We stumbled across this place while escaping the rain at the Christmas market and it was such a…read moregreat find. A small flat white and small cappuccino for £6 total is a rare find these days and we both loved our drinks. So much flavour and nice, strong coffee. My only reason for giving 4 stars is that the layout was a bit cramped and it was slightly lacking in customer service. If you're just popping in for a takeaway coffee though, this is a fab spot.

I never normally do this anymore but I'm so in awe of this place that I'm writing the review before…read moreI've even finished eating/drinking. I knew I'd love this place as when I walked in, the smell of roasting coffee flew into my nostrils, Faculty literally had me at hello. So more about this love affair, the coffee is brilliant, the cakes taste fantastic and the tea is a relaxing and soothing as the cute little tea pot suggests. The staff working were friendly and happy to offer advice (to me and another customer who had 21 questions about the origin of the coffee) - credit where credits due, the young chap answering knew the answer to every question! They are also linked to next door, a sandwich shop which is perfect for lunch and you can even order from one side and go and sit in the other or vice versa. Owned by the same husband & wife partnership and matched with the same awesome decor. It's not often I'm in Birmingham but one thing for sure is this fling is sure to continue every time I venture in!

My first visit and I get a lovely welcome. Great service,…read moregood coffee, comfy seats - and lots of tables and chair too. Just ask if you'd like a takeout Opens bright and early7.30am. From having one for years, we now have 3 coffee shops in Custard Factory area - fab!

This place has already become one of my favourite places to get coffee in Birmingham, if you are…read moredown in Digbeth and want somewhere with a relaxed vibe but great food and drink...this place is worth a visit. The building itself is part of the Old Crown pub which believe is one of the oldest pubs in the city. The low ceilings and stained glass windows make it so cosy and packed full of charm. Myself and a friend went for soya flat white's (very hipster I know but she is from Brighton......) and a couple of items from the very reasonably priced sharing menu. For food we had a sharing portion of wings and a black pudding scotch egg. Both were SO good, very fresh and generally amazing. Another one for the to-do list of you haven't already! This place is a real find.

Great experience, delicious coffee, made to perfection will come again. Great service as wellread more

Can't believe I have not reviewed this place before now great spot, brilliant coffee and just the…read moretype of vibe I love....relaxed, none pretentious and friendly! I went in today and had a soy latte while at a meeting. The coffee was the best I have had in Birmingham I think partly die to the beans being roasted on site and partly due to the fantastic soy milk they are using. Truly a great cup of the dark stuff. I had a look at he breakfast and lunch options and they all also look amazing I'll be back in to munch on them all soon I'm sure.....how can you not?! If you haven't been to quarter horse then go asap. The ideal spot to work, relax or just get a coffee to go. Lovely

Lattes here are my favorite here! Each one has been made perfectly and evenly. The Fried Eggs and…read morebread are delightful. The crepes and pastries look delicious. This restaurant is very clean and the atmosphere is relaxing.

Enjoyed staying at the grand hotel the bar Madeline and service was excellent I would highly…read morerecommend the afternoon tea.

When my mum last came to visit me in Birmingham, we stumbled across the Little Tea Shop and tempted…read moreby the name, we went in. The shop itself was small but the decorated tastefully. On offer were your normal hot and cold drink selections, alongside what looked like homemade cakes. As we went in on a Tuesday afternoon, we were able to get a table so we sat down and enjoyed a slice of chocolate cake and a couple of hot chocolates. It was a pleasent experience and a great stop off point before getting a train.

It's often hard to find a nice independent, intimate place to grab a meal in a large city centre,…read moreso coming across The Little Tea Shop, a short walk away from New Street Train station was an extremely pleasant surprise. As the name suggests, this eatery is small and friendly and on top of that serves up some great quality grub! You can get yourself a delicious handmade sandwich or opt for the more traditional option of a good old fry up. Obviously being a small business, seating is at a premium so it can be difficult to eat in on a busy day, but if that's the case then simply grab a sandwich to take away and eat in the fresh air, although on a typical Birmingham day this can present its own problems due to our less than favourable weather most of the year round.

As it'd been suggested to me, Urban Cafe on Church Street was to be my breakfast destination before…read moreI started heading back to London. It's a good location just a short walk from Colmore Row and St Philips Cathedral square (also known as Pigeon Park by the locals). The cafe itself is actually really nice. It felt lively but not busy when I walked in. I had a quick look at the menu and, as I was really rather hungry, I went full on hipster and had the Avocado Smash with bacon and poached eggs. I tell you what - this cafe is not cheap. The avocado smash and a coffee cost me more than £10. Can you believe that? In Birmingham! It did taste good but for that amount of money I would expect to have had 2 slices of toasted sour dough with avocado along with the bacon and eggs.The coffee was delicious so I would go back for that alone (and it wasn't extortionately priced).

Another great venue in the Urban Coffee Companies very respected string of cafes around Birmingham…read more Every time I have been in here I have not only left with a great cup of coffee I have also had great service from their team of smiley friendly baristas. This branch of Urban Coffee has a small mezzanine area where they sometimes have events or private hires making it more versatile than some of the other cafes. Due to that and its location you get a real mixed crowd of people in the store all the time. Everyone from young creatives right through to suited and booted businessmen are regularly enjoying a cup of the dark stuff in the chilled out and laid back space. My personal favourite beverage from here is a skimmed hazelnut latte....if you are into hazelnut flavoured drinks they syrup they are using here is AMAZING.

