Indian Cafe Racer in Birmingham

Fantastic food and super attentive service, as others have said a hidden Jem

This is a fantastic Indian eatery, at the back of an unassuming pub a short walk from New Street, next to the Gay Quarter and China Town. We went for lunch and enjoyed a few small plates as starter, and a main each. It was all beautiful. Standout dishes for us today: Gobi Manchurian starter, Chicken Chetinad and Lamb Rajastani. The menu is distinctive with lots of interesting-sounding dishes inviting a return visit. And we will definitely return - wonderful food. The service was perfect - friendly, helpful and the right level of attentive. Our water was being replaced continuously without having to ask. This is a fabulous little place. Highly recommended.

Great food, amazing seasoning, probably one of the best Indian food I’ve had, and sympathic staff. However the staff was too overwhelming. Couldn’t drink a sip of water without getting my glass filled out by a staff member, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Would recommend tho.

Great food and incredible spices ! The service was good but a little bit too invasive for us ! Great time with the boys ! We’ll see you again !

Local pub for those in the Ibis over the road. No real ales but good lager and pale ales on tap. Food is far better than you would expect for the location.

Everything was spot on - this place is popular you will need to book but it's worth the wait!!! Best Indian food I've ever had!!!

This restaurant is a rare find. Wonderful indian cuisine elevated by a combination of expert spicing and top quality ingredients. Unusual in that it is situated in a section of a pub, but this only adds to a lovely informal ambience. Servers talk you through the menu and offer excellent recommendations, with obvious passion for the food. Service is attentive and unobtrusive at the same time. Highly recommend the gobi Manchurian and the spiced lamb chops for starters. All the mains were top notch. You won’t be disappointed.

A hidden gem in the heart of Birmingham. We went for the mother in law’s 60th and we all wished we knew about this restaurant before. Service was above and beyond with the waiting staff explaining everything, crossing al the dots and I’s. Having a few fussy eaters in the family, the staff accommodated their every need. Let me distinguish at this point that this is not your typical British Indian restaurant with Baltis and Kormas. This is authentic Indian food with a slight fusion of Indo-Chinese cuisine and South Indian one. Best of both worlds in my opinion. Most of the dishes we ordered were chicken based with 2 or 3 veggie options. The spice was just right on all dishes and the presentation was good. The staff did advise that it’s better to go for more starters and share them out , and then cut down on the number of mains, which I found is the way to go with large groups so you can have an authentic experience. I may be biased though as being from Greece, sharing mezes is my default option so to speak. Staff were very attentive, refilling our water glasses, cleaning crumbs off the table so we were well looked after. Some may see a downside that the restaurant is literally inside the Wellington pub (and you could miss it walking outside) but for me is adding to its uniqueness!

I had a takeaway for chicken and paneer. Food was delicious, well packed. Chilli chicken, chicken 65 and prawn chilli all were beautifully cooked and served with tatka. I enjoyed the dishes. Even though during the delivery they forgot to pack paneer, but later Aktar not only packed paneer but also gave more dishes on the house. Those dishes were delicious too. Definitely recommended.

Fantastic service, would highly recommend! At first we were a little confused where to go but soon realised the resturant was inside the pub, which is ideal as it has a lot of drink selection compared to other Indian restaurants. It has a really cosy, relaxed atmosphere. I am a fussy eater and was worried at first what to eat but found the food delicious and authentic. The staff are so friendly and helpful. I would definitely go back to this restaurant again! Thank you 😊 The food was that good we all tooked straight away in and forgot to take photos of it lol.

Decided to eat here on the spur of it as we were having a drink in the Wellington. Staff were fabulously attentive and courteous and the atmosphere in the restaurant was lovely and chilled. The food was absolutely amazing, we had loads of little plates of food as recommended by the waiter and every dish that came to our table was delicious. Highly recommend this little restaurant for authentic Indian food and we will be back.

