Opheem in Birmingham

Thank you for an amazing evening. You so on point with everything food and service 😊

Absolutely delicious food. Lovely, attentive staff who were neither overly officious or aloof.

I came here for the first time to treat my brother for a special birthday meal,I never been to a Michelin star restaurant and I was blown away with the food and service, william was very professional in severing us and the chef was all good in telling us what was in each meal served to us

Enjoyed the Food this restaurant is recommended by ayyan... Thank you Ayyan...

Loved the food and wine pairing. Scallops to die for! The end of meal service faltered. Definately will return. Love Aktars home delivery too.

Good and service is just out of this world

A wet Thursday evening in Birmingham is a bit grim, that is until you walk through the doors of Opheem. A smiling member of staff gives you a very warm welcome and the scene is set for a most magical evening. You’re initially taken into the lounge when your culinary journey begins. Here you can watch chefs at the pass meticulously assemble the 6 “snacks” you have before the main restaurant. A particular highlight were the mango tuille, crab crumpets, and apple macaron. Small morsels but each a taste explosion. Layer upon layer of flavours, textures, and smells. Then you are escorted into the main restaurant for the 10 course tasting menu. You’re served by most members of staff, not just one. They’re all so friendly and welcoming as they explain each course as it arrives. I can safely say it’s simply the best food I’ve ever tasted. We were running out of superlatives very early into the evening. Highlights of this part of the menu were the mutton rib, scallop, potato dish, duck, and the desserts. But honestly, it was all perfection. We chose a bottle of Sake rather than wine and the wonderful Sommelier was very helpful with our choice. After the tasting menu, you go back into the lounge for a further 3 petit fours, coffee, and drinks. We were in the restaurant for 4 hours and it was simply perfect. The food, atmosphere, and staff, all of it. It made my 60th birthday one of the best ever. Thank you Opheem.

Simply fantasic. Tasting menu in September. I can't describe how excellent the food is, particular the signature potato dish. The whole experience was superb. Definitely worth both Michelin stars- and chef made the effort to engage with every customer. Fantasic

Remarkable, Spellbinding, Masterful etc etc It was Brilliant!

This was the famous Opheem in Birmingham. We managed to get a table for 4 with only a week to go. It was from 17:30 on a Thursday. Exactly, who goes out to eat at 17:30 on a Thursday. We were at the restaurant for over 5 hours. That wasn't because the service was bad, quite the contrary. It was the experience of a ten course tasting menu and the service and conversation which meant we were there that long. You will see from the pics that the presentation was amazing, you can't taste it but it was really good. The chefs preparing your courses actually come.out to serve in most cases which was a nice touch. The great man Akhtar himself came out to serve one of the courses, or at least pour the sauce. I have tried to put the pics in order with the menu first so you can match the pic to the dish. I have to say it is not cheap and we did have to convince ourselves for some time that we should go. Really glad we did and it was definitely worth it even if it was a big dent in our going out budget. Would I go again? For that price I think I would be keen to try a different experience but still very glad we went.

This is the best dining experience I've ever had! I went in July for my birthday and was completely blown away. The service was exceptional and I think it was worth every penny for what you get - I don't want to spoil it for anyone who is looking to go but so much thought has gone into this restaurant. I have never tasted food like this before. Every dish was incredible and the flavours were divine, even when there was use of an ingredient I wasn't particularly fond of, it all tasted amazing. If you get the chance to go, I'd highly recommend.

Birmingham’s best restaurant - continually pushing the boundaries and delivering above expectations. Temperatures on the scallop & duck dishes were the best I’ve ever had in a Michelin. Huge credit to Aktar, Frost & the team.

Wow! The most amazing dining experience I have had for a long time. Worth every penny. You get a lot for what you pay for. The staff and wine are equally as fantastic. Will be dreaming about some of those dishes for some time!

