The Mayan

The Mayan is a modern Mexican restaurant and mezcal bar located in The Mailbox, overlooking Birmingham’s historic canals. The sleek, upmarket interior features distinctive dark velvet seating with gold accents, centred around a spectacular tree inspired by the mythical Mayan Ceiba Tree. The extensive menu showcases traditional Mexican cuisine with contemporary techniques: expect ceviche, slow-cooked meats, fajitas, premium 28-day dry-aged steaks, and house-made sauces. The drinks programme is exceptional, with an impressive mezcal and tequila selection considered Birmingham’s largest, alongside handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits, and fine wines. Desserts include classic churros, chocolate piñata, and traditional Mayan hot chocolate with cinnamon and chilli. The Friday and Saturday DJ (Tulum night from 20:00) creates a lively atmosphere, though the restaurant is family-friendly with highchairs available.

Picantos

Picantos is a street food vendor operating from Lunar Park, Birmingham’s vibrant drive-in food court. They specialise in halal Mexican cuisine, with their signature dish being slow-braised birria tacos featuring tender, deeply flavourful beef in corn tortillas soaked in rich broth, finished with melted cheese, onions, cilantro and pickled red onions. The venue is run by an authentic Muslim Mexican operator and has earned strong reviews for quality and service. Lunar Park itself is an outdoor street food collective housed in a car park, offering a casual, lively atmosphere perfect for groups.

The Mayan

The Mayan is Birmingham’s first fine-dining modern Mexican restaurant, blending ancient Mayan flavours with contemporary culinary techniques. The striking interior centres on a spectacular Ceiba Tree sculpture with dark velvet seating, gold accents, and an impressive back-bar showcasing mezcals, tequilas, and craft cocktails prepared by skilled mixologists collaborating with local brand Spirits of Anarchy. The menu features sizzling fajitas, ceviche, slow-cooked meats, and premium steaks, with handcrafted corn tortillas made on-site. All chicken, lamb and beef are halal. Friday and Saturday bring 90-minute bottomless brunches and Tulum night DJs creating a lively, atmospheric vibe. The canalside location on Wharfside Street is 11 minutes walk from New Street Station.

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.