This is the first time we been to this place. Food is very authentic and delicious. For starters we tried paprika chat, lamb chops, chicken 65 for starters and main course, chicken chettinad, Rajasthani lamb, pilav rice, garlic nan and deserts, Gulab Jamun, Rasmalai and Mango kulfi. We would definitely recommend this place. We will definitely go back.

Banging, well worth hunting out as it out of the way and at the back of the Wellington Arms hotel and bar. Food is out of this world, try as much as you can as the flavous are Rich and give your taste buds a treat. 10 out of 10 will defo be back soon. Oh and by the way full to the brim, and Im a big eater. Best rest restaurant in birmingham

Wonderful experience - mouth is still tingling Azad and the team have created a culinary masterpiece Feb 19

Great hidden gem. Trust their recommendations!

A 5 minute walk from the Alexandra theatre we had a fab pre show meal. Nestled in the Wellington Pub behind a curtain we were 1st to arrive a 5pm , by 5.15 it was full The food was amazing, we had small plates to start; Broccolight 65, lemon crab cakes, Gobi Manchurian and spiced lamb chops which were all amazing full of flavour. For mains we had Rajasthani Lamb and Chicken Makani, rice and Naan washed down with cobra and white wine. Excellent meal compliments to the chef. It is advisable to book at weekends.

Don't be surprised when you enter the bar, just go through it, the Indian cafe is there too. Simply follow the recommendations from the waiters, I'm pretty sure you will not regret it. I personally enjoyed some slow cooked lamb and had the best Indian tea I had in the last few years. They have good food made of high quality ingredients and a very friendly staff.

Absolutely brilliant, trust there suggestions. Thank you all

Quite possibly the best Indian meal I have had! Wow what an explosion of flavour & spices. The lamb & Vegetarian dishes were superb, accompanied by gorgeous cheesy naan and to start, Broccoli, Veggie samosas & paneer; all cooked to perfection! Cannot fault anything about our experience and the price, couldn't believe how little we paid for such an absolutely stunning meal!

LOVE this place! Came after seeing the Trip advisor reviews as we wanted somewhere close to the O2 Academy. This place was awesome! Super friendly and helpful service and delicious food at reasonable prices. Begged out sever to open one in Northampton! Highly recommend if you want great authentic food in a lovely atmosphere!

Staying in the Wellington for a few days so this was convenient for dinner each night. Unbelievable food with a great atmosphere. A truly hidden gem with excellent service.

Came here for a pregig meal. They manager to squeeze us in and serve our meal super quick. Food was well tasty. Will defo be coming back with more time to savour the moment

Excellent food and staff, very close to the O2. The lamb chops were possibly the best we have ever had. We will return.

This restaurant is within a pub. Good atmosphere and decor. Food portion size is very small.

What a gem! Staying across at the Ibis budget, we venture to the Wellington pub and after having a look at the India racer cafe menu we decided to book a table for the following night. Being a Monday night I thought we would be the only 2 person in the restaurant but boy the place was packed! And for a very good reason. The service was phenomenal and so was the food! It isn't your usual Indian menu or food, it is something else! It is going to be hard to find another Indian restaurant with the same level of excitement, impeccable service and amazing food from now. Shame we are not locals as I wanted to try pretty much everything on the menu.

A really great Indian restaurant at the back of a pub. Delicious food, knowledgable and friendly staff. I would not hesitate to go back.

Not the first time we have been and will be going again, the food is absolutely stunning, great atmosphere, ask the people what they recommend and you will be in for a food delight.

After a work away day we went to this restaurant with work colleagues. It looked a bit odd being in a pub and we thought we were in the wrong place. However, the restaurant is at the back of the pub. It was a beautiful area, small and intimate with Bollywood music playing in the background. It had a very nice ambiance. The staff were amazing and very helpful in suggesting what to have off the menu. We had a large selection of different types of starters. Followed by the main course and deserts. All the food was amazing. It was fresh, tasty and wonderfully made. I would definitely recommend this place.

One of the best Indian meals I've had.

A little diamond. Great food, friendly service. Will be going again. Thank you.

