Birmingham is still in my opinion behind compared to other major cities for vegan places to eat. With that said, it is slowly getting better with more options and has a few hidden gems in the most unlikely of places. Considering Birmingham is the “second” city it is certainly not in terms of vegan eat outs. I am going to share some of the places that we love to eat (in no particular order) at and give you some recommendations on what to eat! Some you will be familiar with and others you might not be but all have great vegan options.
[spacer height=”20px”]
Super Vegan Alex
A solo business run as a pop up that is within walking distance of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. It is every Thursday and Saturday so you only get chance to go here twice a week although we are hoping she adds more days soon. Alex is usually there cooking up some great food that is unique. There is nowhere else in Birmingham that does this style of food as of yet and to add the prices of the food are really cheap. You can get a lot for your money on £10. We love to support a local business, especially ones that create tasty vegan food. Alex also does cooking classes demonstrating and teaching you how to make her style of vegan food in Birmingham. We are yet to do a cooking course, however, we are planning on signing up to one of the ones in the near future.
Location – Franky James cafe, Hockley, B18 5JH (11:00am – 3:30pm) Thursday’s and now Saturdays
Our Recommendation – Pulled pork style jackfruit bagel, wedges, and salad. Or Rasculture’s tasty Falafel Wrap, we usually treat ourselves for two!
Website- MasterClass Booking- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk
[spacer height=”20px”]
[spacer height=”40px”]
Natural Healthy Foods
Birmingham’s first 100% organic restaurant. The variety of food is amazing. If you have a sweet tooth then fear not as Natural Healthy Foods has you covered. I can’t help every time I walk past popping in and grabbing a raw treat. All the ingredients they use in the cakes are raw so are full of goodness. Not only are they the first organic vegetarian and vegan restaurant, they operate on a buffet style system. The concept is cool as f**k, however I have been known to help myself to more than my fair share in the past because it is just that tempting. The food was so tasty I soon forgot about the money I spent. Note to self…stop being so greedy. I try to go at least once a week. Every friend I have taken, either vegan or not have loved it as well. In addition to the restaurant they have two shops that provide all your vegan needs. The owners, Susan and Simon are lovely people and are very knowledgeable about the products the shop provides.
Location -Suffolk street (opposite mailbox) and Digbeth on Allison Street
Our Recommendation – Key lime pie and raw onion bread.
Website- naturalhealthyfoods.co.uk
[spacer height=”40px”]
[spacer height=”20px”]
Syriana
This Syrian and Lebanese restaurant is definitely the hidden gem in Birmingham for vegans. It is down the road from my work place (Henrietta Street Gym). After a heavy weight training session one morning I had ate all my food by 4pm and was working until 10pm. Anyone who trains and has been in this situation knows the feeling. Luckily, some clever somebody made an app where you can order food without speaking to anyone and have it delivered to you. If you are not familiar with Deliveroo then I don’t know whether that is a good thing or bad. Great for convenience and your taste buds but terrible for your waist measurements and bank account. I needed something quick before my next client. Syriana saved my next client some pain as I am not great when training someone hungry. After the food I ordered was tasty and cheap, I decided to go back several weeks later to try the other vegan options on the menu. I was pleasantly surprised the amount of options for vegans on Syriana’s menu. So I decided to do what most people would do and order every vegan option on the menu and had myself a pick and mix style meal with my girlfriend. Our eyes were bigger than our bellies on this occasion so we took a fair bit home.
Location – 1 Constitution Hill, Birmingham, B19 3LG
Our Recommendation – Wara Enab and Lentil rice
Website- syrianarestaurant.co.uk
[spacer height=”20px”]
Urban Coffee
Coffee lover or not you have to check out these independently owned coffee shops. There are two of these coffee shops. One of the shops is situated more central Birmingham and the other is in the coolest part of Birmingham the Jewellery Quarter (just my opinion). Being a coffee lover myself, Urban Coffee is one of my favourite places to hang out with friends and grab a take out coffee during my lunch break. The staff are always friendly and welcoming. There is a really nice vibe in Urban coffee and I always find myself bumping into regulars who live or work in the Jewellery Quarter. The regulars always make conversation which is always nice. It appears to me that the staff at Urban coffee generally care about the service that they offer unlike the likes of Costa and Starbucks. I am really trying my hardest to move away from big companies like these two and give my money to independent companies to help support local businesses.
Location – 30 Church St, Birmingham B3 2NP and The Big Peg, Warstone Lane, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham B18 6NF
Our Recommendation – Smashed avocado with chilli and lemon on sourdough toast
Website– urbanemporiums.com
[spacer height=”20px”]
Boston Tea Party
When I first went for food at Boston Tea Party (BTP) there were only a few vegan options on the menu. Fast forward three months and there are a lot of options on the menu. The plant based movement is growing which is always nice to see. Almost all the vegetarian options can be changed to the vegan alternative. One of my vegetarian friends (who will be vegan soon!) and I love going here for a catch up and talk about the meaning and life and health whilst slurping on one of the great tasting smoothies they have to offer. They only down side to BTP is that it is always rammed full of people. This is great to see as you know that they must be providing great food and drinks. However, sometimes you have to go without as there is not always a table available. I love the fact that the food they offer is available all day. It is really annoying when you go into a restaurant and see something you fancy and find out that the meal you want is only served until mid-day.
Location – 190 Corporation St, Birmingham, B4 6QD
Our Recommendation – Brown rice porridge and breakfast smoothie.
Website- www.bostonteaparty.co.uk
[spacer height=”20px”]
Warehouse cafe
This for me is the best vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Birmingham. Every time I leave here I am over the moon with the food and service. I like everything that the Warehouse cafe stands for. Not only do they provide food but they are a non-profit organisation which I love. Like I mentioned earlier I am trying to steer clear of these big organisations and trying to vote with my money by giving these smaller companies my money. The building’s roof is covered in solar panels and it also has an allotment out the back of the building. They use these ingredients that they grow in the meals that they provide. They have won Birmingham’s best vegetarian restaurant numerous times. I have a rule for myself that when ever I go here I have to order two main meals for me and no-one else to share! You would think that this would cost a fortune each time but thats another bonus at the Warehouse cafe, the food is really cheap. I don’t think I need to say anymore about this place. It is awesome.
Location- 54-57 Allison St, Birmingham B5 5TH
Recommendation– The Warehouse burger (ask for vegan option) and Beetroot Curry
Website- www.thewarehousecafe.com
[spacer height=”20px”]
[spacer height=”40px”]
U-Juice
The first smoothie business in Birmingham. Wondering around the rag markets of Birmingham is the last place you would think to find a cool local run smoothie business. The prices are very reasonable. They have plenty on the menu down at U-Juice such as smoothies, acai bowls, fresh coconuts, and kale crisps which are really tasty (made by Vegan Alex). If you have not tried the acai bowl yet then get yourself down to rag markets as soon as you can. They are refreshing and delicious. The owner is always upbeat and cracking a few jokes, he usually has us laughing. We’ve even seen the odd security guard try to flirt with the owner as he passes and also seen the owner dance to women on the outside of the building, something that sums it up. They are definitely a small business to keep your eye on. They are opening another shop soon in The Great Western Arcade and I can not wait to see it. With the arcade opposite Snow Hill train station I can imagine that it is only going to be busier than the first shop down by the bullring if that is possible. Every time I go down to grab a smoothie there is a huge queue and for good reason.
Location – Unit 22b, Bullring indoor markets, Edgbaston street, City Centre, Birmingham, B5
Recommendation – Mango passion smoothie (of course extra large)
Website- www.u-juicery.com
By Ant
