Fumo by San Carlo - Birmingham Waterloo St

You're stepping into something different from the San Carlo empire—Fumo ditches the velvet booth grandeur for a stripped-back, buzzy vibe that feels genuinely contemporary. The space on Waterloo Street has this refreshing informality: exposed brick, open kitchen energy, and a crowd that's here because they actually want to be, not because it's the done thing. The menu leans hard into wood-fired pizzas with proper Neapolitan credentials and robust pasta dishes that avoid the fussy presentation of its sibling. Expect lively tables, decent Italian wine by the glass, and pricing that feels fair for the neighbourhood—you're paying for quality ingredients and skill, not just the San Carlo name.