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!

Winterbourne is a great place for a sunny day. £5 gives you access to the Arts and Crafts house and…read moregardens, both of which are lovely. Behind the more formal gardens are woodland trails (you might even see a beech tree I helped to coppice as a student many years ago) and Edgbaston reservoir, a calm expanse of water populated by ducks, moorhens and crested grebes. There are beautiful waterside rock gardens with stepping stones, which I love. The whole place feels like a sanctuary from the city and is conveniently located close to the Barber Institute and the university campus if you want to make more of a day of it. There's a tea room which sells serviceable scones (with that really aerated cream rather than proper whipped or clotted cream though) and also sandwiches, soup and potatoes etc. You can get plants and gifts at the shop- and if you go during the week you may be able to get some advice from the gardeners, too.

Winterbourne House and Garden is an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the University of…read moreBirmingham campus, located a short five-minute walk from the eastern edge of the University. Built in the early 1900's, the entire Grade II Listed estate was bequeathed to the University in 1944 and is composed of a villa house and seven acres of gardens with thousands of different plants from across the world. Owned by the University, students are admitted for free while general public tickets are £6 per entry. The gardens are best visited on a sunny day in the late spring or early summer when you can take advantage of maximum flower coverage. With such a staggering numbers of plants on display, one could easily make a day of it to properly examine them all. Plants are both planted throughout the garden outside or placed within greenhouses to regulate temperature and moisture, an excellent example being the orchid house. The grounds are laid out with meandering, terraced paths on a hill that eventually lead to a stream at the back of the property. A wooded trail gives access off the property to Edgbaston Pool, which is classed as a site of special scientific interest with numerous birds that call it home. The house itself and attached grounds are set up as a quasi-museum to display early twentieth-century country estate life. The garden sheds/office house a second-hand bookstore, art gallery, plant store, and the ticket office/gift shop. Cacti, flowers, herbs, and other interesting plants can be purchased at reasonable prices. Attached to the ticket office is Winterbourne Press, a fully functioning printing press that performs demonstrations every Friday. The house was built with the most modern of amenities, including fully functioning cistern toilets for servants. A restoration in 2010 brought the house back to its former glory. A secondary feature of Winterbourne is their vaunted tea room, one of the primary reasons for my visit with Brittany A. recently. The public are not able to simply enter the house to visit the tea room, so each visit to the room will cost a person the full ticket price. Given these preconditions and the grandeur of the house, I had high expectations. Unfortunately, the 'tea room' is a basic cafeteria style set-up that you'll find at many historic sites across the UK. Pre-prepared cold case sandwiches and drinks are available, and until 3PM on most days you can order toasties and hot soup. I skipped the unimpressive looking and overpriced scones and ordered a slice of carrot cake, which was absolutely delicious and worth the price. Tea here is the most disappointing aspect, consisting of a tepid pot and a bag of Twinings thrown in. No loose leaf tea is available, and you get the luxury of carrying your supermarket tea out on a cafeteria tray, once more shattering the splendour of the home and grounds. In this aspect, Winterbourne could take notes from the splendid tea rooms of sites like Edinburgh Castle, which offers table service and higher quality teas at comparable price points. The lackluster tea room experience aside, Winterbourne House and Garden is a real gem of a historic property in the University area. While the ticket entrance price won't see me coming here all that often, the free entrance for UOB students is a reason to visit regularly if you attend the University.

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!

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

It is quite difficult to find a coffee shop in Dudley that serves espresso coffee (or expresso as…read moreit said on their menu). So, I thought I'd give Café Grande a try. The outside looks fresh and clean, it appears it has had a recent renovation. Took a little finding as the frontage sign is missing, I'm sure that will be rectified as soon as possible. Interior is quite good, comfy sofas, tables at the right heights, it even has an outdoor rear garden so great in warm weather. I did not eat, but I did have a look at the cakes and deserts, they didn't look high quality that I was expecting. I purchased a coffee, americano with milk. Barista brought it to my table, along with a biscuit and sugar. The coffee was not good - the beans did not taste freshly ground, wasn't a good bean either. Temperature may have been too high, and it was over brewed for sure. Also, the milk was offered separate but it was cold, this will add even bitterness. Coffee, it is one thing I expected them to get right. They also do not offer V60, aeropress, chemex etc that I would expect from an independent coffee shop. It has four stars for hygiene. The place looks clean, and toilets were good too.

