The best neighborhoods in Birmingham

With the bulbous Bullring shopping center and the cylindrical Rotunda forming one of the ��’s more curious skylines, ��Բ��󲹳�’s city center is certainly unique on first impressions. And now with modern trams gliding by gleaming new squares, the city has gone through profound and positive change in recent years.

However, it’s in ��Բ��󲹳�’s neighborhoods where the real magic has been happening. From Harborne’s fabulous gastronomy to Kings Heath’s lush green parks and beyond, there’s plenty to discover when you venture out from town. Here’s a closer look at ��Բ��󲹳�’s best neighborhoods.

Two women shopping at Brindley Place in Birmingham UK — You have the pick of bars and restaurants in the city center and surrounding neighborhoods © West Midlands Growth Company

Jewellery Quarter

Best for history and heritage

Walking past the busy al fresco bars of Ludgate Hill into leafy St Pauls’s Square – ��Բ��󲹳�’s only Georgian square – is one of the city’s finest introductions for first-time visitors, but that’s just one part of the Jewellery Quarter’s appeal. This historic neighborhood was and still is the beating heart of the ��’s jewelry industry and many of the old workhouses still line its charming streets, alongside shop windows filled with sparkling diamond rings often perused by couples at weekends.

With its immaculately preserved workshops and live demonstrations, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is a fascinating time capsule into ��Բ��󲹳�’s heritage. Other quirky museums include the (yes, really!) and the nearby , a celebration of Victorian ��Բ��󲹳�’s fascination with funeral decorations.

Don’t miss the superb bars and restaurants of the area too, including low-lit Japanese cocktail bar , jaunty microbrewery , and the darkly enigmatic fine-dining restaurant .

Moseley

Best for bohemian brunches

Whether you think it’s full of either hippies or hipsters, Moseley perhaps gets labeled more than any other Birmingham neighborhood but those who live there don’t mind too much. Moseley Village’s laid-back community vibe has been part of its character for generations and its colorful pubs, cafes, bistros and restaurants hold an enduring allure.

And from the seductive Middle Eastern aromas of and to hearty stalwarts like and , there are an endless amount of brunch options on Moseley’s vibrant streets. And when evening comes, quality recent additions such as French bistro , veggie-only pizza slice kings , and sublime Peruvian restaurant give every reason to stay.

Make time in between eating to visit some of the attractions near Moseley. Eighteenth-century and the magical woodlands of Moseley Bog are both said to have inspired JRR Tolkien, while the has been an artistic institution since the early 1960s.

Street scene in Birmingham city center. Birmingham is the most populous British city outside London — From public sculptures to street art, Birmingham has strong creative undercurrents © Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock

Digbeth

Best for nightlife and street art

Set underneath hulking coal-grey railway arches, Digbeth’s industrial-chic seems almost tailor-made to show off ��Բ��󲹳�’s exceptional street art and was even featured in Stephen Speilberg’s Ready Player One. Just a short walk from the city center, the striking graffiti and shimmering criss-cross fairy lights of Floodgate Street make Digbeth the most distinct of ��Բ��󲹳�’s neighborhoods.

The Custard Factory’s independent shops, cafes, and bars attract throngs of weekend revelers throughout the day, but it’s in the evening when Digbeth truly comes alive. From rare Belgian beers at to neon cocktails at , there’s an array of choices in a conveniently compact area.

Dance the night away to beats under the arches at , while DJs at the spin everything from funk and reggae to soul and indie. And if that wasn’t enough, you can dance and play games like ten-pin bowling and basketball at .

Kings Heath

Best for parks, pints and independent boutiques

Just south of Moseley and down the winding Alcester Road lies Kings Heath, a lively shopping neighborhood centered around its High Street. From institutions like legendary record shop Polar Bear Records to modern favorites such as handmade gift store , Kings Heath has long operated as a welcoming neighborhood platform for independent businesses and boutiques.

Pedestrian-friendly York Road is the neighborhood’s thriving epicenter, instantly recognizable by the imposing presence of Victorian redbrick pub and gig venue (UB40 played their first-ever gig here in 1979). Enjoy a revolving cast of street food and craft beer at , natural wines at the breezy , and alfresco woodfired pizza at .

If you need a bucolic escape then nearby Highbury Park is a tranquil and underrated park, full of meandering trails passing by lazy weeping willows, small serene ponds and dense green woodland.

A boat cruising on the canals at Brindley Place in Birmingham, UK — More venues are making the most of Birmingham's unique canals especially in summer © West Midlands Growth Company

Stirchley

Best for craft beer

With its splendid old pubs and casual modern taprooms, Stirchley is the lively focal point of ��Բ��󲹳�’s craft beer scene. So much so, that it even has its own dedicated "beer mile" for intrepid ale aficionados to merrily enjoy as they amble down the understated Pershore Road and its various tributaries.

Bright and airy is conveniently situated across Mary Vale Road from Bournville Station, while canalside location is secluded and offers a ton of room for drinking on its outdoor tables during the summer. In the winter months, the cozy confines of and make for ideal spots to sample their sours, stouts, and hazy pales.

In a previous life, Stirchley was perhaps best known for its proximity to the famous chocolate haven that is Cadbury World and it's still a popular spot to this day, especially for a family day out.

Harborne

Best for foodies

No city in the UK outside of London has more Michelin stars than Birmingham and the city has become a gastronomic hotspot because of the creativity and passion of its chefs. And while the leafy neighborhood of Harborne doesn’t own any stars (yet), it might be pound-for-pound the city’s best place for consistently high-quality dining experiences.

Sitting proudly in white at the top end of the High Street, delightful paprika-smoked chicken Cubano's go beyond what you’d normally expect from a pub menu while further down the road sets a new high bar for fish and chips, especially when they come with freshly shucked oysters.

The succulent slow-cooked ox cheek is one of many highlights at wonderful Italian , while the relaxed fine-dining and imaginative drinks pairings at make for arguably the best value quality eating in the city.