Purnells

Absolutely fantastic tasting menu. The evening is one we will never forget, really memorable dishes. We thought it deserves more than one Michelin star comparing it to other restaurants we’ve visited with more than one. We will definitely be back to Purnells.

4.5/5. My friend and I tried their 3 courses set menu. It is an interesting experience, definitely a fine dining experience. The price is a bit steep so I would recommend it if you are really into very fine dining with quality pieces. I personally put 4.5 stars as it’s great but not my type of dining. The place is nicely looking, comfortable. The staff pay great attention to making sure you are having space and a great time.

Pretty much a fine dining expert at this rate. I heard of this place and knew I had to try it - crazy I’ve been working nearby for 9 years and just tried it. The foods phenomenal, extreme talent has gone into the food here and you can tell. Brilliant flavours, unusual but fantastic mix of foods that just worked. Great presentation also and the staff were amazing - special shout-out to Jash/Jesh and there was a lovely lady attending to us also! Nice interiors, although seemed slightly dated - wondered if this was the point? I love that you can see the window in the kitchen - very ‘The Bear’ vibes also saw Purnell in there which is always nice to see! Brilliant food, they had a good festive menu deal on! Great value for money, lots of courses and additional gifts. Highly recommend this place - it’s no surprise it’s Michelin star! Just superb flavours! I was very surprise by how nice the drinks were also! Not just a food place! The burnt egg surprise is perhaps the best pudding I have ever had!

Had a 3 courses - lunch on the 21st aug 24. We found a piece of plastic (i guess souce wrapper) in the additional dessert we paid 12£ for:) but i was too shy to say anything and just left it on the plate hope they noticed it. Codd dish souce was too acidic to our taste, we really liked the bread, butter wasn't waw, The seafood was fabulous, but the lamb dish was just medium, i didn't like that big tomato piece. The desserts were the best from all dishes. They also forgot to give us the coats when leaving, i mean.. there were just a few people that afternoon

No words really for the food other than sublime, really beautiful and simple ingredients taken to another level. Asparagus will never be the same again for me. Wonderful. Lovely friendly staff loved our sommelier he was such a delight and his passion shone through and really made our meal.

Good, but slightly last decade! Booked ahead and paid in advance - seems to be a trend these days! Very smart premises, welcoming reception, professional & attentive staff. Fairly classic tasting menu, not sure about the burnt offering from the kitchen, we prepared presented, etc. No apparent emphasis on regional or seasonal though. Slight issue with the wine but sorted out quickly by the manager. A pleasant evening but slightly reminiscent of dining out 10 or so years ago.

Fantastic experience. We were on the chefs table, with the chefs coming to tell us about the different dishes and the stories behind them. The service was fantastic and the food was beautiful and delicious. The highlights were the creme brulee in an egg shell, edable "charcoal" which was black savoury meringue and potatoes, and a delightful monkfish dish.

We had a high expectations in regards to the food, as to be expected from the Michellin's star restaurant. Food was good, but not excellent, with an exception of the desert (Burnt English egg surprise 10 10 10) - 10 out of 10 for us. We were very surprised to see the bread and butter, that was literally just 4 slices of bread served with two types of butter (one of them was not to our taste). I would say, it would have been OK as a side, but not as a course. We also did not like the snack, that was brought to us while waiting for the table. The staff were friendly, we found the stories interesting and each dish was described, however some of them spoke very quietly so we didn't get the full details with all the courses. They were however very polite and made us feel welcome. We were asked if we wish to have a still or sparking water at the table and we were given the wrong one for the entire 3 hours. It was my birthday and it was noted, I have received a complementary dessert that was nice but not amazing, but definitely a nice touch - thank you. Wine was very good, although pricey (we went for by the glass option). Overall it was a nice experience, but we won't be tempted to come back, unless for the desert only. Our bill for the tasting menu, two bottles of water and 3 glasses of wine was over £370.

