The best Indian restaurants in Birmingham

There's no arguing with Birmingham's place as one of the UK's epicentres for Indian food. In fact, the Second City still proudly holds the title of the country's curry capital.

After World War II, many South Asian families - particularly from Punjab, Gujarat and Bengal - arrived in Birmingham, attracted to the city by the wealth of jobs and cheap housing, relative to London. Those communities have grown, and evolved over the years, creating a diverse, regional Indian restaurant scene in Birmingham that includes old, family-run institutions, as well as some of the best modern Indian cooking anywhere outside of India. One only has to look at the success of restaurants like Opheem - still the only two Michelin-starred Indian restaurant outside of London - to see how Birmingham's Indian restaurants are leading the way for the UK.

Birmingham is famously home to the Balti Triangle - an area around Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Moseley, which became legendary in the 70's as a hub of exceptional curry houses. Central to that is the creation of the 'balti' - a dish that adapts traditional Pakistani and Kashmiri recipes to suit British diners, who wanted faster, lighter meals. Baltis are cooked in thin stainless steel woks, similar to a more traditional karahi, but lighter. Often these dishes are lighter and less oily than traditional curries, cooked hot and fast with lots of tomato, ginger, garlic and coriander, then served sizzling in the same pan. 

Balti houses became a phenomenon in the 80's and 90's, thanks to their combination of cheap, delicious food, BYOB drinks and lively atmosphere. Many of those original, iconic Balti houses still operate in the Balti Triangle to this day, and are worth a visit (we've included our favourites in this list). 

So, excited to try the best Indian food that Birmingham has to offer? We've pulled together our favourite places to eat right here, all you have to do is scroll down.

The Goat King

What: Birmingham’s Goat King puts goat at the heart of its inventive menu, with chef Ravinder Ubhi - the eponymous ‘Goat King’ himself - championing it as a healthy protein source. Although the heart of the cooking is Punjabi, there’s global inspiration across the menu, from the Shepherd’s Pie-adjacent Ajari Pie, to Majari goat chops with tangy salsa, and the signature slow-cooked pulled goat curry. There’s also an excellent brunch that offers pulled goat brioche buns, samosa chaat, and Punjabi-spiced chips.
Where: 27 Warstone Lane, B18 6JQ
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at The Goat King
Book now: The Goat King

Zindiya

What: Zindiya’s playful, street-food-inspired Indian menu has turned it into a neighbourhood favourite in Moseley, with signature gol gappe, and samosa chaat bursting with spice, yoghurt, and pomegranate. A la carte options include aromatic prawn curry, crispy fish with chaat masala, and zingy spiced wing, as well as some British-Indian hybrids such as the chicken tikka burger with sprouting lentil salad. Authentic, vibrant, and approachable cooking makes this ‘streatery’ worth a visit, and it also does a good afternoon tea as well.
Where: 21 Woodbridge Road, Moseley, B13 8EJ
Book now: Zindiya

Inji

What: This authentic Keralan spot is tucked away in Sutton Coldfield, but chef Nithin’s cooking is absolutely worth the trip. We appreciate the compact menu at Inji, which isn’t as overwhelming as some of Birmingham’s big curry houses, and features some distinct, delicious cooking, from Malabar Lamb Kuruma with coconut and cashew to fiery Konju Coconut Roast tiger prawns. Richly spiced curries, layered aromatics, and fresh coastal ingredients showcase southern India’s culinary depth.
Where: 422 Birmingham Road, Wylde Green, B72 1YJ
Book now: Inji

Mowgli Street Food Birmingham

What: Mowgli’s easy-going tiffin and street food style has made it a nationwide sensation, and the Birmingham site is just as good, bringing casual flair and swinging seats to the Bullring. There’s no arguing with signature bites like yoghurt chat bombs and fenugreek fries, while mains range from gunpowder chicken and Maa’s lamb chops to chef-selected tiffin boxes. There’s a good helping of familiar curries too - Keralan chicken, Goan fish, and butter chicken, for example, all served with roti, puri, or basmati rice.
Where: Unit 30, Stephenson Place, B2 4BF
Booking for a special occasion? Discover private and group dining options at Mowgli Street Food Birmingham
Book now: Mowgli Street Food Birmingham

