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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

recommendations for places to eat near Birmingham Sea Life Center please...

28 replies

GoldenSnitch · 17/02/2010 21:24

DS turns 3 next month and as a birthday treat DH and I are thinking of taking him to Birmingham Sea Life Center.

We've been told that the restaurant inside isn't very good though...

Does anyone have any recommendations for somewhere nearby which would be good for a family meal? It'll be me, DH, 3 year old DS and 3 month old DD - so it also has to be somewhere that I'll be welcome breastfeeding too if possible.

Thanks for all help

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Lolbilly · 17/02/2010 22:33

Not sure if you know Brum but there are loads of bars and restaurants very close to the sealife centre. I haven't breastfed in any of them but very close choices that may be suitable include pizza express, all bar one (has booths which would give you some privacy) & cafe rouge.
Also if my memory serves me right, the tickets to the sealife centre are quite pricey so you may want to google to see if there are any discount vouchers available. Or if you think you may go again I think an annual ticket is only a couple of quid more than the single ticket.
Have fun!!

Original poster
GoldenSnitch · 18/02/2010 08:10

I don't know Brum well. I've been twice I think - one as a student when I got yelled at by some old bloke for the t-shirt I was wearing and once about 18 months ago when DH and I went to the theater to see Blue Planet Live. I think the Sea Life Center is in the same sort of place but it was dark and busy when I went and I don't remember what else was there.

Pizza Express is always popular with DS and I like the thought of having some privacy in All Bar One's booths - great suggestions

We have 2 for 1 tickets that Tesco's sent us to get in for me and DH and DS isn't technically 3 until 8.04pm that day so we thought we might see if he can still get in for free. Is that cheeky?

It's just over an hours drive for here so if DS enjoys it - which I think he will - we will probably go again but I think it might be cheaper this time to use our vouchers

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ArthurPewty · 18/02/2010 08:31

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ArthurPewty · 18/02/2010 08:32

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tiredemma · 18/02/2010 08:44

Pizza Express
Gourmet Burger Company (my boys LOVE it in here)

All just opposite the sealife centre.

The food in the sealife centre is beyond grim

SleepingLion · 18/02/2010 08:48

When DH and I went to see Eddie Izzard last year at the NIA we ate at the cafe Rouge which is about five seconds from the Sea Life Centre and has a lovely menu. Pizza Express is also very very close and obviously has a child-friendly menu!

No need to eat in the Sea Life Centre itself - it is noisy and busy and not a nice place for a birthday meal!

Original poster
GoldenSnitch · 18/02/2010 08:51

Lol tiredmma - that's pretty much what we were told!

GBK is good. We've taken DS to the MK one before. My love of the Garlic Mayo might make it a less enjoyable car ride home though

Like the sound of that pancake shop LeonieDelt - Mmmm, pancakes

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Original poster
GoldenSnitch · 18/02/2010 17:17

Has anyone ever fed in one of these places? I'm getting more daring, did it in the middle of the shopping center last weekend! - but would be mortified if we were asked to stop/leave.

DD refuses to take a bottle though so I have no choice.

OP posts:
janeite · 18/02/2010 17:20

Brindley Place has Cafe Rouge, Pizza Express etc. It also has a nice Thai restaurant (Thai Edge) which is usually quiet at lunchtimes.

janeite · 18/02/2010 17:21

Or you are near to the Icon Gallery, which does tapas - not been but seen a few good reviews of it.

ArthurPewty · 18/02/2010 21:13

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Original poster
GoldenSnitch · 18/02/2010 21:22

Thanks Leonie - it's good to know someone else has been there

I'm trying really hard to be unashamed about it this time. The spot I chose in the shopping center was at one of the big cross roads so couldn't have been more public really. I just sat behind the buggy to give me a little privacy while I got going and got as little out as possible.

Funnily enough, the only place I felt totally comfortable feeding DS was in the Sea Life Center in Edinburgh. AFAIK, it's illegal to ask someone to stop feeding in Scotland...

Surely noone can complain in a restaurant though can they? I know she's eating 'off menu' but it's still food right?

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ArthurPewty · 18/02/2010 21:41

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Original poster
GoldenSnitch · 19/02/2010 09:01

It was scary the first time I went. Was in a pub near the Bullring and got yelled at by some old bloke in a pub!!

This trip will be the first time I've seen Brum in daylight I think

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ArthurPewty · 19/02/2010 09:07

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cazzybabs · 19/02/2010 09:09

unless all bar one has changed recently it won't let you take small children in!

There are lots and lots of resturants around the sea life centre...

tapas at the icon gallery is very yummy

Original poster
GoldenSnitch · 19/02/2010 09:18

I love Tapas. Do they do Paella?

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charlotteolivia · 19/02/2010 09:21

I used to work in the Brindley place allbarone, children are allowed in until 5pm.
Yes there are booths, at the back on the right, on the same side to the toilets too There are lots of small tapas-y type things and starters- so alright for children!!
Cafe rouge is next door, Pizza Express opposite, Gourmet Burget Kitchen underneath!

It is called Brindley Place, the area that you are going to, just off Broad St. It's next to the canal, so you might be able to brave a little waterside walk too, or at least cross the bridge to the ICC and watch the geese!!

charlotteolivia · 19/02/2010 09:23
aoyama · 19/02/2010 09:30

We went to the sealife centre this week and had to queue for about 30 ins to get in. If you pre book you can get straight in.

If you keep walking down the cannal past Brindley place you get to the mailbox which has about 20 chain restaurants which were all really quiet. We went to cafe rouge and there was loads of space for all our dcs and prams etc.

Original poster
GoldenSnitch · 19/02/2010 10:30

It was half term this week though wasn't it aoyama? It'll be term time when we take DS so I'm hoping it'll be quieter.

Will definitely have to try to see the geese.

Mailbox sounds good. I'll be taking the P&T so it's hardly a teeny pushchair!

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aoyama · 19/02/2010 15:57

Yes, I'd forgotton about half term. They have a massive crab atm so people have gone to see it. Its only there for a month.

Holymoly321 · 19/02/2010 16:02

Just a note really for anyone wanting to go the Sealife centre, if you buy tickets beforehand at the Tourist info place near the train station, rather than at Sealife itself, you can often get the tickets much much cheaper.

Original poster
GoldenSnitch · 19/02/2010 18:17

We got 2 for 1 vouchers in our Tesco Clubcard Mailout this month - they were one of the reasons we chose the Sea Life Center.

That and DS's obsession with his "Tiddler" book

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Original poster
GoldenSnitch · 19/02/2010 18:19

And DH wants to see the massive crab aoyama mentioned. I read on the website that it's there till the end of March.

I'm only 5'1" so it's as big as me!!!!

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