Beautiful place and food!!! The Brocolli 65 is blissful and so are the curries. Service is top notch. This place is way better (food wise and service) than dishoom. Gobi manchurian could be improved as they tasted like bbq wings instead of the typical garlicy and spicy. They were very salty too. We're from Sheffield and our favs in bham are indico, indian racer and lastly indian streatery. Here they go the extra mile and catered to our special needs as my hubby couldn't eat salt, they specifically made his dishes without salt♡♡♡

Food was delicious and authentic, except for the chicken 65, which was the chef's version rather than what one would expect if they're used to the recipe from Chennai. Portion sizes are small.

Excellent Indian restaurant with the best vegetarian samosas I ever had! The Gobi Manchurian was phenomenal too!

What an amazing find! India Cafe Racer is nestled at the back of the Wellington pub (google maps is accurate) and it’s worth your time. I’ve spent a lot of time in India and my expectations are sometimes unrealistically high when I get back to UK. I had a wonderful meal tonight. The place was buzzing at 8pm and I was lucky to get a seat but the owner very kindly made the effort to find me a table. The waiting staff were friendly, attentive and knowledgable. I had a two tapas recommendations (Manchurian cauliflower - delicious - who needs chicken!) and Dahi Puri (refreshing and quite filling) which I know don’t really go together but hey - you only live once. My go to main is chicken makhani and it didn’t disappoint. I’ve probably tried it in 50 different restaurants across the world and this one was right up there (even as good as mine 😉). Having eaten far too much for one (business trip) I had an authentic chai (just like on the streets of Mumbai) which hit the spot and took me back.. I’ll be back - with a posse!

Group of 21 of us ate at the Indian Cafe Racer. Fabulous food and service. Provided lots of different dishes for us to try which were delicious. Staff could not have been more attentive. Definitely recommend! Thankyou!

Exceptionally delicious food from a really creative yet authentic menu in a lovely setting with very helpful and friendly service. Lots of veggie options. We will definitely go again!

This place is a must. Went two nights on the trot. The lamb chops starter is a must.

The place was a bit tricky to find, but what a hidden gem! The Indian food was absolutely amazing, bursting with authentic flavors. The service was excellent, and the staff were inc kind and friendly. A big thumbs up—highly recommended!

Hidden gem, delicious food and great service

Wow! Really lovely food, great staff, service and fabulous atmosphere. A hidden gem

What a find! Awesome food, and wonderful attentive service.

Lovely staff, polite manners, great taste .Highly recommend!

Nice restaurant in Birmingham. Friendly staff and tasty authentic Indian food

“Indian Café Racer exceeded all my expectations! From the moment I took the first bite of their perfectly spiced lamb chops, I knew I was in for a treat. The golgappa was a delightful burst of flavors, crisp and flavorful. The rest of the dishes, including the richly flavored curries and biryani, were simply divine. The cozy and inviting atmosphere, paired with the warm service, made my visit memorable. If you’re a fan of Indian food or looking to try something new, this place is an absolute must-visit! And of course my nepalese girls❤️❤️

Fabulous and authentic Indian restaurant! Firstly, the staff are very friendly, kind and helpful and their service was amazing despite it being near closing time. All the dishes were amazing but the chicken 65 and rajastani lamb were a stand out - the flavours were absolutely beautiful. And the atmosphere of the restaurant was very pleasant- I especially loved the 1960's classic Indian hits that were playing. Would 100% recommend to anyone- a real hidden gem!

Excellent meal with friends. Service was very good. Quality of the ribs and wing starters were 10/10. Roti was very good. Main meals very tasty esp the prawn dish. I think I have to come back as might have to give it 5 Stars !!!!

A bit off the beaten track but well worth it. Great staff, great service and fantastic food. All round , five stars are thoroughly deserved. We just had a stack of tapas style starters - a lot of them, and they were all delicious.

We wanted to visit this place for ages and thankfully 3 weeks ago we did. We were not disappointed. The food was absolutely incredible, the service impeccable and the venue and atmosphere was perfect. To top it all off they played wonderful music. Would highly recommend. We will be returning soon.

