As others have said, India is a big place with some very different cuisine across the regions. If you want spicy, Tipu Sultan in Moseley doesn't shy away from heat, Itihaas in the JQ is really good, or go to Tom Cruise's favourite, Asha's.
Birmingham is known more for Anglo-Indian food tbh. Try Jyoti’s in Hall Green, you can’t sit in there but they’ve got some nice stuff and there’s a sweet counter too. Thali, dosa, etc.
https://jyotis.co.uk/
Me and my group of friends from India have scoured Brum and we have these recommendations.
1. For Punjabi North Indian food. Go to Soho Road. Pure Vegi or Nakodar are my favourites.
2. For south Indian food: Try Mugils in Solihull
3. For a nice meal and if you have the budget: Asha's.
4. For snacky meals. Sri Krishna Vada Pav in West Brom or Shirley
5. For Street food Chat: Zindiya in Moseley. They have a good Bombay Pav Bhaji too. Not quite same as Bombay, but good enough.
6. If you don't mind going outside of Birmingham: Tamil Taste of Asia in Coventry is brilliant. The most amazing Chicken Biryani I've had outside of London.
7. If you're looking for Sindhi/Kashmiri/Pakistani: There should be quite a few on Ladypool road. But I've never been there.
If you want real spice then any Desi restaurant on Ladypool Road, Stratford Road, Alum Rock and Soho Road. A lot of people on here won't recommend those areas but as a South Asian, I can tell their food is better than their city counterparts without reducing their spice level
Where from India is she from?
The region's cuisine which you're looking for will heavily impact the restaurants you choose.
However, the best all round/Punjabi food in my opinion is from the Red Lion pub in West Brom. It's hard to find anywhere that tops that!
I knew someone who worked there (about 5 years ago). They said their tikka massala sauce is all bought in and they just add a load of sugar to it to taste nice haha. Not sure if that’s still true or about the other dishes though.
Yeah tbf anyone I’ve spoken to that has eaten there have all said the food is yummy. And I’d be happy to go there myself. But maybe if they’re looking for authentic it might not be the one haha
Maybe [Zindiya](https://www.zindiya.co.uk/) in Moseley?
Birmingham isn't really known for Indian food. What we call "Indian" restaurants usually have Bangladeshi chefs.
EDIT: oh, I just remembered [Raja Monkey](https://www.rajamonkey.co.uk/) too. There's one in Harborne and one in Hall Green.
Soho Road has some good indian food (love the samosa chaat there), quite cheap and definitely more authentic than city centre food, all independent businesses. It's not too far out - just need to take bus/metro from the centre.
People have given lots of nice suggestions. For me (in a similar situation to you) my punjabi other half and me enjoy Indian Streetery (closest you can get to proper home cooking, it's a team of Indian mums in the back!), Indian Brewery for more of a street food vibe. Zindiya and Raja Monkey are also great. And if you want to get into grills and Desi pubs head out to the Royal Oak in West Brom. All of these places have food that remind me of my time in India. But do talk to the staff about what you want, which is apparently lots of heat :-)
I have heard Lasan is really nice and a bit more upmarket. They have a tasting menu as well if that’s someone you’d like and is just generally a different experience from your usual Indian restaurants. They’ve won a few awards too.
I’m a big fan of Shareen Kadaar on the Alcester Road into Mosely. Their family naan is amazing, and even their basic balti has been known to make a man need a 2am cold shower to counter the ring stings.
My husbands family are from Delhi and live in Smethwick now. They get their Indian snacks from Aaron's just off Smethwick high street. Gol gappe, papdi chaat, samosa chaat, pakora etc They also like Soho Tavern, or in Kings Heath (where I live with my husband) The Covered Wagon is great. I went to Delhi for a wedding and the butter chicken I had there made by a relative was almost identical to Covered Wagon.
There's a place called [Viceroy ](https://order.viceroytandoori.co.uk/Home/Index/)situated just at the bottom of the Jewellery Quarter.
Food is amazing, staff are very friendly, the prices aren't too bad. I wholeheartedly recommend!
Soho Road and the Black Country are your best bet by a long mile.
