The hot weather has arrived ! With outdoor dining being the destination du jour during sunny weather, we’re all in need of a spot to celebrate a rare moment of sunshine. To help us catch up with our mates over a couple of pints and small plates, many of Birmingham’s food and drink establishments are making use of their outdoor spaces – whether it be terraces, gardens or al-fresco dining on the rooftop, perfect for lounging in the sun. Check out our ultimate guide to outdoor dining spots to try in Birmingham.
1. Cherry Reds
Cherry Reds proves you don’t have to leave the city centre to find some space for you and your friends to socialise. This Birmingham bar and restaurant has tables and chairs outside its establishment and with John Bright Street being mainly pedestrianised you needn’t worry too much about cars blocking those rays. Whether you’re after a plate of pancakes or a few cocktails outdoors, Cherry Reds has got you covered.
Cherry Reds, 88-92 John Bright Street, B1 1BN
2. The Button Factory
The Button Factory has long provided one of the best roof terraces – with the Jewellery Quarter bar catching the sunshine wherever you’re sitting. But the recent-ish launch of The Yard sees a secret, 350-capacity, outdoor space only improving its outdoor options (it also has a retractable roof in case of rain!) Tuck into brunch, lunch, dinner and into the earlier hours with pints and cocktails.
The Button Factory, 25 Frederick Street, B1 3HH
3. The Old Crown
Grab a pint and some delicious food at The Old Crown, a pub that dates back to 1368. Inside you’ll find its charming beams keeping the old pub intact as well as cosy fireplaces and industrial brick walls. However, outdoors there is possibly one of the largest beer gardens in Birmingham to sink a pint when the weather is warm and boasts a large screen showing live sport and more.
The Old Crown, 188 High Street, B12 0LD
4. Hampton Manor
Have you ever dined in a greenhouse? Well, this could be your chance to try something new at Hampton Manor’s other restaurant, Smoke. Sitting on the edge of the walled garden, Masterchef The Professionals winner, Stuart Deeley cooks simple and seasonal produce over coals. In the warmer months, you can dine in the old Victorian greenhouses or new terrace.
For some extra, extra special, on August 27 to 29, guests are invited to cook and eat at Smoke with an immersive stay package starting from £449. It includes everything from outdoor barbecues and wine tastings to foraging workshops and dinner at the estate’s open-fire cooking restaurant. Plus, a comfy night’s sleep in the manor’s luxury, William Morris-inspired bedrooms. To learn more head here.
5. Birdies Bar
Another outdoor Digbeth dining spot is Birdies, with the bar and restaurant bringing bottomless brunches and live music to the Parliament Street venue. Open Thursday to Sunday, you can tuck into street food by Locked & Loaded like burgers, loaded fries, chicken wings and more. You can also book one of their booths to listen to live music or watch a movie or sports match.
Birdies Bar and BBQ, The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, B9 4AA
6. St Paul’s House
This Jewellery Quarter gem has a magnificent, covered terrace featuring beautiful wicker chairs to relax as you have a catch up over a cocktail or two. The bar and restaurant, plus the hotel, offers an extensive cocktail menu including some Birmingham-inspired ones such as Colmore Rose, Bournville and Jeweller’s Gate, to name a few. You can also make the most of the outdoor dining spot by booking a bottomless brunch or Sunday roast here.
7. The Botanist
Once voted one of the best beer gardens in the country, The Canal House has recently transformed into the popular cocktail bar and restaurant, The Botanist. But apart from the addition of its famous hanging kebabs, botanical-themed interiors, and twinkly lights, this canalside bar is still very much an amazing outdoor spot.
The Botanist, 12 Bridge Street, B1 2JR
8. Grace + James
Grace + James treats us to their York Road ‘terrace’ whenever the sun is shining, and they even have a canopy in case of any untoward weather that may come your way. The Kings Heath wine bar will also be bringing plenty of deli delights including an array of cheeses (hello, truffle brie) to pair perfectly with your chosen glass (or bottle) of wine.
