My favourite restaurants: Aktar Islam's guide to dining out in Birmingham

One of Britain’s most visionary chefs, Aktar Islam has dedicated his career to elevating Indian cuisine within the world of fine dining. Immersed in Birmingham’s hospitality scene since the age of 13, the Brummie-born chef has amassed an impressive list of accolades, not least becoming the first British-born Bangladeshi chef to be awarded a Michelin star. His contributions to both the city and the cuisine cannot be overstated, and there are few people better suited to guide you through Brum’s best foodie destinations.

From working at his father’s Solihull curry house, to launching his debut restaurant in Shirley and later establishing Opheem - the first restaurant in Birmingham to hold two Michelin stars - Aktar has not only witnessed the evolution of the West Midlands food landscape, but has actively shaped it. ‘Birmingham's food scene has matured enormously over the last decade. Not because we've accumulated more awards or more tasting menus, but because we've developed a stronger sense of our own identity,’ he says.

A familiar face on television programmes such as MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu, Aktar is a leading representative for the Midlands. His unique cooking style uses humble ingredients, Indian flavours and forward-thinking techniques to create boundary-pushing plates. One of his signatures, a Pink Fir potato dish, is a leading example of how the chef takes an ordinary ingredient and turns it into something extraordinary, utilising water-bathing and deep-frying to achieve textural perfection.

For Aktar, though, cooking is about more than polish and precision. ‘Birmingham has never lacked character, though it sometimes lacks its confidence. Some of the city's best restaurants are the ones that lean fully into who they are.’ In May 2026, Aktar took his winning formula to London with the launch of Oudh 1722, marking his first restaurant outside of Birmingham. Inspired by Awadhi cooking, the restaurant was an out-the-gates success with a concise yet impressive tasting menu.

Whether he’s in front of the camera or behind the pass, Aktar certainly has a busy schedule. ‘People often ask me where I eat when I'm not in my own restaurants. When I have a free evening, I'm looking for places with identity, places that know exactly what they are, run by people cooking from instinct rather than following trends,’ he says. That thinking certainly runs through the choices in this list. Here are some of the chef's Birmingham-based favourites.

Trillium, Queensway

Aktar says: 'There was always going to be noise around Glynn Purnell's return to the restaurant scene, but what I like about Trillium is that it doesn't feel like a nostalgia project; it feels like a chef rediscovering what he wants to cook. The menu features dishes such as Trillium milk loaf with malt vinegar glaze and chicken fat dip, alongside Brummie cakes with bacon jam and clotted cream. What strikes me is the balance; it's polished without being stiff. There are fine dining-style touches throughout the menu, but they're delivered with a confidence that doesn't need white tablecloths or ceremony. Glynn has always understood flavour first, which is easy to forget because people often focus on the theatrics. Beneath it all, he has always been a chef who knows how to make food enjoyable and Trillium feels like an extension of that philosophy.' 
Where: 1 Snow Hill, Queensway, B4 6GH
Book now: Trillium

670 Grams, Deritend

Aktar says: 'Chefs often talk about telling the story of their city, but Kray and Sacha genuinely do it. At 670 Grams, the tasting menus aren't built around an abundance of luxury ingredients or classical French references. Instead, it draws on Birmingham itself. Dishes include a Balti pie, sweetcorn with caviar, 'The Brummie Welcome' and a dessert called 'Milk Street', all inspired by the city's history and identity. What I admire most is that Kray has resisted the temptation to become more conventional as his success has grown. 670 Grams remains playful, rebellious and deeply personal. You leave with the feeling that you've learnt something about Kray, Sacha and Birmingham itself. For me, that's what great modern cooking should do.' 
Where: 4 Gibb Street, Deritend, B9 4AA
Book now: 670 Grams

A La Mexicana, Bearwood

Aktar says: 'If somebody asked me where they could eat the most honest food in the city, this would be near the top of my list. A La Mexicana doesn't rely on clever interiors, marketing campaigns or PR. It's a family-run restaurant built around authentic recipes, handmade tortillas and the kind of hospitality that can't be taught. The tacos are exceptional: freshly pressed tortillas are filled with chicken tinga, carnitas, chorizo or birria. The quesadillas are brilliant, the enchiladas are comforting and even the desserts feel like they've been made by somebody who genuinely wants you to leave happy. I love restaurants like this because they remind us that authenticity isn't a marketing word, it's the product of people cooking the food they grew up with and serving it with pride. Every city needs places like A La Mexicana.' 
Where: 177 Sandon Road, B66 4AA
Book now: A La Mexicana

Bonehead, Birmingham City Centre

Aktar says: 'Birmingham has plenty of burger and chicken restaurants, but Bonehead is the only one that feels essential. Sham has built a proper local institution that, on paper, sounds simple: fried chicken, burgers, wings and fries, but it's the execution that sets it apart. The Bonehead Burger remains one of the best chicken burgers in the city and The Hothead seasoning brings proper Nashville-style heat. The Dragon Burger with sriracha honey glaze and the Lizard King with bourbon BBQ glaze have both become cult favourites for good reason. I particularly admire that Bonehead never tries to be anything else: no gimmicks, no identity crisis, just top-tier fried chicken, loud music, cold beer and a room full of people having a good time.' 
Where: 8 Lower Severn Street, B1 1PU
Book now: Bonehead

Soi 1268, Stirchley

Aktar says: 'Soi 1268 transports you somewhere else within the first few bites. The team have spent years building a reputation through Buddha Belly, and what they've created in Stirchley feels genuinely distinctive. Their food isn't 'Thai-inspired'; it's simply Thai: the flavours are direct, vibrant and unapologetic. Two of my favourite dishes are the beef massaman, which is rich and deeply comforting, and the spicy chicken panang, which delivers warmth and fragrance in equal measure. The Thai-fried chicken has developed a loyal following, and the generously topped king prawn toast is delicious. They don't dial back regional spices for local palates; they simply trust the food. When the cooking is that good, you don't need to tweak it.' 
Where: 1268 Pershore Road, B30 2XU
Book now: Soi 1268

Want some more chef recommendations? Check out Romy Gill's top spots in Bristol and Judy Joo's favourite Korean restaurants in London. And if you're keen to discover more of Birmingham's food scene, here are some fun places to have on your radar.