Woodstock is an unassuming presence from the outside and what with its mostly lame 'music pun'…read moretheme that screams "avoid" amongst Selly Oak's chip shop haven, it turns out to be a real treat. Pleasant and polite staff, coffee that is reasonable and of good quality and a huge menu that will prompt a good five minutes of staring at the wall trying to make a decision (this can be a little awkward when a couple are sat directly underneath the menu on the wall and you are stood there, motionless, rushing your confused brain and abating your impatient belly in the process of making a decision). The baguettes and paninis are particularly nice - the veggie option was thoughtful and delicious. Whether it's an early hangover cure, or to just get away from the usual fare that Selly Oak boasts, Woodstock is a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Bristol Road.

Woodstock Cafe in Selly Oak is a wonderful place to pop in for a baguette or jacket potato for…read morelunch, when I lived in Selly Oak I'd often be found in here at lunchtime because the prices are so reasonable and the food so tasty. It's a similar set up to Subway where you tell them exactly what salad items you want on your baguette and then choose a filling from the menu board. The end result is a delicious baguette that will keep you going all day because the staff are so generous with their fillings. The choices range from the standard ham right up to more unusual Mediterranean fillings, everything I've tried here has been delicious apart from one baguette I had which had loads of black olives in there. Now, I hate olives so the fact that I didn't like this was not the cafes fault in the slightest - more me being a numpty and ordering a food I loathe! In the winter the jacket potatoes are excellent comfort food and again they come with a range of fillings from cheese to ratatouille so there is something to suit everyone. The staff in Woodstock are lovely and will chat as they are preparing your food, I always get the impression that they are really interesting in what I'm saying rather than just talking for the sake of it. The atmosphere in Woodstock is very chilled out and comfortable, sometimes I'll go in with a magazine and sit reading that for an hour without being disturbed - apart from when I want another delicious fresh coffee that is! The customers are mainly students as the university is two minutes up the road, I've eaten in cafes surrounding Northampton uni and found the students obnoxious and loud but this is definitely not the case in Woodstock and this seems to be the place for people to sit and relax rather than be shouting and screaming. Next time you're in Selly Oak I'd definitely recommend a visit to Woodstock for a spot of lunch, the food is fantastic and it won't break even the most credit crunch affected bank!

The Stirchley revival/renewal/gentrification (delete as applicable) continues apace with this…read moresuperb little independent cafe on the Pershore Road. A spacious, comfortable and welcoming spot with excellent coffee, some lovely homemade cake/biscuit treats and lovely staff. They also host poetry workshops and open evenings and have a fine selection of books to keep readers of all ages entertained. Highly recommended and I'm hoping to become a regular visitor.

Everything from the ambiance to the staff are welcoming and cozy! But the best bit is the food…read more Delicious Middle Eastern fare and the best Turkish coffee I've had in ages. We drove 45 mins to try this place out and it did not disappoint!

Definitely one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in Birmingham (and restaurants in general as…read morewell). As someone who has been spoilt with different cuisines from different cities, I can be annoyingly judgy and picky, and honestly... Birmingham doesn't have me impressed. So understand that me saying that Damascena is "one of the best," it's a big deal. Their food is outstanding and it comes at a very reasonable price. The restaurant is located in cute Moseley and is not exactly attractive, but once you enter, you will be welcomed by a wide arrange of pastries. Every plate I've eaten here has left me incredibly satisfied by its taste and its amount of food... and money. The only improvement would be on their client service, as the waitresses weren't attentive, and their cooking time, as it took around 20 minutes for the plates to arrive. I will definitely be returning here as long as I am in Birmingham. Come to Damascena! And they have amazing drinks too.

We chose here for breakfast fancying something a little different. Walking in there was a lot of…read morespace to sit and very very attentive staff . To drink we chose a mango lassi, matcha latte, fresh orange juice and a flat white. Everything was well made although the matcha latte was the nicest I'd had. For food my partner chose pesto baked eggs and myself paratha with paneer and chickpeas. The spices and flavours in both dishes were amazing. We both enjoyed our meals the only thing I would say again is the staff were very attentive we were probably asked how Everything was three times in a short space of time, I mean I rather that then not all :p

Best breakfast in Birmingham! Amazing food and delicious coffee…read more Only thing to be aware of is that it is incredibly popular with good reason and so, even though they have reopened in a larger premises, you can be waiting quite a while for a table on a weekend. As long as you're prepared to work up an appetite it's well worth the wait!

