Opheem, a celebrated Indian fine dining restaurant in Birmingham, has earned a prestigious spot among the UK’s top 100 restaurants in the National Restaurant Awards. Located on Summer Row in the city center, Opheem ranks impressively at number 16, making it the only Birmingham venue to feature on this elite list.
Since opening in 2018 under the leadership of chef Aktar Islam, Opheem has achieved remarkable acclaim, earning two Michelin Stars—the first in Birmingham to do so. The restaurant is known for its innovative take on traditional Indian flavors, transforming classic dishes such as pakora, aloo tuk, and korma into refined culinary experiences.
This spring, Aktar Islam paid homage to his formative years at his father’s Stratford Road restaurant, The Indian Palace, where he began his hospitality journey as a teenager. His dish, “After Eight - Stratford Road, Shirley,” features exquisite textures of Valrhona chocolate and peppermint, offering a sweet and nostalgic tribute to Birmingham’s rich Indian dining heritage.
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The National Restaurant Awards are determined by an academy of industry experts, including critics, chefs, and hospitality owners, who submit their top picks from across 11 UK regions. Alongside Opheem, Grace and Savour in Hampton in Arden ranked 28th, while Lichfield’s Upstairs by Tom Shepherd placed 98th.
Opheem remains one of Birmingham’s three Michelin Star restaurants, a number that has decreased slightly following the recent closures of Simpson’s in Edgbaston after over 30 years and chef Glynn Purnell’s eponymous city center restaurant. Yet, Birmingham’s culinary scene continues to thrive, evidenced by The Wilderness in the Jewellery Quarter, which earned its first Michelin Star in 2026 under chef Alex Claridge.
Opheem’s recognition not only highlights the city’s evolving food culture but also celebrates the legacy of Birmingham’s iconic Indian restaurants that have shaped its vibrant culinary landscape over generations.