From natural wine and Mexican-inspired small plates to independent bookshops, vintage clothing and legendary live music venues, Kings Heath has become one of Birmingham’s most interesting neighbourhoods for food, drink and independent culture.
Much of the action centres around York Road and the High Street, where you’ll find everything from neighbourhood cafés and craft beer bars to some of the city’s most exciting little restaurants. And with plenty of independent businesses tucked away down side streets and courtyards, it’s well worth taking your time to explore.
Here are some of our favourite places to eat, drink and spend an afternoon in King’s Heath.
Small in size but not in ambition, Perro is a 12-cover neighbourhood restaurant and bar tucked away in Kings Court, serving seriously impressive Mexican-inspired small plates, cocktails, and natural/low-intervention wines.
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Opened in 2025, it has already made a stellar name for itself on Birmingham’s food and drink scene. The menu is compact but inventive, with an ever-evolving offering of tacos and tostadas featuring fish and slow-cooked meats, as well as vegetarian combinations. The selection changes seasonally, but on our visit, the tuna and pistachio mole tostada was a particular highlight, while the michelada oysters offered an interesting twist on familiar Mexican flavours.
Add incredible margaritas and a hip-hop-heavy soundtrack, and you’ve got the makings of a very good evening. The space is vibrant but intimate, so booking ahead is advised.
Just next door to Perro is Snake Oil, a brand-new cocktail bar from the same team, with a similar emphasis on good tunes and laid-back hospitality.
The cocktail menu has been developed in collaboration with Katie Rouse of Stirchley’s Couch, which was named the UK’s number one cocktail bar in the 2026 Top 50 Cocktail Bars list and picked up Best Cocktail Menu at the CLASS Awards.
Eight original cocktails sit alongside a selection of classics, with the likes of the Snake Oil Daiquiri, Balanced Grasshopper, Tonka Bean Boulevardier, Freezer Martini and Spicy As Fuck Margarita among the options. There’s Modelo on tap too, plus a secret shot menu for anyone feeling adventurous.
Music is a big part of the appeal, with hip hop throughout the week and DJs on selected nights. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Perro team also provides a small menu of snacks, making this a handy spot for a drink before or after dinner.
A long-standing Kings Heath favourite, Kitchen Garden Cafe feels a world away from the busy streets of the suburbs.
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Part café, part garden shop and part live music venue, it’s a wonderfully charming setting for a coffee. During the day, the café serves home-cooked breakfast and brunch dishes, as well as lunch plates, sides and sweet treats, alongside fair trade coffee and vegan cakes. The adjoining garden shop offers plants, garden decorations and plenty to browse. Come evening, Fletcher’s Bar hosts regular gigs, live music and entertainment.
If there’s one place that deserves its reputation as a Birmingham music institution, it’s the Hare & Hounds. This Grade II-listed venue has roots dating back to 1820 and has stood in its current form since 1907, with beautiful Art Nouveau tiles lining the entrance hall and staircase.
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The venue famously hosted UB40’s first-ever gig in 1979, but its contribution to Birmingham’s music scene doesn’t stop there. Today, the pub’s two upstairs spaces are among the city’s best-loved venues for live music and club nights, with a programme spanning everything from jazz, reggae and soul to indie, house, techno and drum and bass.
Downstairs, two bars play host to pub quizzes, craft clubs, comedy workshops and other community events, while a monthly film club adds to an already packed calendar.
If there’s one place that deserves its reputation as a Birmingham music institution, it’s the Hare & Hounds. This Grade II-listed venue has roots dating back to 1820 and has stood in its current form since 1907, with beautiful Art Nouveau tiles lining the entrance hall and staircase.
The venue famously hosted UB40’s first-ever gig in 1979, but its contribution to Birmingham’s music scene doesn’t stop there. Today, the pub’s two upstairs spaces are among the city’s best-loved venues for live music and club nights, with a programme spanning everything from jazz, reggae and soul to indie, house, techno and drum and bass.
Downstairs, two bars play host to pub quizzes, craft clubs, comedy workshops and other community events, while a monthly film club adds to an already packed calendar.
Good independent bookshops are about much more than what’s on the shelves, and The Heath Bookshop is a fine example.
Run by Catherine and Claire, this award-winning Kings Court favourite has established itself as an excellent community hub, bringing together a diverse selection of books, author events, reading groups and its very own literature and music festival.
Grab a coffee, find yourself a book and settle in, perhaps at the shop’s much-loved Kate Bush table. The Heath Bookshop is a brilliant addition to Kings Heath’s independent scene, and a reminder of just how valuable a neighbourhood bookshop can be.
Kings Heath is the second home of independent pizzeria Smoke + Ash, which has brought its Neapolitan-style pizzas, carefully selected wines and seasonal cocktails to York Road. On the menu, expect a good balance between classic favourites and more interesting combinations.
