China Town in Birmingham is a great neighbourhood to explore Chinese influences in the West Midlands, and to relish pan-Asian culinary treats, Brummie arts, and more.
There’s much to do in the area, even when it isn’t Chinese New year!
In this Birmingham Chinatown guide, we’ll help you discover the best restaurants, bars, attractions, and hotels to drop by on your tour of Birmingham.
| Read more: Catch a breath of fresh air in these beautiful Birmingham Parks! Here are some exceptional places to enjoy your Afternoon Tea in Birmingham. |
This Article Contains:
- How To Get To China Town Birmingham
- 7 Popular Restaurants To Visit In China Town Birmingham
- 5 Best Clubs And Bars Near China Town Birmingham
- 5 Other Attractions Around China Town Birmingham
- 3 Best Places To Stay Near China Town Birmingham
- The History Of China Town Birmingham
How To Get To China Town Birmingham
Here’s how you can get to the Chinese Quarter:
Directions
China Town is situated in the Southside district of Birmingham’s city centre. It’s a five-minute walk from Birmingham New Street station. It’s accessible via the M6 from Birmingham Airport, A441 (Pershore Road) from Kings Health, and A38 from the Jewellery Quarter.
Birmingham Chinatown covers an area including Hurst Street, Pershore Street, and Ladywell Walk.
Landmarks in China Town Birmingham
You’ll know you’ve entered the Chinese Quarter thanks to the many buildings with Chinese architectural influences, including Chinese murals and the Xieshan roof style.
Prominent landmarks to watch out for include:
- The Arcadian Centre: An outdoor shopping complex located to the south
- Bullring Shopping Centre: A landmark mall situated to the north of China Town
- Chinese Pagoda: A granite pagoda located to the west
- Gay Village: A LGBTQ district situated to the south
Now, let’s explore the best places to eat in China Town.
7 Popular Restaurants To Visit In China Town Birmingham
Here are the most iconic restaurants to visit in the Chinese Quarter:
1. Chung Ying Cantonese
Birmingham’s oldest Chinese restaurant, Chung Ying Cantonese is renowned throughout the West Midlands and the United Kingdom for its authentic Cantonese cuisine. Chung Ying has something for everyone, with vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free Chinese food.
Address: 16 – 18 Wrottesley Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4RT, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 622 5669
Timings: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 9 pm
Speciality: Crispy aromatic duck, lobster tail, and a large dim sum selection
Price range: ££ – £££
2. Wah Kee Bakery
An authentic Chinese bakery with no dine-in, Wah Kee is highly regarded for its freshly baked cakes, pastries, and buns. It’s a great place to find delectable desserts or even delicious bubble tea. Just don’t expect to find freshly-baked fortune cookies!
Address: B103 Cathay Street, 70 Hurst Street, Arcadian Centre, Birmingham B5 4TD, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 622 6162
Timings: Monday to Sunday 10 am – 9 pm
Speciality: Bubble tea and Hong Kong egg tarts
Price range: ££
3. Miyako Teppanyaki
Miyako Teppanyaki is Birmingham’s first Japanese restaurant. It presents a unique culinary experience involving delicious food and a theatrical cooking demonstration.
Address: Arcadian Centre, Ladywell Walk, Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4ST, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 622 5183
Timings: Tuesday to Friday 12 pm – 2 pm and 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm, Saturday 12 pm – 10:30 pm, Sunday 6 pm – 10 pm
Speciality: Teppanyaki and sushi
Price range: ££ – £££
4. Ken Ho
Known for its authentic Cantonese cuisine, Ken Ho offers traditional Chinese dishes, like roasts and dim sums. The restaurant is among the best eateries in the Chinese Quarter.
Address: 41-43 Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4BJ, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 622 2287
Timings: Monday to Wednesday 12 pm – 11 pm, Friday to Sunday 12 pm – 11 pm
Speciality: Char siu puffs and liquid gold buns dim sum
Price range: ££ – £££
5. New Sum Ye
New Sum Ye is a takeaway restaurant that specialises in ethnic Cantonese and Oriental cuisine. It’s the ideal place for mouth-watering and delicious Chinese food.
