Not too long ago, trying to order a vegan meal in restaurants would get you no more than a bowl of chips, maybe a bland bean burger, and – more often than not – a lot of strange looks. Vegan food has come along way in recent years, however. Most menus containing a range of plant-based options these days, with many at least giving the plant-based lifestyle a try now again. So from vegan cheese pizzas to burgers that could be mistaken for meat, we’ve rounded up the very best vegan restaurants in Birmingham to try.
1. Land
Land is pretty new on the scene having opened last year, but it certainly doesn’t blend in the background when it comes to vegetarian and vegan food. The restaurant focuses on using seasonal vegetables to create brightly coloured plates where the vegetable is the star of the show, proving meat isn’t the be all and end all. The décor and food are both elegant but in terms of the price tag dishes remain reasonably priced, with four courses for £36 and seven from £45. The menu alters with the seasons but previously for autumn you could enjoy plenty of root vegetable dishes such as Vadouvan roast carrot or celeriac with barley, soubise and a yeast broth. The team also weirdly combine veg in their desserts such as aerated chocolate with butternut squash and cherry or a sweetcorn and blackberry tart, but somehow the flavours work well in harmony.
Land, 26 Great Western Arcade, Colmore Row, B2 5HU
2. Yakinori
Located in the impressive Grand Central Station, Yakinori brings an exciting taste of Japan to the heart of Birmingham. For all you veggie and vegans out there (or if you just fancy hitting your five a day), this restaurant has some tasty meat-free offerings. For starters, you can have a katsu curry in miniature form by devouring some pumpkin croquettes coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs and served with a tonkatsu sauce. Yakinori also offers veggie curries, noodle dishes, ramen, salads and sushi variations so you can enjoy the flavours of Japan without the meat. You can even get a bit of everything if you can’t decide by ordering their veggie bento box.
Yakinori, 520 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, B29 6BD
26 Jubilee Walk, Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3HT
3. Jungle Bird
You might think of Jungle Bird as more of a cocktail bar and you’d be… correct. But trust us when we say the food is as packed with flavour and creativity as the drinks. Serving shareable small plates that are all 100% plant-based, Jungle Bird takes inspiration from Polynesian and Caribbean cuisines. You can order some gorgeous vegan dishes to fill you up as you drink. Including banana blossom bowls, banana-rum bread, sweetcorn frittatas and homemade croquettes. Every dish is as spicy, zesty and totally flavoursome as you might expect from along the equator.
Jungle Bird, Westside Two, 1 Beak St, Birmingham B1 1LW
4. Plant and Pulse
Another health-conscious eatery is Plant and Pulse which serves snack boxes of plant-based food. Their menu is ever changing, with the falafel box and the gut health box a permanent fixture, but with a few variables within the box. Plant and Pulse also have a street food box, which is altered fortnightly. They have served dishes such as squash katsu curry, noodle salad with tempura mushrooms, a Christmas box, a Caribbean white curry with jerk carrots. They also aim to use seasonal and local ingredients where possible including their falafels which are made from British grown fava beans. Plus, on Fridays they offer an alternative menu which includes vegan burgers, chips and other decadent sides.
Plant and Pulse, 9 The Minories, B4 6AG
5. The Warehouse Cafe
The Warehouse Cafe is said to be the oldest vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Birmingham. It serves a wide range of vegan dishes, including bean and vegetable burgers, cakes and pastries, as well as a selection of locally brewed vegan wines and beers. Their Dirty Kebab Burger sounds mouth-wateringly good- a seitan burger loaded with sauerkraut, plum and apple chutney, jalapeños, vegan mayo and sriracha, plus served with creamy coleslaw. Their chip selection also looks and tastes incredible! Try their loaded skin-on chips which are topped with oozy cashew cheese, sriracha mayo, seitan, pickles and seasonal veg. You can see why they have been around for so long!
The Warehouse Cafe, 54-57 Allison Street, B5 5TH
6. Cafe Soya
Although Cafe Soya’s meat-based dishes are great, it’s their vegetarian and vegan options that really stand out. You’ll find plenty of meat-free dishes to choose from. Highlights include sweet and sour hot pots with fresh pineapples, onion & peppers and stir-fried mixed vegetables with garlic served in crispy lettuce wraps. Cafe Soya also offer an array of soya-based ‘mock meat’ (hence the name) to create chicken, duck, beef and prawn alternatives. Even as a vegetarian or vegan you can still enjoy the a crispy aromatic duck with the classic line-up of pancake wraps, salads and hoi sin sauce. Cafe Soya manages to recreate meaty favourites with their delicious, texture soy-based mock meats without any compromise, and their dishes pack as much flavour as their meat version.
Cafe Soya, Unit B106 Arcadian Centre, B5 4TD
7. Jyoti’s
Jyoti’s is the only vegetarian Indian restaurant in Birmingham and it has an extensive menu, boasting a massive choice of 15 starters and 72 main courses. The restaurant also contains an Indian sweet shop, with 30 different options to choose from, some of which are vegan. Plus, there is so much paneer on the menu that cheese-loving vegetarians might want to move in and live there forever.
Jyoti’s, 1045 Stratford Road, Hall Green, B28 8AS
8. The Vegan Kitchen
Here to fulfil our love for moreish, mouthwatering burgers, wings and hot dogs, this new junk food spot in Birmingham is bringing meat and dairy-free dishes to the forefront, and it’s sure to be a fun guy. Joining the likes of Land on Great Western Arcade, The Vegan Kitchen serves up 100% plant-based hot dawgs made from sunflower seeds and smoked to perfection, including a cheesy hot dawg topped with CheeZe sauce, BBQ sauce and THIS isn’t bacon bits all in a brioche roll. As for burgers, The Vegan Kitchen has a whopping 12 plant-based burgers to choose from. The junk food joint’s menu features burgers with either a crispy shroom or meatless patty which all come with an array of toppings and condiments giving them plenty of oomph.
The Vegan Kitchen, 26 Great Western Arcade, B2 5HU
9. Damascena
Damascena is a popular café when it comes to discovering Birmingham’s plant-based eats, plus Birmingham is spoilt with four branches. The Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant is home to some of the best vegan dishes in the city, plus their main menu is colourful, creative and brimming with flavour. Enjoy mouth-watering dishes such as falafel flatbread wrap or choose from a selection of mezze like stuffed vine leaves, hummus, falafels and chilli potatoes.
Damascena, Portman Building, 5-7 Temple Row West, B2 5NY
103 High Street, B17 9NR
Unit 1 Heritage Court, 17-21 Warstone Lane, B18 6HP
133 Alcester Road, Moseley, B13 8JP
10. BA-HA Vegan
Last but not least is BA-HA. If you’re looking for a meat-free junk food alternative, BA-HA is the one. BA-HA is currently being served at newly-refurbished The Rainbow Pub in Digbeth. BA-HA has previously conjured up inventive Sunday roast dinners such as their on Jack McGuinness slice, made to a secret recipe and served with creamy herb mash, roast potatoes, homemade stuffing balls, sautéed greens, cauliflower cheese, mixed vegetables and red wine gravy. Plus, they have plenty of your junk food favourites sans meat such as cauliflower wings, chilli hot dogs, dumplings and jackfruit burgers. This is a great choice for friends and family as there is bound to be something for them all, plus the desserts are pretty incredible too. Did someone say apple crumble doughnut balls?
The Rainbow, 160 High Street, B12 0LD