Exceptional service going well above and beyond! All the food was cooked superbly and tasted delicious! Highly recommend.

Very good food, fantastic service

Was visiting brum for the weekend with friends. Originally were planning on having a take-away but having read the reviews and managed to book a table for Friday evening. Greeted on arrival and sat at the bar just while our table was set. Service was bang on and the entire team were friendly and efficient. The price of the meal was also very affordable - as a couple we each had two large beers, starter and main with a couple of sides and came to £80 including service. The food was amazing! I would go as far as to say the very best Indian meal I have ever eaten!! We were recommended to try the Gobi Manchurian and it was amazing. I elected for the South Indian Prawn curry for my main and it was superb. If you visit Birmingham, this place is an absolute must!

Oh My God. Had no idea I’ve been staying next to this amazing hideout since years and unaware about it. Lambs chops and Rajasthani Lamb is the go to. Prakhar ensured that we had an amazing experience. Surely coming back again.

Amazing Food. I am coming back next week for sure. The Spice Lamb Chops and Rajasthani lamb is a must try. The Manager, Prakhar has been really helpful in guiding us to the right items to choose.

Really lovely meal and the staff are so attentive and friendly. The lamb Rajasthan was incredible. 5 stars

We visited the Indian Racer Cafe after stumbling across it on TripAdvisor. From the moment we walked in we were welcomed, and the owner and staff were attentive and first class. The food is amazing - utterly delicious, the place was full on Friday at 6pm and we could not fault it. We even had an anniversary dessert on the house. If you haven’t been, go, before it’s too popular to get a table.

Been meaning to try here for ages but so glad we finally came. The restaurant is hidden at the back of the pub / hotel. We had a little wait at the bar for our reserved table but after that service was exceptional. Staff incredibly friendly and attentive. They spent time engaging with us and explaining the menu, recommendations. They also kept refilling our tap water so we never ran out. Food great, lots of different flavours and well cooked. Some a little spicy but not too spicy.

Both the food and the service were simply incredible! Excellent food, perfect service and very friendly. Well done to the whole team!

Stumbled across this restaurant while looking for a place before a gig at the O2 academy. Made a booking (recommended as it filled up!) Staff were very attentive and helpful – felt well looked after. The menu was explained well and we were guided to try a variety of 'tapas' and shared main. Everything we tried was full of flavour, fresh and delicious! Would definitely come back.

Alina is a great waitress, she is smiling when serving

What an absolute gem. Lovely staff and amazing food.

The best Indian restaurant I've ever been to 10 out of 10 would highly recommend from Jamie and Megan lovely staff also!

We have dined here multiple times since this hidden gem first opened. Azad and his team are passionate about providing an authentic & unique experience where the food taste/quality is the primary factor! They constantly ask for feedback on both established dishes plus new dishes they are looking to introduce… the chefs are super skilled and adaptable to any requirement plus pride themselves on delivering for each diners needs. This unique local/personal & passionate delivery on quality is what sets Cafe Racer apart…

Lovely little Indian restaurant hidden within an off putting pub. Don’t be put off this place is excellent.

Amazing food and service, small portions, expensive for what it is. Would I go again yes

It's one half of a pub which confused us initially. It probably needs bigger signage but we did find it in the end. The hosts are great, friendly and welcoming. It's a bit dark so take a torch. They only have one light between everyone. Food was great and portions just right. I'd say slightly towards expensive but so is everywhere else these days.

Do not be put off by the facade of the pub, the food is really great and the service is even better.

A lovely surprise really worh travelling for the food and service was just perfect. Thank you 😊

A hidden jem.my first curry in Birmingham I will be back !!

Exceptional food and service. Really enjoyed our meal here 👌🏼

A seriously special Indian with amazing food and service! I would genuinely go out of my way to eat here again it was that incredible! Please please heed my advice and check this place out. The Manchurian gobi, I think it was called was to awesome. Listen to your server on their advise for food as we were well looked after!!! My 5 colleagues all agreed!