Address: B105, Arcadian Centre, Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4TD, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 622 1525
Timings: Monday to Sunday Sunday 12 pm – 10 pm
Speciality: Cantonese barbecued meat dish
Price range: £
6. Topokki
A popular Korean restaurant in the Chinese Quarter, Toppoki offers authentic and intriguing delicacies. It’s the perfect place to grab a savoury dish before or after a show at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
Address: Unit 1C, Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4TD, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 666 7200
Timings: Monday to Friday 12 pm – 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 pm – 9 pm
Speciality: Bibimbap, bulgogi, and kimchi fried rice
Price range: ££ – £££
7. Wing Wah
An iconic Chinese restaurant in Birmingham city, Wing Wah was established in 1997 but relocated to the heart of China Town in 2019. This pagoda-style restaurant is often bustling with customers enjoying their delicious pan-Asian food.
Address: 8 Wrottesley Street, Birmingham B5 4RT, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 622 5588
Timings: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 4 pm – 9 pm, Friday 4 pm – 10 pm, Saturday 12 pm – 4 pm and 5 pm – 10 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm
Speciality: Contemporary Cantonese dim sum and a la carte Chinese dishes
Price range: ££ – £££
What else can you do around Birmingham Chinatown?
5 Best Clubs And Bars Near China Town Birmingham
Here are some landmark places to grab a drink:
1. The Sly Old Fox
The Sly Old Fox is a historic Victorian pub with stained glass, colourful decor, and intoxicating English spirits. It’s quite close to the Hippodrome on Hurst Street.
Address: 54 – 56 Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4TD, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 622 5080
Timings: Tuesday to Thursday 9:30 am – 11 pm, Friday 9:30 am – 1 am, Saturday 9:30 am – 2 am, Sunday 9:30 am – 9 pm
Price range: £
2. The Loft
The Loft is a lively place for cocktails, craft beers, and premium spirits. It’s located near the Arcadian Centre in the heart of China Town.
Address: 143 Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham B5 6RG, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 622 2444
Timings: Monday to Thursday 5 pm – 12 am, Friday and Saturday 12 pm – 2 am, Sunday 12 pm – 12 am
Price range: ££
3. The Nightingale Club
One of Birmingham’s oldest and largest LGBTQ venues, the Nightingale Club has great drinks and live performances! This legendary venue is in Gay Village, just two minutes away from the Hurst Street car park.
Address: Kent Street, Birmingham, West Midlands B5 6RD, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 622 1718
Timings: Thursday and Friday 10 pm – 4 am, Saturday 10 pm – 6 am
Price range: £
4. Snobs Nightclub
Snobs Nightclub is Birmingham’s most-prominent student nightclub. It’s a bar and grill by day and an indie club by night, offering a combination of great tunes, good food, and cheap drinks.
Address: 51 Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham B5 4HX, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 643 5551
Timings: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 4 pm – 11 pm, Wednesday and Friday 10:30 pm – 3:30 am, Saturday 10:30 pm – 4 am, Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm
Price range: £
Fun Fact: The term Queensway is used for roads that were a part of the former Inner Ring Road – opened by Queen Elizebeth II in 1971.
5. The Victoria
The Victoria is a theatre pub that offers handcrafted cocktails, whiskies, beers, and ales. It’s located in the heart of the city centre, on the corner of Station Street and John Bright Street.
Address: 48 John Bright Street, Birmingham B1 1BN, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 633 9439
Timings: Wednesday and Thursday 4 pm – 11 pm, Friday 4 pm – 1 am, Saturday 12 pm – 1 am, Sunday 12 pm – 10 pm
Price range: ££
| Read More: Groove to your favourite beats at these 20 exciting Live Music venues in Birmingham. And here are the best ways to travel from London to Birmingham. |
5 Other Attractions Around China Town Birmingham
Here are a few brilliant attractions in China Town, other than the celebrations during the Chinese New Year:
1. Back to Backs
Also known as Court 15, Back to Backs is Birmingham’s last surviving court of back-to-back houses. It lets guests peek into the history of the 19th and 20th-century working classes.
