Where to eat and drink at Mailbox Birmingham

Which Brummie landmark is home to the BBC, restaurants, bars, hotels and luxury shops? Mailbox Birmingham, of course. The former Royal Mail sorting office has been part of the Brum landscape for over 23 years now, welcoming over 35 million visitors a year. 

You can eat and drink at Mailbox Birmingham, but what are the must-visit venues within this iconic building? Our guest editor, Laura McEwan of Bite Your Brum, gives us her top picks for enjoying a visit to one of Brum’s premium lifestyle destinations. 

Lucarelli

The latest addition to where you can eat and drink at Mailbox, this Italian restaurant offers all your favourites like pasta and pizza plus some small plates and sharers. The burrata with Parma ham and truffle honey makes for a delicious summer dish, and the signature ravioli (filled with seafood) is a must-order from the menu. There’s a pretty outside terrace for dining and cocktails making it ideal for dates and celebrations. 

Everyman

Ok, so this isn’t a restaurant per say, but did you know within this cinema you can get some seriously good burgers? You can grab one of these without seeing a movie, but if you like a bit more of boujee film experience you can enjoy comfy sofas, Speilburgers delivered to your seat and all the latest films as well as some classics. Order the house burger with Gruyere and add smoked bacon – thank me later. 

Harvey Nichols

Anywhere you can buy designer clothes and have a champagne-fuelled lunch all under the same roof is good by me. This place is great because it’s both a bar and a restaurant; somewhere you can enjoy anything from a light bite (try the sharing boards) to a delicious dinner during one of the pop up dining events. They also offer weekly wine tastings – you can sign up to these via the website.

Indico Street Kitchen

Serving up Indian street food, this popular restaurant is ideal for a casual meal with friends. There’s plenty of choice, it’s well priced (the lunch menu is particularly good value) and you will no doubt leave feeling full. If you fancy trying a little bit of everything, one of the thalis will give you a variety of curries and sides to delve into. 

Medicine

The third incarnation of this popular Brummie brand, you can dine in with Medicine in one of the fancy booths or grab-and-go thanks to the deli on the concourse. Expect fancy breakfasts, sourdough sandwiches and all the coffee you can drink. I’m obsessed with the doorstep sarnies that are packed with tasty fillings, but don’t forget to grab one of the signature Medicine cronuts to take home - you won’t regret it. 

Noel’s Bar and Restaurant

If you love the idea of relaxing by the Birmingham canals, sipping on a crisp beer or enjoying a bottle of wine with friends, you can’t go wrong with Noel’s. Found opposite The Cube, it’s nestled on the waterfront and a great people watching spot. The restaurant inside is very pretty, with a menu focused on Mediterranean dishes including seafood platters. If you fancy something sweeter there’s a variety of afternoon teas, including a champagne option if you’re feeling fancy.

Gas Street Social

If you like bottomless brunches, this popular bar will be your new best friend. The chorizo hash is perfect if you’re looking to prep for a long day of shopping, but you can also enjoy fish and chips, burgers and salads. There’s also a decent beer selection, the cocktails are strong (sometimes buy one get one free too!) and there’s always a nice atmosphere whether you visit in the week or at the weekend.

Malmaison

Far from just a hotel, Bar Mal is a vibrant space for after work drinks, boozy brunches and late night cocktails. Come the weekend you can enjoy DJs in the spacious bar, whether you’re a guest of the hotel or not. There’s a small but perfectly formed bar menu (ideal for a daytime snack) or for a more substantial meal just head to Chez Mal. It’s a fun space to have dinner and their Sunday lunch is a real treat. 

Laura is a freelance writer and runs Bite Your Brum- you can find her on Instagram here. Don’t forget to check out the latest news and previous blogs from DineHub Birmingham and follow us on Instagram!