The most important thing to do at Christmas? No, it’s not to buy a Christmas tree. Or get all the familypresents. Or is it to head to the markets and see Christmas lights. It’s to try all the fabulous festive food. We don’t know about you, but we wait all year just to taste all our favourite festive foods. When it comes to Birmingham’s foodie scene this Christmas, it’s certainly the case that the grub is both naughty and nice.
Birmingham imaginative chefs have come up with some bostin creations this Christmas. Taking festive flavours to a whole new level for the occasion. Check out some of the best festive food in Birmingham to try this December, because Christmas food is too good to be reserved for only one day a year.
1. Fat Hippo
Some of the most stonking burgers in Birmingham can be found at Fat Hippo. So of course they’ve got into the Christmas spirit. They’ve produced two (that’s right, two!) Xmas-themed burgers. The Hans Gruber-ger tells us exactly where Fat Hippo stands on the ‘Die Hard is a Christmas movie’ debate. It combines a beef patty with pork stuffing patty, American cheese, maple-basted Southern fried chicken, cranberry jello and Christmas ‘slaw. A festive overload of flavour.
And for vegans? The Fairytale Of No Pork is a Southern-fried plant-based patty, deep-fried vegan halloumi, cranberry jello, maple fakon and Christmas ‘slaw. Both come with a serving of festive fries. Perfect for stuffing your face next time you fancy bowling this Christmas.
11 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham B2 5RS
2. The Cod’s Scallops
For us, fish ‘n’ chips conjures tastes of seaside towns and summer days. It’s not often our go-to when craving something Christmassy. But Cod’s Scallops in Harborne has embraced the festive period with a new menu that has changed our Christmas cravings.
It’s festive food includes battered Brussel sprouts – the only way to east sprouts from now on – deep-fried pigs in blankets, battered stuffing (you’re probably noticing a pattern) and a turkey, chestnut and cranberry pie. Plus plenty more festive foods in Birmingham this Christmas .
85 High St, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9ND
3. Bar + Block
Bar + Block has a brand new, merry menu for you to try this Christmas, including a Beef Burnt Ends Stuffed Yorkie! But we’ve got out an eye on the mouthwatering Festive Loaded Burger; a homemade 4oz patty, topped with a turkey slice, a pork Cheddar and bacon sausage swirl and cranberry BBQ sauce. Those wanting a more traditional roast can dive into the ultimate Turkey with all the trimmings, complete with lashings of red wine gravy. See more about the steakhouse’s festive menu here.
Bar + Block Steakhouse, 3-6 Waterloo St, Birmingham B2 5PG
5, Exchange Square, The Priory Queensway, Birmingham B4 6FY
4. Baker St Cakes
It’s not all about the savoury festive food in Birmingham. The second city boasts some impressive Christmassy sweet options to tuck into including baked goods from Baker St Cakes. The Moseley shop is serving decadent, delicious and, most importantly, impressively festive cakes this Christmas.
From a Santa hat-shaped mousse to candy cane macarons, a Rudolf Biscoff Rocher to Christmas pudding, Baker St Cakes is full of festive delights. They are even serving a Christmas-themed afternoon tea this December.
36 St Mary’s Row, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JG
5. Dishoom
Who knew that Christmas flavours and Indian cuisine worked so well together? The chefs at Dishoom that’s who! They’ve got two festive foods on offer in Birmingham this year: the Turkey Raan Bun (there’s a Vegan Raan Bun, too) piles tender turkey into a warm brioche bun with cranberry mayo, spinach, onions and a gentle slice of brie. The traditional bread-and-butter pudding, Bun Maska, is given a festive twist too. Baked with nuts, custard, lots of nutmeg and a hint of cardamom, then served with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream to finish. Dishoom has also launched a pop-up Christmas bar on the veranda, overlooking the city’s Christmas market. Snuggle up in cosy blankets and enjoy Chai Eggnog, Mulled Wine or Naughty Chai.
Dishoom, One Chamberlain Sq, Birmingham B3 3AX
6. The Botanist
The hanging kebabs at The Botanist have become iconic in recent years. But there’s a new festive addition this time around: orange and cranberry glazed turkey, stuffing and pigs in blankets, served with all the trimmings and a pot of gravy to drizzle down the kebab.
Elsewhere on the menu, tuck into the turkey ‘pie of the day’ topped with a giant pig in a blanket, mashed potato, cranberry sauce and crispy sage – gravy too, obviously; or rip apart the sourdough loaf stuffed with whole melted camembert and sweet onion marmalade. What about cookie dough topped with toasted marshmallows, chocolate brownie chunks and a biscuit crumb for pud?
The Botanist, House 14, Cheltenham, 16 Temple St, Birmingham B2 5BG
7. The Steamhouse Bakery
A little way outside of Birmingham, it’s always worth the trip to The Steamhouse Bakery to try their bagels. This Christmas they’ve introduced several festive bagels, including The Traditional Roast – with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and crispy onions – and The Vegan Roast.
5A Springside, Redditch B98 7SE