The Grand Hotel is a renowned Birmingham landmark, with celebrities from Tom Cruise to the Beatles having resided there. In 2021, the glamorous Victorian-inspired hotel reopened after a £50 million renovation, featuring a bar and restaurant alongside its glamorous rooms. Madeleine Bar maintains that old-school allure, although allowing for a bit of a modern twist. Having won the title of ‘Hotel Bar of the Year’ at the Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards in 2024, I was looking forward to trying Madeleine’s offerings.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of Madeleine Bar Birmingham
Beautifully refurbished, Madeleine Bar reflects the Victorian vibe of The Grand Hotel Birmingham.
Need To Know:
- Address: Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2BS
- Area: city centre
- Cuisine: French
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: with plush, red velvet chairs and tasteful, abstract paintings, Madeleine Bar combines comfort with opulence. The Bar’s low-lighting and carved wooden architecture give the romantic impression of years gone by.
- Perfect For: a classy cocktail date.
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐
- Value For
Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £99 for two people, including two drinks and four dishes.
Be sure to try the elegant cocktails on the Madeleine Bar menu.
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐
- Baked Camembert (£19) - in this dish, a large wheel of melted cheese was coupled with a delightfully spicy chilli jam and two small baguette sticks. The star of this dish was definitely the sharp jam, and it paired nicely with the bite of the camembert’s rind.
- Petit Pois, Mint, Vegan Feta & Quinoa Tart (£9) - a very pea-forward filling with a biscuit-like tart crust. This was a satisfying vegan option with a delicate flavour profile, though I did wish that the taste was slightly stronger.
- Bavette à l’échalote et frites maison (£25) - according to the menu, this steak is a Madeleine Signature. I found it to be well-cooked, and enjoyed the frites immensely. However, we felt that the rich steak would’ve benefitted from a refreshing component.
- Sélection aux patisseries (£15) - this selection changes daily, so my specific thoughts may be unhelpful. All the same, I can attest to the pastry chef’s skill. I received three miniature cakes, each one complex and tasty. Their regular options include the likes of rich, layered chocolate treats and mini vanilla sponges with intricate icing, but you'll be surprised with something different every time.
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Champagne Cocktail (£16) - this had a sweet, effervescent taste that improved as the spiced sugar dissolved in the champagne. Found on the ‘Classic Cocktails’ section of the menu, this drink was springy and bright.
- Bocage (£15) - inspired by Normandy, the Bocage combined smooth brandy and a botanical pear liqueur. I enjoyed the creamy base of this cocktail but found the floral notes to be too strong.
Our Overall Experience At Madeleine Bar
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐
Madeleine Bar serves stand-out cocktails, each drink made with care and skill. Their food is understandably more understated; not unpalatable by any means, but not altogether impressive. Unfortunately, my friend and I found Madeleine Bar’s service to be quite inattentive. After an unexplained 50 minute wait for our food, we felt almost as though we were being ignored. I wouldn’t return to Madeleine Bar for a meal, but if you’re in search of a classy cocktail in a beautiful setting, it's worth giving Madeleine a chance.