First of all, the staff here are absolutely exceptional and gave us the best recommendations and advice for what to order, while telling us some of the history and reasons behind the dishes. We shared 5 starters, 3 mains and sides and desserts and we found them all to be incredible. The rajastani lamb is a must try and absolutely don't miss out on pudding too! Saying that, even the seeming innocuous elements like the rice and garlic naan were the best we'd tried. We'll definitely be back, despite sharing our plates there's more we would love to try

This is my new favourite place in Birmingham. I had the dahi puri, followed by the grilled paneer and then the chicken makhani with a naan. All absolutely delicious, with a particular focus on texture. The host and the waiting staff were so lovely and attentive & I really felt very well taken care of. Can't speak highly enough of the entire experience. See you again soon.

👌 good flavours and spice. Very attentive service. Highly recommend

Food was simply fantastic. We all had different starters and mains and every dish was scrumptious. The restaurant came highly recommended and we were not disappointed.

Had a wonderful meal this evening, stopped in by chance with some friends as I was working round the corner. Atmosphere was very well taken care of considering the fact it’s in the back of a pub. The food was fantastic, special mention goes to the lamb chops which were outstanding. Wish I could have stayed for longer.

This place is hidden at the back of a pub/hotel and is a wonderful find. The server was very friendly and made excellent recommendations. The food itself was fresh and delicious. Drinks are from the pub bar so the variety is huge. The setting, decor, music and smell (incense) make a great atmosphere and the size is intimate. We will be returning as soon as we can!

What a find…….superb service and the food is really high-end and crafted. A lovely afternoon 👍👍👍

One of the best Indian meals I've ever had. What a gem of a place with a fantastic very engaging owner. Everything was delicious.

Being a Brummie, but not having been back for 15 years, it's blown me away how the curry scene has evolved. I wasn't sure what to expect from Cafe Racer, not being an independent restaurant its own right, there can sometimes be a little scepticism about how good the food will actually be. Butter Chicken/Chicken Makhani is the Indian Singaporean national dish and there's a lot of pride in it. The one I had at Cafe Racer is up there with the best I've had anywhere in Singapore or anywhere else for that matter. These guys know what they're doing.

Very tentative staff. Great presentation

Indian Cafe Racer is well-known and appreciated by many. Our owners are very helpful to our customers, and our strong team has made our restaurant well-recognized in the UK. Our unique menu is enjoyed immensely by our patrons. We hope you won't regret visiting us, so don't miss the chance to stop by. Everyone is welcome at Indian Cafe Racer to enjoy lunch or dinner with friends and family and have a great time. #Indain_Cafe_Racer

Tasty and great interior. Liked it all

It just wasn't to my taste. I only had the wings and kept it simple, but they felt like they needed some salt, or maybe a bit more added before cooking. I returned most of the order uneaten and wasn’t charged. The chili sauce had an almond addition in it, which didn’t work for me, as I’m not a fan of almonds. Would I go back? Yes, but I’d try something different.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the Indian Cafe Racer in Birmingham with a group of eight friends, and I must say, this place is a hidden gem! From the moment we walked in, the team made us feel incredibly welcome with their exceptional service and warm hospitality. The ambiance of the restaurant is unique and inviting, perfectly blending the vibrant energy of Indian street food with a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. The menu offers a fantastic variety of dishes, each bursting with authentic flavors and beautifully presented. One of the highlights of our evening was the attentive and knowledgeable staff who went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable experience. Azad, in particular, was outstanding, providing excellent recommendations and making sure we were well taken care of throughout our meal. The food was so delicious that I didn't even get a chance to take any photos – we were too busy enjoying every bite! From the succulent lamb chops to the flavorful chicken dishes, everything was cooked to perfection and left us wanting more. If you're looking for an extraordinary dining experience in Birmingham, I highly recommend visiting the Indian Cafe Racer. It's a true hidden gem that offers not only amazing food but also top-notch service that will make your visit truly special.

Fantastic customer service. Staff were highly knowledgeable of the menu & gave excellent recommendations. Food really good & value for money. Already planning on what to order next time we go.

