We know Birmingham is full of brilliant restaurants; the number of awards and accolades our favourite dining spots pick up is ridiculous. From street food vendors to Michelin-star, fine dining restaurants, our city has time and again that it can compete with the best. It seems the British Restaurant Awards 2023 thinks so too.
Several Birmingham restaurants have been nominated for the fifth annual British Restaurant Awards. With some old heads and newbies both appearing. Arguably the biggest news is that Orelle is nominated for the Best New Restaurant in Britain. This dazzling 24th-floor-located restaurant offers panoramic views of Birmingham while you dine. Enjoying classic French recipes that use the best of British produce.
But it’s also exciting to see that Opheem, Birmingham’s only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, was nominated for Restaurant of the Year. Since opening in 2018, Aston-born chef Aktar Islam uses some pretty exciting methods to create his dishes. Even grinding down his own fresh spices and using his mother’s recipes as inspiration.
Opheem covers many Indian regions via its modern fine dining menu, taking from Persian and Arabian influences too. But it wasn’t the only local restaurant to feature. The West Midlands’ newest Michelin star, Grace & Savour, was also nominated for Restaurant of the Year – with its immersive dining experience wowing everyone at the minute.
Opheem was also nominated for Best Luxury Restaurant, but so too was The Mayan. It may have only opened in July, but the fine-dining Mexican restaurant is spicing up the culinary scene in Birmingham. If you’re thinking of heading down, expect a fusion of traditional Mexican dishes with a contemporary twist, from fine-dining-style tacos to Mexican stews.
Other nominations at the British Restaurant Awards 2023 included Bacchusfor Best Bar. While Opheem (what another one?) and Qavali were nominated for Best International Cuisine. Lastly, Somewhere in Brum was nominated for Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurant.
The British Restaurant Awards 2023 also took the time to pick out some nominations for the Best Restaurant in Birmingham. Alongside Opheem, Orella, Qavali and The Mayan, it also highlighted Adam’s, Tattu, Purnell, The Wilderness, Umami Indian Kitchen and Piccolino. But we have a feeling as to who they’re leaning towards.
The 5th Annual British Restaurant Awards are set to take place on September 5. To see all the restaurants that have been nominated in all categories, as well as to vote for your favourites click here.