We came here back in April, a friend and I. One waiter spoke to us like he was an Asian gangster so I’m not sure what that was all about considering I’m Asian. My friend white British friend couldn’t grasp what was going on with him. We had the full menu and not one dish tasted over 5 out of 10, we could’ve had them anywhere and nothing justified £155 per person. We even had one dish which was a ball with some flavour liquid inside on a spoon…my friend noticed we had different ones as my spoon had a cracked ball and the liquid had drained out…she queried this with the waiter and he just fobbed us off. Definitely not a Michelin star let alone two, I’d be asking who paid who because it was a rip off price for basic food. Shame that Akhtar has fallen so far after amazing food at lasan yet is given 2 stars and appears on masterchef…the world is fully upside down and the only way to get ahead is to cheat people

Overall, the food was superb. The two drawbacks for me were the four hours (!!) it took them to serve all of the courses, and the sheer quantity of food. I have a big appetite, but after four "snacks", ten courses plus petit fours to finish, I was uncomfortably full. Fewer courses and an experience more in the region of 2–3 hours would've made this a five-star experience.

Thank you so much for the most amazing night at your restaurant last night. The whole experience was unreal. I was mesmerised by how your chefs work, the kitchen was so calm collective and all of your staff including the chefs were immaculate, the skill of being able to deliver food of this standard in such a beautiful control manner blows my mind it’s beyond talented thank you again for the most wonderful night and the most incredible food I’ve experienced 🫶🏽🙏🏽

Ideally I would have added a 4.5 but not available. Just some very small snags, which for a 2 Michelin star I would ideally like fixed.

Amazing dining experience! 10 courses plus snacks. Everything was perfect. I suppose the price would be the only thing I could fault, but I was expecting it to be expensive

Tantalising treats that titillated those taste buds. Fine dining at its best.

This was a memorable lunch both for the quality of the food and the general service. Upon arrival we were led to the ante room where we waited around 10 mins to be offered a drink, this was the only blemish on an otherwise flawless service. The a la carte lunch came with many delicious surprises, but none could match the crab. Wine list was varied and very interesting and the sommelier was good enough to let us try one or two of the more unusual wines. Overall, truly excellent.

There are not enough superlatives to describe Opheem. Elegance personified, personable, the food and wine is beyond compare. Every course of the 10 course menu never failed, getting better as we made our way through the journey. Aktar chatted with my wife and I, explaining the concepts and culture of this fabulous restaurant. Without hesitation, we will be returning. Amazing.

Another phenomenal night at Opheem, We came a few years ago it was our first and unforgettable Michelin dining experience everything about it was spectacular I left the restaurant on such a high I had never experienced before and I’ve dined at some incredible restaurants. The service from the moment you step inside until you leave is second to none,it’s relaxed but not so formal that you feel uncomfortable it’s just right there is a calming aura floating throughout the restaurant and you feel right at home,without doubt Aktar and his team are destined for three stars and will continue to make history with the incredible service and food coming out of the kitchen. So second time dining with opheem the dishes were a bit different from the first time but no less delicious,we ate some absolutely incredible dishes it’s seemingly impossible to find a menu where you love every single dish but aktar has created that absolutely perfection in every mouthful,special mention to the guinea fowl curry which blew me away easily top three best dishes I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating and easily rivals 3 star dishes I have eaten. I’m not one to take pictures normally but I did this time so I could reflect on how beautiful this night really was and remember some of those amazing creations, Thank you aktar and the whole team for a perfect night we hope to see you again soon.

Another phenomenal night at Opheem, We came a few years ago it was our first and unforgettable Michelin dining experience everything about it was spectacular I left the restaurant on such a high I had never experienced before and I’ve dined at some incredible restaurants. The service from the moment you step inside until you leave is second to none,it’s relaxed but not so formal that you feel uncomfortable it’s just right there is a calming aura floating throughout the restaurant and you feel right at home,without doubt Aktar and his team are destined for three stars and will continue to make history with the incredible service and food coming out of the kitchen. So second time dining with opheem the dishes were a bit different from the first time but no less delicious,we ate some absolutely incredible dishes it’s seemingly impossible to find a menu where you love every single dish but aktar has created that absolutely perfection in every mouthful,special mention to the guinea fowl curry which blew me away easily top three best dishes I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating and easily rivals 3 star dishes I have eaten. I’m not one to take pictures normally but I did this time so I could reflect on how beautiful this night really was and remember some of those amazing creations, Thank you aktar and the whole team for a perfect night we hope to see you again soon.

