This place is a real oddity. Very old fashioned and mainly inhabited by ageing Poles. Pictures of the (last) Pope abound.

Head downstairs for the great little Polish food store (good vodka and sausages) and the interesting restaurant. This place serves seriously authentic Polish food. Anyone who has eaten Polish food will know that it is an acquired taste, but for those who already know they like it, this place is excellent. Beware - the menu is in Polish and many of the staff do not speak English.

Polish Catholic Centre Social Centre Bordesley StBirmingham
B5 5PH

0121 358 7102

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One of the most charming small museums in Birmingham with a recently added visitor centre and tea room. A real Brummy gem. The house itself is very small, but taken together this is a real treat.

Opening Times:
Open from 31st March to 28th October
Tuesday to Sunday 11.30am - 4pm
Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays

Blakesley Road
Yardley
Birmingham
B25 8RN
Tel: +44 [0]121 464 2193

www.bmag.org.uk/index.php?type=element&maincat=1&subcat=2&subelement=2

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The Custard Factory is a large former industrial complex housing creative businesses and a number of nice cafes and bars, including the Medicine Bar and Rooty Fruity.

There a few galleries, shops and showrooms that are also worth a visit.

You don't feel like you're in Brum when you visit this place, which for most people is a good thing.

Gibb Square, Birmingham, B9 4AA
0121 224 7777

info@custardfactory.com www.custardfactory.com/

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Simple little veggie place in Digbeth. It's been there for years and still produces consistently tasty and wholesome food. Good value too. One of only a few such places in Birmingham.

54-57 Allison Street
Eastside
B5 5TH

0121 6330261

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Just one of the best restaurants in Birmingham. Upmarket and quite pricey but a millions miles away from most of the rubbish served up elsewhere in Brum. Well worth splashing out on. Four lovely rooms upstairs as well for any one staying over.

Simpsons Restaurant
20 Highfield Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 3DU

Tel: 0121 454 3434

info@simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk
www.simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk/index.asp

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This historic Grade 2-listed building is Birmingham's finest example of Victorian pub architecture, resplendent in decorative tiles and stained glass.

The pub serves Oakham's award-winning real ales, guest ales from the region and across the country and imported bottled beers from around the world. Authentic freshly cooked Thai food is served from 12 noon-2.30pm and 5.30-10pm Tuesday to Sunday.

One of Birmingham's true gems.

144 High Street
Birmingham
B6 4UP

0121 333 5988

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Proper desi food. This is probably one of the best restaurants in the Balti Triangle as it's been christened.

It's balti food aimed more at brown people - of which I am one, so when you pop in you will see the place is usually rammed full of desi families.

Worth going just to check out the chairs.

No Chicken Tikka Massala here. Just proper Kashmiri cusine. I recommend the Achari Chicken with Chilli naan bread.

Only downside is that the portions aren't great.

706 Stratford Road, Sparkhill Birmingham
B11 4AT Map
Tel 0121 778 4450

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I had dinner at Sibila's yesterday and it was such an experience! I found a fantastic atmosphere (quiet and tidy in, views out), a wide range of food options and a very friendly staff. Please, try the 'Chinese Hat and Mediterranean Soul' or the 'Grilled Haloumi Caesar Salad'. Just splendid, honestly. Another recommendation: table for 2 by the window. Again, a great experience.

www.sibilasrestaurant.co.uk

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Although purely vegetarian, this Southern Indian restaurant is the best place for a curry in Birmingham. Don't just take my word for it, the walls are adorned with photos of TV chefs visiting! There's enormous variety in the menu, to ensure that no meat eater will go away feeling robbed. Plus, there's a fantastic sweet shop next door.

Advance booking is recommended!

569-571 Stratford Road, Sparkhill,
Birmingham B11 4LS

Tel: 0121 766 7199

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Vegetarian restaurant tucked away in the corner of the Custard Factory in Digbeth. Serves up big plates of tasty veggie fare, such as bean chilli and vegetable curries, for one price. Also serves nice fruit smoothies, organic teas and hot chocolate and divine homemade cakes.

Custard Factory, Digbeth

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Really unusual bar, with a Gothic theme - almost like you are sat inside a haunted house. Lots of leather chairs, fireplaces and intimate booths. Serves tasty food too. Great place to escape the shopping crowds.

Underneath the Burlington Hotel, off New Street in the city centre.

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A traditional takeaway but once you have tasted their superb fish and chips you really won't want any others!

Very good selection of fresh fish, delivered daily, and the chips are cooked to perfection, hot, dry and crisp. Sometimes have to queue but always worth the wait.
In fact the f & c are so good that the "Westlife" boy band called in recently. They didn't sing for their supper but did enjoy it and agreed to have their photo on the wall where it still hangs.

372, Court Oak Road,
Harborne, Birmingham
Tel: 0121 427 2684

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This is a really unusual little restaurant, attached to a health spa (but with its own entrance). The menu is vegetarian with multiple Eastern and European influences and some really unusual but very tasty dishes. Lunch is also good. Mid price. In the summer you can sit outside by a quiet private branch off Birmingham's canal network. Book in advance at peak times as the restaurant isn't huge.

Canal Square, Browning Street, Birmingham, B16 8EH (best approached on foot from Sheepcote Street - there is a driveway to apartments off the west side of the street which leads to a footbridge over the canal, the restaurant is on the right). www.bodyandbeing.co.uk/sibilasnew/index.html +44(0)121 456 7634. About 1/2 mile from Five Ways station.

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Fish dishes are a speciality and highly recommended. One of the best South Asian restaurants in the region. Located in Clent Hills which is ideal for a long walk before or after lunch.

Jaipur Cottage, St Leonards Square, 92 Church Avenue, Hagley, West Midlands, DY9 9PN. About 8 miles from Birmingham.
01562 882 456

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This food store never seems to fail you - is it sour cream you need, raisin bagels, Iranian gaz sweets or those little olives with pimentoes? Or how about Honduran coffee or unputdownable Reese's Peanut Butter cups?

Hamid sits behind his counter reading his Farsi literature and unfailingly comes up with the goods- the best place in the midlands by the way for Halva and Turkish delight.

103 Alcester Road
Moseley
Birmingham

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Dispenses with the usual k-tel classics you get in curry houses, and opts instead for an altogether cooler soundtrack, as well as fabulous live jazz nights on Wednesdays.

107 Alcester Road, Birmingham, B13 8DD; Tel:0121 449 3883

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Award-winning curry restaurant in the famous Birmingham Balti Triangle. Widely regarded as the place to go for the best balti in Birmingham. Try the aubergine pakora and any of the house specials. Remember to bring your own beer as its unlicensed.

186 Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, B12 8JS;
Tel: 0121 753 3120; www.alfrash.com

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