From award-winning restaurants and independent bakeries to craft beer, natural wine and some seriously good cocktails, Stirchley has become one of Birmingham’s most exciting culinary neighbourhoods.
Whether you’re after a freshly baked baguette, big Vietnamese flavours, a pint straight from the brewery or a world-class cocktail, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. Here are some of our favourite spots to eat and drink in Stirchley…
Showcasing a deep knowledge of recipes passed down through generations, Soi brings the traditional family favourites that Thai people really eat to Stirchley. Much of the menu is designed to be shared, just as it is in homes across Thailand, with Thai BBQ, pounded salads, wok dishes and curries.
Their story begins with Niang Deethwa, who started learning her family’s recipes in Thailand at just five years old. Her daughter, Sai, grew up watching her cook, and while working as a social worker in 2012, she applied for MasterChef, making it through to the final 24 from 20,000 applicants. The restaurant has since picked up plenty of awards and accolades over the years, including a place in the Good Food Guide’s Best Local Restaurants 2026.
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The menu is packed with dishes to be passed around the table, from smoky BBQ aubergine tossed with lime, chilli, mint and dill, to the punchy pad cha het, where earthy mushrooms meet spices and fragrant basil.
The king prawn toast is a must-order, with a generous, tender filling and plenty of crunch. For something more comforting, the beef massaman is slow-cooked until tender, with creamy coconut and warming spices. For those eating plant-based, the southern Thai vegan bowl is wholly satisfying, combining turmeric and vegetables with plenty of flavour.
Top of the list for any craft beer fan, Attic’s huge Stirchley taproom sits directly opposite Bournville train station, making it particularly easy to get to for a few pints. The 100% independent brewery serves a vast, constantly rotating range of award-winning beers and ciders, brewed just yards from where they’re poured.
While Attic started brewing in co-founder Sam’s attic, the business now represents Birmingham on a national stage. They’re also firmly rooted in the community, and alongside regularly supporting local festivals, the team also hosts its own series of events. So whether you fancy a comedy night or a pub quiz, there’s always an excuse to head over.
You can even tuck into your own custom-made pizza from Death Row Pizza, who operate from a small window out in the garden.
With a stellar selection of pints across cask and keg, plus cobs that regulars reckon are some of the best in Birmingham, the recently opened Cloak and Dagger is a very welcome addition to Stirchley. The charming interior captures the magic of an old-school social club, while the dog-friendly space makes it an easy choice to settle in for a pint and a bite.
They also run Slow Social, an alcohol-free space designed to skip the small talk and make room for connection, conversation and intergenerational friendships. So plenty is going on beyond the bar, too.
Serving big-hitting, fresh and fragrant Vietnamese flavours, Eat Vietnam brings umami-packed Southeast Asian dishes to the heart of one of Birmingham’s best independent high streets. After years of collaborations and pop-ups, the team now has a permanent home on Stirchley High Street, taking over the former Maggie’s Munchies café.
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The restaurant keeps things authentic and intimate, while also offering a constantly evolving specials board. Alongside its more traditional noodle, curry and small plate offerings, you’ll also find unexpected takes, such as Marmite and peanut butter wings, and chilli oil roast potatoes, which we promise are every bit as good as they sound.
Officially the UK’s number one cocktail spot according to ‘50 Best Cocktail Bars’ (and us), Couch is pretty much everything you want from a neighbourhood spot. The much-loved venue got a bit of an update this year, and on our visit, the space felt chic and welcoming, though the best seats in the house are definitely found at the bar top, where you can happily chat to the bartenders and visitors alike.
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The latest cocktail collection takes its cues from ‘The Pub’, and a beautifully designed menu features very unserious photos of the team in suitably pubby settings. The serves themselves are anything but ordinary, with creations inspired by everything from the Smoking Ban, made with cherry-smoked Drambuie, Madeira and tobacco, to Communal Crisps, a combination of BBQ butter rum, black pepper vermouth and paprika. There are also Couch spins on the classics, alongside the classics themselves, all done perfectly and without fuss.
The bar was recently awarded 2 Pins by The Pinnacle Guide, which is widely held as the equivalent of Michelin Stars for restaurants.
A cosy, neon-lit favourite on Stirchley High Street, Cheddar is all about really good wine, excellent cheese and exceptional plant-based small plates. The shiitake skewers deserve a particular shoutout, too.
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Cheddar is taking a short break throughout September, but the team will be back from October with some exciting plans for guest traders, pop-ups and collaborations, bringing an ever-changing line-up of good things to eat and drink. And if you’re missing them in the meantime, the team has also recently opened Else, a modern Japanese-inspired izakaya just down the road, serving vinyl, cocktails and small plates.