Had a superb meal here for a friend’s 60th birthday. We had the 10 course taster menu. The waiting staff explained every course as it came out, sometimes difficult to hear them though as they mumbled or had a strong accent. They were very attentive but not overly so. A lovely place with lovely food but quite expensive. 6 people, 10 course taster, 2 bottles of wine, 3 gin and tonics, 2 cognacs and around 20 beers, bill was nearly £1700.

Having read a review in a well known UK national Sunday paper, it had taken over 5 months to get a table on a Saturday, such is the popularity of this restaurant. From the phone call 2 days before to confirm the booking through to the snacks at the end of our 5 taster lunch the experience was exquisite. Food, staff, service, drinks, ambience and layout just superb. A first class dining treat with an Asian twist, we were even served one course by the owner and got the opportunity to talk to him about what remains one of our best go to restaurants in Birmingham. Excellent!

Having read a review in a well known UK national Sunday paper, it had taken over 5 months to get a table on a Saturday, such is the popularity of this restaurant. From the phone call 2 days before to confirm the booking through to the snacks at the end of our 5 taster lunch the experience was exquisite. Food, staff, service, drinks, ambience and layout just superb. A first class dining treat with an Asian twist, we were even served one course by the owner and got the opportunity to talk to him about what remains one of our best go to restaurants in Birmingham. Excellent!

Yeah... Starter and Dessert off the lunch menu (Aloo/Shrikhand) were the BEST starter and BEST dessert I've ever had, and I've been to many Michelin stars in Birmingham and abroad. PERIOD. The Guinea Fowl main? Great. One element was perhaps too salty but actually mixed in with everything else it just worked. The cooking of the Guinea Fowl was truly world class. So yeah, I'm nitpicking here but at the end of the day it was a beautiful beautiful journey from Lounge/Restaurant and then back to the lounge. Exquisite snacks and tasters beginning, middle and end. Just a stunning meal. Oh, and lovely staff who you can have a bit of a laugh with but equally you can ask them anything and they have an answer. Thanks for a great birthday Opheem. ❤️

Incredible experience from the minute ww walked in the door. The food was some of the finest I've ever had and the service was impeccable. We had the A la carte lunch and the restaurant added a few extras which was an extremely classy touch. The whole experience was just incredible.

Absolutely amazing food and service. Could not fault this place one little bit. The taster menu was stunning. The service was on point. The drinks were lush.

Beautiful food. Sublime flavour combinations. Staff attentive but not intrusive. Absolutely worth it for a special occasion.

Fabulous meal, great service. No point putting my photos on as they’re the same as others! Absolutely delicious and not just a meal, it’s a delightful experience !

We had a superb lunch yesterday for my husband’s birthday. The food was outstanding and truly original, carrot and passion fruit amuse-bouche, who would have thought, but completely delicious! The scallop dish was so wonderful that I had to close my eyes to concentrate on it! The staff are so warm and so dedicated to giving you the best time possible. Andrew the Maître d’hôte set the tone and couldn’t do enough. We had lovely chat with other staff but didn’t catch their names, but all very efficient and friendly. I’m not a huge chilli fan and they really helped advise me on dishes. So very recommended!

Absolutely amazing. Really special tasting menu, fantastic presentation, flavours, pacing, service. Beautiful decor and incredible staff. Well deserving of its stars, we had a phenomenal evening, the time just flew by. Loved how we started and ended in the lounge and we were all absolutely stuffed by the end. Perfection!

Absolutely amazing experience for my husbands 60th. Nice and relaxed dining a la carte. Service was very good the staff are very attentive, cannot fault it especially when the main man Aktar delivers your food to your table and every element of that dish is explained to you truly fantastic experience. The food omg I have never tasted anything like it just so superior, we had a truly wonderful afternoon.

Superb evening with fantastic delicately crafted food with surprising combinations that worked. The Asian spices enhanced the ingredients and created a memorable tasting menu. The service was fantastic with each dish explained with passion. A truly memorable birthday treat with my family.

