The Best Italian Restaurants in Birmingham

Situated amongst a mix of old and new architecture on the trendy Oozells Square, a stone’s throw away from the bustling Broad Street. Piccolino boasts an open kitchen, cocktail bar and an all year round alfresco terrace with a fully retractable roof. On our visit we during a Thursday afternoon, the restaurant was busy however we were greeted by a lovely waiter who quickly seated close to the front windows. The staff were wonderful at making sure we had everything we needed and despite being busy we didn’t feel ignored. For drinks we tried their Raspberry & Hibiscus Nojito which was refreshingly sweet and also the ‘Tropic Like its Hot’ which was a Mango & Melon with apple, elderflower & lime. For mains we tried the classic Margherita Pizza and also the Spaghetti Carbonara. The food arrived presented well and was made using fresh ingredients which was evident with every bite we took. Piccolino cater for the vegan & vegetarian diet, and also have an extensive dessert menu.

Have to try: Carbonara & Mocktail drinks
Perfect for: Lunch dates
Approx price for 2: £35

Based at a historic venue in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, Cucina invites you to try their irresistible Italian dishes all days of the week. With specialities from the very north of Italy down to the Southern favourites, you won’t miss any of their authentic cuisine.

On our visit we could see how stylish this restaurant was, having dark wood tables, ambient lighting, and a bar with an outdoor terrace. We visited on a Monday lunchtime and were amazed at the Italian theme and beautiful decoration.  We tried the pizza garlic bread with mozzarella, penne arrabbiata as well as the lasagne which was recommended by the staff. The garlic bread was a scrumptious treat to start our meal with, the mozzarella has that stringy pull to it which was satisfying. The penne arrabiata was hearty and flavoursome, the fresh chillies gave it a nice kick of spice. The lasagne was presented beautifully and lived up to expectations.

Have to try: Lasagne
Perfect for: Family and friend meals
Approx price for 2: £45

Situated inside a Red-brick Victorian building in the Jewellery Quarter, Pasta Di Piazza is serving up traditional Italian dishes to all the local Brummies and visitors. Definitely on its way to becoming a firm favourite!

We visited on a Friday evening, and the restaurant was clearly at full capacity (a good sign!) so there was a wait of approx 20 minutes before we were seated. The staff were accommodating and very knowledgeable with the menu. 

For starters we had the bruschetta and mixed olives which were flavoursome and a pleasure to indulge in while we waited for our mains. For mains, of course we had to try their spaghetti Bolognese — the ultimate test of an Italian restaurant’s quality. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The Bolognese sauce was traditionally prepared using fine ingredients, you won’t be reaching for your premade jar from Tesco any time soon. For desserts we ordered the tiramisu & panna cotta. The tiramisu was creamy & deliciously smooth. The panna cotta was very pleasant and sweet in taste.

Have to try: Spaghetti Bolognese & Tiramisu
Perfect for: Evening meals
Approx price for 2: £40

Located on Colmore Row in the heart of Birmingham, Gusto has a classy restaurant inside the Grand Hotel. Upon arrival we received a friendly greeting and were seated right away. The staff were very engaging and professional. The restaurant itself is stunning, the building is Victorian with modern touches inside. 

For starters, we tried the Lemon & Pepper Calamari and Slow-Cooked Meatballs. Both dishes were prepared exceptionally well, our personal favourite was the calamari as it was crispy and had a tangy taste. For mains we tried the Scallop & Prawn Ravioli which came in a rich lobster bisque along with cherry tomatoes. This was bursting with flavour which left us craving for more! For drinks, we recommend you try the pina colada and tutti frutti- your classic holiday drinks to make you forget where you are! Both beverages were delightful to have with the meal.

Have to try: Meatballs & Calamari
Perfect for: Date nights
Approx price for 2: £35

Located at 1 Waterloo Street, Fumo is a chic cocktail bar, restaurant and late lounge from the award winning Italian family-owned San Carlo Group. With a grand solid marble feature bar, this elegant venue offers expertly crafted Italian cicchetti dishes (medium sized plates that are smaller than a main, but larger than a starter) to eat alone or share. 

For starters we decided to get the fritto portofino which was a sharing platter that included deep fried prawns scallops and calamari served with garlic aioli & spicy mayo. Trust me, the crispiness was unreal and you’ll just want to drink the sauces. For mains we tried the vegetarian pizza that was topped with ‘fior di latte’ (cow milk mozzarella), pepper, aubergine & courgette. The dough was super soft as made fresh daily on the premises, the toppings were also great quality.