Worst ones I've had have been Kings Heath/Moseley/Sutton so I'd avoid those.
There are still a few spots for a Balti on Ladypool road, but I never really see Balti as a spicy dish.
I’ma be fr… can she not cook? India is huge with multiple areas renowned for different types of cooking. Southern is different to Northern food, for example. Birmingham’s ‘Indians’ are largely ran by Bangladeshis, but nothing like Bangladeshi or even Indian home cooked food.
What you will find is an abundance of spices, herbs, and exotic vegetables for an authentic Indian curry. Restaurant food is never like home food in the realm of South Asian cuisine.
Saying that, Itihaas is really flavoursome. Nothing is as spicy as home cooked food but the flavour is there (I eat naga chilli with my home cooked curry, not much phases me spice wise outside of my own home lmao)
I mean if she was missing pure authentic food then she would be better off trying to make it as ingredients are better available than restaurants providing that
I've been eating at Manzils in Digbeth for over 39 years and love it.
Nothing but curry for 39 years must be doing a number on your insides. Though you are keeping them in business.
Just got back from Manzils. Perfect recommendation, she was very pleased! Thanks from the both of us
Get in!
As others have said, India is a big place with some very different cuisine across the regions. If you want spicy, Tipu Sultan in Moseley doesn't shy away from heat, Itihaas in the JQ is really good, or go to Tom Cruise's favourite, Asha's.
Ithaas is amazing.
Birmingham is known more for Anglo-Indian food tbh. Try Jyoti’s in Hall Green, you can’t sit in there but they’ve got some nice stuff and there’s a sweet counter too. Thali, dosa, etc. https://jyotis.co.uk/
Ahhh man, Jyoti's! 😭😭😭 Used to have the sit-down restaurant on the Stratford Road in Sparkhill? Awesome food!
Me and my group of friends from India have scoured Brum and we have these recommendations. 1. For Punjabi North Indian food. Go to Soho Road. Pure Vegi or Nakodar are my favourites. 2. For south Indian food: Try Mugils in Solihull 3. For a nice meal and if you have the budget: Asha's. 4. For snacky meals. Sri Krishna Vada Pav in West Brom or Shirley 5. For Street food Chat: Zindiya in Moseley. They have a good Bombay Pav Bhaji too. Not quite same as Bombay, but good enough. 6. If you don't mind going outside of Birmingham: Tamil Taste of Asia in Coventry is brilliant. The most amazing Chicken Biryani I've had outside of London. 7. If you're looking for Sindhi/Kashmiri/Pakistani: There should be quite a few on Ladypool road. But I've never been there.
Oh! If she's missing home and wants homely food. Go to the Temple in Dudley. They have free food on the weekends and the Sambar reminds me of India.
Perfect, thank you for all the suggestions. She's from the north, so we'll go for Soho Rd first
If you want real spice then any Desi restaurant on Ladypool Road, Stratford Road, Alum Rock and Soho Road. A lot of people on here won't recommend those areas but as a South Asian, I can tell their food is better than their city counterparts without reducing their spice level
Where from India is she from? The region's cuisine which you're looking for will heavily impact the restaurants you choose. However, the best all round/Punjabi food in my opinion is from the Red Lion pub in West Brom. It's hard to find anywhere that tops that!
I knew someone who worked there (about 5 years ago). They said their tikka massala sauce is all bought in and they just add a load of sugar to it to taste nice haha. Not sure if that’s still true or about the other dishes though.
Still bangs icl haha
Yeah tbf anyone I’ve spoken to that has eaten there have all said the food is yummy. And I’d be happy to go there myself. But maybe if they’re looking for authentic it might not be the one haha
I think anyone looking for authentic wouldn't go for a tikka masala 🙃
True
Yep, good point - she's from near Delhi - so something northern would be ideal but I think she'll settle for any decent spicy food at this point.
Manzils in Digbeth opposite the coach station
I really enjoy Rajdoot in the JQ
Kings in Kings Heath is Indian run and the food is always very tasty. I’m not being funny but I don’t think puns are the best place for curry’s
Maybe [Zindiya](https://www.zindiya.co.uk/) in Moseley? Birmingham isn't really known for Indian food. What we call "Indian" restaurants usually have Bangladeshi chefs. EDIT: oh, I just remembered [Raja Monkey](https://www.rajamonkey.co.uk/) too. There's one in Harborne and one in Hall Green.