Fantastic food and staff were excellent and made you very welcome

Stunning. What an experience. The good is incredible and we were made very welcome by all the staff. Fabulous

This was a long awaited return to opheem having previously visited twice during the period before it was refurbished. It has, obviously, gained a second star in that time. It was our fifth two star establishment within the last year and Michelin certainly have that decision perfectly correct. There is a distinct clarity that this is refined Indian cookery. The cookery was spot-on throughout the meal and what an experience it is. The staff are polite, courteous and helpful and at every point it works. It’s not cheap but it is excellent value-for-money. I can’t honestly see why this wouldn’t be classed as three star. Superb

We hired the private room to celebrate some of our staff being with us 25 years. The experience was amazing for us all and the staff, the food and the atmosphere made a very special event even more special The food is outstanding and presented to the highest standards. The attention to detail is incredible. Thank you to all the Staff at Opheem for a truly wonderful experience

We tried the 10 course tasting menu. From start to finish the experience was wonderful. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. The food was exciting and varied. Such incredible flavours, packed into small plates. Each very different from the others. I would definitely visit again!

We went to Opheem for a 40th birthday celebration. Staff went above and beyond to make the evening special and they most certainly succeeded. The tasting menu included some of the best dishes I have tasted that were beautifully presented. It was absolutely perfect and I would highly recommend to others.

Walked into the restaurant today to order a voucher for a family member’s birthday. Was told we can only order online. A £2 charge for an emailed voucher (or £6.99 for an envelope?) I would expect something like this if I was booking a Ryanair flight, not a Michelin 2* restaurant. For context, I have visited Opheem several times before - both the food and service has been superb.

It was very pleasant atmosphere there, lovely staff and very unique food experience. Food is like a storm of flavours. Thank you for the amazing BDay you have made for me.

When you walk in and the person at the door remembers an email you know it’s going to be good. The staff, the food, the ambience were all beyond my expectations. It blew me away, We only had the lunch menu, no wine flight no taster menu. But did it make us want to go back for the full experience….absolutely! The food was immaculate, IMMACULATE. The service form every member of staff wasn’t stuffy or over bearing, but fun, a laugh. I’ve been put off going to Michelin starred restaurants because of this. It’s food. I shouldn’t be made to feel uncomfortable . You just don’t get this here. The price you pay directly reflects the level of service and the quality of food, exceptional. In every way. Thanks for making our anniversary so special.

Incredible food and amazing service! Such a great dining experience

I'll be honest if my experience at Opheem was anything short of amazing I would be upset. But I'm not, as my visit was exceptional. I went on a weekday which meant they weren't quite as busy as they could have been. But the service was lovely. The food was almost perfectly timed to our pace! The food was brilliant too! Honestly had a lovely time!

Fab food and vibes!! Exquisite flavours and food that was very aesthetically presented!! Staff were all fantastic with their hospitality ! Massive shoutout to Stefan the sommelier who was, not only, incredibly knowledgeable + made some lovely recommendations with wine; but also, super fun and made Opheem an experience to remember!!

One of the best meals I have ever had. From the beginning to the end the attention to detail was exceptional. The initial snacks were given in the lounge and all tasted amazing, it was a lovely and relaxing start. Then we were taken to the main restaurant area where we had the main tasting menu. There wasn’t a single dish I didn’t absolutely love. The spices and textures have been very well balanced and completely lifted the dishes. At the end we went back to the lounge for some sweets. Service and atmosphere were brilliant. The whole experience took four hours. It is pricy as you are paying for a Michelin star tasting menu, but it very much deserves the 2 stars. I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking for somewhere as a nice treat.

Went too ophem other night and it was simply exquisite. From the moment we sat down we were bombarded with little snacks that were so tasty and fresh. Then into the main restaurant the delights just kept coming .The chefs came out and explained a few dishes which was a nice touch .Very expensive but if you want lovely food and leave stuffed then this is a must visit

Wow! From the warm welcome to the fond farewell, every aspect of our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional. The food itself was exquisite, but it was truly elevated by the passionate staff. Their clear explanations of the menu and wine pairings showcased their knowledge and made us feel genuinely welcome.

