Ambala's Legacy in Small Heath
Ambala has been serving baked treats on Coventry Road for around 30 years, building a reputation for quality that makes it a family tradition for birthdays, new babies, Eid, and Diwali. Store supervisor Mohamad Afroze moved from India to Birmingham four years ago just to work in this bakery. He says, "If someone comes with an Ambala box, you know it's going to be good."
A Tour of Sweets and Savories
The shop offers a wide range: warm samosas baked in house at £1.50 each, paneer-stuffed spring rolls, pakora, and a counter full of colorful sweets from rose chum chum to Dubai chocolate barfi and the famous habshi halwa. The samosas are massive and loaded with filling, making a whole meal. Sweets range from subtle habshi halwa to syrupy gulab jamun.
History and Expansion
Ambala was founded by Mohammed Ali Khan in London in 1964, expanding within four years. The Coventry Road branch has been a staple for three decades, surviving changes in Birmingham's tastes. Cake Box bought the business in 2025, providing stability. Ambala now has branches on Coventry Road, Stratford Road, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, and Coventry.
