Birmingham is no stranger to its fair share of hauntings. From the tormented ghost at Aston Hall to the grey woman at the Tyburn and Chester Road crossroads, the city has its spook stories. But up on Brindley Place, there’s a different kind of restless spirit: me, annoyed and lamenting the lack of good independent lunch options.
Like many, I’m tired of bleeding money on Boots meal deals or grabbing uninspired bundles from Sainsbury’s. If I’m going to dip into my overdraft for lunch, I want something truly worth it.
Brindley Place is home to the usual chains — Costa, Caffe Nero, Pret a Manger, Philpotts — but I craved something more distinct. So when Crumb and Coffee opened in the former Odissi spot on Broad Street six weeks ago, I watched keenly from outside, waiting for the perfect time to try it.
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The early days felt uncertain — fridge displays were often sparse, the offerings unclear, and the small café seemed to be struggling with typical new business teething problems. It was a bit chaotic, like the owners were still finding their feet.
Yet all doubts faded when I finally tasted their food.
Everything I tried was simply stunning.
A hefty veggie box filled with perfectly seasoned, wholesome goodness would have made me want to come back again and again — if only they had branded takeaway bags in stock. The chef whipped up dishes in the kitchen while his wife crafted lattes and welcomed guests from the front.
It felt less like a commercial spot and more like stepping into their home kitchen.
When the chef brought out a replacement box to swap with mine, I asked about one dish — a vibrant bowl brimming with sweet potato, lentils, chickpeas, seared cabbage, peppers, onions, sweetcorn, and topped with boiled eggs.
“It’s superfoods,” he said warmly, handing me a small pot of dressing. “You’ll like it.” I paid £10.40 along with a glass bottle of lemonade, and he was right.
I loved every bite — so much that I ended up sharing it around the newsroom. The charred cabbage was perfect, the chickpeas and lentils bursting with seasoning. The sweet potato carried a subtle spicy hint, the sweetcorn tossed in its own dressing, and the drizzling of fresh herb-infused, tangy sauce pulled it all together beautifully.
The bowl was so generous it threatened to spill out, and my colleague Harry and I split it, amazed that a “superfood” dish could feel so satisfying. It was hearty, generous, full of flavor — like truly thoughtful home cooking.
When my editor Jayne returned with her own cajun chicken bowl, loaded with spiced rice and fresh greens, her only gripe was wanting “more, more, more sauce.” Who can blame her? Everything we sampled was delicious.
Jayne’s giant polenta cake with blueberry topping was so good it fed Harry, me, and her herself — because when food is this good, sharing just feels right.
Crumb and Coffee may not have caught on to social media updates, branded baggies, or fully stocking their fridge just yet. But there’s one thing they’ve nailed: flavor.
Journalists love to crow about “hidden gems” and “best-kept secrets,” but trust me, this is one we did not see coming.
Crumb and Coffee is located at 10, Eleven Brindley Place, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2JB. This review was conducted independently; all food and drink were paid for by the writer.