The Jewellery Quarter which is 15 minutes on foot from the city centre, is packed full of places to get excited about. Not just the 400 odd Jewellery stores and companies specialising in gems and precious metals, but also a range of bars and restaurants, and architectural delights.
Central to the Jewellery Quarter is St. Paul’s square, a Georgian Square complete with picturesque church. It’s mandatory to sunbathe there in the summer and snowball fight in the winter. Around the square, and on the streets right next to it you’ll find the following venues:
- St. Paul’s House pub.
- The Jam House – A music lovers venue with a restaurant attached. It used to have a fantastic reputation but I’ve heard mixed opinions of it lately, I will try it soon and review it.
- Cucina Rustica – Italian restaurant, which comes highly recommended.
- Locanta Italian – can’t comment.
- Actress & Bishop – another popular pub / music venue.
- The Rectory Bar & Restaurant – lovely food and outdoor seating to relax on in the summer.
- The Queen’s Head – a nice friendly pub serving food and beer with a smile. This place is just a two minute’s walk from St. Paul’s Square – what the estate agents call “St. Paul’s Square Adjacent”!
- 40 St. Pauls Gin Bar (best to book, it’s proper tiny)
- Lasan Indian – upscale Indian from celebrity chef Akhtar Islam
A ten minute walk from St. Paul’s Square is where the Jewellery Quarter is really at – there are dozens (hundreds?) of Jewellery stores and you’re bound to find a specialist in whatever you’re after if you ask the friendly staff in one of the stores.
Don’t forget to check out The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter on Vyse Street. It’s part of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Group.
Of course there are a few other lovely places to try for drinks and food:
- Ana Rocha – cocktails, beer, antiques, and music, a genuinely unique offering which is very shoreditch chic
- The Button Factory – bar with food and fab roof terrace
- The Pig and Tail – lovely new pub with food from the chef propietor from The Pickled Piglet
- 1000 Trades – interesting pub offering some different beers and some great street food from nomadic vendors
- The Rose Villa Tavern – trendy cocktail bar and gastropub, part of the small Bitters And Twisted Birmingham chain.
- The Red Lion Bar – friendly pub serving food
- The Lord Clifden – ten minutes by foot from The Chamberlain Clock.
- Cafe Neo
- Portofino – Italian, not been, can’t comment.
You can’t help but find somewhere great – so go have a wonder around! Take in the architecture, the talent, the art…
OUT IN BRUM 