Birmingham | Where to eat
Ask locals where to go for a proper Italian meal in the city centre and many will point you towards San Carlo Birmingham on Temple Street. Just a short walk from New Street station, it’s the restaurant where the whole San Carlo story began, and it has been a fixture of the city’s dining scene for more than three decades. It’s the kind of place that works equally well for a business lunch, a pre-theatre bite or a big family celebration. Here are five reasons to book a table.
1. It’s the original San Carlo, with a great back story
Today San Carlo is a well-known name with restaurants across the UK and beyond, but it all started right here on Temple Street in 1992, with just 20 tables. The founder, Carlo Distefano, grew up in Sicily and came to Britain as a teenager in the early 1960s, working his way up through hairdressing before following his real passion for food. After Birmingham, the group went on to open in Bristol, Leicester and Manchester, and it is still run by two generations of the Distefano family. Eating here means visiting the flagship that set the tone for everything that followed. It has become something of a Birmingham institution, and you can feel that sense of confidence as soon as you walk through the door.
2. Fresh fish and seafood are a speciality
San Carlo has long been known for its seafood, with fresh fish and produce arriving daily and a large choice of fish and shellfish dishes alongside the classic Italian specials. The menu covers the full range, from a simple bowl of pasta and a glass of wine right up to lobster and Champagne for a special occasion. The cooking draws on regional Italian traditions with a contemporary touch, using seasonal ingredients, many of them brought over from Italy. Fresh pasta and well-prepared meat dishes sit alongside the seafood, so there’s plenty for everyone at the table. It’s worth asking the staff about the day’s specials, which often showcase whatever has come in fresh that morning.
3. Glamorous surroundings and proper Italian hospitality
Part of the appeal of San Carlo is the atmosphere, which feels smart and buzzy without ever being stiff. The restaurant is known for its elegant surroundings and warm, old-school Italian service, with a largely Italian team running the floor and the kitchen. It’s a big, lively room that suits a celebration, and the restaurant can host larger parties too, with groups of nine or more asked to call or use the group bookings enquiry form. To round things off, there’s a carefully chosen Italian wine list, so you can match a bottle to your meal. It’s the sort of place where people dress up a little and make an evening of it.
4. Set lunch and pre-theatre menus for great value
If you want to enjoy San Carlo without splashing out on the full à la carte, the set menus are well worth knowing about. A two- or three-course lunch menu runs on weekdays from noon until 4pm, making it ideal for a shopping break or a working lunch. There’s also a pre-theatre menu with two or three courses, which is perfect if you’re heading to one of the city’s theatres afterwards. If you’re off to see the new production of Cats at Birmingham Hippodrome, for example, San Carlo makes an easy and memorable pre-show stop. Check the restaurant’s website for the latest prices and times before you go, as set menus can change through the year.
5. Family-friendly, with a menu for younger guests
San Carlo may feel glamorous, but children are made very welcome, and the Birmingham restaurant offers a dedicated children’s menu. Little ones can choose from Italian favourites such as arancini, garlic bread, lasagne, a mini Milanese or grilled salmon, or build their own pasta or pizza with their choice of sauces and toppings. Puddings include soft serve ice cream, cheesecake or fresh fruit, which should keep most young diners happy. There’s also a traditional Sunday roast on offer, and gluten-free dishes are available on request, so it works well for a family get-together with mixed tastes. Combine a meal here with a festive wander round the Frankfurt Christmas Market for a lovely winter day out in the city.
Info
San Carlo Birmingham
4 Temple Street, Birmingham B2 5BN
Tel: 0121 633 0251
Open Sunday to Thursday 12pm–10pm; Friday and Saturday 12pm–11pm
A short walk from Birmingham New Street station