Address: 50-54 Inge Street, Birmingham, West Midlands B5 4TE, UK
Timings: Tuesday and Wednesday 1 pm – 3 pm, Thursday to Saturday 10 am – 3 pm, Sunday 10:30 am – 3 pm
Nearest bus/train stations
Bus: O2 Academy Stop Hf1 (4 min walk)
Train: Birmingham New Street (10 min walk)
Note: Back to Backs is currently undergoing essential repairs. It will reopen in June.
2. The Glee Club
A venue with regular live music performances and comedy nights, the Glee Club offers lively entertainment and hearty food.
Address: Arcadian Centre, 70 Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4TD, UK
Timings: Thursday 6 pm – 10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 6 pm – 12 am
Nearest bus/train stations
Bus: Markets Stop Mk3 (2 min walk)
Train: Bordesley (13 min walk)
3. Genting Casino Chinatown
An amazing casino in the heart of Birmingham city, Genting Casino Chinatown is a part of a renowned global chain. It offers exciting entertainment in the form of games like Mahjong, Baccarat, Roulette, and more.
Address: 16/18 Hurst Street, Birmingham B5 4BN, UK
Timings: Monday to Sunday 12 pm – 5 am
Nearest bus/train stations
Bus: New Street Station Stop Ns1 (3 min walk)
Train: Birmingham New Street (21 min walk)
4. The Alexandra Theatre
Situated in the centre of Birmingham city, The Alexandra has world-class theatre programmes and first-class entertainment. It’s a fantastic place to explore Birmingham’s history, culture, and art.
Address: Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham, B5 4DS, UK
Timings: As per shows
Nearest bus/train stations
Bus: Alexandra Theatre Stop Sf1 (2 min walk)
Train: Birmingham New Street (23 min walk)
5. Birmingham Hippodrome
The Birmingham Hippodrome is a hub for theatrical arts, like musicals, comedy, ballet, opera, and pantomime. It’s the busiest theatre in the United Kingdom and one of the few venues that host the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Address: Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB, UK
Timings: As per shows
Nearest bus/train stations
Bus: O2 Academy Stop Hf1 (3 min walk)
Train: Birmingham New Street (3 min walk)
Read on to know about the most convenient places to stay in Birminghams Chinatown.
3 Best Places To Stay Near China Town Birmingham
Here are three of the best-located hotels in and around China Town:
1. Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre
The Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre is a modern and stylish 3-star hotel. Its convenient location offers guests easy access to the Chinese Quarter and Grand Central. The hotel allows guests to validate their parking at the New Street Car Park.
Address: Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands B5 4EW, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 6346200
Hotel star rating: 3-star
Check-In & Check-Out: 3 pm & 11 am
2. Radisson Blu Hotel
The Radisson Blu Hotel soars above the surrounding city with 39 storeys, offering comfortable accommodations with a great view of the cityscape. The closest parking space is the New Street car park – accessible via Station Street.
Address: 12 Holloway Circus, Queensway, Birmingham B1 1BT, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 654 6000
Hotel star rating: 4-star
Check-In & Check-Out: 3 pm & 12 pm
3. Ibis Birmingham New Street Station
A vibrant economy hotel, Ibis Birmingham New Street Station is about a 10-minute walk from Birmingham New Street Station and the Bullring shopping centre. It provides an easy opportunity to explore the city. The hotel also has on-site parking.
Address: 21 Ladywell Walk, Arcadian Centre, Birmingham B5 4ST, UK
Phone no.: +44 121 619 9000
Hotel star rating:
Check-In & Check-Out: 3 pm & 12 pm
What else is should you know about China Town?
The History Of China Town Birmingham
Birminghams Chinatown began as an informal organisation of the Chinese community in the 1960s, centred on Hurst Street. The area emerged with small Chinese businesses, social clubs, and restaurants mainly run by migrants from Hong Kong following World War II.
It was officially recognised as a neighbourhood in the 1980s. However, only a few iconic Chinese businesses and restaurants from around that time, like Chung Ying and China Court, still thrive in modern-day Birmingham.