Cafe Crawl Through Birmingham, England
From under-the-radar gems to a hopping barista school cafe, these five spots are worth your time — and caffeine fix.
Birmingham, England — located between Manchester and London — is brimming with cafes worth visiting. The trick is finding a few to stop at during your busy trip. This cafe crawl takes you from quiet streets in the Jewellery Quarter to the City Centre with no longer than a 9-minute walk between stops. A few cafes on this itinerary are incredibly computer-friendly, but all of them are lovely stops for a slow morning with a book. Hit a few locations that stand out, or follow the cafe crawl itinerary for a full day of caffeine.
198 Warstone Lane, Birmingham B18 6JR, United Kingdom
Weekdays: 8 am - 3 pm Saturday: 9 am - 2 pm Sunday: 10am - 2pm
Start your cafe crawl at Niche Café, a small cafe on a quiet corner in the Jewellery Quarter. The decor is calm and comforting, with greenery in every corner, clean white and wooden furniture, and the signature neon sign on the back wall. Order a plate of sweet Hong Kong French toast — piled high with Biscoff or berries, and topped with an ice cream cone — or go for the classic English Breakfast or Eggs Royale for a savory start to the day. Niche Café’s specialty lattes and matchas rotate with each season, and each menu is unique and thoughtful. The cafe also hosts events worth exploring — such as canvas painting, pressed flower frame making, and Bollywood night. Check out Niche Café’s Instagram for seasonal menu updates and event dates.
Unit 15 Kenyon St, Birmingham B18 6DH, United Kingdom
Daily: 7 am - 10 pm
Walk four minutes to House of Kholoud and stay a while. On a quiet corner in the Jewellery Quarter, it’s currently under the radar, but is likely to gather fans quickly. Everything about House of Kholoud is clearly very intentional — the minimalistic decor, the low-key music, the small touches on each item of food. Even the menu is short but thoughtful, with Middle Eastern influences, and has great options for a light breakfast. I highly recommend the granola yoghurt bowl; it comes with a deliciously caramelized poached pear on top of a generous serving of Greek yoghurt and toasted oats. House of Kholoud serves all the basic coffee and espresso items, along with a few signature matchas and lattes. The customer service is incredible, and the ambiance is ideal for a quiet morning to read, draw, or journal.
Unit 2, 61a St Paul’s Square, Birmingham B3 1QS, United Kingdom
Weekdays: 8 am - 5 pm Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm
Take the 7-minute walk through St. Paul's Square to Saint’s Kitchen. The cafe has a small but varied menu with French toast, avocado toast, salad, and more, making it a great spot for lunch. It has classic espresso options and makes a tasty matcha latte. If you brought your computer to get some work done, Saint’s Kitchen is a great place to do it. Its computer-friendly environment is also quiet and inviting. Stay a couple of hours to enjoy your drink and work; there’s no rush to vacate a table.
Unit A, 48 Ludgate Hill, Birmingham B3 1ER, United Kingdom
Weekdays: 7:30 am - 6 pm Weekends: 10 am - 7 pm
Two minutes from Saint’s Kitchen, located on a quiet street, is Besa Coffee. The small, intimate cafe is the perfect place for an afternoon espresso, but they also have matcha, turmeric, and hojicha lattes — as well as sweet and savory pastries. Besa Coffee has carefully curated its atmosphere to be quiet and welcoming for those who want to work, pause, or connect. So, while it’s a great place to get some more work done, it’s also an excellent spot to rest with a hot coffee and a book.
21-23 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2BH, United Kingdom
Weekdays: 7 am - 8 pm Saturday: 8 am - 7 pm Sunday: 9 am - 6 pm
The final stretch of the cafe crawl to 200 Degrees Coffee is a 9-minute walk from Besa Coffee. As a barista school, 200 Degrees has high-quality espresso and all of the classic drinks. It offers other options as well, like the turmeric latte, which I recommend ordering hot. If you’re peckish at the end of the day, or ready for a light meal, the cafe has plenty of sandwiches and snacks to choose from. 200 Degrees is a hub for collaborative working and remote work, so computers and headphones are everywhere, but you can also enjoy it with a friend or a book.
The end of the cafe crawl deposits you in the City Centre, near three tram stations and Birmingham Cathedral, so you can enjoy the rest of your espresso-fueled evening walking around or taking public transportation back to your accommodations.
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