I took my good friend here to celebrate his 40th birthday. I've not indulged in a tasting menu in a long time, so I thought I'd be a nice thing to do. We went for the "10 years in the making" menu and the matching wine flight. To break down each of the 9 courses would take too long, but I can say if you're free from allergies and dietary restrictions, this is some of the best food I've ever had the pleasure of consuming. The staff were attentive, honest and passionate about service. It was never rushed or slow, they have their pace worked out to a tee. The fish dish contained one of the best scallops that I have eaten to date, and the soy cured mackerel was utterly amazing. Wine was perfectly matched as you'd imagine, and the dishes showed so much culinary flair whilst still remaining strong in flavour. Always seemed in the balance at previous places, Glynn has proven that it doesn't have to be that way. An utter pleasure.

I am so happy to have had the opportunity to dine here and for LUNCH. Extraordinary. I am a super picky eater and LUNCH blew me away. I chose the 3 course. Their wine collection is out of this world. Be prepared. You wont be disappointed. I ate vegetables here and I don't usually. I am the strangest pallet for a Michelin restauranter. Come here!!

This place utterly deserves a 5 star review. The food, as is to be expected when Michelin stars are involved, is just exquisite. I'd definitely recommend the wine flight too as the pairings are just perfect. The staff are all attentive but actually pretty down to earth too which I liked. I couldn't recommend this experience (because that's what it is really) more. The menu is fun, creative and just delicious. Go with an empty stomach and a full wallet.

Glynn Purnell is a magician. A culinary genius. He creates things that light up a plate and delight even the most discerning of foodies. And when he's not there, his team smash it. This is the absolute pinnacle of lunches. It just doesn't get better. I went with my boss who is definitely not a foodie (he mentioned on more than one occasion that he's 'a meat and veg man') and he's as Black Country as they come. He's uncomfortable in such surroundings and doesn't really 'get it' (I'm trying not to sound like a pretentious arse and probably failing but this is what he said himself). He, and I, were blown away by the theatre, the artistry and the sheer deliciousness of the flavours. The menu was creative, the flavours were stunning, the execution perfect. As with all Michelin places, the service was at times a little too attentive. But this is an almost non existent gripe to be honest. The amuse was a breaded, subtly spiced potato, with an excellent mayo for dipping. First course was a frankly ridiculously tasty fish dish, full of complex flavours and ingredients. The octopus was a particular highlight, the tomato terrine was fresh and clean and the tomato mousse/quenelle was awesome. Main course was a perfectly cooked, perfect tasting duck breast, with duck sauce, minted pea purée and a tarragon sauce. Mind blowing stuff and without doubt the highlight. Easily the best duck dish I've ever had. Pud was cherries every way you can imagine. In a dark chocolate cake. Candied. Puréed. Frozen and quenelled. Completely delicious. If you want a special lunch (or dinner come to that), just go. It's not cheap, obviously, but it's the best restaurant in Brum and Glynn and his team never let you down.

Haven't even eaten yet, but the penchant of what appears to be a regular shouting very loudly in the bar area every 20 seconds has put me off the whole experience. He seems to think the Lee Frances impression of Michel Jackson is the height of sophisticated comedy.

It's Purnell's so it really cannot be less than 4 stars. If you're not aware, Purnell's is one of 3 Michelin starred restaurants in Birmingham. I've been here twice and yes you do have to book several weeks in advance for a weekend booking but you can get a mid week booking at shorter notice. So yes, based on its star (which it kept again in 2012) something appalling has to happen to be less than 4 stars. However, is it the best restaurant in the city? No, I'd say there are 2-3 ahead of it. Is it the best in the country? Well I haven't been to everyone but I have been to better. The first time I went here for a birthday treat, we had a private room, the food was excellent, the service 5 star. The second time, a year later, less so. The problem with Michelins is two-fold; 1. The restaurants have to try so hard to retain the star each year and I've heard of chef's leaving because the pressure meant they lost their passion and creativity. And 2. The price goes up. I feel if you live in Birmingham, love good service and of course food, you have to go at least once.