We went to cafe racer for lunch the front of house guy was amazing with his knowledge of what regions of India the food came from he went all though the menu with us and advised us what would suit us to eat we went for the small tapas style plates and I have to say the food was amazing the textures and flavours were unreal probably the best Indian I've ever had and very cheap will return the next time I'm in Birmingham

Excellent food and super friendly / helpful staff. It’s a bit like Indian tapas. The manager brought us lots of different starters to try, so we didn’t have to choose anything, and everything was delicious. The music they had playing was very quirky and fun too!

Such a fab place, amazing food, attentive staff, happy to recommend based on your tastes. Clean, bright, welcoming and tasteful decor, traditional music. Try the broccoli and lamb chops! Attentive service. Would def recommend!

Excellent and really attentive service from staff who made the time to offer suggestions. Excellent food - full of flavour and a great portion size for us - 2 starters, 2 mains, 2 rice (e could definitely have shared one). Music and ambience were great as well.

The place was a bit tricky to find as you had to walk past the bar from the entrance as it is at the back of the bar. Staff were very friendly and suggested the dishes we should try. I still wanted to try something different to what they were suggesting. The food was full of flavour and the Cauliflower Manchurian was AMAZING. Be careful of the Broccoli 65, they are very spicy with green chilly. That is why the gulab jamun. Will visit again.

ICR is a superb restaurant which never fails to impress! Impeccable service and THE most amazing food. The lamb rajastani is a particular favourite, but every dish we’ve had is amazing! Azad really is a masterclass in service- just go!

Great food and service. Azard and Simon were amazing. Highly recommend ❤️

Genuinely one of my favourite restaurants across the entirety of Birmingham. Food is outstanding and definitely listen to the recommendations of the waiters.

Alina who served us was absolutely fabulous! I would really wish her all the luck! Now to the review, I went there for a quick bite and I was pleasantly surprised with the good food. We only reached by 9.30 so we were at the bar for 15 mins before we got a table. This cafe shares it's entrance with the Wellington hotel/ pub. So once you get in , just get to the left and wait to be seated. The staff is very polite and I couldn't help but notice the nice setting! They also played old Bollywood songs on the night I was visited. It was pretty nice to just sit and relax . I ordered for Gobi Manchurian and kofta wrap. I loved the gobi Manchurian but the kofta wrap wasn't as great. The Kofta was yummy but the wrap wasn't quite what I expected. My partner went for prawns and chicken Biryani and he was pretty Happy with the food. I would definitely recommend this place. I would love to sit down and eat at leisure but the place promises tasty food! I wish I tasted some papdi chat! I usually judge a place by its chaat but I didn't order any to review. I would definitely visit this again , if I go to Birmingham! Pricing isn't super over the top.

Absolutely fantastic food, service and so friendly…

I love this place. Amazing food, incredibly attentive staff, great atmosphere, and convenient location. It is Birmingham's best kept secret... but it won't be for long!!

Up in Birmingham for work, staying in an awful Ibis hotel and looking for somewhere to eat I stumbled across this place across the road from our hotel that seemed to have amazing reviews. I managed to persuade the colleague I was with to try it out and boy were we glad we did!!!! The food is amazing, the staff are great and the restaurant itself has a great atmosphere and feel. Every dish was awesome, we got some great tips from the waiting staff and the cauliflower and the broccoli dishes were unbelievable out of an awesome selection. If you’re in the area for work or a gig at the O2 Academy nearby (or live in Birmingham, or any reason really), you have to try this place out!!! It really does live up to the google reviews for once, to be honest it exceeds them!!! 🙏

Lovely service and food in a warm buzzing atmosphere. A real little gem!

This place is genuinely amazing. The food is brilliant and so much nicer than any other Indian you might visit. There’s some real quality cooking at work here, with flavours and spices that are delicate and delicious - I could go on and on about the different dishes but they are all amazing. It might not look like much but that’s not the point, the food is incredible. Go as soon as you can, you won’t regret it.

Really excellent Indian. Not sure London has anything to match.