Al Cafe

You'll find Al Cafe tucked away on Wrentham Street in Balsall Heath, the kind of place locals know about and visitors stumble upon if they're paying attention. It's unpretentious in the best way—no faffing about with trendy plating or unnecessary faff, just solid halal cooking that does what it says on the tin. The fact it's sitting at 4.5 stars across 145 reviews tells you something: people genuinely rate it. Walk in and you get the sense this is where the neighbourhood eats, where folks come back regularly because the food works and the vibe is straightforward and welcoming.