Whether it's a closure after months, years, or decades, nine Birmingham restaurants have not survived 2026. Approaching the halfway point of the year, the city has lost plenty of independent favourites — and even a Michelin Star restaurant. From Harborne to Hall Green and Selly Oak to Stirchley, here are nine 'heart-breaking' restaurant closures in Birmingham.
Simpsons
No matter what happens this year, this will go down as one of the biggest in the city. A loss of a Michelin Star restaurant with over 30 years of memories, the Simpsons closure shocked the city last week. Owner Andreas Antona put the restaurant up for sale years ago but called the closure the 'most sensible decision'. A critic of the government, including a ban on Labour MPs, Antona said he 'didn't want it to end like this'. For more information about the Simpsons closure, click here.
Raja Monkey
A hidden gem for some, a Hall Green favourite for others, Raja Monkey was a popular Indian restaurant on the Stratford Road. Rising costs and economic pressure were among the reasons why Raja Monkey closed last month. While Raja Monkey has plans to transform into a dark kitchen, it's another loss of a fantastic Birmingham restaurant. For more information on the Raja Monkey closure, click here.
Navaraza
After Mexican restaurant Zocalo closed last year, Navaraza opened in July and added a twist on the cuisine. Navaraza retained its emphasis on Mexican food while introducing a fusion with Indian food, offering an unlikely combination. After less than a year of burritos and Indian wraps, a warning sign was installed last month, warning the owners on entering the premises. Navaraza is now listed as 'permanently closed' on Google. For more information on the closure, click here.
Cafe Lovelife
Cafe Lovelife was an all-day venue where you could enjoy brunch, lunch and dinner under one beautiful roof. Days before Valentines Day, the Digbeth cafe announced its closure in February with heartbreaking news. In an email to customers, it read: 'Thank you so much for your understanding and for all the love and support - it truly means a lot to us.' For more information about the closure, click here.
Deli 17
A taste of Spain without the sunshine, Deli 17's closure was a big loss in Selly Oak. Bosses at the Spanish Deli revealed in April that 'a break' in the lease meant they would close after two years. Despite the sad news, fans were encouraged to keep 'eyes peeled' on social media with plans for future pop-up events. For more information on the closure, click here.
Yardbirds
One of Birmingham's best restaurants for fried chicken, Yardbirds brought people in from across the city. In March, Yardbirds revealed they would leave their Stirchley home and said it was 'too much of a gamble' to renew the lease. In a statement, they said: 'It's always been a pleasure to serve you. Thank you, Stirchley. From the bottom of our hearts.' While the restaurant is no more, football fans can enjoy Yardbirds at St Andrew's Stadium and Villa Park throughout the season. For more information on the closure, click here.
Kababish
For decades, Kababish served Birmingham, more specifically Moseley, as one of the best restaurants for a British Pakistani curry. In a heart-breaking message in March, the restaurant announced its closure. It wrote: 'To every single customer who walked through our doors, supported us, laughed with us, and made us part of your lives: thank you. Your loyalty and love have kept us going for over four decades, and we will forever be grateful.' For more information, click here.
Harborne Kitchen
The year started with an almost-instant blow to foodies as Harborne Kitchen shut down. In a statement, the Modern British restaurant wrote: 'The restaurant is closed permanently. If you have a voucher or have made a deposit for a future reservation, please contact accounts@harbornekitchen.com. Please don't call or drop by the restaurant because there will be nobody in the building. Thank you very much for your patience and goodbye.' For more information about the closure, click here.
Aluna
After over a decade, cocktail bar and restaurant Aluna closed its doors in January. On Facebook, Aluna wrote: 'We’re incredibly proud of what we built and endlessly grateful to our team, our suppliers, and every single guest who came through our doors — whether it was for cocktails, celebrations, or just a good night out. If you had a booking with us, you have been contacted via email so please check your spam folder if you haven’t received it. Thank you for the memories, the energy, and the love you showed Aluna over the years.' For more information, click here.
