Premier Inn Bromsgrove Central

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.

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.

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.

With its dark and moody colour scheme, informal vibe and rocking soundtrack, this excellently run restaurant brings something a little different to the Birmingham food scene. Chef Alex Claridge is known for the originality of his cooking, which is always underpinned by superb ingredients (often aged in-house) and clever balancing of both flavours and textures. Stand-out dishes could include a take on brioche bread and butter pudding with barbecued brassicas, or a delicate dessert of smoked chocolate and prunes. Accompany your menu with either an interesting wine flight or creative non-alcoholi

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.

Adding to the growing food scene in the Birmingham suburb of Harborne is this Kickstarter-funded spot from a local chef. The space is small and stylish, with the feel of a contemporary bistro, while the contented diners and lively soundtrack combine to bring a pleasant buzz to the atmosphere. The menu is proudly British and fiercely seasonal, coming across in well-crafted dishes like a wonderful frozen rhubarb dessert with peanut brittle and vanilla ice cream. The cooking is all the better for its absence of unnecessary frippery.

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.