Been here twice now, the first time when it was 1 star and the second time a year later when it just got its second star The first time was without a doubt a brilliant experience and worth the money and definitely 5 stars However, the second time I would say the majority of the food was incredibly bland and lacking much taste compared to a year before. We noticed what seemed to be a completely different kitchen staff on our second visit compared to the year before, so it seemed to us like all the good chefs had left First time - 5 stars Second time - 3 stars

The service was very good atmosphere is also very good but the food was a let down it's sub par with an artisan twist but not worth the 325£ spent on. Lamb was was not cooked to my standard you would expect them to at least ask individuals whether they want well done or rare etc personally we would not go back

Fantastic food, as expected, but the wine pairing was also outstanding and the service exemplary (& very friendly/welcoming). Well worthy of those 2 special stars!!

Very sad to be leaving this review as we booked this for a special occasion, but unfortunately this was the most disappointing (not worst) meal I have ever had. As our first Michelin 2 star experience we were hoping it would blow the 1 stars we have been to out the water, but it fell very flat, and was significantly worse than the likes of Simpsons, Adams and even Harborne Kitchen (Michelin guide) which we would go back to in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, it started quite well, not amazing, but good, for the amuse bouches and first few courses, but the main lamb course was incredibly disappointing and it was mostly downhill from there, the lamb by itself was almost tasteless and the cut was very fatty. Frankly I've had significantly better lamb at restaurants at the £25 price point... Had they started as poorly as the halfway point on I would've asked them to stop the meal and asked for us to pay for what we had to that point and left, it was that bad. I don't believe it was just us not liking the food, as most of it was quite or very bland, whereas I would expect a Michelin star meal to be packed with exciting, unique flavours as we have always experienced. I was really torn between 2 or 3 stars, but given it was £400 for 2 people for food I wouldn't expect at a Michelin guide level, I felt 2 stars was fair. I don't know if we went on an off day, but I would advise everyone to steer well clear. Simpsons, Adams, Harborne Kitchen, Chakana have all been significantly better experiences for much less. On the upside, the staff were absolutely excellent and the ambience is lovely, and annoyingly the food was very well presented, if only they had spent the time actually making the food taste good instead of look pretty...

Honestly one of the best meals I’ve ever had. The food is well worthy of its 2 Michelin stars (personally the service is more like 1, but you’re here for the food). The food, from the ample snacks in the lounge, to the 87 courses you have on their tasting menu, every single morsel is immaculate and full of flavours, layers, complexity and texture. It’s as close to a perfect meal I’ve ever had. Book it. You will not regret going!

What a fantastic experience. Flavours were immense! We loved the concept of sitting in the lounge area, having dinner in the dining room then back to the lounge area to finish. The atmosphere was relaxed and the staff were very friendly. The standouts were the potato dish and the meringue with steak tartare bite. The lamb main compared to other dishes had the least ‘punch’ of flavour but was tender and perfectly cooked. Food wasn’t too spicy. We felt the 5 course was just enough and great value for money. Highly recommend!!

Had lunch for our daughter's 21st birthday. Great food and ambience. Aktar was there and spoke to us (as well as other diners).

I have had the pleasure of dining at Opheem multiple times now and each time I am even more amazed at how extraordinary the food is. The whole dining experience is just magical. I must give special thanks to Stephen, who provides us with our wine flight when we visit. What an absolute gem, he always goes above and beyond to ensure our evening is a night to remember. What a wonderful asset to the team, always a pleasure to see him.

Incredible. What an experience. Perfection comes at a price, but what you get is a more than special food, you also get a fabulous memory.

Best food I’ve ever had. Faultless!

Stunning evening - top class service / amazing food ! 2 stars well deserved , having visited a few times previously we could tell how it has grown ! Fab way to spend an evening ! Great to see Aktar leading the Team -who were excellent

We had the 10 course tasting menu here and it was a brilliant experience. The service was top notch, the place was comfortable and the food was delicious. It’s not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Great expectations..... but was rather disappointed. Service was extremely slow and food took ages to be served.

This would have been our 4th time, 1st since the second star. How underwhelming. Food was great but the service… I think the Michelin inspectors did not go on a Saturday afternoon. Main came out before starters and had to asked for drinks menu and more drinks over and over. We were not on a wine flight so this was just lost revenue for them. Having to ask twice for things we ordered… including the bill. This is NOT 2 star service. Just totally disappointed by the experience

Second time at Opheem for the 10 course tasting menu. Absolutely amazing experience. Food even better than first time, service spot on. Lovely people amazing food.

