Bon Appetit

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• Handmade Burger Company read more ›
  (14 The Water's Edge, Brindley Place. Tel. 01216 656 542)
  Choose from 30 toppings for your flame-grilled burger and indulge in a wickedly calorific portion of hand-cut chips.
• Mash House Cafe Bar read more ›
  (The Water’s Edge, Brindleyplace. Tel. 0121 643 2707)
  When it comes to British classics like fish 'n' chips, sausage and mash or wonderfully meaty pies, this place is hard to beat.
• Arcadian Palace read more ›
  (Unit B109, The Arcadian. Tel. 0121 622 3283)
  For a Chinese meal where the food is allowed to speak for itself, head to this no-frills café.
• Akrams read more ›
  (1526 Pershore Road, Stirchley. Tel. 0121 433 4320)
  Mop up a tasty chicken, meat, fish or vegetarian balti with gigantic naan bread at this friendly Kashmiri restaurant.
• Gourmet Burger Kitchen read more ›
  (113-115 Wharfside Street, The Mailbox. Tel. 0121 633 8564)
  The 28 burgers on the menu-including five vegetarian varities-and the option to build your own make this a good budget choice.
• Big Wok read more ›
  (5 Wrottesley Street, Chinatown. Tel. 0121 666 6800)
  Fill up at this popular Chinese buffet restaurant where you can eat as much as you like for just £5.99 at lunchtime and £9.99 in the evening.

• The Vaults read more ›
  (Newhall Place, City Centre. Tel. 0121 212 9837)
  The modern British menu tempts with the likes of seared tuna, spiced cod fillet and lemon curd tart. The subterranean setting in the cellars of a Grade II-listed Victorian building is sophisticated.
• Blue Ginger read more ›
  (32 Poplar Road, Kings Heath. Tel. 0121 444 0999)
  This suburban restaurant is worth seeking out for its authentic Malaysian cooking and warm service. Highlights include savoury carrot cake and tender beef rendang.
• Piccolino read more ›
  (9 Brindleyplace, City Centre. Tel. 0121 634 3055)
  This classy Italian eatery is popular with shoppers and business folk. Pizza and pasta are served alongside mains that encompass everything from succulent prawns to crispy duck.
• La Plancha read more ›
  (113 Alcester Road, Moseley Village. Tel. 0121 449 5430)
  Dozens of tapas dishes (try the sautéed scallops), good wines and great cocktails make La Plancha justifiably popular.
• Lasan read more ›
  (3-4 Dakota Buildings, James Street, St Paul's Square. Tel. 0121 212 3664)
  Forget plastic tablecloths and baltis swimming in spicy gravy and instead enjoy a modern Indian meal in chic surroundings. Sea bass and salmon feature on the innovative menu, as do mouth-watering desserts.
• Oriental Bar & Restaurant read more ›
  (128-130 Wharfside Street, The Mailbox. Tel. 0121 633 9988)
  Opulent décor, attentive service and a wide range of Thai, Malaysian and Chinese dishes make the Oriental a good option.

• Nathaniel's read more ›
  (13 St Mary's Row, Moseley. Tel. 0121 449 9618)
  The modern European menu tantalises taste buds with the likes of smoked salmon and fillet of beef. Warm service complements the good food and generous portions.
• The Townhouse read more ›
  (727 Warwick Road, Solihull. Tel. 0121 704 567)
  Sesame-crusted seabass, succulent fillet steak and dressed Devon crab are just some of the mouth-watering dishes on the Modern European menu. The décor is fittingly contemporary and the atmosphere buzzing.
• Kinnaree read more ›
  (22 Water Front Walk, Holliday Wharf Building. Tel. 0121 665 6568)
  Drag your eyes off the golden dragon boat that takes centre stage at this elegant Thai restaurant and soak up the canal views as you dine on a spicy curry or fiery stir-fry.
• The Bucklemaker read more ›
  (30 Mary Ann Street, St Paul's Square. Tel. 0121 200 2515)
  A pleasant place to dine, with exposed brickwork and contemporary wooden furniture. Its international menu boasts rock oysters and venison, so The Bucklemaker is no slouch when it comes to food, either.
• San Carlo read more ›
  (4 Temple Street. )
  Rated as one of Birmingham's best Italian restaurants. Smooth service and a stylish setting complement fine cooking and a menu that features the likes of salmon ravioli, Tuscan beef and chicken sautéed in white wine and Stilton.
• Lasan read more ›
  (3-4 Dakota Buildings, James Street, St Paul's Square. Tel. 0121 212 3664)
  Leave any anachronistic images of kitsch curry houses at the door and prepare to be impressed by a contemporary and innovative Indian restaurant.

