People have started returning to offices and friends are meeting up to enjoy the sunshine in parks – nature is healing and all that. At last.
Recently folk have started asking where’s good to grab some food without being constrained by table bookings and seating plans, so today’s post is a quick read offering you 10 places to get lunch to go in central Birmingham.
All of these options are tried and tested, will cost you less than a tenner and are available most days of the week at lunchtimes – so ideal for impromptu picnics and sexy office lunches.
Hope this is useful! Don’t forget there’s daily posts and stories over on my Instagram page. Come say hello and drop me a DM if you have a question. I rarely bite.
Hookways – The Minories
This is a proper hidden gem, especially for a grab and go lunch. Famous for the Persian wraps, you can get a really filling and tasty meal here that’s full of Lebanese flavours and bright colours. As well as the posh kebabs, I’m a big fan of the salad boxes that are a bit like a personal mezze. Pick the lamb and thank me later.
Kouzina – Selfridges
A brand new addition to the food court space that occupies the ground floor of Selfridges, this is where to get a taste of the Mediterranean on a budget. Serving up Greek street food you can get a generous meal to go at a great price. The chicken and pork souvlaki boxes are hearty and come with a choice of traditional dips.
Medicine Bakery – New Street / Mailbox
If you’ve not had a doorstop sandwich from one of the two stores we have in the city centre you’re missing out. Each day, Medicine has 2-3 sourdough sandwich specials on and they’re not only delicious but bloody enormous – all for a little over a fiver.
Indian Streatery – Bullring
One of my favourite places for a takeaway lunch, the hot pots from this place are basically the perfect hearty meal. I personally love the chicken variation but whichever curry you pick you’ll get rice and some toppings that give it tang and freshness. I bang on about that bowl of sunshine for a reason – try it.
Gupshup – Colmore Row
It’s now probably impossible you’ve not seen one of these Japanese sandos on social media. There’s hot and cold options but personally I prefer the ‘hotties’ (the warm ones) that are more like soft toasties. Give the Yankee a go – Texan spiced beef, melted cheese, pickles and mustard all pressed together in grilled shokupan. Bosh.
Habaneros – Temple Row
Have you really visited Pigeon Park if you’ve not scoffed a burrito or box from this beloved van? A staple of the city centre lunchtime food scene (when the world isn’t broken anyway) this is one of my go-to picks when I’m hungover. Even the salad boxes are satisfying and rammed full of freshly made goodies.
Anderson & Hill – Great Western Arcade
I don’t know how many of these sandwiches I’ve eaten from this deli but it’s a lot. Despite being squirrelled away it still gets slammed at lunchtimes and there’s usually a queue. You can choose a half or a whole sandwich depending on how hungry you are and there’s some lovely options for fillings. All made to order in a tiny shop that smells of Camembert – heaven.
Stackz Burger Shack – Arena
Sharing the Sommar Tap Room space, this new burger joint is also offering takeaways, if you’d rather sit by the canal to scoff. The staple burgers are solid and Shane occasionally pops on some very naughty specials. Way better than most other takeout lunch options available around Brindleyplace.
200 Degrees – Colmore Row
Yes the coffee is lovely but don’t neglect to scope out the snacks available. As well as filled baguettes and nibbles you’ll find sausage rolls – ask for them heated and you’ve got a lovely warm lunch for about 3 quid. Everyone that works there is also ridiculously nice.
Saints Kitchen – St Paul’s Square
Ok so a little off the city centre path but I can’t do a lunch list and not big up Saints Kitchen. If you like bagels this is the one, chaps. The pastrami offering is my absolute favourite. Despite how it may appear, I’m not on the payroll for them but they did name this Brie beauty after me recently and I’ll shamelessly dine out on that ego-trip forever.
Liked this? If you’re looking for food and drink venues with outside space while restrictions ease you might also find this post about walk ins helpful too.