Birmingham Food Halls: 5 of the best
The rise of the food hall
My name is Jay, and I’m a long time resident and appreciator of all things Birmingham, when it comes to food, drink and more. I’ve lived in Birmingham most of my life, and have enjoyed the scene for all of that time. I live in Stirchley, and also get out and about all over Birmingham and the surroundings regularly for food and drink based fun. I try and document my visits on Instagram here to give a punters eye view of everywhere i go. Alternatively, check out my interactive, independent map of places I’ve visited and enjoyed here.
Often, I travel to other cities and go to food halls there, so I know my way around a food hall. Recently, Birmingham food halls have become a regular thing in my world. Whether it be chats, visits or that I just keep hearing news about them. Food halls are definitely enjoyable for a specific type of dining experience. I enjoy being anonymous, and food halls certainly help that happen. Not so intimate, but always plenty of choice, from dedicated kitchens just for what you order.
A few have opened in Birmingham recently in quick succession. This has made me realise that I now have favourites. Also that Birmingham has a number of great food halls to choose from, with more on the way. It’s crept up slowly, and all of a sudden, there are loads. The age of the food hall in Birmingham? We certainly have a more robust offering than back in the day, when the top floor of the Pavilions was your lot – baked potato or 3 hour old lasagne anyone? Not any more. Read on to get the lowdown…
Herbert’s Yard
Let’s kick off the Birmingham food halls list with this. If you don’t know, this came off the back of the success of Hockley Social Club (HSC).
HSC in turn, came off the back of the success of Digbeth Dining Club (DDC). And then came this little beauty. Well, not so little actually.
At the back of the Longbridge Shopping Park car park is Herbert’s Yard, a timber and polycarbonate 6,500sqft structure that has well and truly become one of the locals. The model is based on their DDC set up with a network of approved traders to chop and change as they see fit, which keeps the line up fresh.
Herbert’s Yard opened in late 2021, this place has seen many many street food vendors through the doors since, whether it be a one off weekend, or for much longer residencies.
With a staple of around 7 rotating vendors outside, an internal bar, and seating both in and out, this place has become a bit of a magnet. Fried chicken, burgers, BBQ food, greek food, indian food, crepes, cheesecake…and loads more…this place always has a wide selection of interesting and exciting stuff going on. They even have events on in the evenings like comedy nights and quiz nights. This place has become a hub.
To give you an idea of the versatility of vendor selection here, only in the past couple of months, I have eaten a burger from The Beefy Boys (see my Cheltenham post here), had food from Shrimps, Wings and Tings, Cofton Pizza, Banquet1415, and Fireaway Grill. I mean, actually way more than that. There is so much variety, it’s sometimes difficult to keep up.
Located 5 mins walk from Longbridge Train Station, and just off a huge car park, its pretty accessible and free to enter for the normal food part (comedy and other events are ticketed). Its also only 10 mins drive from junction 4 of the M5.
With HSC moving out at the end of 2025, Birmingham has a lot to thank DDC for. The burgeoning local street food scene is a direct result, in part, to their promotion of many local traders, chefs and the like. Birmingham’s loss is Dudley’s gain, with Dockworks Waterfront aiming to open early 2026.
However, fear not – Herbert’s Yard has your back.
Han Dynasty Food Hall
This Oriental food hall on the edge of Birmingham’s Chinatown area is hidden out of view up at first floor, but don’t let that fool you. A large seating area, surrounded by 12 kitchen booths, this place is a treasure trove of cuisines, flavours and textures. The first time I went, I was on my own, and was determined to try something I’ve never tried before. Easy, as it’s food from all over Asia. Within no time, I was eating sugar coated, deep fried, sweet potatoes. Apparently a Chinese street food delicacy.
Generally, order at the counter you want food from, and you get a buzzer. Collect when the buzzer goes off. Simple.
There is loads of authentic food to order here, from seafood charcoal BBQ, a casserole kitchen, Japanese food, soup bao (xiao long bao) and many more. I even found crispy noodles on one of the menus. My fave!
Located on Bromsgrove Street, just opposite the Tesco Express, just like the store opposite, it’s fairly convenient too. You pay as you order, so there is no hanging around if you don’t want to. A great entry on the list of Birmingham food halls.
Saint Paul’s Market
If you know Birmingham even slightly well, you should know St Paul’s Square. On the edge of the city centre (town), just inside the Jewellery Quarter, sits a picturesque square with a church in the middle. One of the roads coming off this, Mary Ann Street benefits from a couple of huge, almost identical ex-engineering halls. One is now The Indian Brewery, and the other is the newly opened Saint Paul’s Market.
