and if you have never had it then this is your sign!! You can’t fault the food, the staff, nor the decor detail. Their marketing and branding is top-notch - each cafe captures a different angle of the hustle and bustle of Bombay streets. With cosy and authentic settings, the food is a homage to the food of Bombay.
Our favourite brunch option has to be the bacon and egg naan - the cream cheese and tomato-chilli jam is the combination you never knew you needed. Whilst their take on the full English is top notch with akuri, masala beans and home-made buns, naming it “The Big Bombay”. It really makes all other breakfasts seem boring. Don’t forget to get the unlimited spiced chai too. Andddd if you love it, Dishoom offer at-home naan roll kits so Dishoom can come to you.
Also, make sure to check out their lunch and evening menus with dishes perfect for sharing.
Dishoom brunch reflection:
Price: $$$ (Naans range from £7.20 - £10.90 with the Big Bombay at £14.20)
Location: Located in the new development of Chamberlain Square, easy transport links of New Street Station makes this location a win-win.
Food: ★★★★★
Insta Worthy: ♥♥♥♥♥
Photo: The Big Bombay, Bacon and Egg Naan and coffees.
📍The Plough, Harborne, Birmingham, England
The Plough has certainly gained its good reputation over the years. Since opening their doors in 2003, The Plough offers quality pub grub, great hospitality and a large beer garden to enjoy the British summer - with their in house Dj’s playing funk, soul and latin making it the soul of the party. The independent pub is seen as the neighbourhood hangout for the locals of Harborne with freshly cooked comfort food drawing the crowds. Visiting The Plough in the winter? The beer garden has been transformed to an enchanting winter garden with heated tent and cosy decor. If you are looking for booze then make sure to check out their whisky where they have 50 varieties to pick from.
Thoughts:
One of the more expensive options in Harborne, but with helpful staff, a relaxing ambiance and fresh food, it is definitely one of our recommendations. Pizza for brunch? Look no further - Feta, avo, egg and bacon makes the perfect start to the day, whilst the Goats cheese pizza did not disappoint. The quaint and tasty spot is definitely an option for those looking for a warm and rustic gastropub away from the city centre.
The Plough brunch reflection:
Price: $$$ (mains range from £7.50 - £16 for a full fry up)
Location: Situated on Harbourne Highstreet this is perfect for those heading out of Birmingham and to the suburbs.
Food: ★★★☆☆
Insta Worthy: ♥♥♥♥♡
Photo: Feta, avo, egg and bacon on homemade bread and Goats cheese pizza.