Dishoom Birmingham

What: Dishoom is a long way from the delights of the Balti Triangle, but there’s no denying the indulgence of a Dishoom breakfast, or a dinner of black daal, okra fries, masala prawns and more. Whatever time of day you visit, Dishoom has a host of delicious things to get stuck into, whether it’s bacon naans and chilli cheese toast in the morning, or rich curries, gulab jamun and exceptional cocktails later in the day. Reliably excellent and suitable for all occasions.
Where: One Chamberlain Square, B3 3AX
Book now: Dishoom Birmingham

Opheem

What: Opheem remains the UK’s only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant outside London, showcasing chef Aktar Islam’s Bangladeshi heritage through a seasonally-led tasting menu. Expect precision-driven, inventive dishes like XO-sauced Orkney scallops, achaari pink fir potatoes with tamarind, cod in raw mango and coconut sauce, and lentil pakora with tandoori carrot. Islam’s cooking is a masterclass in layering and balance, and Opheem is deservedly regarded as one of, if not the, best Indian restaurant in the country.
Where: 48-65 Summer Row, B3 1JJ
Book now: Opheem

Lasan

What: This Jewellery Quarter gem was made famous by Gordon Ramsay, after winning The F Word’s ‘Best Local UK Restaurant’ award, and it remains one of Birmingham’s must-visit modern Indian restaurants. The menu explores the diversity of India’s regional cooking, from Konkan crab to pineapple-infused Ananas paneer, alongside sharing platters of kebabs, chicken, king prawns, and salmon. Don’t forget the majestic goat biryani, and save room for excellent desserts like sticky date pudding and Bombay Mess.
Where: Dakota Buildings, James Street, B3 1SD
Book now: Lasan

Asha's Birmingham

What: One of the UK’s most reliable Indian dining groups, Asha’s flagship restaurant lies in the heart of Birmingham, serving a huge menu of authentic, accessible Indian dishes. A range of menus cover everything, from approachable set menus to a menu dedicated to butter chicken. We’d recommend gathering a group and getting stuck into the a la carte with sharing platters and classic curries, including lamb rogan josh, Pangi fish curry, dal tadka, and tandoori chicken tikka. Asha’s is also a great celeb-spotting opportunity, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Where: 12-22 Newhall Street, B3 3LX
Book now: Asha's Birmingham

Indian Brewery Snowhill

What: Indian Brewery Snowhill majors in hearty street-food, served alongside its own craft beers. Try hand-held ‘Faat Naans’ with spiced fillings, indulgent roti rolls with chicken or paneer, masala fries, or the signature ‘chaart attack’ - stuffed samosas smothered in channa and sauces. Gluttonous, flavour-packed plates pair perfectly with floral, fresh beers on tap, under Snow Hill’s railway bridge.
Where: Arch 15 & 16, Livery Street, B3 1EU
Book now: Indian Brewery Snowhill

Shababs Balti Restaurant

What: Shababs is a Ladypool Road institution, celebrating Birmingham’s sizzling Balti heritage. Signature offerings include balti chicken, butter chicken, and chicken tikka masala, while grills feature the likes of chicken tikka, lamb chops, and seekh kebabs served on hot plates. Family-friendly yet iconic, Shababs is a cornerstone of the Balti Triangle, but it's still every bit as good as it has always been.
Where: 163-165 Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook, B12 8LQ
Book now: Shababs Balti Restaurant

Pushkar

What: Pushkar isn’t your average Broad Street curry house. This glitzy white-and-gold spot swaps sticky tablecloths for sleek design and digital fish swimming underfoot. In the kitchen, chef Bishal Rasaily (ex-Chutney Mary, Grand Maratha Sheraton) turns out light, modern Indian plates that are as pretty as they are punchy. Slick, stylish and a little bit showy, Pushkar proves that Broad Street can do bling and balance on the same plate.
Where: 245 Broad Street, B1 2HQ
Book now: Pushkar

Jyoti's

What: For all the great Indian food in Birmingham, there isn’t a huge amount of Gujarati food in the city. Jyoti's is, for our money, the best of them, offering a delicious menu of vegetarian Indian cooking. The choice is overwhelming - there are over 70 mains on the menu, as well as starters and a whole Indian sweet shop to explore. Paneer lovers, this one is for you.
Where: 1045 Stratford Road, Hall Green, B28 8AS
Book now: Jyoti's

Check out our guide to where to find the best halal food in Birmingham too, which includes a few of the restaurants in this list as well as some more international spots.