The 2025 Michelin Guide ceremony took place this week in Glasgow, with notable recognition for two Birmingham favourites.

It was a big night for Riverine Rabbit, which opened its doors a little over a year ago in Stirchley. The stylish 12-seat restaurant, which is headed up by partners Ash Valenzuela-Heeger and Dr Erin Valenzuela-Heeger (who is a materials scientist by day), took home a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

The accolade recognises restaurants serving high-quality cooking at a reasonable price. Riverine Rabbit’s a la carte small plate menu features a variety of dishes ranging from BBQ Hispi Cabbage and Tom Yum Cream (£9), Salmon Crudo with Green Apple and Jalapeno (£13) and Whole Lemon Sole with Thai Black Pepper Sauce and Samphire (£18).

 

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Ash also took home the prestigious Young Chef Award. Speaking about her selection, the guide wrote: “Ash’s cooking had been generating buzz in Brummie circles for some time thanks to various pop-ups, before the permanent opening of her inventive and invigorating restaurant which has further strengthened the brilliant Birmingham dining scene. Her original cooking is big on flavour and draws on influences from her native South Africa to across Asia.”

When asked about the award win, Ash and Erin said: “We’re honoured to receive such a prestigious award and Ash being named Michelin Young Chef of the Year is the icing on the cake! We’re proud to be a part of Birmingham’s reputation as a go-to culinary destination.”

Tropea in Harborne also received the coveted Bib Gourmand. The Italian favourite was praised for its “uncluttered, straightforwardly delicious cooking”, along with its buzzing atmosphere and excellent service.

The restaurant is the creation of Ben Robinson Young and Kasia Piatkowska, who met whilst studying Culinary Arts at the University College Birmingham in 2010. Inspired by a picturesque town on the Calabrian coast, Tropea’s (pronounced Tro-Pey-Ah) menu is heavily influenced by regional dishes made throughout Italy, with much of the produce sourced from the country.

Speaking about their Bib Gourmand, Ben and Kasia said: “To be awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand means so much to us as it represents what we hoped Tropea would become: a restaurant that serves great food, that’s good value, cooked with care and served with love.”

Featured image credit: Tom Bird