San Carlo Fumo in Birmingham is a sophisticated Italian restaurant, cocktail bar, and late lounge that brings the authentic flavours of Italy to the West Midlands. Part of the award-winning San Carlo Group, Fumo is a sleek and contemporary dining destination, blending high-quality ingredients with a vibrant atmosphere. Located at 1 Waterloo Street, this stylish venue offers an extensive menu of cicchetti-style Italian dishes, designed for sharing, alongside an expertly crafted cocktail list.
San Carlo Group was founded in Birmingham in 1984 by Carlo Distefano, and over the decades, it has built a reputation for impeccable service, freshly prepared regional dishes, and a passion for never compromising on quality. Every week, the finest ingredients are sourced directly from Milan’s markets, ensuring an unrivalled level of authenticity and excellence in every dish.
Fumo’s menu is a celebration of Italian culinary tradition, offering everything from indulgent small plates to handmade pizzas and expertly prepared pasta. The Stuzzichini section is packed with flavourful bites, including Sourdough and Beef Stew, a rich, slow-cooked Florentine beef dish served on toasted sourdough. The Nodini Con Panna e Tartufo is a luxurious delight, featuring small hand-shaped knots of fresh mozzarella infused with black truffle and served with crostini. Meanwhile, the Burrata e Pomodoro offers a taste of Puglia, pairing creamy burrata with marinated beef tomato carpaccio and fresh basil.
For those craving something crispy and golden, the Fritti section delivers true Italian comfort food. The Fried Tomino and Truffle Cream is a standout, with crispy Tomino cheese from Piedmont served alongside a rich truffle sauce. Classic Sicilian Arancini - crispy rice balls filled with beef ragù - provide the perfect bite-sized indulgence.
Moving onto heartier plates, the Risotto alla Zucca is a warming dish of pumpkin risotto, featuring vegetarian 'nduja and fresh winter truffle. The Caserecce con Ragù di Polpette offers slow-cooked lamb meatballs in a fragrant tomato sauce, while the Gnocchi Sorrentina delivers a comforting Southern Italian baked pasta with tomato and burrata cheese. Freshly made pizza is also a highlight, with options like the Pollo Parmigiana, topped with smoked chicken, fior di latte, and Grana Padano, or the fiery Basilicata, featuring spicy sausage, chilli, and tomato.