Hello, friends! Kirsty here, bringing you the latest from Birmingham’s vibrant food and drink scene — even as I’m still nursing a bit of a grudge following the 2026 World Cup disappointments.
To lift my spirits, I took a stroll around town and discovered plenty of reasons to smile. Grand Central is showing signs of revival after a challenging stretch of closures since its tenth birthday in 2025.
Most notably, a spacious new Slim Chickens has opened, moving from its Tesco-adjacent location into the stylish former Paperchase unit. This fresh development breathes life back into that end of the mall, where other spots like Shokupan remain closed and some units stay empty.
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Further up, hoardings have come down at the forthcoming restaurant taking over the old Fuel juice bar space — it looks bright and inviting. Stay tuned for more details soon.
On a more somber note, there’s the sad news that Baked in Brick is closing its Digbeth location after eight years. While their Bakehouse sister shops will continue, we will miss their signature pizzas. Here’s hoping Baked in Brick makes a strong comeback in the future.
Meanwhile, the eagerly anticipated Sael is edging closer to opening in the Jewellery Quarter. Chef Jonny Mills, celebrated for his seasonal and foraged ingredient-driven cooking, is preparing to launch at The Goodsyard in early August. I’m working to secure a chat with him and will share more when I can.
It’s an exciting time for Birmingham’s culinary scene — mark your calendars and I’ll catch you next week with more updates!