The Hotel Rafiya, Redditch

After generating a fair amount of buzz with their pop-ups, warm and welcoming couple Ash and Erin have found a permanent home in this Birmingham suburb. Erin leads the friendly service, while Ash proudly delivers dishes from behind a kitchen counter. Her cooking is characterised by originality and bold hits of flavour, occasionally drawing on influences from her native South Africa, as well as Asian flavours ranging from tom yum to furikake. Choose between two lengths of set menu, the shorter one coming with the more wallet-friendly price tag.

Its idyllic setting is one of Grace & Savour's many draws. Housed in a relatively new building within the Hampton Manor estate, it's a simply beautiful restaurant where the historic meets the contemporary and diners can look out onto the restored Victorian kitchen garden. Some dishes are eye-catching and elaborate in their make-up, while others are defined by their simplicity, and a modern Nordic touch means you can expect plenty of preserved elements complementing the outstanding British produce – like succulent Cornish lobster. Make it an occasion by booking a bedroom.

Adam Stokes’ elegant restaurant feels like it’s been part of the Birmingham dining scene forever. It’s a luxurious place with an art-deco-cum-retro style that includes a smart cocktail bar and a plush dining room. The cooking seamlessly mixes tradition and modernity, offering tried-and-tested combinations in dishes you will recognise in name, but served in ways you’ve probably never encountered. That being said, the primary flavours are left uncrowded, with nothing extraneous on the plate. An impressive wine selection adds to the appeal.

The Italian ethos of uncluttered, straightforwardly delicious cooking is alive and well at this bright neighbourhood restaurant. Let the staff guide you when it comes to ordering the sharing plates, but you're sure to be satisfied by any of the terrific homemade pastas plus the beautifully balanced cannoli to finish. The Italian wine list is as fabulously well-priced as the food, and the buzzing atmosphere and friendly service add to the appeal. It's easy to see why the place is so popular.

A bijou neighbourhood restaurant with stools set at tall tables and a black and green colour scheme. The short, sensibly priced tasting menu moves with the seasons, using prime ingredients to deliver layers of texture and flavour in imaginative dishes. All guests are served at the same time and most go for the wine pairings. Add in the cheese course for a satisfying meal.

Behind the half-timbered walls of this stylish building lies a spacious restaurant that pays tribute to British culture, be it the Union Jacks on the curtains or the model Spitfire hanging from the ceiling. Across a range of menus, including fixed-price and tasting options, Chef Matt Cheal uses prime British produce from Cornish lobster to Aberdeen Angus beef in dishes that showcase his adept modern technique. Start your evening in style in the smart Warren’s Bar or, for a lighter meal, stay there all night to enjoy the small plates menu.

An array of both classic and contemporary Japanese dishes are available at this on-trend restaurant, whose bustling atmosphere suggests it’s a hit with the local diners. The wide-ranging à la carte covers all your Japanese favourites, from sushi and sashimi to super-fine tempura and a choice of cuts from the robata grill. If you want a taste of it all, the well-priced tasting menu is the best option. To finish, ‘Mount Fuji’ is their take on a Mont Blanc, set alight at the table for added volcanic flair.