The Secret Hotspots of Birmingham's Burbs

Friday, 22 April 2022
  • Days Out

Say hello to the secret spots that nobody really wants you to know about.

Now that the nights are staying lighter and spring is in the air, why not venture out away from your regular haunts and try something new?

Are you a City-Centre dweller who props up the bar at your local every weekend, or do you live a bit further afield and treat yourself to the big city for an evening out with friends? Whatever your answer, why not try something new and visit the ‘burbs' of Birmingham?

To help you discover some of the best-kept secrets in Birmingham, we’ve scoured TikTok and investigated Instagram, identifying the top trending videos and most popular hashtags to reveal a number of lesser-known – but exceptionally interesting - hotspots we think you should take a trip to.

Plus, to make your night out even sweeter, our Evening Return tickets are available for just £2.60*! Start your outbound journey after 6:30pm and return the same night to take advantage of this fantastic offer - no taxi or Uber can even come close!

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Fargo’s and Afrikana

  • Closest station: Small Heath

Alighting the train at Small Heath Station, we’ve found two exciting venues that both pack a TikTok punch. Fargo’s is a casual restaurant on Ladypool Road specialising in burgers and burritos. It’s open until 10pm every night and has 4-stars on TripAdvisor along with 336 reviews.

Afrikana in Balsall Heath features authentic home-cooked African-inspired dishes, and encourages customers to enjoy a ‘breathtaking experience surrounded by art, music, culture and great food. Indeed, the vibrant artwork and thumping rhythms explain its prominence on social platforms! The varied menus offer something for everyone – with vegetarian and vegan options too. With a shining 4-star rating on TripAdvisor, it’s sure to be a hit!

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Gaijin Sushi

  • Closest station: Selly Oak

Just a ten-minute train journey from the city centre is Gaijin Sushi – the only restaurant in our research to have a 5-star TripAdvisor rating. Alight the train at Selly Oak Station and head down Bristol Street to find this mouth-wateringly amazing sushi stop. Having received an outstanding review from journalist Jay Rayner in The Guardian, this restaurant has gone from strength to strength since it opened in 2018. It’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but open Wednesday till Saturday until 10pm, and Sundays until 8pm.

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Dough and Bun

  • Clostest station: Stechford

A little further out of the city centre is a veritable TikTok star, Dough and Bun - a gourmet burger and artisan pizza restaurant that’s open until 11pm every night of the week. Take the train to Stechford Station and then walk to Bromford Lane in Washwood Heath – you won’t be disappointed. This secret hotspot features a whole host of burgers to tickle your taste buds, and the pizzas are works of art (so much so, you’re bound to want to Insta them!).

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The Milkcake Man

  • Closest station: Bournville

Got a sweet tooth? Then The Milkcake Man is the place for you. With over 16k followers on Instagram, we dare you not to drool at the images let alone the incredible desserts themselves! Specialising in soft-serve ice cream and milkcakes, this trendy little café changes its creative flavours weekly. A ‘milkcake’ is exactly what it sounds like - a sponge cake that is covered with delicious toppings. Add things like Lotus Biscoff, pistachio or Nutella and then finish with flavoured milk which is poured over the top and left to drench the mouthwateringly moist cake. Hop on the train and head to the closest station in Bournville, you’ll find The Milkcake Man tucked away in King’s Court in Kings Heath.

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So, why not treat yourself to a night out (or two) in some of the city’s best ‘secret spots’? Enjoy some fun dining and drinks and then take a seat and let the train take you home - for just £2.60! What’s not to love? Simply book it, train it, love it.