Grace and James, 23 York Road, B14 7SA
9. The Plough
Although The Plough in Harborne isn’t exactly a ‘cheap and cheerful boozer’, it was once named the second-best value beer garden in the UK. What it offers is a balance of quality and good value. Bright, modern, spacious, green, there are a lot of other things to like about The Plough’s beer garden too – ideal for a few pints or a bit of alfresco dining.
The Plough at Harborne, 21 High Street, B17 9NT
10. Couch
A day of sunshine definitely calls for a cocktail and the ones at Couch in Stirchley look almost too good to drink (but we will!), plus their one of the top 50 cocktail bars in the country! One of their drinks menus has featured cocktails named after iconic films such as In Bruges, Cool Runnings and The Breakfast Club. Cult classics and cocktails are definitely the perfect match! Couch’s garden seating is available to chill in, with the bar open Wednesdays to Sundays.
Couch, 1466 Pershore Road, Stirchley, B30 2NT
11. Sarehole Bakehouse
Part of the historic Sarehole Mill, which Tolkien took inspiration from for Lord of the Rings, the beautiful courtyard at this bakehouse is back open. They won’t be bringing back their ‘pizza pods’ just yet but for now, you can grab a coffee and loaf of bread from them, and also book a table outdoors to tuck into some freshly baked pizza.
Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Road, Hall Green, B13 0BD
12. Luna Springs
An outdoor space opened in Digbeth in 2021 and it is the ideal location to catch up with friends with cocktails, beers, street food and live music. Sit under the railway arches at Digbeth Arena as the sun starts to set and you have quite the dreamy evening. Luna Springs also has regular bottomless brunch events where you can start the weekend as you mean to go on – by enjoying unlimited prosecco and mouth-watering burgers.
13. The Blue Piano
The South-East Asian restaurant and bar in Edgbaston not only offers a stunning interior featuring a real blue piano but also a beautiful courtyard garden great for outdoor dining. The Blue Piano‘s courtyard garden is surrounded by an array of beautiful plants and flowers, making it the perfect spot to relax on those wonderful sunny days. Here, you can enjoy a three course menu, listen to live music and forget about the rest of the world in this suburban outdoor setting.
The Blue Piano, 24-26 Harborne Road, B15 3AA
14. Tropea
One of the finest Italian restaurants in Birmingham, Tropea is heavily influenced by the street food of Italy. Each plate is designed around a star ingredient and includes snacks, fresh pasta, seafood and regional specialities reflecting fresh produce, from day-boat fish to venison. A recent extension now means that there’s even more room in its outdoor terrace.
Tropea, 27 Lordswood Rd, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9RP
15. The High Field
Edgbaston’s The High Field offers green lawns, trees and shrubbery, deck chairs and umbrellas, and some top-notch grub served all day in it’s sun-soaked, village pub-vibe garden. On top of lots of green space, there’s also a sunny terrace you can dine on or enjoy quality draught beers. Meanwhile, outdoor huts provide an exclusive space for bigger groups.
22 Highfield Rd, Birmingham B15 3DP
16. Chaophraya
This city centre Thai spot, overlooking the Bullring, stick you inside of its futuristic outdoor dining pods. Chaophraya‘s rooftop terrace also offers panoramic views of Birmingham as you’re dining outdoors. Tuck into everything from fiery curries and crispy belly pork to Thai-inspired tacos and mango sticky rice. Plus, wash it all down with some refreshing, summery cocktails.
Chaophraya, Saint Martins Square, 6 Spiceal St, Birmingham B5 4BW
17. Chapter
One of the best local restaurants in the UK for “playing a starring role at the Artisan Market in Edgbaston”, Chapter also comes with its own lovely outdoor dining terrace overlooking the street. Opt for anything from glitzy cocktails to a traditional dining fare.
Chapter, 5 Greenfield Cres, Birmingham B15 3BE