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Riverine Rabbit was brought to Birmingham by Ash, who moved here with her wife, Erin. After a year of pop-ups across the UK and abroad, the pair’s dream of opening a small restaurant became a reality in Stirchley. Named after the elusive riverine rabbit of South Africa’s Karoo Desert, the restaurant’s ethos is rooted in sustainability, with Ash building close relationships with farmers, producers and suppliers both locally and further afield.
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The daily-changing menu showcases carefully sourced ingredients through creative, thoughtful cooking, with a shorter, more affordable option alongside a fuller dinner menu. Recent dishes have included fried chicken with caviar, raw blue belly prawns with house hot sauce and skate wing with green nuoc cham. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2025, while Ash was also named Michelin Young Chef of the Year that same year.
Another Stirchley stop for craft beer fans, GlassHouse specialises in hop-forward beers, juicy IPAs, stouts, sours and hazy pales. There are 10 rotating draught lines to work your way through, alongside a well-stocked fridge of cans to drink in or take away. The casual industrial-estate taproom has indoor seating and a courtyard out front, with occasional street food pop-ups.
Coffee by day, cocktail bar by night, Deadbeat is a brutalist-style sister venue to city-centre fried chicken spot Bonehead. Describing itself as a dive bar, it takes inspiration from the rock bars and clubs of the US, with a good selection of British and European beers on keg, plus cans and bottles from the well-stocked fridge. Pizza is served by the slice, alongside various rotating Bonehead fried chicken dishes, such as fried chicken subs, wings, tenders and tacos.
Serving Tuesday to Saturday until 3pm, coffee comes from Anosh, with specialities including light roast coffees with funky, fruity profiles. For freshly baked goods, you can pick up bread and pastries from Stirchley’s famous community bakery, Loaf.
Originally built by Mitchell & Butler in 1926, The British Oak has been a Stirchley institution for nearly 100 years. It’s one of Birmingham’s collection of inter-war ‘improved’ pubs and still retains plenty of its original character, with decorative brickwork, matching bays and leaded windows. These give way to five elegant rooms inside, complete with original flooring, beautiful tiled walls and wood-panelled fireplaces. There’s also a large conservatory and impressive beer garden at the back, with a bowling green that’s still in use.
There are plenty of screens for live sport, plus weekly DJs and live music on weekends. The bar covers craft beer and cask ales, alongside coffee, spritzes and cocktails. And when it comes to food, Original Patty Men are behind the burgers, bringing some of Birmingham’s best-known street food to the pub.
An intimate eight-seater micro wine and snack bar, Isla brings a carefully considered selection of wines, cocktails and small plates to Stirchley. Created by Wilf Juee and Chloë Qureshi, the candlelit space has a relaxed, neighbourhood feel, with a focus on good music.
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The drinks list includes quality and orange wines alongside rotating spritzes and cocktails, while the food changes regularly, with dishes ranging from gildas and crab and caviar vol-au-vents to burrata with beetroot and blackberries. Bookings are recommended for small-plate dining, and walk-ins are usually available before 6pm and after 8.30pm.
Hidden away on Waterside Business Park, Brew Export is part beer cave, part taproom, and a particularly good place to seek out hard-to-find American craft beers at a super reasonable price point. There are 14 rotating taps, plus spirits and speciality coffee, while the walk-in cold store is packed with more than 150 cans from breweries, including Fidens, Mortalis and Hop Butcher for the World. There’s outdoor seating too, and it’s dog-friendly, making it an easy place to settle in for a few beers.
For something a little closer to the source, Birmingham Brewing Company’s taproom sits alongside its working brewery, giving you the chance to drink directly beside the tanks. Every beer is vegan and gluten-free, with a range spanning its Stirchley Lager and pale ales. There’s also a covered beer garden and regular independent street food vendors at weekends, so you can make a real afternoon of it.
- Words:
- Rebekah Spratt
- Published on:
- Tue 22 Sep 2026
This independent artisan bakery specialises in French breads, viennoiseries and sweet treats, with twists inspired by flavours from around the world. The majority of its produce is made with levain, a type of sourdough, using French organic flour from the family-run Moulin Viron mill, situated just outside of Paris.
With plenty of baked specialities to choose from, it’s a must-visit for anyone with a penchant for pastries. We tried the deliciously savoury cheese and Marmite swirl, but would have been just as happy with one of their giant, buttery pain au chocolats. There’s also a tempting selection of focaccias, buns and brioches, making this a great spot to pick up something for later, too.