Time and time again, Birmingham proves itself to have some of the best restaurants in the UK. As the National Restaurant Awards 2023 revealed its top 100 restaurants on Monday (June 12), it appears Brum has done it once more. Four restaurants from the West Midlands made the list, although none were lucky enough to make the top 50.
However, seeing as the West Midlands is home to a number of Michelin-star restaurants, it means there have been some shock exclusions. Meanwhile, over half (a total of 54) of restaurants were based in London, with only three in the top 10 located outside of the capital. A travesty, if you ask us.
Which West Midlands restaurants made National Restaurant Awards’ Top 100?
The highest-ranking restaurant is the only Indian restaurant in Birmingham with a Michelin star, Opheem at 53. With a 10-course tasting menu that journeys across the Indian subcontinent, from Mumbai to Malabar via Delhi and West Bengal, Aston-born chef Aktar Islam creates some special every dish. Some dishes are even modelled on the chef’s mother’s recipes!
Unsurprisingly the other spots are also taken by Michelin-star restaurants. The new kid on the block, Grace and Savour (75) has been winning all the plaudits recently thanks to its immersive dining experience. While Carters of Moseley (84), sees the self-taught Birmingham native Brad Carter take the customer on a ‘culinary adventure’ using native British ingredients. Finally, the last West Midlands spot was taken by Upstairs by Tom Shepherd (91) based over in Lichfield.
What that means is three of Birmingham’s Michelin-star restaurants missed out on featuring in the National Restaurant Awards’ Top 100. Purnell’s, Adams and Simpson’s should all feel hard done by, as they have shown time and time again that they can compete with any restaurant in London.
The big winner of the National Restaurants Awards 2023, however, was Ynyshir in mid-Wales – less than three hours away from Birmingham – and was crowned Restaurant of the Year. It was described as: “The antithesis of a boring country house hotel, offering a tasting menu of in-your-face, Asian-influenced food and a rambunctious atmosphere.”
“Ynyshir really is a restaurant like no other – where fun and fine dining combine for a truly remarkable experience,” says Restaurant editor Stefan Chomka. “Gareth Ward’s singular vision for what a restaurant can be, and his willingness to break down boundaries, are to be applauded. He leads by example by never missing a service, and he and his team are very worthy winners of this title again.”
The top 100 restaurants in the UK were voted for by the UK’s leading chefs, restaurateurs and food writers. To see the complete National Restaurants Awards 2023 list head here.