Hot lunch date in Birmingham - recommendations please?

[brumajenbab]

Born and bred in Birmingham but haven't lived there for 15 years, and nothing is as it used to be!

I'd love to hear your ideas for somewhere really nice, not stuffy, cool but not ridiculously so ... wow without pretentiousness in the city centre for a lunch date.

I'd love it to feel properly like Birmingham, so maybe a view or in a fab building / location. Used to love the tapas place at the Ikon, but it's long gone sadly. Sharing dishes are a bonus 😋

Brummies, please tell me your hot tips. Thank you 😊

In the city centre I love The Wilderness (really good playlists!) or Folium (bit more serious).If they are too pricey, Plates is a newish tapas style place by Greg Purnell. Alternatively The Oyster Club is a the casual dining part of Adams.
Opheem is good value and very attractive inside if you want the flavour B'rum is famous for.

Ooh, thanks. They sound intriguing... I like the idea of a good playlist! Will check them out.

Wilderness looks ace! Though I might need to remind myself I'm now 15 years older than I was when I left Brum in my mid-30s ...

Opheem is stunning, if you’re feeling flush.

If you’re prepared to go slightly out of the centre, Harborne Kitchen is excellent.

Land (vegan fine dining in the city centre) is excellent and incredibly good value. The wine pairings are always good.

I was coming on to say Opheem but many of you have beat me too it!

Ah, Opheem is a clear winer so far. Brum has come a long way! I'm slightly worried it might feel a bit OTT, would it?

It does need to be in the city centre, yes, as my hope is for a lunch and a (possibly romantic) mooch round the sights ... if I can still find my way around.

I looked at the Coconut Tree in Brindley Place, too ... i wonder if you brummie fine diners have any thoughts on that?

Thanks so much for excellent ideas. 😊

I found Opheem to be very stylish but also relaxed and that was at dinner. So I would say smart, understated, but not showy

Yes. It’s not at all stuffy. No pressure re drinks etc. The sommelier is gorgeous.

Thank you. This extra insider info is much appreciated!

I'm very tempted to give Opheem a go ... and will try not to spill my lunch on my new pale silk frock bought for the occasion ... while also aiming not to panic over the course of the next 24 hours that said hot date is going to last minute cancel (or worse, ghost me).

Fingers crossed 🤞🏼

Ah, unfortunately Opheem is off the cards... the date is on Monday and I see it is closed then. I'm going to keep it in mind for another occasion, but in the meantime if anyone has any equally fabulous ideas (though I suspect Opheem will take some beating!) for lunch date venues open on a Monday I'd love to hear them please!

😊😋