Woodstock is an unassuming presence from the outside and what with its mostly lame 'music pun'…read moretheme that screams "avoid" amongst Selly Oak's chip shop haven, it turns out to be a real treat. Pleasant and polite staff, coffee that is reasonable and of good quality and a huge menu that will prompt a good five minutes of staring at the wall trying to make a decision (this can be a little awkward when a couple are sat directly underneath the menu on the wall and you are stood there, motionless, rushing your confused brain and abating your impatient belly in the process of making a decision). The baguettes and paninis are particularly nice - the veggie option was thoughtful and delicious. Whether it's an early hangover cure, or to just get away from the usual fare that Selly Oak boasts, Woodstock is a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Bristol Road.

Woodstock Cafe in Selly Oak is a wonderful place to pop in for a baguette or jacket potato for…read morelunch, when I lived in Selly Oak I'd often be found in here at lunchtime because the prices are so reasonable and the food so tasty. It's a similar set up to Subway where you tell them exactly what salad items you want on your baguette and then choose a filling from the menu board. The end result is a delicious baguette that will keep you going all day because the staff are so generous with their fillings. The choices range from the standard ham right up to more unusual Mediterranean fillings, everything I've tried here has been delicious apart from one baguette I had which had loads of black olives in there. Now, I hate olives so the fact that I didn't like this was not the cafes fault in the slightest - more me being a numpty and ordering a food I loathe! In the winter the jacket potatoes are excellent comfort food and again they come with a range of fillings from cheese to ratatouille so there is something to suit everyone. The staff in Woodstock are lovely and will chat as they are preparing your food, I always get the impression that they are really interesting in what I'm saying rather than just talking for the sake of it. The atmosphere in Woodstock is very chilled out and comfortable, sometimes I'll go in with a magazine and sit reading that for an hour without being disturbed - apart from when I want another delicious fresh coffee that is! The customers are mainly students as the university is two minutes up the road, I've eaten in cafes surrounding Northampton uni and found the students obnoxious and loud but this is definitely not the case in Woodstock and this seems to be the place for people to sit and relax rather than be shouting and screaming. Next time you're in Selly Oak I'd definitely recommend a visit to Woodstock for a spot of lunch, the food is fantastic and it won't break even the most credit crunch affected bank!

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!

Of the various coffee shop chains, Costa happens to be my favourite. This one in the Octagon Centre…read morehas a relaxed atmosphere and the usual soft leather sofas. I like being able to have a cuppa and do the crossword (slowly) without being hassled to move on.

This particular Costa has delightful staff, they really do go out of their way to make you welcome…read more If like me you become a regular, they also remember how you like your drinks. Food is not exceptional but is good for mass produced 'chain' food. I'd recommend this particular Costa to anyone :-)

This is a quirky little cafe right in the centre of Birmingham's Moseley Village. I visited…read moreyesterday for a quick coffee before running off to a meeting. The place seems super friendly and the staff were chatting away to all the regulars that were dotted around the cafe during my visit. I ordered my latte and took a seat at the very cutely decorated tables with music themed bits laid out that give a creative feel to the space. This is a shop that fits in perfectly with the well designed and independent venues that line the streets of Moseley. Every time I visit I remember just how much I like the whole area! Even though I was doing a bit of running around yesterday this place made me feel instantly relaxed! One last thing that needs a mention.....anywhere that plays Diana Ross during a visit is an instant winner in my book!

This place defiantly deserves more than one review! We have driven past Cafephilia countless times…read moreand I have always wondered if it was as cute on the inside as it was on the outside. I can now answer myself a resounding Yes. So... Cafephilia. Located on the corner of Woodbridge Road (Junction of Alcester Road - the main road in Moseley) is easy to spot as you come into the area from the City Centre. With it's high class American Diner exterior, I really didn't know what to expect from my first visit and eagerly awaited a chance to visit. A day in Moseley provided me with a good excuse to pop down and give it a go. I had arranged to meet Yelp Elite Squad member Mohamade in Moseley for Lunch. Unfortunately (or fortunately maybe?) the particular venue we had originally chosen wasn't opening until 4pm, so I suggested Cafephilia as a replacement venue. As soon as I walked in I knew we had made the right choice. With it's sleek industrial design and pop art prints on the wall, this place is the definition of cool. Before my lunch partner had turned up, I decided to grab a drink. After being a bit "coffeed out" in the morning, I thought a nice refreshing peppermint tea would make a great accompaniment to a hot day. I wasn't wrong! I popped up to the counter and was greeted by a big smile and a welcome before my order was taken. Once everything was settled, I popped back down and waited for my tea to be served. The teapot was super cute. Mismatched in just the right way, the slightly kitsch presentation very much reflected the aesthetic that this venue is obviously trying to create. Once Mr M had arrived we ordered a couple of panini's as a light lunch option to go with our drinks. A panini here is NOT a light lunch option. Think of a thick, freshly baked delicious focaccia loaded with stacks of spicy and delicious jerk chicken and you have "The Woodbridge". Coming in at just under £4, it was a total bargain for such a huge and tasty lunch. Between the great service, the delicious food and the vast (and not too pricey) drinks options; Cafephilia is a hit. I might have just found a regular office space when I end up this side of town in future.

McGregors sells proper nice food that they prepare infront of you. They are best known for their…read morehot pork baps (very tasty) but also do your average sandwich, baguette, panini and spuds. Theres a nice seating area upstairs, the tables and stools are so high that your feet can dangle and it makes you feel like a kids! (or maybe thats just me, I am quite short) The staff are friendly and Ive never had bad food from here :)

Good food, nice staff and nice seating areas (upstairs and outside). The pork baps are fantastic,…read moreand around this time of year they also often do hot turkey baps - mmm. Some of the food is cooked beforehand and re-heated as you would expect, but it generally tastes great and is served up quickly.

This cafe is so nearly a very good one! The staff here are amazingly friendly and the drinks are of…read morea good quality but for me the price of the drinks and the lack of personality in the cafe let it down. I think it's pretty difficult to get personality into spaces with a wide open front that open onto a mall or walk way but it can be done as wit places like Bills in the Bullring. The designs on the walls and in the cafe feel a little bit canteen here for me and the space feels a little bit cold overall. I had a pretty good chai latte but it was not the hottest it could have been which again just slightly let it down for me. The place was quite busy when I went in which could explain them rushing the drinks but I have only been once so have to judge it on the experience I had that day.Paying over £3.00 for a lukewarm drink is just not ideal. I will be back to try again and hopefully i'll have a much better experience to report :)

I've been converted. I wasn't previously a fan, but they've brought their prices down a bit (for…read morestudents) and now they've settled into a full proper shop rather than a pop-up stall the standards are on the rise (apparently their other shop is fantastic, but I've not checked it out - yet). The coffee here is good, creamy, but very sharp. I've asked them to make sure their decaf supplies are kept high (they ran out, apparently there was a sea of rabid Yelpers draining their supplies yesterday). 8oz is a little small, the large measures are well worth the premium price tag. I'm in Millennium Point almost every day so if there's more, I'll update again...

A wide selection of warm and cold freshly made drinks avaliable at this little store / hut just…read morebefore you get to the escelators for the upstairs food court and cinema. They have some seasonal drinks avaliable sometimes. The staff are friendly and serve you quickly. I am a fan of thier smoothies when it is a little warmer than it currently is! They are a little pricey but you can count them for one or two of your fruit and veg for the day so worth it for a treat sometimes!

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.

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).