Qavali is undoubtedly one of the more interesting restaurants in Birmingham. Travelling the breadth of the Ottoman Empire, the Indo-Persian restaurant serves culinary specialities from across Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Persia, and India. It’s a fine dining experience like no other thanks to its exciting dishes and decor inspired by a diverse region. We couldn’t think of a better team to take over The Edgbaston Hotel.
That’s right! Qavali will very soon relaunch The Edgbaston Hotel (January 8), which shockingly closed back in 2022 and has remained empty ever since. Now renamed Baloci, the hotel is described as “paying homage to the bold and brave Baluchi culture and heritage.” The Baloch people are native to the Balochistan region which encompasses the countries of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Not too dissimilar from the original hotel, Baloci is a “boutique hotel, fine dining restaurant and cocktail lounge.” But expect the addition of a distinct Qavali flair to transform it into somewhere unlike anywhere else in Birmingham. The Blue Room and Red Room will function as the main areas, with the former somewhere to unwind and relax and the latter focussed on fine dining; both will pay homage to Persian decor.
An eight-course fine dining experience (£100) inspired by the historic Silk Road will journey through the rich and diverse food cultures of Turkey, Iran, Balochistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India! This ranges from olive oil-poached Aegean sea bass to Dehli’s butter chicken classic via kabuli pulao, the crown jewel of Afghan cuisine – tender lamb in aromatic rice with honey-glazed carrots, cherries, and cashew nuts – and more.
Available from January 12, Baloci will also offer afternoon tea every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You can expect a spread of traditional finger sandwiches, scones, and teas, alongside a range of specialist items like masala chai, baklava, and a homemade gulab jamun-infused cheesecake.
Meanwhile, The Zoroaster Bar is a private members’ bar located on the lower ground floor of Baloci. Seeing as The Edgbaston was once renowned as one of the best cocktail bars in Birmingham, we’ve got our eye on this specifically. With a cocktail menu inspired by the philosophies of Zoroastrianism, it certainly seems intriguing.
Of course, a hotel needs somewhere to stay, with Baloci drawing on art and history for its six uniquely designed rooms – with tributes to Alexander the Great, Rumi and the Taj Mahal among them. Each is as uniquely and decadently decorated as the rest of the hotel. To learn more about Baloci head here.