With the Birmingham Commonwealth Games running from Thursday 28 July to Monday 8 August, many will be visiting the UK’s Second City to watch the sports… and, of course, wine, dine and brunch in Brum. Here’s a selection of some of my favourite brunch spots. Scroll down to the end to see them on a map so you can plan any shopping trips and days out accordingly!
THE EARLY BIRD BAKERY
Think I may crown this as Brum’s best Avocado! Creamy avocado is combined with dukkah, and sprinkled with Persian feta, to create a soft, decadent avocado dish. Topped with pickled radish and heirloom tomato to add some extra juice! The runny poached egg is the cherry on top of this treat, and floods the plate with an orange delight.
The Early Bird Bakery is a popular hotspot for locals and those who trek for a delicious brunch so make sure to leave time to queue. I can confirm it is worth the wait (and the trek) twice over!
YORKS
Strategically located just outside Birmingham’s Bullring&Grand Central Shopping Centre & New Street Station, you have no excuses for missing this café when in the area. The interior boasts fine, high quality wooden tables, and the fairy lights create a quaint and cosy atmosphere – the perfect location for a brunch catch up with a friend.
Smashed avo is combined with feta cheese and spread on perfectly toasted sourdough- sure to get your mouth watering. Topped with a poached egg, aleppo chilli flakes & coriander… enough to send your taste buds tingling. Pair your avo smash with their signature coffees & you’ve got a perfect brunch. Beans are roasted on site – and you can even pop in on Tuesday’s to watch the roasting in action!
MORRIDGE
My favourite coffee in Birmingham! Coffees are made using Monmouth coffee beans, which you can also buy to use at home.
This quaint little coffee shop is located in the Great Western Arcade, just opposite House of Fraser, and has such cosy, homely vibes!. Step inside, and you will be transported to the 70s – orange, white, khaki, brown and green tones flow throughout the cafe, and flower power energy reverberates throughout the cafe.
Upstairs, you will find two cosy swingy chairs, with knitted pillows and throws, and potted green plants, creating a “at home at Grandmas” vibe. Dark, burgundy wood tables fill the cafe, and retro prints are plastered on the back wall.
Why Morridge? Founded by brother and sister duo, the Morris siblings also serve yummy porridge! Their signature porridge base is cooked with organic Pimhill oats, organic oat milk, and cinnamon. Delicious!
ELIO
A calm, soothing, pastel paradise in the heart of the Mailbox. Elio is the perfect place to have a remote working session or study session if you’re looking for a quiet and tranquil place to study.
The soft, light background music adds a relaxing feel to calm your nerves. The coral, peach and muted white colour add to the peaceful ambiance, complementing the light wooden floorboards and wicker chairs.
I love the versatility of the space – there are low coffee tables if you would prefer to sit down and recline with a good book; square worktables if you have a laptop session and higher, circular bar tables for a a yummy brunch catch up with a friend!
The latte art is “First Class” as Jack Harlow would say (that song is doing the rounds in my head to the point I’m going insane haha). This flat white was made by the talented Gina- check out her insta for some coffee inspo! Made with All Press’ original beans, this coffee has spicy notes intertwined with dark fruit. If you prefer dark dark chocolate rotes, then I’d recommend the All Press ART Dark Roast.
THE HATCH
The best latte art I have seen so far in Birmingham! The Hatch use Quarter Horse coffee’s “Dark Horse Espresso” blend which changes composition seasonally. Located in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter, The Hatch is a cute little hatch (surprise surprise) attached to local salon Hazel & Hayden. Do note that this is more of a take-away coffee spot than a sit in cafe.
QUARTER HORSE COFFEE
Located moments away from the Bullring and the Mailbox, Quarter Horse Coffee is a great place to grab a coffee pre or post your shopping spree. QH is actually Birmingham’s first coffee roastery-café! – Founded in Feb 2015!
200 DEGREES COFFEE
My new second home – I’m always working here as a “digital nomad”. It’s my favourite coffee-work spot in Brum! It’s one of the few places that is open until late (8pm to be precise), so you can start bright and early, go out for a nice lunch break, and come back for round 2, 3, 4 and more! 200 Degrees is a true honeypot & you will meet many interesting people from many walks of life… you may even have arrange a coffee for another day & learn a thing or two
200 degrees also have a Barista School! Sign me up, now! They have a multitude of courses running regularly. From the basic barista course, to home brewing to an intermediate barista course and advanced latte art course…. there’s a course for novices like me to seasoned professionals! SO, what are you waiting for?
SAINT KITCHEN
Saint Kitchen is a hidden GEM in the heart of the JEWELLERY quarter (sorry for the poor pun)! Their artisan coffee combines Origin Coffee beans with oat, soy or traditional milk, to create a soft coffee to fuel you for the day ahead. Wooden tables with metal pipe legs fill the cafe and, combined with metal chairs, industrial lights, this creates a conducive space for remote studying, blogging and working!
Feeling hungry! You’ve GOT to try Saint Kitchen’s Avocado Smash! It’s a yummy brunch dish with smashed Avo resting on a perfectly toasted bagel… combined with perfectly poached and runny Harissa eggs… you’ve got a delicious brunch!
JAVA COFFEE LOUNGE
Java Coffee Lounge is a quaint little coffee shop in a Grade I listed building, right next to Victoria Square. They bring innovative coffees to the heart of Colmore Business District! Pictured is their signature Lawson drink. Admittedly, when I first heard of this drink I was preplexed- how had the coffee queen not heard of this drink?! Turns out it’s Java’s signature cup- try it & you will fall in love! It’s best described as a hybrid of a cappuccino and double macchiato! 2 espresso shots, & a dollop of frothed milk in a smaller than cappuccino cup. It’s a frothy, velvety & super concentrated & compact caffeine kick! Why Lawson? The legend goes that the drink was made for a regular customer, Lawson, & the drink is named in his honour!
KUULA POKE
Voted “The Best Salads and Poke Bowls” on Deliveroo!
Born in Hawaii, Inspired by Japan, Enhanced in Cali & Refined in Brum, Kuula’s Poké bowls really are sunshine in a bowl. Inspired by the poké bowls of LA, founder Felicity travelled to Paris to learn how to create elegant poké bowls with a modern twist, and in 2019 Kuula Birmingham was born. I think this is Brum’s first (and only) poke bowl restaurant – is if your craving a taste of Hawaii, this is the place to go.
As always, let me know what your favourites brunch spots in Brum are, and where I should try next. For now, enjoy the Games, fuel your day with great coffee & tuck into a delicious avocado toast. Lots of love, Jo xoxo