A venture between Brum indi discount app team Independent Birmingham, long time Digbeth Dining Club regular SOI (AKA Buddha Belly) and Liverpool’s Baltic Market. This place came to life in October 2025. A slick conversion saw 7 kitchens installed around the edges of the ground floor space. There is also seating in the middle of the ground floor. It’s QR ordering from the tables, although there is a small charge for this if you do so.
At first floor, there is seating around a peripheral gallery. This all offers seating for 500 people. The opening month or so have been really popular, and at time of writing, there is a bit of a queue if you go during busy times. That said, there is a queue for a reason.
The opening line up of traders is one to behold (see the link below to the SPM website), and we don’t know how it will evolve yet, but there is plenty to choose from. In fact, only today, the Christmas special menu was announced, which is great to see – menu variations. I believe it’s a glimpse of what’s to come as it evolves.
Early days still, and plenty of promise, but there is a built in first floor DJ booth overlooking the seating area (which would make a great dance floor – just saying). I’m sure events will start being announced soon once they get into the groove.
There’s a bar at the rear, one on each floor. Keg beers, with some usual lager and cider suspects, and a few local breweries, as well as cans from local breweries in the fridge. Wine, cocktails and spirits are available too.
Notwithstanding all of the above, this is a chef led food hall, with ingredient-centric dishes.
The Arcadian Food Court
A second venue within Birmingham’s Chinatown area on the list (and there are a few more here not on the list too), this authentic place is easy to find as it is at ground floor in the middle of the Arcadian complex. Made up of what used to be Levana, this place has been opened up, and there are now 10 food kitchens, and 2 drinks counters within a cosy proximity.
The 10 kitchens are in very close proximity to the seating area. Whilst this is cosy, it offers a really interesting and enjoyable atmosphere. It’s a fun and busy space, that only adds to the experience. There’s also a drinks counter on the right as you enter, and a bubble tea counter outside too.
I’ve never been to China, Thailand, Japan or anywhere in Asia as a whole. However, the second time I went, I met my mate Dan there. He’s in Singapore as I write this. Dan said it was pretty authentic, in terms of the food-hallery. And that’s good enough for me. I mean, ultimately I enjoyed it, and that’s what counts. I’m sure you will too.
Society
I’ve been going to Society in Manchester for years now. It’s become the norm to pop in for a flight of some tasty and untried craft beers prior to embarking on a night out. And then earlier this year, it was announced that one was opening in Birmingham. I had mixed feelings about this. I love the one in Manchester so much that i was worried this would taint my love. Fear not. After a number of visits at different times of the day, I can confirm that I am on board.
Situated at the Wesleyan end of Bull Street, just by the tram line and Snowhill Station at ONE Snowhill Square, this huge ground floor space has a superb bar. It offers 30 lines of cask and keg beer, as well as a very well stocked set of wines, spirits and cocktail list. For me though, it’s all about the beer. There are session beers, right through to some interesting strong beers. There are also craft ales from local breweries, national breweries and international breweries, depending on what is on the current line up.
The food here runs out of five street food style kitchens, including a brunch and coffee kitchen opening at 8am (9am on weekends). This gives scope of popping in pretty much any of your waking hours for one thing or another. Pizza, mega sandwiches, burgers, Asian dishes….there’s a broad range to pair with a fine alcohol selection. I tend to go for some top tier beer, and have a sneaky pizza or something while I’m out out. There are DJs on here too, and regular sets on Thurs/Fri/Sat nights.
With 350 covers (that’s seats to mortals like you and I), a fairly central location (less than 10 mins walk from New Street), and a wide mix of food and drink on offer, it’s difficult to ignore. And as I say, the craft beer part always has my attention.
Summary of Birmingham Food Halls
Up until very recently, the phrase ‘food hall’ wouldn’t have been commonplace in Birmingham. And I don’t really know why. With a population of somewhere pushing 1.2 million just in Brum alone, you’d have thought that it would have come sooner. There have been Asian ones in Chinatown for a while, but the confidence to open anywhere else hasn’t quite been there, but with such a rich local food scene, it seems like people have decided this is the time. All you have to do is go and explore them. Sensible to check online or social media prior to going to any of these to see traders/opening hours etc.
There are others, like the double named Tin Tin food hall, at Masshouse, and double named Asia Asia in Chinatown, and also the newly announced Blend Family venue to open in 2026 in the Custard Factory (which sounds ridiculous). However, the above are my 5 current faves. Thanks ever so much for reading all the way to the end. If you got this far, you are DEFINITELY my favourite.
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!
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