Birmingham is pretty far from the sea. Even though we are such a small island, we still have access to loads of fresh seafood, so we certainly have a good amount of chippies! But for that authentic fine dining seafood experience, there aren’t too many options, although we have a few dedicated restaurants dotted around the city. Here are all the best ‘plaices’ to get your teeth around some fish.
The Oyster Club
From the master chef behind the Michelin star winning fine dining restaurant Adam’s, Adam Stokes, comes the ultimate restaurant dedicated to high-quality seafood meals in a high-quality setting. The Oyster Club is located just down the road from St Philip’s Cathedral, so if ideally located for an inner city date night. Alongside an oyster bar, like its name suggests, they offer some of the most luxurious seafood, such as Cod Loin, Skate Wing, Dover Sole, and a selection of desserts too. They also offer a happy hour from 4 pm to 6 pm from Wednesday to Friday, where you can get 2 for 1 on English Oysters, selcted wine and fizz, and some cocktails too!
43 Temple St, Birmingham B2 5DP
The Cod’s Scallops
Okay, this one is technically a chippy, but with a sit-down restaurant area and some more unexpected menu items, I would say this counts. At The Cod’s Scallops, all the fish is freshly made to order, not just sitting under a heat lamp, and can be battered or baked with garlic, lemon & herbs. The fish options aren’t just limited to cod and scampi, but also include calamari, salmon, hake, and crab. For something more out of left field, they offer Monkfish Goujons, as well as Cod Tacos, Battered Halloumi, and Minty Pea Fritters. The dining area is small and relaxed, and you always have the option to takeaway.
85 High St, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9ND
Calamari Fish Restaurant
The owners of this Calamari Fish Restaurant are a group of friends from Egypt who missed the cuisine of home and wanted to bring it to the UK. This restaurant offers a wide selection of meals from pasta, soups, salads, and tagine dishes. Some of the dishes on their menu are Prawn Caesar Salad, Calamari Soup, Mashwy Rada Tilapia with rice and samosa, and Alfredo’s Seafood Pasta.
Unit 2 Stratford St N, Birmingham B11 1BU
Soufi
Tucked away in Moseley, Soufi is a family run grill bar and meze restaurant serving Mediterranean and seafood dishes. Their small plate meze options include many classic dishes such as calamari, tiger prawns, and scallops. When it comes to mains, the grill really comes into play, with the “Big Sou” their mixed grill platter that you can share or have all to yourself. They also offer a choice of fish such as Halibut, Octopus, Monk Fish, and Seabass. The restaurant is very reminiscent of an upscale fine-dining spot, but the atmosphere is nice and relaxed, and the food is hearty and delicious.
120 Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8EE
Pearce’s Shellfish
To finish off, it is worth including Pearce’s Shellfish on this list. It is a small stall in the Birmingham Indoor Market, not a restaurant or even really a takeaway, but it’s the place to come from some walking around snacks. As well as selling raw fish to take home, they offer cockles, whelks, and mussels with vinegar to slurp down as you explore the colloquially named “fish market”. It feels like having a treat that is usually reserved for people walking harbourside, and the owner is more than happy to accommodate your mollusc tastes. It’s first come first served and once they’re gone, they’re gone, so get down early to make sure you don’t miss out.
The Birmingham Indoor Market, 104 Edgbaston St, Birmingham B5 4RQ
Fumo
While this is not a dedicated seafood restaurant, Fumo is definitely worth a visit. They have a range of meats, pastas, pizzas, salads, streetfood, and of course fish options. Some of these fish options include Halibut, Sea Bass, Scallops, Prawns, and Cod. This elegant location is perfect to celebrate special occasions or for fancy date nights. It is certainly worth booking in advance if you’re considering going as spaces can fill up quickly!