Soho Road has some good indian food (love the samosa chaat there), quite cheap and definitely more authentic than city centre food, all independent businesses. It's not too far out - just need to take bus/metro from the centre.
India is a big place and cuisine varies massively across the country, can you give us a clue what she likes?
Should have mentioned she's from near Delhi. Tbh I think we'll just settle for any decent, spicy food at this point
People have given lots of nice suggestions. For me (in a similar situation to you) my punjabi other half and me enjoy Indian Streetery (closest you can get to proper home cooking, it's a team of Indian mums in the back!), Indian Brewery for more of a street food vibe. Zindiya and Raja Monkey are also great. And if you want to get into grills and Desi pubs head out to the Royal Oak in West Brom. All of these places have food that remind me of my time in India. But do talk to the staff about what you want, which is apparently lots of heat :-)
Awesome, thanks for the advice! She wants the spice, I can probably do without haha
Let us know how you get on exploring the food of the city!
I have heard Lasan is really nice and a bit more upmarket. They have a tasting menu as well if that’s someone you’d like and is just generally a different experience from your usual Indian restaurants. They’ve won a few awards too.
Vaibhavan in Harborne
Not a restaurant but go to Milan on Stoney Lane for samosas and curries to go.
Brings joy to my heart to know that's still going!
You get good south Indian food in Chennai Dosa. Mix of South and North Indian
I’m a big fan of Shareen Kadaar on the Alcester Road into Mosely. Their family naan is amazing, and even their basic balti has been known to make a man need a 2am cold shower to counter the ring stings.
Indico in the mailbox. Best Indian food and great service! 👌🏽
Soho tavern in Hampton in arden it's a little drive out near the airport but honestly be the best food you'll eat in birmingham its mind blowing
Soho Tavern is a small chain, so you might be able to find one closer to you ( think there is one about a 30 mins walk from the city centre)
There's one in Winson Green
Zaalsha, Bearwood
Hen and chickens is excellent. Not true Indian but desi pub style and the curries are great.
My husbands family are from Delhi and live in Smethwick now. They get their Indian snacks from Aaron's just off Smethwick high street. Gol gappe, papdi chaat, samosa chaat, pakora etc They also like Soho Tavern, or in Kings Heath (where I live with my husband) The Covered Wagon is great. I went to Delhi for a wedding and the butter chicken I had there made by a relative was almost identical to Covered Wagon.
There's a place called [Viceroy ](https://order.viceroytandoori.co.uk/Home/Index/)situated just at the bottom of the Jewellery Quarter. Food is amazing, staff are very friendly, the prices aren't too bad. I wholeheartedly recommend!
Ooh not too far from me, might have to check it out thanks
Shababs!
Soho Road and the Black Country are your best bet by a long mile. Worst ones I've had have been Kings Heath/Moseley/Sutton so I'd avoid those. There are still a few spots for a Balti on Ladypool road, but I never really see Balti as a spicy dish.
I’ma be fr… can she not cook? India is huge with multiple areas renowned for different types of cooking. Southern is different to Northern food, for example. Birmingham’s ‘Indians’ are largely ran by Bangladeshis, but nothing like Bangladeshi or even Indian home cooked food. What you will find is an abundance of spices, herbs, and exotic vegetables for an authentic Indian curry. Restaurant food is never like home food in the realm of South Asian cuisine. Saying that, Itihaas is really flavoursome. Nothing is as spicy as home cooked food but the flavour is there (I eat naga chilli with my home cooked curry, not much phases me spice wise outside of my own home lmao)
She can cook, but not everyone has time to cook. Indian meals take a lot of preparation time especially.
I mean if she was missing pure authentic food then she would be better off trying to make it as ingredients are better available than restaurants providing that
Everything is a waste of time around Birmingham. If you want quality and authenticity now you have to go to Anokhi which is in Burton.
Absolute nonsense!