Where to Eat Birmingham’s Famous Curries

Lovers of korma, vindaloo, and balti will have no problem satisfying their appetites in Birmingham, which is famous for cooking up some of the finest curries in the UK. The city has a vibrant multicultural community and boasts hundreds of Indian restaurants, including fine dining establishments and popular, family-run street cafes.

Many venues are concentrated around the famous Balti Triangle, but top spots can be found throughout the city, and this guide will highlight some of the best. If you’re too full to walk after your meal, just loosen your belt and jump in an Uber.

Lasan

Expect fine dining with imaginative flair at upscale Lasan. Birmingham-born head chef Aktar Islam has created a polished menu packed with colour and diversity. Mouth-watering concoctions include Navrataani lamb prepared using free-range Wiltshire lamb, and burrah kebab, a fusion of Herefordshire beef, yogurt, black cumin, and nutmeg.

Asha’s

Contemporary Indian cuisine is served in this sleek venue in Birmingham’s financial district. Sumptuous fabrics and elegant lighting create a sophisticated mood at Asha’s , and there’s a chic bar with an extensive champagne and wine list. Whole fresh lobsters are market-sourced to produce the extravagant panch phoron lobster dish. Speciality cocktails include the Maharaja’s Mistress, an aromatic mix of rose jam, curry leaf-infused Arrack, Bacardi Spiced Rum, and champagne.

Raja Monkey Indian Street Café

Classic curries, biryanis, and thalis are on offer at this laid-back and cheerful venue, which is inspired by Indian street cafes. Raja Monkey Indian Street Café is owned by same the team who created Lasan. It’s a more relaxed option that promises a very different vibe, but with the same attention to quality and ingredients. Popular classics include bhuna mutton and prawn jalfrezi. Takeaway is also available.

Al Frash Balti

Located in the lively Balti Triangle, Al Frash Balti promises Balti dishes with good value in a friendly and informal setting. The bright interior is simple and modern. Head chef Azam offers classic and signature dishes, and his Butterfly Special is a creative fusion of king prawns, chicken tikka, mushrooms, and Kashmiri spices. Other specialities include tandoori fish masala and fish tikka.

Pushkar

This glamorous spot serves refined Punjabi and Northern Indian Cuisine. Muted décor, warm lighting and stylish artwork produces an elegant ambience. Bishal Rasaily, the head chef at Pushkar, is proud of his no artificial colourants or additives policy. Dishes include Grilled Scallop Haryali, a blend of pan-grilled scallops, fresh herbs and coconut sauce, and the Goa Fish Curry. The plush cocktail bar serves original mixes including the Bombay Valentine, a combination of fresh mint, blackberry liqueur, Bombay Sapphire, rosè wine, and apple juice.

Itihaas

Itihaas is the Hindi derivative of a Sanskrit word meaning “history,” and this ritzy restaurant offers cuisine inspired by the Mughal dynasty. Décor is distinctly swanky, with the slate walls and 300-year-old doors creating a fitting backdrop for Indian antiques. Dishes draw on refined ingredients like saffron and pure rose water, and the dining experience is extravagant with an imperial twist. Try the Methi Murgh Mirch, a blend of fresh fenugreek, green chillies, chicken, and smoked cream sauce, or Dhaniya Tahree Murgh, a Northern Indian classic.