AA’s guide to the best
Looking for the best pubs near you with great beer and good food? The Good Pub Guide 2020 from the AA is sure to give you some inspiration. Here are the 20 pubs nearest to Birmingham it recommends
4 Temple Row West, Birmingham city centre, B2 5NY
The AA said: “A pub with its own theatre and art gallery, its high-Victorian Gothic interior incorporates an immense domed ceiling, stately-home fittings and towering mahogany island bar. Originally a library and later a bank, this impressively colonnaded building was designed by the same architect as part of St Philip’s Cathedral opposite.
“Pies take up a chunk of the menu, which also features grilled Loch Duart salmon and venison casserole with herb dumpling. Delicious desserts include an English cheeseboard and vintage ale sticky toffee pudding.”
Garden, child friendly, not listed as dog friendly
22 Highfield Road, Edgbaston, B15 3DP
The AA said: “The Peach Pubs Company renovated and extended this white-painted, early 20th-century Edgbaston villa to become a smart gastro-pub. With two patios to catch plenty of sun, a leafy garden and a light, contemporary orangery, it’s rapidly grown to be very popular.”
Garden, child friendly, dog friendly
Roebuck Street, West Bromwich, B70 6RD
The AA said: “Beers from reliable, well-loved stalwarts such as Bathams and Holden’s help this thriving, edge-of-town free house to shine.
“Equally adept at attracting customers to fill the surprisingly large open-plan interior and conservatory-style dining area is the remarkable menu created by Suki Patel, based around a pick ‘n’ mix of firm Indian favourites. Channa massala, saag aloo, curried goat, sheesh kebabs and mutter paneer all appear.
“The indoor barbecue is extremely popular, and there’s a range of traditional pub grub dishes like beef in ale pie, and fish and chips.”
Garden, child friendly, not listed as dog friendly
7 Limekiln Lane, Earlswood, B94 6BU
The AA said: “In the charming rural setting of Earlswood, near Solihull, the Bull’s Head was built in the 18th century to house navvies building the Stratford-upon-Avon canal.
“Rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of a lime kiln worker, it comprises a cluster of whitewashed cottages and became a pub in 1832.
“Popular with walkers, the pub is owned by the Daniel Thwaites Brewery and retains much of its original charm courtesy of log fires and a large sun terrace.
“Enjoy a glass of Lancaster Bomber as you choose from an extensive menu offering pizzas, deli boards, salads and chargrilled steaks.”
Garden, child friendly, dog friendly
10 High Street, Hampton-in-Arden, B92 0AA
The AA said: “Once a farmhouse, this 17th-century, timber-framed pub first acquired a drinks licence in the early 1800s. Its bright, modern interior is today furnished with wicker chairs and decorated with fresh flowers.
“Landlord Chris Roach and his partner FanFan draw on their considerable experience of working in or visiting restaurants, bistros and gastro-pubs throughout England and France to present an ever-appealing combination of classic English pub grub and simple French bistro-style food.
“St Malo Black pudding or honey and mustard ham hock terrine would both make a good starter; a main of moules of the day and frites, or boeuf Bourguignon could continue the Gallic approach; or go Italian with mushroom and pesto linguine. Real ales include St Austell Proper Job and Castle Rock Harvest Pale.”
Garden, child friendly, dog friendly
Barston Lane, Barston, B92 0JP
The AA said: “The Malt Shovel is an airy, well designed free house with modern soft furnishings and interesting artefacts. An early 20thcentury, stylishly converted mill building, it sits comfortably in the countryside outside Solihull.
“Natural wood and pastel colours characterise the interiors and flowers decorate the unclothed tables in the tiled dining area. The bar is cosy and relaxed with winter log fires, and there’s an attractive garden for outdoor dining. At weekends, the restaurant in the adjacent converted barn is opened.
“The extensive choice of modern British dishes makes the best of fresh seasonal ingredients, and, predictably, the daily fish specials board is popular with lovers of seafood – perhaps king prawn and chorizo risotto; or line-caught mackerel, free-range slow roast pork belly and buttered Savoy cabbage.
“As for desserts, you could easily be tempted by the lemon curd cheesecake with gin and lime glaze and a mint brandy snap; or chocolate truffles and petit fours. A board of English and European cheeses with grapes, celery, red onion chutney and artisan crackers will fill any remaining corners.”
Garden, child friendly, dog friendly