Birmingham's Opheem and 24 Stories Named Among UK's Most Romantic Restaurants
OpenTable has unveiled its prestigious Top 100 Romantic Restaurants list for the United Kingdom in 2026, and two exceptional Birmingham establishments have secured coveted positions on this exclusive ranking. The list, meticulously compiled by the restaurant technology firm, draws upon an extensive analysis of over 600,000 verified diner reviews to identify the nation's most amorous dining destinations.
How the Romantic Restaurants Were Selected
The selection process involved a sophisticated data-driven methodology. OpenTable first identified restaurants that had received a significant volume of five-star reviews from patrons. Subsequently, the company delved deeper into the qualitative data, specifically examining how many reviewers had explicitly tagged these venues with the descriptor 'romantic'. This dual-focus approach ensured that the final list reflected both exceptional culinary quality and a genuinely romantic atmosphere, as perceived by the dining public.
Opheem: A Michelin-Starred Culinary Jewel
Earning its place on the list is Opheem, located on Summer Row. Widely regarded as one of Birmingham's most celebrated and revered dining establishments, Opheem holds the distinction of boasting two Michelin Stars for its innovative and exquisite Indian cuisine. The brainchild of acclaimed Aston-born chef Aktar Islam, the restaurant has garnered top reviews for its outstanding food and captivating ambience.
The dining experience at Opheem is described as sophisticated yet warmly welcoming, with a dining room adorned with twinkling lights and intimate, cosy tables. Reviewers on OpenTable frequently praise the 'superb' food, highlighting 'flavour bomb' dishes and 'phenomenal service'. Notably, portions are reported to be more generous than one might typically expect from a fine dining restaurant of this calibre. With an impressive 1,744 reviews, Opheem maintains a perfect overall rating of five stars out of five.
24 Stories: Dining with a View
The second Birmingham restaurant to feature is 24 Stories, the rooftop venue situated high above the business district on Colmore Row. Formerly known as Orelle, this restaurant offers arguably the most spectacular panoramic views of any dining establishment in the city. Through its expansive, floor-to-ceiling windows, diners enjoying a modern British menu can gaze out across the entire cityscape, with particularly impressive vistas of Birmingham Cathedral, the verdant southern suburbs, and the distant Black Country.
While recent reviews suggest the food may not reach the same consistently high acclaim as that at Opheem, 24 Stories is universally praised for its 'stunning views' and described as a 'lovely' venue. The restaurant holds a strong rating of 4.5 stars out of five from 1,353 reviews, with its magical, elevated perspective of the city being its defining and most romantic asset.
Practical Details for Diners
Both restaurants are conveniently located in Birmingham's vibrant city centre, within walking distance of Birmingham New Street station, making them easily accessible for a special occasion.
At Opheem, dining options include a full ten-course tasting menu priced at £185 per person, a five-course menu for £145, and an à la carte and lunch menu starting from approximately £75. For those planning a Valentine's Day celebration, 24 Stories offers a special 'five chapter' dining experience complete with live music. Window seating for this event is priced at £160 per person, with standard restaurant tables available for £140 per person. The venue also provides a standard à la carte menu.
Opheem is situated at 48-65 Summer Row, B3 1JJ. You can find 24 Stories at 103 Colmore Row, B3 3AG.
