It was Albatross Death Cult’s founder, Alex Claridge, who called it the “weirdest restaurant in Brum”, and no one had found good reason to correct him yet. Named after Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the Jewellery Quarter dining spot is an omakase-style seafood restaurant that seats only 14 guests in its kitchen.
Serving an ever-changing, experimental menu of roughly 12 courses, Albatross Death Cult is “raw, unedited, and decidedly stripped-back”. There’s also only one sitting per service, with all dishes served by the chefs. If you thought Alex’s other restaurant was weird – The Wilderness, a fine dining restaurant soundtracked by heavy metal – then you’re in for a surprise.
Now, Albatross Death Cult is one of 21 new restaurants named among CNT’s ‘The UK’s Top New Restaurants’ for 2024 (published March 10, 2025). First on the list, although we think this is alphabetical, CNT calls ADC “a hugely welcome addition to a city hardly known for its coastal fare” – and makes special mention of the smoked Cornish mussels.
“Claridge’s partner and co-founder Rachael Whittle is a genial host, while the metallic countertop is a convivial setting for ADC’s 13-course omakase menu of impeccably prepared dishes, which can (and should) be paired with sommelier Camilla Bonnannini’s wonderfully curated selection of wines and sakes.
“Gothic post-punk is the slick soundtrack as complex courses of smoked Cornish mussels pickled in black pepper vinegar, Argentinian scarlet prawns, and sushi rice ice cream are presented across a languid and delightful 3-hour experience. Birmingham’s already impressive fine-dining arsenal has another winner.”
It’s not the only Birmingham joint to land on the list, either. Another new spot on the list that’s been getting rave reviews – and even a unique Michelin award – is Riverine Rabbit. So it’s great seeing Brummie (here spelt ‘Brummy’) talent get so much spotlight. Although CNT does call Birmingham “a city not widely revered for its dining scene” – sorry, what!?
“The open kitchen dishes up two menus that borrow ingredients from South Africa and beyond for just 14 guests each evening – one smaller, more affordable menu of five courses for £45, and one extended menu for £69. Each might include fried chicken and caviar, chalk stream trout or native-breed pork. The restaurant is only open Wednesday to Friday for supper, so reservations are essential.”
To read more about both restaurants and see the full list head here.