There’s the Greenfield Veg, loaded with mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, olives and red onion, alongside the Prosciutto Crudo with Fior di Latte mozzarella, Grana Padano and rocket. For something with a bit more kick, the nduja pizza combines spicy sausage, smoked Scamorza, mozzarella and honey (with vegetarian and vegan-friendly alternatives available too).
Don’t overlook the sides, either. Upon good advice from the team, we tried the Tuscan potatoes when we visited, which arrived crispy, herb-roasted and totally moreish.
A good craft beer bar is one thing. A good craft beer bar with a jukebox and a rotating line-up of Birmingham street food traders? Even better.
The Juke has become a firm York Road favourite, with an impressive selection of independent beers, local charm, and a rare piece of musical history.
Its vintage Rock-Ola Regis 120 jukebox spent years in bars around Chicago before making the journey to Kings Heath, where today it’s stocked with all sorts of music, from lesser-known retro tracks to modern favourites.
Behind the bar, beer is the main event. There’s a rotating selection on tap and in cans and bottles, including beers from Birmingham’s independent breweries. For those who prefer wine, gin or cocktails, there’s a strong array of options too.
Food comes from an exciting rotation of pop-ups, with the likes of Kodawari, Brum Mi, Pietanic, BA-HA, Zindiya and Bonehead all having made appearances. From ramen and Vietnamese street food to pies and fried chicken, it’s definitely worth checking who’s in the kitchen before you visit.
For anyone who enjoys discovering rare fashion finds, Top Banana Vintage is well worth a rummage. This independent York Road shop specialises in Grade A men’s and women’s vintage clothing, with a fabulous mix of American vintage, denim, jackets, knitwear and sportswear.
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Expect recognisable labels, including Levi’s, Ralph Lauren, Burberry and Fred Perry, alongside a particularly impressive collection of Converse and Vans trainers, with sizes ranging from children’s shoes to adult size 13.
Whether you’re hunting down a vintage jacket or simply in the mood for a mooch, Top Banana Vintage perfectly encapsulates that unique and eclectic feel of Kings Heath.
Craft beer, natural wine, cocktails, darts and, in the bar’s own words, ‘normal beer’. Schooners likes to keep things simple, and for that, we love it very much.
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The York Road bar and bottle shop offers a varied drinks selection, including plenty of local craft beers. And if you’ve ever struggled to choose between two pints, the schooner is the Goldilocks of serves – a perfectly portioned two-thirds-pint pour that stays cool to the last drop, while also giving you the chance to sample something different without going all in.
Beyond the drinks, there’s a weekly darts club for beginners and seasoned players alike, plus live music, often with an acoustic or folk leaning, followed by DJs.
If you take your coffee seriously, Pause on Poplar Road is definitely one to try, as this independent speciality coffee shop and scratch bakery is particularly known for its signature serve: the Cryo-Flat White.
Made using a process called cryo-concentration, the team removes some of the water from milk (supplied by Brades Farm) to create a richer, creamier version of the classic flat white. The result, according to Pause, is something akin to ‘melted coffee ice cream’.
There’s plenty for those with a sweet tooth too, with cakes and baked treats made using ingredients including high-quality Callebaut chocolate, alongside savoury pastries and pasties.
What started with two Tims and a shared love of good food has grown into one of Kings Heath’s best-known independent bakeries.
Pastry chef Tim C spent years working in prestigious hotel kitchens before returning to Birmingham in 2017, where he began selling his creations at local food festivals. It was at Birmingham Coffee Festival that he met Tim G, and the pair decided to join forces.
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Today, The Early Bird offers much more than coffee and pastries, with a menu that changes throughout the week.
Brunch is served daily, with dishes including Turkish eggs, huevos rancheros, nduja scrambled eggs, winter greens on toast and buffalo chicken buns appearing on the menu. There are also fresh focaccia sandwiches and lunch specials, with offerings varying throughout the week.
Beyond the food, the team is passionate about creating opportunities for people to learn and develop within hospitality, giving this independent bakery an ethos worth supporting.
- Words:
- Rebekah Spratt
- Published on:
- Fri 13 Nov 2026
Top of our list is Grace & James, a neighbourhood natural wine bar, deli and cheesemonger on York Road, with an excellent selection of wines, cheeses and snacks to enjoy in or take home.
The wine list is constantly changing, with a rotating selection by the glass and bottle. But for us, it was the team that made this place so special. Friendly, knowledgeable and happy to talk all things wine, they’ll help you find a new favourite, whether you’re a natural wine enthusiast or just fancy trying something different.
On our visit, we paired a medium-bodied glass of U. Passimiento Rosso from Sicily’s Baglio Gibellina winery with sourdough bread, burrata and extra virgin olive oil. With its juicy red fruit flavours and balanced acidity, the wine was a lovely match for the rich, creamy cheese.
Grace & James also hosts regular tastings and events, with a festive programme including Big Christmas Wine Tastings and a dedicated Cheese and Wine Night. Another good excuse to visit, if you needed one.