A Birmingham restaurant that pays homage to an old Stratford Road curry house has been named among the very best in Britain.
Opheem's Top 100 Ranking
Opheem, a fine dining venue on Summer Row in the city centre, was the only Birmingham spot to make the National Restaurant Awards Top 100 list, ranking at number 16.
Aktar Islam's venue opened in 2018 and since then has gone on to earn two Michelin Stars, becoming the first Birmingham restaurant to achieve such a culinary honour.
A Unique Dining Experience
Described as 'an entirely different proposition to any other Indian restaurant in the UK', Opheem dishes up Indian flavours in creative and inspiring ways, with familiar dishes like pakora, aloo tuk and korma given the chef's fine dining expert treatment.
A Nod to the Past
On its spring menu, chef Aktar made a nod to his history 'folding up napkins and being paid with Coke and After Eight mints' as a teenager in his dad's Stratford Road restaurant, The Indian Palace.
His dish, called After Eight - Stratford Road, Shirley, is described as 'textures of valhrona chocolate and peppermint'.
It's a sweet tribute that will no doubt bring back fond memories of the Brummie Indian restaurants that have been intrinsic to upholding our city's culinary scene for generations.
How the Awards Are Judged
The National Restaurant Awards annual ranking is judged by an 'academy' of experts including critics, chefs and hospitality business owners.
Between them, they dine at restaurants across 11 regions, submitting their seven favourites to be whittled down to an elite list.
Other Birmingham-Area Restaurants
As well as Opheem, Grace and Savour in Hampton in Arden took the number 28 spot while the 98th ranking was taken by Lichfield venue Upstairs by Tom Shepherd.
Birmingham's Michelin Star Scene
Opheem is one of three Michelin Star restaurants in Birmingham, down from four last year and five the year before.
Simpsons in Edgbaston closed after more than 30 years at the end of May, citing economic struggles among the reasons for the closure.
Prior to that, chef Glynn Purnell closed his eponymous city centre restaurant too.
Meanwhile in the Jewellery Quarter, Alex Claridge's restaurant The Wilderness won a Michelin Star for the first time in 2026.