I had the pleasure of dining here for my birthday and what an extraordinary culinary experience it was. I cannot fault one dish I was served, the attention to detail and the presentation/taste was out of this world. The staff are extremely attentive and helpful when explaining the menu; however I genuinely have no words for the food as it’s truly indescribable… the combination of flavours, textures and taste was just phenomenal. Left here feeling truly content and satisfied, I highly recommend visiting on an empty stomach… what an amazing 2* Michelin dining experience!

This was a birthday treat. 10 course taster menu at this wonderful restaurant. Every mouthful a taste sensation. The service was outstanding from the warm welcome and snacks (5) in the lounge and then throughout. Each course delivered and explained by one of the army of chefs and supplemented by the wine pairing, numerous wines that we would not normally have had. Finally back to the lounge for petit fours and a drink to finish. Lived up to our expectations…fantastic.

Just the most incredible dining experience from start to finish. I could write page after page about every single course but I'll try and keep it brief. Straight from the off I really enjoyed the relaxed, informal vibe of the place. I think there is a perception sometimes that high end dining can be a stuffy, slightly snobby affair but I did not get a whiff of that here. The service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing and it all felt very unrushed. A special mention to the mango tuille canape - the very definition of a flavour explosion. The main meal was truly special. The bread with curried butter, the delicious crab starter, the super refreshing sheep's milk yoghurt dessert. This is spectacular cooking. However my main mention is for the cod main. Good grief. I sometimes roll my eyes when watching a show like Masterchef or Great British Menu and how they talk about fish not being right because it's under/overcooked by a few seconds either way - can it really make THAT much of a difference? I get it now. I totally get it now. With my first bite of this cod I realised that up until this point in my life I had never truly eaten good fish before. An absolutely world class piece of cooking and that sauce - heavenly. The greatest meal of my life.

we were warmly greeted and taken to a beautifully decorated contemporary lounge area. We had pre-dinner cocktails and the most beautiful hors d’oeuvres. We were then taken to the dining room and we chose the 10 course tasting menu with the wine pairing. Every course was beautifully presented, and tasted sensational. I have been very lucky to be able to enjoy many fabulous restaurants, but I can honestly say this is the best place I have ever visited. Opheem is now my number one in my top 3 restaurants of all time! The whole evening from start to finish was so special. A fabulous evening and can’t wait to return. Thank you to the team

This was gastronomic brilliance. A truly stunning experience where we enjoyed every moment of the ten course tasting menu.

I can’t recommend this restaurant highly enough. The experience was out of this world, total perfection in every sense. We will return, definitely.

A place to visit for a special occasion well worth the money . You get way more than 10 course taster. Very relaxed atmosphere

Best food ever had unbelievable, only let down by average service not what expected of 2 star restaurant

It is a ten course set menu in evenings, small portions of delicious food. Very expensive but worth it.

What an amazing time we had from start to finish . The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. I will definitely be returning and it’s well worth the money . The 10 course experience was one of the best I’ve had .

Truly the most incredible dining experience of my life. I went with my partner on Saturday night had the 10 course menu (which was catered for us both as pescatarians) and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Thank you and we can’t wait to come back.

Incredibile, once in a lifetime dining experience.

My wife and I visited Opheem as we love to do Michelin star restaurants. The atmosphere was really relaxing and not pretentious at all like some other ones we have visited. The staff were fantastic. The food was out of this world. Every course was superb. A total taste sensation. Three words… WOW, WOW, WOW

We celebrated our son’s birthday with the 10 course tasting menu at Opheem and it was outstanding. The food was so beautiful and full of flovours and different combinations, and the service was perfect. In reality it was more like 15 courses as more food was served in the lounge before and after the meal. Aktar was cooking and serving on the night which was a real bonus and he very kindly let us have a photo with my son. Thank you for a great evening. Highly recommend. Birmingham very fortunate to have such a top restaurant.

