Anyone know Birmingham city centre? Suggestions needed please

[Ksown]

I am planning to meet a friend for a weekend in Birmingham. I am travelling from the north, she is travelling from the south so it's equidistant for us.
She will be travelling by train, me by car.
I will be leaving my car with a friend on the outskirts of Birmingham and getting a cab in and out to meet my friend, for lunch and afternoon into early evening, then we will be parting ways.
So I am looking for suggestions of chilled places where we can meet, relax, eat and talk for as long as we like. We do not want to be walking around or exploring at all as my friend has mobility problems.
Venues need to be close to the train station or max five or ten minute walk away, that offer food and a quiet environment and where we are not going to be rushed from our table or seats. Not fussy about type of food but preferably not chain restaurants.
It will be a Friday afternoon in the autumn.
Thanks in advance.

Which train station are you coming in to? New Street/Grand Central, Moor Street or Snowhill?

Medicine bakery is nice. There is a branch on new street (very close to train station, but with poor facilities if limited mobility means difficulty on stairs) or at the nearby ikon gallery (a little further away, prob 10-15 minute walk) which would be better accessibility wise.

What about the Hotel du Vin? https://www.hotelduvin.com/locations/birmingham?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Birmingham_(Exact)&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=71194557&gclid=CjwKCAjwvsvTBhBaEiwAmf-3nn-CM6YJm_5p2xdkCk8pW9HCGbQM8dD2j-TM6NfFQn5htoygNjDXrBoCj8YQAvD_BwE/

Honestly if you want nice, chilled non-chain places, you want to be away from New Street completely.

Id say uber out to Kings Heath or Stirchley and make that your base. Within 5-10 mins walk of New St is always going to be chaos/e bikes on the pavements/groups of rowdy people. Especially on weekends, we avoid it as much as we can.

24 Stories cocktail bar.
Stinking views, but spenny cocktails

Tattu, pasture, the Mayan might suit but a lot of places do have timed settings. Local bistros in Jewellery quarter eg 24 carat bistro, the rolling mill will be non timed.

The Edwardian Tea Rooms in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/birmingham-museum-and-art-gallery

This is just up from the Stephenson Street exit of New Street Station at the side of the Council House and across from The Town Hall venue. If your friend can use the tram it’s even easier as there’s a stop by the Town Hall.

It really depends on which station she’s coming into. There are places with grand central at new st but I can’t think of anywhere you could sit all day.

There are lots of bars/cafes around the area but the cosy club (a chain which I know you don’t want). That was fairly quiet when I met a friend for lunch so you could look for other places in that area. It may be too far to walk though. The art gallery has a nice cafe but from memory there’s lots of steps around that area.

Damascena is pretty good. Small chain, but all based in Birmingham area. https://damascena.co.uk/

What about this? If it's too far for your friend to walk, she might be able to get a train or tram from New Street (if her train isn't passing through already).

Moor Street Station | Centenary Lounge

Seconding Damascena. The one by the cathedral is accessible from New Street Station. Food is good and reasonably priced. Used to work over the road and miss my lovely lunches from there

New Street

Sorry all, it's New Street station

I don't really mind a chain if it's a nice place

Cherry Red’s is a lovely cafe/bar with really nice food and a good vibe right by new street

There’s a decent Brown’s within a 5 minute walk (through the Bullring), The Burlington Hotel in the arcade is also nice. We tend to head up the hill to Colmore Row where you’re spoiled for choice (although it might be a bit far for someone with mobility issues)

There are loads of places around there, and you can easily access grand central and the bull ring for shopping

Get a taxi to jewellery quarter and go to Vieni. My friend owns it and it’s amazing x

Bank in Brindley Place is good, with a bar area or restaurant.

Much though I love the food (and the Turkish coffee with cardamom) at Damascena if the friend has mobility issues, the central branch next to the cathedral has the toilets at the top of an awkward staircase. The branch in the Jewellery Quarter is better if stairs are an issue. Other than that, I third Damascena 😁

They have an accessible toilet downstairs as you enter the large rear room. Though it does get busy there, so maneuvering might be difficult.

You could head to Chamberlain Square from New Street Station. In that area there's loads of choices and it's newly developed too. Some ideas are:

Food - Dishoom is amazing for Indian food and they don't rush you.

Food/drinks - Albert Schloss is literally next door and is relaxed during the day for drinks/chatting.

Drinks - Theatrix is also a few minutes away and has really nice panoramic window seats and a roof top terrace too.

Do they? No-one ever told me and I've struggled up the stairs in the past !

Good to know 😊

Thanks everyone, lots of ideas to look at

Yes and your friend could get the team from outside right into the jewellery quarter, as otherwise it’s a bit of a walk