On your first visit to a new city, a coffee shop is often a sensible first stop. Before all the shopping, attractions, and exploring, we can always use a cup of caffeine to fuel the day.
Whether you’re anti-froth and flavourings, or you go mad for a sugary sip, Birmingham awaits with something delicious to quench your thirst. Join CrossCountry as we explore the very best coffee shops in Birmingham.
Chance & Counters
Chance & Counters, one of our favourite small businesses in Birmingham, is the perfect meeting place for any occasion. The environment lends itself to easy conversation and laughter, regardless of whether you’re meeting someone for the first time or catching up with an old friend.
Beginning in Bristol, Chance & Counters serves Clifton Coffee, an ethical roaster with beans from all over the world, based in Bristol and brought to you in Birmingham. As you sip your coffee, you’ll have full access to their extensive library of games for a small hourly fee. Escape haunted castles, discover new planets, and hone your magical abilities, all at Chance & Counters.
Chance & Counters is located by the River Rea, in the Custard Factory, a fifteen-minute walk from Birmingham New Street.
Morridge
Morridge can be found at the Great Western Arcade, and as you walk in, you may need to check the world behind you hasn’t gone back in time too. Rattan chairs, vintage vinyl, pendant lights, and granny squares galore, everything here echoes the ’70s. Except for the coffee and porridge, of course, Morridge is very much a modern establishment with exciting flavour blends, vegan and gluten-free options, and card-only payments.
Visit this sibling-run café, a six-minute walk from Birmingham New Street, for porridge that rebels against traditional toppings, flaunting flavours like cardamom, rose, peach, morello cherry, and more. Or, if you’re just popping in for a takeaway flat white, Morridge is perfectly positioned for you to start a shopping trip.
Saint Kitchen
Nestled in the fabulous Jewellery Quarter, Saint Kitchen is a paradise of coffee, cake, and casual cuisine. We recommend spending some time here to relax and people watch, savour a silky latte and chow down on any one of their delicious sandos – from salt beef to truffle cheese, there’s plenty to choose from.
The café looks out onto St. Paul's Square; a leafy green space that’s home to St. Paul’s Church. This irresistibly cute café in Birmingham is a fourteen-minute walk from New Street station and is certainly worth the extra steps.
Elio Café
Elio Café is certainly one of the most creatively designed cafés you’ll see in Birmingham. The walls are covered with modern and harmonious art, a mural of painted ribbons travels up the wall and onto the ceiling, and each piece of décor and furniture is thoughtfully considered.
The menu reflects this thoughtful curation, with summery acai bowls, healthy smoothies, and expertly brewed coffee. Located inside the Birmingham Mailbox, Elio Café is a perfect pitstop during your shopping trip.
We recommend trying one of Elio’s coffee shakes, especially when the weather is hot and you need a refresher. Currently, the shake is available in four flavours: classic, caramel, white mocha, and hazelnut mocha. All of which are a great choice for coffee with a twist.
Hey Brew Espresso
Hey Brew Espresso is an independent coffee shop in Birmingham, located in Selly Oak, about an eighteen-minute bus ride from New Street. Each morning, you’ll be welcomed with the smell of freshly baked sweet and savoury bagels. Why not grab your favourite bagel, pair it with a steaming cup of coffee, and settle by the window to watch the world go by?
Throughout the year, Hey Brew hosts an exciting lineup of events, from Friday night live music and pub quizzes to festival appearances in their charming blue trailer.
There are plenty of unique activities to enjoy with kids around this area. Start your day with a coffee and a flaky pastry from Hey Brew, then head to the Lapworth Museum of Geology for an afternoon of discovery.
The Early Bird Bakery
The Early Bird Bakery stands out from the crowd with its experienced pastry chefs, meaning each bite of a Banoffee Croissant Tart or a Cherry Bakewell Supreme is heavenly. Located on Kings Heath High Street, around twenty-five minutes by bus from Birmingham New Street, the charming coffee shop is ideal for a casual catch-up with friends.
Their lunch menu is creative and always evolving, so if you find a favourite dish, you might want to visit a couple of times a month to enjoy it while it lasts! Whatever you choose, you can count on it being cooked or baked to perfection and plated beautifully enough to earn a spot on your Instagram story.
Kafenion
Serving some of the best speciality coffee in Birmingham, Kafenion is a Mediterranean-inspired café located in Bournville. The name Kafenion (or Kafenio) refers to the small community-driven coffee houses you’ll find all over Greece. True to its roots, Kafenion brings that same warm and welcoming spirit to Birmingham, offering irresistible flavours, artisan teas, and delicious coffee.
Dogs are welcome, the cakes are to die for, and the location opposite Bournville Village Green is idyllic. How about paying a visit for a takeaway sip before visiting Cadbury World? It’s just a four-minute walk away.
If you’re planning to try some good coffee in Birmingham, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
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