Outstanding is the best word to describe our experience here. The food was sublime, every course on the taster menu had something different to say - parts of it was so good (the potato course comes to mind) I didn't want it to end. An incredible tour de force of taste sensations which blended the unexpected with the traditional, the fragrantly sweet with the not too robust umami, the spices with the smooth and creamy textures or the flash of chargrilled greens. I had the matching wine menu which was well worth it as it elevated the whole thing to another level. To be fair the only other Michelin starred restaurant I've eaten at was Purnells which was very good but in the end not the same level as Opheem, which has surpassed all others. If you get a chance, go. You won't regret it. Oh and the service was near enough faultless. * edit: husband has reminded me that whilst the whole experience was fabulous, there was still a bone in his fish course and I was left waiting a while for my dessert wine (they are all supposed to arrive just before each course so that you can taste it on its own and then with the food).

Worthy of its 2 Michelin stars!

I booked the table a while ago when it was still a one-star restaurant but now they have two stars. Food was amazing with several snacks, and the dining area was beautiful. Before and after the meal, we were taken to a lounge where we were expected to order more drinks, which I found a bit uncomfortable. While the service was alright, I didn’t opt for the wine pairing and felt the staff weren’t as attentive compared to those who did. Overall it was a great experience and the 10-course menu cost £135pp.

An incredible experience. Every course is an absolute culinary delight, with subtle Indian and Asian flavours enhancing each amazing course. This is the third time I’ve been, and each experience has been faultless. Exemplary service, perfect ambience and the food is a visual and tasty delight. I highly recommend having the wine pairing as well. Expensive but worth the treat. Meeting Aktar Islam was an honour as well. He is an absolute genius.

All of the accolades and praise for Opheem are well desreved it was a fantastic experience.

Wow, what an amazing experience. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. The service was impeccable. We had the 10 course tasting menu and 4 “snacks” in the bar, which was all included. To say we were full to bursting at the end is an understatement. No wonder this restaurant has 2 Michelin stars. It’s a must try if you’re in Birmingham. Thank you Aktar Islam and all your amazing staff.

There is a reason this is a two star Michelin. Do it once at least in your life. Don't miss the opportunity. It is an 'experience' of a lifetime.

Brilliant, great birthday treat. Cant believe people take photos of it all instead of enjoying the experience and the friends they are with. Superb

My favourite restaurant. Amazing food, amazing service. Would recommend to anyone.

What an amazing experience. Every little detail was thought through. Food looked and tasted amazing!! One of my favorites was the potato 5 ways and the lamb rib. Def go hungry as towards the end I was struggling. They look tiny but they add so many lovely little extras. Will 100% recommend. Service was amazing and staff lovely and knowledgeable.

Food was amazing, service was amazing. I would eat there every weekend if I could!

A superb experience with excellent food and service, absolutely befitting a 2* Michelin restaurant. Every course offers something different and the knowledge of the staff explaining each dish was excellent. The 10 course taster menu was fabulous. Friendly and very helpful. Staff; thank you to everyone.

The atmosphere was so welcoming and comforting. Not pretentious. The food and whole experience was outstanding. All the chefs and front of house staff do an amazing job. It was a privilege to be served by Aktar himself, who was running his kitchen with efficency and pride.

Quite honestly one of the best culinary experiences I have ever experienced. I would 100% recommend!

Although we only had the lunch menu, the whole experience was one of the best we had at a two star michelin restaurant! The flavours were out of this world. Well done, Chef Aktar and the rest of the team.