don't normally bother to review when the service is bad but this took the biscuit. On arrival we…read moreselected a table, in seconds a waitress gave us food menus. She was politely told we only wanted drinks and did we need to order at the counter? Yes she replied. My Sister went to the counter but we were then given drinks menus. The waitress hovered so the others ordered but I wanted to see what cakes they had (not on the menu). Still she hovered despite me asking her to give us 5 minutes, so I just said I will have a pot of tea with the teabag out of the pot ( I like it weak). The drinks arrived, teabag was in pot, I let it go. Upon paying I asked how much my tea was, £1.20 she replied. I left the money on the table and went to the toilet. When I came back my sister told me the girl had taken £9.20 off the table and not brought any change back. I asked where it was, she replied there wasn't any...ok well if the hot choc was £2.70, latte £2.30 and tea £1.20 that wasn't £9.20. It was she replied. Twice I asked to see the bill. After a while a hastily written bill came showing the tea at £3.90!! No way is tea more that a hot choc with cream ..even Costa tea is half that. I questioned it but was rudely told the price was on the menu. Why did you tell me it was £1.20 then. She shrugged and went off. I asked another waitress, yep tea is £3.90. No apologies for wrong quote, rude attitude and she then rolled her eyes at another customer about my complaint. Not only was the order not as requested, the service shocking but the price was beyond rediculous. Avoid this place. No wonder it was mostly empty!

Really great store. One of the staff that served, Sam, was really friendly and she had a good…read morerapport with the customers. Shame you can't use starbucks card or passbook app in here, something to do with it being a franchise. Some comfy seats, some not so comfy. Luckily it wasn't too busy in here this morning so we had a pick of the seats.

Really nice store. Spacious, wifi, toilets, plenty of seats, only a few comfy seats though. They…read moredon't take Starbucks cards though.

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!

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.

Beautiful little independent coffee shop near Grand theatre & public transport…read more I had coffee & samosas with a mint dip...yummy! Can't wait to try more of the menu. Great place to meet up with friends or chill on your own. Amazing ArtWork all from local artists so get your self down there and support independent local businesses. So worth it!

Well this is a very nice place. During my visit things were by no means 100% satisfactory, but what…read morealways makes a difference is attitude and the feeling, as a customer, that the owner and staff actually care. That was the case here, hence the 5***** I had a meeting over the other side of the town centre and once it had finished at 12.30 I fancied lunch before heading back. I checked Yelp and up came Zuri as an option. It was a 10 minute walk and so given it was a bright, sunny day off I set. It's easy to find with Google Maps. It was about 3/4 full but I was served quickly. I ordered Paneer burger, chips, plain lassi and a flat white. The menu is short but very pleasant. The brilliant thing about this place is it's a coffee shop and Indian 'street food' outlet. I find that a great combo. Of course, 'street food' these days is rarely the street food, prepared simply on the street in front of you, that some of us are familiar with from travelling, but no need to be precious about it! My order came to around £10 which is fine by me. Now onto the problems .... so the lassi arrived and instead of plain it was clearly mango. I didn't really mind, but the Mongo one is quite a bit more expensive. Whether I got someone else's order I dunno. Likely just a mistake. Next the coffee. It was too hot and rather bitter. Often the two go together. I've had worse and was about drinkable after about ten minutes of sitting. They can do better with a minor adjustment I think. Then my burger arrived but no chips. They were coming I was told but they never did. After eating the burger, which was really excellent, drinking the superb lassi and sipping the coffee I needed to be on my way. I went to the counter and said to forget the chips. There were profuse apologies, which was fine. Off I went but was chased by a staff member who insisted they give me a refund. I wasn't bothered but went back and the owner (I think) apologised again. This was very nice. As I mentioned, they care! So this place is an essential visit if you're in and around the Wolverhampton centre. It's five minutes from the St George tram stop. I will certainly pop in again next time I visit Wolverhampton. The lassi is magnificent. Probably the best I've ever had. The burger is first class. The coffee so-so but I'm hard to please. They really need to reduce the temperature and not burn the grind. Staff are first class - just really nice, friendly, helpful people: the kind of folks you can build a business on. This place deserves success and judging by the customers in there I think they'll do fine!