Have to try: Sharing platters
Perfect for: Dinner dates
Approx price for 2: £30

Located on Bennetts Hill in the city centre, you will find a relaxed neighbourhood pizzeria that is serving up fresh Neapolitan pizzas daily. Following the traditions & artistry from Naples, which is the birthplace of pizza, 

We visited on a weekday lunchtime so the restaurant was fairly busy, however the service time was great. From the menu we ordered the portobello pizza which came with san marzano tomato, fior di latte, portobello mushroom, basil & oregano along with sea salt and garlic oil. The pizzas are made in a hand built wood fired oven imported from Naples, that cooks at 430 degrees at 60 seconds to give you the ultimate crispy and charred Neapolitan delight. 

The quality of ingredients was outstanding, as was the general presentation of the pizza. For drinks, we tried Rudy’s homemade lemonade which was freshly squeezed lemon juice with sugar syrup and soda. A very pleasant and refreshing drink that washed down the pizza. *A discretionary 10% service charge is applied to parties of six or more*

Have to try: Stone baked pizzas
Perfect for: Catchup with friends
Approx price for 2: £25

Based close to the Grand Central station, you will find La Galleria which is a family-run Italian restaurant in Birmingham that offers a warm welcoming experience. Whether you are visiting us for a romantic night out, larger party or corporate event you’re guaranteed to be looked after by their friendly and attentive staff. 

With summer coming up, their offering of al fresco dining gives it extra points as you can soak up the sun while you indulge in a fine Italian cuisine, this is certainly a spot for the vibes! 

On our visit, the staff quickly seated us and kept us entertained with their great sense of humour. The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the food. We indulged in a variety of dishes, including homemade meatballs, pan fried chicken breast, penne pasta and of course pizza. Each dish was a culinary delight and something we would, without doubt, try again. The consistent quality and delicious flavours affirmed how La Galleria holds to its values of authenticity.

Have to try: Penne pasta
Perfect for: Lunch dates
Approx price for 2: £30

Offering a modern yet authentic approach to Italian cuisine, San Carlo Birmingham has become an iconic restaurant on the local dining scene. The restaurant’s kitchen uses the freshest produce and ingredients available, some even being directly imported from Italy! 

On our visit on a midweek afternoon, the staff greeted us and let us choose where to sit (which almost never happens in restaurants, so this was great). The atmosphere was quite chill, not too noisy or rowdy. The décor was beautiful and the restaurant was spacious with a celebrity wall of fame (hope to see myself there soon!) We tried the tempura prawns for starters which were dressed with a spicy mayo, for mains the lasagne emiliane- which is highly recommended. It was prepared using fresh layers of pasta with slow cooked bolognese sauce baked with bechamel, mozzarella & parmesan cheese. The menu is quite extensive and they also offer calzone pizza & lobster for those who want a real treat!

Have to try: Lasagne
Perfect for: Evening meals
Approx price for 2: £50

Based in the up and coming area of Ladywood, you will find a traditional family run Italian restaurant called Caffe Gustami. It’s obvious from when you walk in that they take pride in their dishes – claiming to cook just like ‘our moms and grannies’. 

Gustami offers salads, pastas, pizzas and meat dishes to satisfy your appetite. On our visit we found the restaurant to be very homely and traditional. It isn’t spacious in size, which worried us at first, but you quickly grow to love and appreciate the atmosphere which is welcoming and not pretentious.

From the menu, we tried the focaccia bread & olives, spaghetti carbonara and risotto al funghi. All dishes were prepared in good time using fine ingredients and arrived on our table for us to enjoy. The mixed olives had a hint of chilli and complimented the focaccia delightfully. The spaghetti carbonara was generous in portion size, and was made using eggs, parmesan, smoked pancetta and loads of black pepper! 

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience, the food was delicious and great value for money. *Free Parking available after 7.30pm*

Have to try: Spaghetti Carbonara
Perfect for: Lunch dates
Approx price for 2: £20

Overlooking the beautiful St Paul’s square in Birmingham, you will find Locanta which is a cosy family run Italian restaurant that has been serving guests for over 20 years. They provide daily fresh seafood, steak, pasta and, of course, pizzas. 

Upon arrival you feel the warm, friendly ambience the restaurant has to offer. Based over two floors, there is plenty of seating for dates, parties and friendly catchups. From the menu we tried the stuffed mushrooms that came with garlic butter, breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. We also tried the scallops scorsese which consisted of pasta parcels filled with scallops and king prawns in creamy mustard sauce with peppercorn. Both dishes were exceptional and prepared carefully ensuring quality is delivered. For mains the Sicilian Lamb & Aubergine pasta is a must! It was made using linguini pasta topped with chilli sauce and tomato to enhance the taste.

Have to try: Sicilian Lamb
Perfect for: Family dinners
Approx price for 2: £25