• Edmunds read more ›
  (6 Central Square, Brindleyplace. Tel. 0121 633 4944)
  Chef Andy Waters brings fine dining to the canalside. But however first-rate the cooking, the chic interior and attentive service are the real ingredients of its success. Sea bass and suckling pig are just some of the delights on offer.
• Turners read more ›
  (69 High Street, Harborne. Tel. 0121 426 4440)
  Owner Richard Turner is the latest Birmingham chef to win a coveted Michelin star. Feast on the likes of venison served with spiced red cabbage, chestnuts and chocolate sauce. The restaurant is pleasantly small and the food reasonably priced.
• Liaison Restaurant read more ›
  (1558 Stratford Road, Hall Green. Tel. 0121 733 7336)
  This fine-dining restaurant has been keeping discerning dinners happy for years. The décor remains contemporary, while pork tenderloin, and chocolate and lime torte tempt from the modern French menu.
• Berlioz read more ›
  (Macdonald Burlington Hotel, Burlington Arcade. Tel. 0844 879 9019)
  With an elegant dining room and smooth service, Berlioz is a cut above most hotel restaurants, then there are the mouth-watering British dishes, like Highland lamb and Loch Fyne smoked salmon.
• Simpsons read more ›
  (20 Highfield Road, Edgbaston. )
  A fine-dining menu that makes the most of British ingredients, served together with an extensive wine list in a refined ambience, all of which bring diners back to Simpsons time and time again.
• Hotel du Vin Bistro read more ›
  (25 Church Street. Tel. 0121 200 0600)
  With a modern European menu, where the likes of Dover sole and tender rib-eye steak speak for themselves, an extensive wine list and impeccable service, the hotel's bistro is a place to impress.

After Dark

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• Canalside Cafe read more ›
  (35 Canalside Cottages, Gas Street. )
  Squeeze into the small front room of this 18th-century cottage or bag a table in the walled garden and enjoy real ale, tea or coffee. The prime seats are on the canal towpath itself.
• The Crooked House read more ›
  (Coppice Mill, Himley. Tel. 01384 238 583)
  Even teetotal patrons may well feel drunk in this pub, which sits at a famously wonky angle (thanks to mining subsidence). Entering the door and walking to the bar is a challenge in itself.
• The Old Fox read more ›
  (54-56 Hurst Street, City Centre. Tel. 0121 622 5080)
  Real ale is the highlight at this traditional pub. It tends to be quiet during the day and early evening.
• Café Ikon read more ›
  (1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace. Tel. 0121 248 0708)
  Small but stylish, this gallery café is a good place to meet friends over a beer or coffee. Tapas, more substantial dishes and desserts are also available.
• The Old Crown read more ›
  (188 High Street, Deritend . Tel. 0121 248 1368)
  Regardless of whether it was ever actually owned by Henry VIII, this 14th-century inn is the oldest in Birmingham and a unique place for a quiet drink.
• Yard of Ale read more ›
  (New Street. Tel. 0121 616 7901)
  Take respite from the bustling shopping streets above ground and enjoy a quiet drink in this central cellar bar.

• Vertu Bar read more ›
  (25 Frederick Street, Hockley. Tel. 0121 236 4653)
  Thursday is live music night at this trendy bar/restaurant in the Jewellery Quarter.
• Bull's Head read more ›
  (23 St Mary’s Row, Moseley. Tel. 0121 256 7777)
  A busy gig schedule can see hopeful new talents take to the stage almost every night of the week at this great Moseley pub.
• Symphony Hall read more ›
  (Broad Street. Tel. 0121 780 3333)
  Madeleine Peyroux, Chris de Burgh, Only Men Aloud! and Morrissey are just some of the acts performing in this month's diverse line-up (www.thsh.co.uk).
• Town Hall read more ›
  (Victoria Square. Tel. 0121 780 3333)
  The Canoldir Welsh choir, Bat For Lashes, Russell Watson and PJ Harvey are some of the acts breathing life into the grand neoclassical venue this month (www.thsh.co.uk).
• LG Arena read more ›
  (National Exhibition Centre. Tel. 0844 338 8000)
  With Snow Patrol, Lionel Richie, Metallica, Simply Red and the X Factor stars gracing the stage, the LG Arena is the hot musical ticket this month (www.lgarena.co.uk).
• Island Bar read more ›
  (14-16 Suffolk Street, Smallbrook Queensway. Tel. 0121 632 5296)
  This trendy bar may be known for its cocktails, but it also showcases some of the UK's hottest music talent (www.bar-island.co.uk).

• Barracuda read more ›
  (16 Hurst Street. Tel. 0121 622 6878)
  A favourite with the city's night owls, Barracuda keeps clubbers happy with DJs pumping out everything from dance music to indie tunes.
• Bluu read more ›
  (Islington Gates, Summer Row, City Centre. Tel. 0121 236 9013)
  Chill in the stylish lounge bar or boogie the night away at the downstairs nightclub. Great cocktails and drinks promotions add to Bluu's appeal.
• Gatecrasher Birmingham read more ›
  (182 Broad Street. Tel. 0121 633 1520)
  Don your coolest outfit and dance the night away at this chic Miami-style club.
• Sobar read more ›
  (Arcadian Centre, Hurst Street. Tel. 0121 693 5084)
  Live DJ sets on Friday and Saturday nights bring house, funk and disco to this chilled-out bar/club. Dress to impress.
• Poppy Red read more ›
  (Arcadian Centre, Hurst Street. Tel. 0121 687 1200)
  This trendy nightspot keeps the alcohol flowing and the music pumping until after midnight seven nights a week.
• Reflex read more ›
  (The Arcadian Centre, Hurst Street. Tel. 0121 622 5125)
  Take a trip back to the 1980s and boogie on down to the likes of Duran Duran and Bon Jovi (www.reflexbars.co.uk).

This month...

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Tips

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