Aura Lounge

Aura Lounge is a stylish lounge and restaurant on Bishop Street offering an extensive fusion menu combining Middle Eastern, Asian and international cuisines.

Popular small plates include dynamite shrimp, gyoza and onion rings; main courses span sushi (tiger roll recommended), burgers (classic cheeseburger, smokey cheese burger, chicken fillet burger), rice dishes, noodles and wraps. Desserts include lotus French toast and cheesecake. The space features elegant lighting, spacious layout and a refined-yet-vibrant atmosphere that appeals to groups, special occasions and weekend nights out. Service is generally attentive and professional. Shisha is a significant draw, with knowledgeable staff helping with flavour selection.

The venue opens from 14:00 Monday-Wednesday, 13:00 Thursday onwards, and closes at 02:00 most nights, extending to 03:00 Friday and Saturday. Expect a lively crowd especially on weekends; parking is limited street parking and paid car parks nearby.

Jungle Shisha Lounge

Jungle Shisha Lounge is a modern shisha venue with cosy seating, dim lighting and a relaxed atmosphere.
The space is deceptively spacious inside despite a modest exterior, with booth-style seating arranged for groups. Shisha comes in a range of flavours; popular food choices include burgers, wraps and mix grills prepared fresh. The cocktail menu runs to £10 a drink, with shisha sessions around £18.

The lounge attracts a busy weekend crowd and features a DJ on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Live Brazilian samba dancers occasionally perform. The venue requires a minimum purchase to enter, typically shisha or food and drink. Parking is available at the rear.

MeriGo Piri Piri

MeriGo is a fast-moving takeaway specialising in fresh, peri peri-fired chicken cooked to order. The menu centres on flame-grilled chicken pieces, half and whole birds, alongside gourmet beef burgers, paninis, tortilla wraps, and burritos stuffed with chicken, paneer, or fillings. Wings, loaded fries with jalapeños and mozzarella, spiced rice bowls, and family platters round out the offer. The space is no-frills counter service, built for speed and sharing. Fully halal throughout, with a loyal following for the quality and value proposition at pocket-friendly prices.

Charlie’s Chicken

Charlie’s Chicken is a weekend fried chicken operation operating out of a small takeaway unit at 3 Station Buildings in Water Orton. The venue specializes in homemade fried chicken prepared to order, with a focus on quality ingredients and the secret sauce that sets them apart. Operating on a limited Friday and Saturday schedule, this is casual, no-frills takeaway fare-no seating, no table service, just freshly made chicken done properly. The space reflects the pop-up nature of the operation, but reviews consistently praise the quality of the chicken itself.

Hotville

Hotville brings authentic Nashville hot chicken to Sparkhill with a menu built around buttermilk-marinated fried chicken breast dipped in their Nashville spice mix. The signature burger comes topped with creamy coleslaw, pickles and Hotville sauce on Texas toast. You’ll also find fiery tenders, Nashville shrimps, hot wings, and loaded fries with special sauces. Their build-your-own option gives you four customisation steps. The space is collection and delivery focused, running late into the night to catch post-night-out orders.

Menu highlights include the Original Nashville Dipped Fillet burger, Honey Dijon burger, Fiery Tenders (five pieces), and Hot Wings. They cater to dietary requirements with a dedicated veggie range and halal preparation. Combo meals bundle a burger, tender, wing and drink with fries.

The Plough (Harborne)

The Plough is a beloved independent gastropub on Harborne High Street blending retro charm with contemporary cooking. Its colourful interior features bare wooden tables, brick walls and quirky design touches throughout. The kitchen turns out excellent burgers with homemade beef patties, stone-baked pizzas, battered cod, Cuban sandwiches, calzones, and an extensive brunch menu including bacon butties and full breakfasts alongside award-winning filter coffee. Sunday roasts often sell out; the venue runs a reduced menu until 5pm those days. The substantial vegetarian menu caters well to dietary preferences. Outside, a sheltered beer garden with wicker roof becomes the heart of the venue in warmer months, hosting DJs playing relaxed summer sounds. Table ordering via tablets allows flexible group dining.

McDonald’s on the Ramp

McDonald’s on the Ramp is an institution in Birmingham culture, famously occupying the walkway that connects New Street’s shopping area to Grand Central. The restaurant sits at the base of the inclined ramp-a pedestrian route that has become a beloved local landmark. Since the late 1970s, it has served as the go-to rendezvous point for weekenders, teenagers and shoppers looking for an easily recognised meeting place. The branch offers the full McDonald’s menu including breakfasts, burgers, wraps and McCafé coffee. It’s a window onto Birmingham life, operating 24 hours daily and frequently packed during peak times.

Joey’s Smokehouse

Joey’s Smokehouse brings American low-and-slow BBQ to Digbeth with house-smoked brisket, beef ribs, lamb chops and Texas-style sausages, finished with signature rubs and homemade sauces. The menu spans meaty mains (short ribs, pulled beef), burgers piled with smoked brisket, and generous platters like the Pitmaster Feast, plus sides like mac and cheese and burnt ends. It’s a fully halal venue but welcomes bring-your-own drinks. Expect queues at weekends-staff seat walkers quickly, though the place runs hot with demand. Perfect for meat lovers and those after TikTok-famous tenderism.

Flight Club – Birmingham

Flight Club Birmingham brings darts into the 21st century with automatic scoring, instant replays and seven multiplayer games where beginners beat seasoned pros. Order sourdough pizza paddles, sharing plates and signature cocktails directly to your oche while you play, or settle into the upstairs bar with its glorious feature bar, Elena the fairground horse and a staircase of dreams. Winner of 2025 Bar/Pub of the Year at The Birmingham Awards, the space combines darts heritage with fairground thrills and nods to Birmingham’s past.

Whether you’re dropping in for a drink, booking Social Darts for groups of two to 36, or joining the weekend Brunch Social with bottomless pizza and prosecco, the focus is on unexpected, ridiculous joy. The weekday Signature Burger and Drink deal (£12, 12-3pm) is excellent value. Everyone gets an Action Replay highlights video of their night.

Chance and Counters – Birmingham

Chance & Counters is a 2,500 sq ft board game café and bar in the heart of the Custard Factory, a restored Victorian complex at the centre of Digbeth. By day it’s a casual café serving speciality coffee, milkshakes and lunchtime classics; by night it transforms into a vibrant bar with craft beer, cocktails and fine wines. The extensive food menu features smash burgers, loaded fries, tacos, wings and homemade chilli, with dedicated vegan and gluten-free options. The venue stocks over 600 board games, with a team of knowledgeable staff (Game Gurus) ready to recommend titles, teach rules and help set up games. It’s equally welcoming for solo players, couples, families and large groups, with plenty of booth seating and communal tables overlooking the river.