Chaaye Khana

Head up to the first floor of this Saltley neighbourhood spot and you've found yourself somewhere that takes breakfast seriously—the kind of place where the regulars are already three cups of chai deep by 8am. Chaaye Khana does what it says on the tin: exceptional tea paired with the kind of food that makes you understand why breakfast is the most important meal of the day in South Asian food culture. You're looking at proper parathas, probably some excellent egg dishes, and the sort of no-nonsense cooking that doesn't need to shout about itself. The rating speaks for itself, and the fact people keep coming back tells you everything about consistency and quality. It's the sort of place locals protect.