These Are All The Michelin Star Restaurants Currently In The West Midlands – From The First-Ever Two Star Indian To A ‘Heavy Metal’ Tasting Menu

Opheem was the first Michelin-starred Indian restaurant outside of London, but it’s also Birmingham’s first restaurant to be awarded two Michelin Stars! Owned by chef Aktar Islam, who is an Aston native, the restaurant uses exciting methods to create its dishes, grinding down fresh spices, and some of the recipes are modelled on the chef’s mother’s recipes. If you’re a Great British Menu fan, you may recognise the ‘Kekda Kerala’ dish as the 2011 (series six) fish course winner!

Michelin Guide says: “Locally born and bred chef-owner Aktar Islam has fashioned a wonderful dining experience at this ever-developing restaurant. A spacious bar and sitting room are cleverly used as a space in which to enjoy snacks and a drink before heading to the dining room and its open kitchen. The series of flavoursome, excellently spiced and carefully balanced dishes are creative, modern takes on Indian recipes. Well-chosen wines from the excellent sommelier are on hand to accompany.”

In leafy Edgbaston, the Georgian mansion houses Simpsons restaurant—the longest-running Michelin restaurant in Birmingham. With a respectful yet contemporary take on British cuisine, and huge glass windows lining the walls, enjoy your meal gazing out onto a beautiful garden. Between the lunch and dinner menu, tasting menu, plant-based menu and children’s menu, there’s plenty to choose from too.

Michelin Guide says: “Housed in a suburban Georgian mansion, Simpsons is a long-standing jewel of the local culinary scene. The knowledge and experience of Head Chef Luke Tipping shows through in the assured, confident nature of the cooking – and he has the skill to know when to hold back. Dishes are balanced and pure, with subtle modern touches and a pleasing clarity of flavour; be sure to try the signature tapenade bread rolls and delicious soufflés. Service is enthusiastic and brims with personality. The building also houses three stylish bedrooms and a cookery school.”

Sleek, sophisticated and comfortable, this Michelin-starred spot is named after the chef, Adam Stokes, who runs the restaurant with his wife, Natasha. Classically cooked, quality dishes served in an approachable environment are what Adam’s aims for. An à la carte menu is served alongside two tasting menus, with a world-class wine list also available.

Michelin Guide says: “Adam Stokes’ elegant restaurant feels like it’s been part of the Birmingham dining scene forever. It’s a luxurious place with an art-deco-cum-retro style that includes a smart cocktail bar and a plush dining room. The cooking seamlessly mixes tradition and modernity, offering tried-and-tested combinations in dishes you will recognise in name, but served in ways you’ve probably never encountered. That being said, the primary flavours are left uncrowded, with nothing extraneous on the plate. An impressive wine selection adds to the appeal.”

The latest Birmingham awarded a Michelin star. Led by chef Alex Claridge, The Wilderness describes itself as “rock and roll fine dining in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham”, serving “provocative, playful tasting menus” in a restored factory, set to the soundtrack of rock, punk, and heavy metal.

Michelin Guide says: “With its dark and moody colour scheme, informal vibe and rocking soundtrack, this excellently run restaurant brings something a little different to the Birmingham food scene. Chef Alex Claridge is known for the originality of his cooking, which is always underpinned by superb ingredients (often aged in-house) and clever balancing of both flavours and textures. Stand-out dishes could include a take on brioche bread and butter pudding with barbecued brassicas, or a delicate dessert of smoked chocolate and prunes. Accompany your menu with either an interesting wine flight or creative non-alcoholic pairing.”

The only spot outside of Birmingham (but still in the West Midlands) in the Michelin Guide. Based in Solihull, the idyllic countryside retreat Grace & Savour offers a fifteen-course tasting menu—all served from an open kitchen, with a commitment to locally-grown, ethical and bio-diverse ingredients. What sets it apart from the others is that before you’ve even begun to try its tasting menu, you’ll be free to tour the garden where everything is grown for this immersive dining experience.

Michelin Guide says: “The restaurant and gardens of Hampton Manor were brought together by this new building overlooking their restored Victorian kitchen garden. A multi-course menu begins with some fine snacks before leading on to seasonal dishes that use top-quality ingredients sourced from across the UK, and are accompanied by low-intervention wines. The kitchen blends classical and modern Nordic cooking techniques, so some of the dishes are eye-catching and elaborate in their make-up, while others more defined by their simplicity. Make it an occasion by booking a bedroom.”