Stirchley, Birmingham: 7 Favourite Restaurants

Best Restaurants in Stirchley From The Eyes Of A Local

I have lived in Stirchley for years, and as a result, I have lived through the renaissance of what was an area in decline, or even one at a nadir, save for a handful of great businesses keeping it in the public eye. The food and drink scene is now going from strength to strength, and the list of the best restaurants in Stirchley keeps shifting.

In the past 7 or 8 years, Stirchley has evolved phenomenally from an area that was effectively a thoroughfare, to an area that’s become a destination on so many levels (if you are into levels – some people are more into them than others).

Stirchley has also become a thriving community that I’m very proud to be part of. I go out for food locally whenever I can, and thought you’d like to know some of the best restaurants in Stirchley. Here they are. Now. Below this sentence.

7 Of My Current Favourite Restaurants in Stirchley, Birmingham

Yikouchi (at Chancers Cafe)

The ying to Chancers Café’s yang. James, Cassie and team run a superb restaurant, serving some of their favourite dishes found on travels around China. The fried chicken in house chilli oil is my cream of the crop, but also expect Gaifan, Hunan Pork, hand pulled noodles, baozi, fish fragrant aubergine (yes please) and much more.

No bookings, so pick your visiting time wisely. Yikouchi was Jay Rayner’s 2022 dining highlight in his end of year column in the Guardian. So don’t just take my word for it. (I know you were going to, so that’s ok)

This has been on the list of best restaurants in Stirchley for a while now.

Yikouchi Website

Eat Vietnam

Traditional Vietnamese food with an umami difference, serving both a fixed menu and an incredible and changing specials menu. Lively kitchen and friendly staff

I’ve never been disappointed eating here. Ever. (is the opposite of disappointed, appointed?) The peanut butter and Marmite cauliflower wings are to die for, crunchy, sticky bites that even people who hate Marmite and peanut butter love. Plates of pork belly (see the top of this page), Turmeric fried fish curry or noodles, and so on, and so on.

Booking is generally essential, but during the summer months, there is a rear terrace that you can just rock up to without booking. You use the QR code on the tables to order without even saying hi to anyone until your food arrives. Rude.

Eat Vietnam Website

Rabbit

Small plates restaurant set around a long open kitchen, where the diners get a front row seat to Stirchley’s only Michelin Guided eatery. Erin as the perfect host, and Ash as the centre stage chef not only offer the most intimate food experience you could possibly want, but each dish is ridiculously good.

The menu changes by 50% every day as different fresh ingredients are available from local markets. Booking is not only essential, but you also may want to plan 2 or 3 months ahead. At the time of writing, you could also order drinks via Erin from Couch next door – a friendly, neighbourhood, award winning cocktail bar.

Rabbit Website

Verbena Kitchen

Women led, ingredient forward, local restaurant serving a seasonal and locally sourced menu. The menu regularly changes and is as delicate as it is interesting, and the restaurant is a great space for an intimate catch up with friends. Watch their socials for regular pop ups with some of Birmingham’s best.

My personal favourite part of Chloe’s culinary arsenal, is the not so often Sunday Roast, where vegetables and cauliflower cheese come out in different bowls and fill the table with fine looking food (the confit pork belly is superb). If you see it come up, book it. Always a total joy. Actually, don’t, because I still want to get a table.

Expect the not so regular (current) menu to include dishes such as pan fried cod with butterbean and tenderstem, or courgette and lemon rigatoni. Yum.

Verbena Website

Yardbirds

Award winning fried chicken joint. Chicken burgers, strips and chicken/waffles on a compact menu. There is bench seating, external seating to rear in the new beer garden, and an open kitchen. As a result, the restaurant has a very relaxed and fun feel. Booking is always advised, but I don’t think I’ve ever done so, band there are plenty of tables. There is also a very nice line up of 6 rotating craft ales on draft, which also means that you can just pop in and have a pint if that’s all you want.

With their background in the Midlands street food scene, they know what they are doing. In fact, they are still more than active on that front.

Yardbirds Website

Soi 1268 (Buddha Belly)

Multi award winning Thai street food outfit turned restaurant, serving more formal versions of their very poular street food dishes, small plates and a great drinks menu.  Dishes like Beef Massaman Curry, Spicy Chicken Panang or Pork Pa Lo are all in homage to Sai’s Thai roots and her family street food background in Thailand. The food is fresh, and the atmosphere is welcoming.

Add to that the wonderful Ikigai next door for Japanese cocktails, and you have a full evening out. The eagle eyed observer will spot one particular Buddha Belly superfan in the middle picture below.

Top tip: Their prawn toast is like nothing else I’ve ever had. You must try it.

Buddha Belly Website

Cork and Cage

Cork and Cage is primarily a local craft ale bar, serving a choice range of keg beer. BUT. And this is why it’s on this list….Richard often slaves away Tuesday to Thursday nights during the week putting together a fine bar menu. Small pates and bowls of things like locally sourced chipolatas, Burrata dishes, triple cooked potatoes with aioli. Really nice to share over a beer. Also the odd ‘hangover café’ event, or Fantasy Parmo night.

However, the other string to Cork and Cage’s bow, is the fact that they organise some GREAT pop ups. Authentic Italian food, Sandwich week, Rabbit, Verbena, Stoop (bagels), Andy Low and Slow….the list goes on. Food at Cork and Cage is ALWAYS best to book.

One serious point here; every Thursday at 7:30, a ‘Dinner on Us’ evening takes place. For a booking fee of £1, a discrete meal for two is on offer, which will have been paid forward. Check their socials and website for more details. Please don’t abuse this offer as people that genuinely need it may lose out.

Cork and Cage Website

Final thoughts on the best restaurants in Stirchley

Stirchley has gone through an organic evolution over more recent years, and long may it continue. The food offering in the area is now on the national radar, and along with the beer, cocktail and wine provision (check out the newly opened Cheddar), it has become a full day and night out. Michelin Guide, glowing Jay Rayner words, and food awards aplenty, the offering of the best restaurants Stirchley is beginning to look like the full package. Obviously, this list is an ever changing thing, but this is all a snapshot in m,y opinion at the time of writing.

Some other current local food places of note:

Deadbeat – Stirchley divebar with a great kitchen and regular pop up food. Deadbeat website.

Alicias Micro Bakehouse – the locals fave pizza outfit. Alicias website.

Minang Cuisine – Malaysian takeaway restaurant with 3 tables. Minang website.

Kolkata Lounge – of the 8 local Indian restaurants, this is one of my faves. Kolkata website.

Anjuna Lounge – café bar serving vegetarian Indian street food plates. Anjuna website.

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as you will enjoy these restaurant recommendations!! If you want to read more. Explore my website by clicking here and find new independent places in Birmingham to visit and support!