It was so good that I'm tempted to say it wasn't and demand that I go again, for a second opinion!…read more The ambiance of Aalto restaurant is relaxing whilst still buzzing with life and energy. The live music added to the ambiance, providing a soothing and pleasurable background to the meal. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, modern, tasteful and welcoming. I loved that we were sat on a large round table - I'm rather a fan of round tables as I feel it creates a better social vibe, and always supports odd numbers without so poor soul sitting opposite Hollow Man (which, lets face it, would put you off your food!) As for the feast itself. Well, let's start with the menu. It was the perfect size, with six options in each category, so plenty of choice without it been too baffling. All the same, I did find it hard to choose, as so many of the options were deeply appealing. For starters, I settled on the Beetroot & Goats Cheese Tart, which was served on a bed of rocket, with walnuts and balsamic vinegar. It was a feast for the taste-buds, and light enough not to make my main course option of Roast Lamb appear too daunting. The lamb, as with the starter, was beautifully presented, and there was a lovely selection of vegetables served with it and they were cooked too perfection. The main was delicious, and plentiful. You will not go hungry after a meal at Hotel La Tour, tough you may need a little lie down! So as not to cheat ourselves from the full experience, we all had dessert too. Again, I was a little torn between a couple of the options, and decided in the end that Spiced Crème Brûlée with Shortbread Biscuits just sounded too good a treat to miss. I was right! With food that tantalizes the eye, stimulates the taste buds and is delivered with a wonderful side portion of fabulous service, Hotel La Tour provides a fabulous menu at reasonable prices, and is well worth a visit. I shall be going again.

Where do I start? This was my very first visit to Aalto and…read moreI have been waiting a very long time to mark a special occasion there. The decor is superb, the embience is just right, the pianist play as you sit enjoying your drink in the lounge is relaxing and shere class.. The food - 5* I will be back!!!

As an American traveling abroad it's hard to find a good coffee shop, especially in the UK where…read moretea is the speciality. This place was a nice little spot in the middle of a very busy area. The barista was so helpful. They recommended a great blend to bring home as well as a delicious pastry. I thoroughly enjoyed everything. If I'm ever in the area again I will definitely be back. And I can't wait to get home and try my 200 degrees espresso roast!

Great place to come and work for a bit or grab a coffee with a friend. With its location right in…read morethe middle of town next to the cathedral, it is really easy to find when trying to explain to others who haven't been where it is. There is so much room in here that you can have personal conversations without others sitting what feels like right on top of you listening in. There is also plenty of space if you want to park for a while and get some work done on your tablet or laptop. I'm not a coffee drinker, but they have so much more to offer that I've never had problems finding something great to drink. But those I have brought that do drink coffee have nothing but great things to say about it! Also they have some great sandwiches if you fancy something to eat or a dessert if you want to indulges your sweet tooth. I definitely come here if I need some place to hang out while in the city centre.

Harborne, very lately has had an influx of places where you can get a coffee, but Boo Boo really…read morestands out for me. Located right opposite the swimming baths and gym, I always end up having a brew before a gym session. Being this side of Harborne, works to Boo Boo's advantage as you don't have to take a walk down the High Street which can seem like a mammoth task on a Sunday morning! Every time I have been in, it has been very busy. With a couple of outside tables and a massive window, it's great when the sun is shining on us. The Coffee is most excellent because they use Allpress espresso beans from London which gives their drinks a massive edge over most places some places in Birmingham. Single origin is offered though a Chemex, another brew method not often seen in the second city. If Coffee and Tea isn't your bag then I can recommend one of the many smothies they offer, which can have protein added to them. Boo Boo coffee is very family friendly and you can pop your little ones in the play area they provide. This place has been come a favourite place of mine to have some alone time or catch up with friends. Sure you will love it!

Birmingham is fast becoming a hotspot for great coffee shops. Boo Boo Coffee is located in harborne…read morejust off the high st. This store has always been busy every time I visit. The shop is small and quirky. They do accept reservations so if you are going to visit with friends it's worth booking ahead. There's some seating outside too. The coffee served here is excellent. I couldn't see anywhere advertising the sort of beans or specifics used. The coffee does stand shoulder to shoulder with some of the best in Birmingham though. The store also serves typical brunch which is available all day long. If your looking for a quick coffee or some brunch in harborne I would highly recommend it here!

I just lost the counting on how many times I have passed in front of this cafe and wanted to have a…read morereason to check it properly. So last weekend I saw myself having a nice cup of latte while waiting for someone to join me a visit to JQ. I always thought that Moor Street Station itself is stunning but with a tiny gorgeous place like this, it makes your coffee time much more appreciative! I just loved Centenary Lounge menu as well. Cakes that are impossible to resist and I didn't say no to a sweet treat. So, a Cranberries kind of tiffin, it was. Really delicious. For being a bit small, I thought the tables were too near to each other and there was no much room for elbows. As well as it is busy all the time, it makes me believe that during the summer or in a better weather we all would prefer sitting outside. Well, there is something else about watching people coming and going from train stations. Not in a weird way, of course! I had no idea that Centenary Lounge also serves drinks and it is good to know that is is famous for it as well. I also love the decor that really adds to the whole beauty in the station.

It is hard to imagine Brief Encounter happening in many modern train station cafes. Except, maybe,…read morein this art deco gem of a place, hidden away in the ticket hall of Moor Street Station. The cafe is inspired by the glamour of the Great Western Railway's heyday. The china plates and cups come emblazoned with the GWR insignia. There is a mirrored bar and abundant wood panelling. The clock and light fittings scream 1930s elegance. They serve good hot drinks as well as a bistro-style menu of hot and cold food. You can get food and drink to go, but why not eat in and soak up the gilded age glamour?