25 best restaurants in Birmingham for a tasty trip in the Second City

Smoke and Ash, Edgbaston Village

The arcing Greenfield Crescent is the elegant epicentre of Edgbaston Village, and it’s home to one of Birmingham’s finest pizza joints. Smoke and Ash specialise in Neapolitan pizza, and their 17 styles boast toppings including tender mortadella ham, hot nduja sausage and indulgent gorgonzola dolce, while the place’s homely service and bay windows make it feel like a large living room (which is no bad thing).

Their wines and cocktails are just as considered as the pizza, with the signature Chilli and Yuzu Margarita’s spicy blend of Blanco tequila, yuzu sake, mango syrup, chilli and a salt rim bringing some serious heat to a rather genteel neighbourhood.

Address: 2 Greenfield Crescent, Edgbaston Village B15 3AU
Website: smokeandashpizza.co.uk

Maneki, Jewellery Quarter

Maneki Ramen’s handsome Brooklyn townhouse-esque home in the Jewellery Quarter has been a turnstile of failed ventures and bad ideas over the last decade. Still, judging by the quality Tokyo-inspired ramen on offer here, it should have a permanent occupant for years to come. Initially founded in Worcester, Maneki’s Birmingham instalment is a sleek, minimalist space that’s often busy, so make sure to book ahead.

Drizzled in bright green torogashi mayo, the karaage chicken is a densely aromatic starter, while the crispy roast duck Sichuan is the pick of several sublime ramen bowls. Wash it all down with Asahi beer, Japanese whisky or their own house sake.

Address: 21 Ludgate Hill, Birmingham B3 1DW
Website: manekiramen.com