Caneat is the quintessential cafe. High quality coffee from Quarter Horse Coffee, unrivaled…read moredesserts that look as good as they taste, and open-faced sourdough masterpieces. Couldn't recommend this place more. The staff are incredibly kind as well. They have changed the standard.

Fun little place in Stirchley, good accommodation for children with a toy section etc. Not too…read morenoisy, the service was good and the food was tasty. Soup of the day was great. Downside was the bacon in the full English. American style crispy that could have been a bookmark. Big breakfast a bit small for me to. But that being said a solid café

Located in the University guild this Costa can get pretty busy. There are a few computers which is…read moreconvenient if you need to edit some of your work and grab a drink at the same time. There aren't a lot of computers and this highlights that the place's emphasis is certainly on grabbing a latte with friends rather than coming here to write your dissertation. Saying that, when spending a few hours here on a comfortable sofa with my laptop on and headphones in I was pretty productive. The staff don't bother you if you're working in there way after you've finished your drink either. It's not too noisy as coffee shops go. Xmas special drinks are delicious too!

Breakfast Review: I…read moredo like an Indi deli. In fact I love an Indi deli. So much so that this morning, I cycled in heavy rain and a blustery wind, 17.5 miles to try out their breakfast. I was recommended this place by some of the fine people on Twitter. Their enthusiasm for the place meant I had to give it a go. It's a small shop in a group of shops on a residential road in suburban Bournville. There's no uniforms, just people that obviously care about their products and produce. That definitely included their breakfasts. Perfectly cooked bacon, (2 slices, not one as advertised), 2 sausages, a spot on golden yolked egg, a choice of plum or fresh tomatoes, great black pudding, (an extra), baked beans, (served in a separate dish), a good portion of fresh mushrooms and hand cut, crusty bread - as far as I'm concerned, a MUST for a quality breakfast - which this absolutely was. Coffee was good quality too, not too rich, just how I like it. In summary: 9/10 one of the best ones I've had. Excellent.

Love their full English breakfast. I live in California but whenever I'm visiting family in…read moreBirmingham I always have to stop by for a proper pot of tea and great breakfast that's very tasty and not greasy like some breakfast places can be.

Went to the King's Heath Cherry Reds for a full English with a friend visiting from London. I…read moreusually go to the one in the city centre with people who work in town, but thought I'd try here seeing as I live around the corner. This one is a lot smaller then the John Bright St one, and the seating area is partially blocked off my stairs resulting in quite a dark dining experience, not much natural light. However the food was very tasty as usual and the staff are friendly. I know where to head if I want a fry up in Kings Heath again. Especially if it is warm enough to enjoy from the seats outside.

Despicable place. Can't give it negative stars. Smug blonde behind the counter won't serve people…read morewho she doesn't agree with politically. Just wanted a coffee and this sad little piggy can't do it. It's almost like she hates British people.

Winterbourne is a great place for a sunny day. £5 gives you access to the Arts and Crafts house and…read moregardens, both of which are lovely. Behind the more formal gardens are woodland trails (you might even see a beech tree I helped to coppice as a student many years ago) and Edgbaston reservoir, a calm expanse of water populated by ducks, moorhens and crested grebes. There are beautiful waterside rock gardens with stepping stones, which I love. The whole place feels like a sanctuary from the city and is conveniently located close to the Barber Institute and the university campus if you want to make more of a day of it. There's a tea room which sells serviceable scones (with that really aerated cream rather than proper whipped or clotted cream though) and also sandwiches, soup and potatoes etc. You can get plants and gifts at the shop- and if you go during the week you may be able to get some advice from the gardeners, too.

Beautiful House and garden just 5 minutes away from Birmingham University. Amazing greenhouses…read morefilled with various flowers, cacti, plants. Such a lovely place to visit on a summer day especially if you check out their tearoom by the terrace!