Whether or not you’re doing dry January or veganuary, eating healthy this month is likely on everyone’s agenda – especially after binging on chocolate and booze throughout December. But that doesn’t mean you must eat boring homecooked slop all month. You can still dine out at some incredible restaurants in Birmingham, while still being healthy about it.
Three healthy restaurants in Birmingham have been named among the best in the UK. Listed in no particular order, OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants with Healthy Bites has compiled from over 1.2 million OpenTable diner reviews to find the best and healthiest. It used dining metrics like the percentage of reviews tagged ‘healthy’, diner ratings and five-star reviews to highlight the top spots.
Surprisingly, none of the restaurants in Birmingham are vegan or vegetarian as you might assume. Two are in fact sushi spots. Packed with omega-3-rich oily fish, as well as vitamin-filled fresh vegetables and nori, sushi is widely seen as a very healthy option – although soy sauce is high in salt and sticky white rice is a refined carbohydrate.
The Jay Rayner-recommended Gaijin Sushi, founded in 2018, prides itself in “sourcing the best fish from around the world, at no expense spared for our guests.” Alongside a range of authentic sushi rolls, sashimi and nigiri, you’ll also find Japanese-inspired soups and salads on the menu. Sushi Passion, meanwhile – “home of the best sushi in Birmingham” – provides a more traditional atmosphere, but no less in-depth menu.
The third healthy restaurant in Birmingham also dabbles in raw fish, but it’s a long way from Japanese cuisine. Birmingham’s first Peruvian restaurant is known for its exquisite ceviche – lime-cured fish. But the cuisine of Peru is full of healthy superfoods, with a focus on nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. It’s also one of the best restaurants in Birmingham, so healthy or otherwise, Chakana is worth trying out.
To see the full list of OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants with Healthy Bites in the UK 2024 head here.