Review of Birmingham’s shopping and dining new arrivals over past 12 months meaning there’s some hot new shops, coffee shops and restaurants to visit into 2025.
Here’s a round-up on some of the freshest must-see places in Birmingham city centre from Sephora to the Jellycat Store.
NEW STREET
EL&N
EL&N Cafe, which claims to be the ‘most instagrammable cafe in the world’, opened in New Street next to High Street. Rows of immaculate cakes in the window help entice diners into its beautiful pink tearoom.
Rudell The Jewellers
Luxury retailer, Rudell The Jewellers’ third showroom in the Midlands is a lavishly decorated haven selling renowned names including Chopard, Messika, Fope, Mikimoto, Roberto Coin, and Georg Jensen over two floors. It is also the ‘exclusive home’ of Patek Philippe Swiss luxury watches in the city.
Blank Street Coffee
The popular American coffee chain heralding from New York launched two coffee shops in Birmingham city centre in 2024 – one in New Street in the shadow of the Council House and the other at Bullring.
Popeyes
American eatery Popeyes, famous for its New Orleans chicken, is now in New Street offering diners everything from hot wings to new breakfast menu including Cajun hash browns.
Zócalo
New Mexican restaurant and bar Zócalo in New Street is the first of its UK franchises to open outside London. Diners can choose from healthy burritos, tacos, quesadillas, bowls, nachos and churros, plus it also sells beers and cocktails.
Boojum
Mexican casual dining eatery Boojum replaced Second Cup Coffee in New Street. It’s a vibrant burrito bar that had queues down the street on opening day.
Shepherd’s Grooming
Eight years on from opening in Piccadilly Arcade, Shepherd’s Grooming has extended the salon in an upstairs creative studio at Burlington Court, above Starbucks. The latest addition is the launch of a new treatment room for men add to its services including haircare, shaves and beards.
Admiral Slots
Admiral Slots and adult gaming has replaced Boots in the New Street. Players get unlimited free refreshments.
CANNON STREET
Suits Direct
Suits Direct moved into new premises in Cannon Street. The menswear store offers everything from formalwear to casual clothing and suits for work. It is now one of the fastest growing suit retailers in the UK.
TEMPLE STREET
Aphrodite’s Bar
Michelin star chef Adam Stokes launched Aphrodite’s Bar at his Oyster Club eatery at the top of Temple Street. It’s close to his restaurant Adam’s in Waterloo Street. Guests at the stylish cocktail bar are overlooked by a gorgeous painting of the Goddess of Love Aphrodite.
MARTINEAU PLACE
Merlin’s
Fantasy themed café and bar Merlin’s opened in Martineau Place. Downstairs is a family-friendly café serving lunch and coffees while upstairs is a bar with fantastically eccentric horror décor all year round and not just at Halloween.
CITY ARCADE
Shawarma Palace
New eatery Shawarma Palace opened at City Arcade on the corner of Union Street selling fresh shawarma kebabs, wraps, fried chicken, burgers and plates with rice. There’s Middle Eastern specials on the menu too from Lahmacun to Falafel.
PICCADILLY ARCADE
Clays
Opening just before Christmas, Clays is a state-of-the-art sociable virtual shooting experience. It combines the latest VR technology and entertainment with a bar for couples or groups.
Boba One bubble tea shop
Boba One bubble tea shop, featuring a pretty cherry blossom tree, is a haven for those seeking made to order drinks and treats in historic Piccadilly Arcade.
Resiliency
New tattoo parlour Resiliency opened its new base in Piccadilly Arcade and is renowned for intricate designs. It offers Birmingham city centre workers 10% off tattoos and a £10 discount on piercings.
Brow Box
New salon Brow Box is well known in Stourbridge and has now expanded into Birmingham city centre offering beauty treatments.
Harbin Acupuncture Clinic
Licensed therapist Dr. Xuejun Yu is behind Harbin Acupuncture Clinic in Piccadilly Arcade. It offers traditional Chinese acupuncture, tui na massage, cupping, and herbal medicine.
BULLRING
Pop Mart
Toy shop Pop Mart opened near the Bull at Bullring and sells its range of unique characters. The designer toys are collectible and highly sought-after, quickly selling off the shelves.
SDMN
Youtube sensations Sidemen opened their SDMN clothing store in West Mall of Bullring. This is only their second shop to open where fans can browse clothes, merchandise and even get a pic in a photobooth in-store. The store obviously means a lot to KSI, Vikkstar, Simon aka Miniminter, Ethan – known as Behzinga, Harry W2S, John (Zerkaa) and Tobi – TBJZL as they all turned up for the Bullring launch.
Sephora
The world famous beauty store opened in West Mall and sells make-up, fragrances, skin care, hair care and grooming products including Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty range, Glossier and Kayali. Shoppers can get treatments in-store at a Benefit brow bar and Elemis, Dermalogica and Seasonly skincare sessions at beauty counters.
Cinnabon
US bakery Cinnabon brought its famous cinnamon rolls to Birmingham. First launched in Seattle in 1985, shoppers can opt for various flavoured iced ‘bons’ with ingredients including Oreo crumbs.
Zara
Zara moved to a new larger and glossier store that opened with two floors in West Mall of Bullring. It sells everything from womenswear to children’s clothes, menswear and homeware.
PURESEOUL
The Korean store launched in Birmingham offering its wide range of K-beauty products
River Island
River Island reopened on Level 3 of the West Mall in Bullring with a glitzy look to showcase its clothing ranges after a major revamp.
Jellycat General Store in Selfridges
The largest Jellycat Store space in the UK has opened inside Selfridges department store. Packed with the plush soft toys, it’s a dream for Jellycat fans of all ages. See inside the store in this video on our Instagram page.
TOCA Social
TOCA Social’s immersive football dining experience took over the former Debenham’s site on the third floor of Bullring. Along with 23 interactive football boxes, there’s a 360-degree bar, karaoke booth and private spaces to hire.
Hanok
Korean lifestyle store launched in Bullring selling colourful and cute accessories for the home.
Rituals
A brand new Rituals opened in West Mall of Bullring showcasing its beautifully packaged and fragranced range of toiletries and home accessories.
Pop Street
New street food venue selling international food opened just before Christmas. Diners can buy everything from Korean chicken curry to burgers in bright surroundings.
GRAND CENTRAL
Shake Shack
This American fast food burger and milkshake giant is among the latest to open in Birmingham 2024 on the first floor of Grand Central, above New Street Station. Handy fast food for if you’re catching the train.