10 Feb Where to Eat in Birmingham – Best English Breakfast and Restaurant Reviews
I don’t know if you figured this out yet but ever since my latest trip to the UK I became a fan of English breakfast.
It all started in St Ives, but during my stay in Birmingham I had some amazing breakfasts and I thought it would be worth writing about them.
This article will be a bit different because I will talk about two main places where I had breakfast and also briefly mention two other restaurants where I ate while staying in Birmingham.
The focus though will definitely be on the breakfast places.
Ju Ju’s Café
The first place on my list is Ju Ju’s Café.
Located along the canals of Birmingham, this place is a must if you want to eat a good English breakfast.
Actually… not just good.
Great.
I visited this place a few days before leaving Birmingham for London and I am really glad I did.
It is not exactly in the city center. You have to walk about one kilometer from the Arena but trust me, it is well worth it.
I arrived on a warm October day and chose to sit outside near the canals.
Sunny days are made for staying outside
The place was packed.
Inside it was full and the outside tables were also almost completely occupied. Because of that it took a bit longer for the food to arrive, but honestly I didn’t mind.
While waiting I had time to enjoy the sun and the view of the canals.
Looking at the menu was actually difficult because there were several things I wanted to try.
In the end I chose a full English breakfast, plus a side of black pudding.
While waiting for the food I started thinking about home.
You see, even though I love travelling, discovering new places and taking pictures, after a while I always start missing my hometown.
Yes, it’s crowded.
Yes, the traffic is terrible.
But it is still home.
Eventually my breakfast arrived.
Ju Ju’s breakfast
Besides the breakfast I also ordered scotch eggs and a bottle of water.
The total bill came to £22.49.
Yes, that is not cheap.
But it was delicious.
I wouldn’t pay that every day but once in a while a treat like this is more than welcome.
The staff were great as well — friendly, relaxed and professional without constantly hovering around the table.
All in all Ju Ju’s Café is a fantastic place for breakfast and if you are visiting Birmingham I definitely recommend trying it.
Gas Street Social
The second place I want to mention is Gas Street Social.
Just like Ju Ju’s, it is located near the canals which automatically adds extra charm to the place.
Gas Street Social view
The interior of the restaurant also impressed me quite a lot.
Gas Street Social inside
Since I already tried a full English breakfast at Ju Ju’s, I decided to go for the same thing here.
And I’m glad I did.
Gas Street Social breakfast
I also ordered a small espresso and a bottle of water.
Total cost: £15.75.
People often say that English breakfast is simple food.
And that is true.
But the difference is made by the quality of the ingredients.
Good sausages, quality bacon and locally sourced products can completely change the experience.
Gas Street Social definitely delivered on that.
Wagamama
One place I had never tried before was Wagamama.
Even though I visited the UK several times I never had the chance to eat there.
Until Birmingham.
The location is great and the staff were friendly.
The food was actually quite good.
A big bowl of ramen
I ordered: edamame, steamed buns, ramen, water.
Total bill: £24.60.
Everything was tasty, but when travelling in the UK I usually prefer trying local food instead of international chains.
Still, it was a nice experience.
Smokehaus
The last place I tried was Smokehaus, located across from Wagamama.
It is an American-style restaurant focused mainly on burgers and barbecue.
I ordered a Hog Father burger and sweet potato fries.
The bill was £14.95.
Unfortunately I was not particularly impressed.
The burger was average and the fries didn’t stand out either.
Service was also less impressive compared to the other places I mentioned.
If I return to Birmingham I will probably try something else instead.
Final Thoughts
Looking back at these meals one thing is certain.
I really miss a good English breakfast.
Between the ones I had in St Ives and the ones I discovered in Birmingham, I developed a real appreciation for this classic dish.
If you ever find yourself in Birmingham and want a great breakfast I strongly recommend trying Ju Ju’s Café and Gas Street Social.
Both offer great food, friendly service and a lovely atmosphere.
And who knows, maybe you will become an English breakfast fan as well.