5 of the Best Birmingham Coffee Shops
With the prevalence of Starbucks and Costa it can be easy to overlook the less well-known cafés dotted around Birmingham, but we can assure you that there are plenty – and they’re well worth a visit.
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or more of a tea drinker, there’s a café out there with your name on it. We’ve put together a list of some of our favourites for you to check out, so hopefully you’ll find a new favourite too!
Second Cup, New Street
If we mention Canadian coffee chains in Birmingham, you probably think of Tim Hortons. But did you know that there’s another Canadian coffee shop just up the road from there? Second Cup can be found at the top of New Street, and it’s definitely worth finding. The decor is cosy and eclectic, with comfy armchairs, warm lighting, and a wall full of clocks (practical as well as nice to look at!)
The Canadian influence can be seen in their menu, with drinks like the Maple Hot Chocolate being a popular pick. Our favourite is the London Fog, a tea latte invented in Canada and made with steamed milk, Earl Grey tea and vanilla syrup. Perfect if you’re not so keen on coffee but still crave the creaminess of a latte!
Let's get coffee! Or if you want to feel like Italian 'Prendiamo un caffe!' You can enjoy your perfect Italian coffee at Emporio Artari in the Touchwood atrium. Touchwood is the first venue in the UK to house this original Italian brand. They will serve Lucarelli-style Cicchetti meals such as sharing platters, arancini, oven-baked lasagna, and panini, as well as a sumptuous Italian-style Afternoon Tea. . After a long day of shopping, guests may relax the Italian way (Dolce far niente) with a range of genuine delights.
Kafenion, Bournville
This cosy little café can be found in the beautiful Bournville, southwest of the city centre. The name comes from the Greek kafenio, a traditional Greek café, and this Mediterranean influence can be found in the menu with options including Greek Coffee and Greek Fried Eggs.
Not only do they have the most beautiful decor, but they also have food and drink options to suit everyone’s tastes – including plenty of vegan and gluten-free choices! They’re also just round the corner from Cadbury World, so if you’re a chocolate fan (aren’t we all?) it’s ideal.
Urban, Jewellery Quarter & Church Street
Urban has a long history in Birmingham, with two brilliant venues to choose from: one in the trendy Jewellery Quarter and one on Church Street. They’re well-known for their yummy brunches, including a bottomless brunch option at the weekends if you want to skip the coffee and get straight to the hard stuff.
They also claim to create ‘the best coffee this side of the moon’, so if you are in it for the coffee this isn’t one to miss. Don’t take their word for it, though – go check it out for yourself!
Faculty Coffee, Piccadilly Arcade
Located in Birmingham’s historic Piccadilly Arcade, Faculty is a shining example of a fantastic indie coffee shop. They serve classic, delicious brewed drinks and fresh food made from their in-house bakery, all with a side of friendly service. What more could you need?
As a nice little bonus, their coffee changes fortnightly to showcase different ‘outstanding’ roasteries, so if you visit regularly you’ll get to sample a wide variety of flavours.
Medicine Bakery, New Street & Mailbox
Medicine is a little different from the other choices on this list, because it’s more than just a café – it’s also an artisan bakery and gallery! You can sit in and enjoy a hot drink and some lunch, or you can collect fresh bread, cakes and pastries to take away with you. We recommend dining in at the New Street branch if you can, because the space is really beautiful.
The Mailbox location is the perfect spot to break up a day of shopping with a quick lunch and a cuppa, or to grab an indulgent treat to enjoy on the go.
Author: Dine Hub Team
