The sun is here and restrictions have been lifted. With outdoor dining being the destination du jour during sunny weather, we’re all in need of a spot to celebrate heading back out into the world once more (and rare moment of sunshine) and seeing our mates over a couple of pints. And to help us catch-up, 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 this summer.
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 set up 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 Loft
In Summer 2020, Birmingham’s Southside was given the green light by the local council to close off the streets for outdoor dining, including The Loft. This year, we’ve got our fingers crossed that al fresco wining and dining will make a return to Bromsgrove Street. However, The Loft also benefits from a lovely tucked away beer garden featuring pergolas and outdoor heaters.
The Loft, 143 Bromsgrove Street, B5 6RG
3. The Floodgate
The Yard at The Floodgate in Digbeth is open for plenty of fun and games. Not only can you enjoy a delicious drink and some street food, such as burgers and loaded fries, but you can also book a game of outdoor curling or baseball here. And should the weather take a turn for the worst, you can enjoy a game indoors as well as take part in crazy golf.
The Floodgate, 104-108 Floodgate Street, B5 5SR
4. Birdies Bar and BBQ
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 from.
Birdies Bar and BBQ, The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, B9 4AA
5. 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 hotel, offers an extensive cocktail 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.
6. The Old Crown
Grab a pint and some delicious food at The Old Crown, a pub that dates all the way back to 1368. Inside you’ll find its charming beams keeping the old pub in tact 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 at when the weather is warm and boasts a large screen showing live sport and more.
The Old Crown, 188 High Street, B12 0LD
7. Grace and James
Grace and James will be opening up their York Road terrace 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 is open every Wednesday to Sunday, 9am- 10pm.
Grace and James, 23 York Road, B14 7SA
8. The Plough at Harborne
The Plough at Harborne got us through lockdown with their Sunday roasts, themed menus and more available for delivery and collection, but now we can enjoy the pub IRL. The Harborne pub is reservations-only for dining during peak times, so be quick as you don’t want to miss out on sitting in this rather impressive and tranquil outdoor terrace of theirs.
The Plough at Harborne, 21 High Street, B17 9NT
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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 has also launched a bottomless brunch event where you can start the weekend as you mean to go on by enjoying unlimited prosecco and mouth-watering burgers.
12. 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 at around £28, 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
13. Hampton Manor
Have you ever dined in a greenhouse? Well, now could you be your chance to try something new. With all sides open to the air, this outdoor dining spot at Hampton Manor in Solihull is a great way to enjoy food and drink outside the home and be close to nature, even in Birmingham. Their pop-up in the manor’s walled garden offers the option of dining on their terrace or in one of their two greenhouses, plus they have patio heaters and blankets available in case it gets a bit nippy. This outdoor dining experience also includes a tasting menu.
Hampton Manor, Shadowbrook Lane, Hampton-In-Arden, B92 0EN
14. The Village
The Village in Moseley offers lunch, dinner and drinks on their terrace, and their bottomless brunch menu has also made a comeback. Nothing quite says summer than beautifully decorated food platters, shareable dishes like nachos and loaded fries alongside some refreshing drinks on a tranquil terrace. Plus, it’s a bonus if you book a spot at The Village during happy hour (Monday-Friday, 4pm-7pm) to enjoy two cocktails for £10.
The Village, 179 Alcester Road, Moseley, B13 8JR
15. The Night Owl
The Night Owl is probably one of the coolest soul and retro clubs in Birmingham let alone Digbeth. The club varies its DJs and offers a selection of food and drink to enjoy to the funky beat. You can even join one of their soul and funk brunches on a weekend in their colourful, floral-clad outdoor beer garden. Music and bottomless prosecco- what’s not to love?
The Night Owl, 17-18 Lower Trinity Street, Digbeth, B9 4AG
16. The Canal House
This canalside pub operates a walk-in service for its outdoor areas on a first come, first served basis and has a balcony looking out at the water as you sip a pint or Aperol Spritz. It might not be the Amalfi Coast but with views of the calming waters of Birmingham Canal, fairy lights laced across the terrace and mouth-watering drinks as you catch up with friends and family, we can’t really complain. In summertime, the canal area really comes alive and it will be great to witness the return of the hubbub from both this pub and Birmingham area.
The Canal House, 12 Bridge Street, B1 2JR