Quite possibly the best dining experience of my life.. Booked here recently for a birthday treat for my wife. I have been following Aktar Islam's food for some time and had booked this some time ago when he still had the one star (so thrilled to see the second awarded!). We are lucky to dine a lot in fine dining places around the world so for a restaurant to live up to what we have experienced before needs a special touch. Arrival is extremely classy. Wonderful looking place and greeted when through the door, coats taken and then seated in a wonderfully comfortable bar / lounge area with subdued lighting that just reeked of class. We had booked on the ten course menu, but what then happened was the start of anything BUT a ten course evening. First the amuse bouche / pre dining snacks started arriving. Each one spellbinding in flavour and execution. I have dozens of pictures but can't post them all, nor can I describe every dish (nor do I want to pick a favourite). In this lounge area we enjoyed things like oyster emulsion (with a wonderful pre palate cleanser in a miniature bottle almost Alice in Wonderland style), crab on a small crumpet, a WONDERFUL sea bass in a fiery broth amongst others. In this room we were also offered a constant top up of still water and a drinks menu from which we opted for a couple of cocktails. I had a superb Kaffir Lime Gimlet. I will also say that the cocktail prices were not extreme at all, with some as low as £12. I've paid more in some hotel bars in small towns.. Then when finished taken through to the dining area. This is a much more airy space that doesn't feel crowded. It's an open kitchen affair, but not your normal 'hatch through which you can see'. The kitchen is a flowing extension of the dining area. The pass itself is just a separate station in the dining area manned, usually, by Aktar himself. You really feel like you are in the kitchen. Then the delights started - all plates were hugely memorable and had that knack of surprising you and making you grin as the flavours explode and develop in the mouth. As I say I am not picking favourites as start to finish the food was exceptional. Scallops, sirloin, monkfish, mutton ribs... All dishes have a touch of Indian spice, but obviously this is not a place to 'go and get a curry'. This is so refined and so interesting. Dishes that you want to talk about as they sing in the mouth making you pick out flavour, fizzes, sparkles.. I will make special mention of one course though, and it's not really a 'dish' as such. The bread course or 'Pau'. Read on.. First up, this is not a standard restaurant so at first seems strange to have bread course half way through the meal rather than on the table throughout. What arrived were small brioche loaves with a glazed top served with whipped and well spiced butter. These were delicious enough, but served with it was a small cup of warm lamb 'broth' which was akin to a spicy gravy. This we were told was meant to be eaten / sipped with the bread. And boy did it work. This is the course I am still pondering a day later - can't work out what was so special about it but it was - a totally leftfield thing that just stood out in my mind. Brilliant. I could have eaten a dozen of these! Before we get to the after dinner service a special mention to the main dining service. The food is, in the main, served by the actual chefs together with an explanation rather than a 'waiter'. This connection was not lost on me and again made you feel part of the kitchen. The main was served by Aktar himself who was charming. Another special word to the sommelier - very nice and cheery guy with lots of explanation with each glass. (superb wines too!). Other servers, on front of house were superb too. In fact the common thing with all is a smiley, friendly, efficient service that makes you feel welcomed throughout. Phew.. and then we were done. Taken back into the lounge for.. .yet more treats. Some petit fours arrived, and then a box with a selection of home made chocolates. Again the drinks menu was offered and I had a great Old Fashioned with Bourbon. Lounging back pondering what just happened.. Wow. We continued to ponder the meal at length in the taxi home. Then in the hotel. Then in the hotel again the next day. I'm still thinking about it. This isn't just great food and service, this is VERY MEMORABLE dining that I think I will be thinking of for a long time to come. What have I just experienced? This was something very special indeed. 5 star plus for service, atmosphere, food the lot. Utterly superb and I can't see how or where I will top this. Thanks so much team!

Always outstanding service, food and ambience. It was a set 10 course meal, every bite was rich, flavourful and satisfying. We wanted to taste with the wine flight but early starts the next day made us choose otherwise. They create a beautiful intimate setting and you can see the kitchen at work. All the praise and awards are well deserved.

One of the finest meals and experiences I’ve ever had. Akhtar was at the pass the whole evening evening serving tables. The ten course tasting menu was nothing short of sensational and the restaurant setup was unique. I can wait to go back.

Cut above, really is...the whole experience is completely different to other 'fine' dining experiences. Fantastic place, couldn't recommend more.

Exquisite food. Just exquisite. Probably the best tasting experience of my decades-long life eating at good restaurants here and overseas. I was a bit concerned that the size of the dishes (which photos I had seen beforehand) wouldn't fill me up, but I was wrong and I can see why it has two Michelin stars. Each course provides a taste bomb going off in your mouth, so even if it's only three or four mouthfuls you take your time to savour it. And they have perfectly timed the interval between courses so it's just as you are wondering when the next one is that they bring something beautiful to look at and you are plunged again into food heaven. At the end both I and my companions were full but not bursting, just wonderfully satiated. We were so amazed how you put food in your mouth and taste one thing, and then shortly after another flavour makes itself known and then another. How do they do that? If you can afford it, go, you won't be disappointed.

One of my favourite dining experiences of all time. Exceptional service. The flavours and details of each dish are sensational. I’ve been twice now and would happily return time after time.