The esteemed Harden’s guide called it ‘just amazing in every way’
The dining room at Albatross Death Cult(Image: Tom Bird/Albatross Death Cult)
Esteemed food guide Harden’s has revealed its top 100 UK restaurants for the year, and one Birmingham restaurant has leapfrogged Opheem.
Some 30,000 reports from 2,500 diners dictate Harden’s list, which aims to steer diners in the direction of the best places to eat in Britain.
Last year, Opheem – the first restaurant in Birmingham to hold two Michelin Stars – took the sixth position, the highest-ranking restaurant in our city.
This year, it has been pipped by a little Jewellery Quarter spot which has taken the 12th spot, with Opheem falling to 20.
Albatross Death Cult, the fine dining restaurant from Wilderness chef Alex Claridge, has is that restaurant, being described as ‘just amazing in every way’ by the guide.
Set on the canalside in the Jewellery Quarter, Albatross Death Cult can only accommodate 14 guests at a time in its dining room.
Seafood and fish are a focus on a menu with a strong Japanese influence.
In reviews, Harden’s contributors said: “The dozen or so courses are fresh, exciting, original, generally delicious and accurately and beautifully prepared.”
The restaurant has been described as ‘an original concept’ that provides ‘a unique and rewarding experience for West Midlanders and those prepared to travel from further afield’.
No other Birmingham restaurants have made the top 100 list this year.
In 2024, Albatross Death Cult’s sister restaurant The Wilderness took the 90th position but it’s absent from this year’s ranking.
Grace and Savour, in Hampton in Arden is on the list, occupying the 63rd spot, a fall from the 30th position last year.
This year is the 35th that Harden’s has released a top 100 list.
Moor Hall in Aughton, West Lancashire has been voted the UK’s best restaurant with only four of the top 10 being London restaurants.