Hopefully part of a long overdue need to get food in Brum up to standard. I went there on a wet winters evening, 17/12/09 and had an excellent meal. The reception was warm & prompt, and we went to table after a few minutes relaxing with nibbles in the bar area studying the wine list. We asked for a glass each of German Riesling Kabinet, were warned it would be sweet (ish actually) and a good one was brought which started the evening very well. Quite an expensive wine list in practice, some good & interesting bottles, but as I am only moderately loaded I chose a little known Jumilla wine from Spain, which was ok without being actually as good as I'd hoped. The restaurant is relatively small, pleasnat in appearnce and quite modern looking. We were taken to the table by the servery, which is ok by me but was rather dimly lit despite there being plenty of lighting not in use. I asked the Matre 'd if he could improve the lighting, but despite apparently acknowleding the request, no other table was offered and much worse, no light, so we ate in a dim setting, which I feel does not show off the food. A spotlight on the table was needed. We chose from the A la Carte and were well pleased with our choices, a fine standard for all items was achived and I will revisit. Staff were clinically excellent in performance apart from the odd period of blinkered vision and a distinct lack of engagement. Perhaps they would be more welcoming if we were regulars. I hope so.

Well booked Purnells as a belated birthday treat for me and the wife (had a more traditional British drink binge the previous week).For those who dont know the restaurant is owned and run by Glynn Purnell the Michelin starred tv chef,having opened in summer 2007,he has claimed that his plan is to get not one ,but three stars for his restaurant.We booked a table for three,taking along my mother as a treat(my dad died in May 2007 ,something we are all taking time to get over),this was a treat for everyone.The restaurant itself is quite small ,only having 45 covers ,but is light and chic ,all beautiful cutlery and spotless white linen ,it also has a small comfortable bar area and a room for private dining? When we booked , the set lunch menu ,included ,cheese and pineapple on sticks and glazed pig cheeks,not really to our tastes however on the set menu there are three choices of starter ,mains and deserts. On arrival at the restaurant we found the menu had changed ,and were told this is done on a regular basis ,which is great ,and i must say at £18.95 for three courses for this standard of food ,could probably be said to be a bargain.We all chose different starters and all agreed they were delicious ,for mains we all had blade of beef-confit of tomatoes ,cracked wheat and feta cheese, and for desert while my mother had a cheese platter ,my wife and i had a trio of deserts raspberry delice,raspberry jelly, and raspberry sorbet with a florentine biscuit mmm.The food was fantastic and good value,however bar prices and the wine list are to say the least tasty ,with two bottles of rose(scarlebone 2006),a beer and a tip the bill came to £150 for three,yikes! The restaurant itself was buzzing ,mainly with people on business lunches,and although i suppose this is a posh restaurant ,the staff were friendly and attentative,and the atmosphere is relaxed and not at all imtimidating.The staff are happy to answer your questions,without the need for you to feel embarrassed.We left having had a relaxed,delicious lunch,and all agreed for a special occassion would definetely return .Highly reccommended(oh and on top of this Mr Purnell is a fanatical Birmingham City supporter,that must be worth one Michelin star in itself !!)

This is the ultimate restaurant treat! If you have seen Glynn Purnell on the Great British Menu then you will have an idea of the inventive and sometimes retro dishes he has created. Think pigs trotters with black pudding crumble or crab with smoked paprika honeycomb for starters, elegant but quirky mains such as melt in the mouth cornish lamb or surprise twists such as a fish dish with cornflakes! He has to have one of the most amazing desserts ever - Burnt English custard egg surprise. So delicious - my tastebuds will literally never be the same again! Lunch menu is £20 for 3 courses. A la carte is £40 for 3 courses and then there's the experience menus from £55. Great choice of wine and excellent service. Go on treat yourself!

Absolute amazing dining experience!!!!!!! no more to say.Wish i could thank ?Mr purnell personally..