At just 25 years old, Karan Rai is taking a bold step in Birmingham’s restaurant industry with the opening of Springere, an Italian restaurant serving authentic Roman-style dishes. Located on Islington Row Middleway, Springere marks a fresh start in a space that previously housed Laghi’s Deli and Angela’s Trattoria.
Born in India and raised in Italy, Karan brings his unique culinary background to the table. He began his career as a commis chef in Brescia before rising to head chef at Angela’s Trattoria. When that restaurant announced its closure last year, Karan was determined not to see the location go dark. Partnering with Juan Garcia, he took the reins to launch Springere last month.
“Finding out the restaurant was closing was a blow because I’d worked here for years,” Karan shared. “But I didn’t want to give up. After some thought, Juan and I decided to take it over and keep the spirit alive. At 25, owning my own restaurant is a huge milestone, and I’m committed to maintaining high standards.”
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Springere—meaning ‘push’ in Italian—symbolizes Karan’s drive and determination to succeed in the competitive hospitality world. With support from his family, including his builder brother-in-law who helped with renovations, Karan has embraced the challenge of business ownership and is learning every step of the way.
Despite the tough climate for restaurants, Karan remains optimistic: “Customers have been loving our food and encouraging us to keep going. Many places are struggling or closing, but I want Springere to build a strong reputation in Birmingham.”
Located at 22-24 Islington Row Middleway, B15 1LD, Springere offers Birmingham diners authentic Italian flavors and a story of resilience behind every dish.