Bringing a vibrant slice of Punjab to Birmingham, award-winning restaurant Indico Mailbox boasts a laid-back yet jazzy interior, featuring blue leather booths, pretty partitions and eye-catching murals along the walls. Make your way over with a group of friends to share a few chaats, whether you fancy fish pakoras, chilli paneer or a fragrant aloo tikki. Casual date night on the cards? Heat things up with one of the dhaba-style curries, like the Mughlai lamb rogan josh (£14.95), or opt for something a little lighter, including thalis, paaji burgers and tawa rolls.

Back in 2014, Nisha Katona wanted to celebrate the food that Indian's eat at home, launching the first-ever Mowgli in Liverpool. Since then, her brand's gone from strength to strength, with outposts all over the UK, including in our very own Birmingham. The Grand Central Station branch features atmospheric interiors, where bare-brick walls are matched with glowing lanterns and cute rope swing seats. Not just a pretty face, this joint also knows what it's doing in the kitchen, with a menu full of affordable street chat, like Himalayan cheese toast, as well as rhubarb dahl and gunpowder chicken. Need something to wash it down? The Indian twists on classic cocktails, including the smoked cardamom old fashioned, are sure to wet your whistle.

From the team that brought us Pushkar is Praza, found within a Grade II-listed Georgian building in the leafy neighbourhood of Edgbaston. Award-winning chef Deepak Ranakoti has developed a menu of affordable, acclaimed plates like chicken shashlik (£10), marinated with Kashmiri chilli and spiced yoghurt, lamb khadi (£15) and paneer makhanwala (£11). And, thanks to the slick Art Deco interiors and adjoining cocktail bar, this place is perfect for birthday celebrations, with sips like the Spicy Mango (made with vodka, chilli and fruit) up for grabs too.

Though owned by the legend Asha Bhosle (renowned for her work in music, film and TV), it's not just the big name behind Asha's Indian Bar & Restaurant that makes it so popular. It has, quite rightly, earned its culinary stripes, with numerous prestigious awards behind its belt and even a recommendation in the Michelin Guide. The stylish space comes adorned with wine-coloured, velvet booths, atmospheric candles flickering in the background and plenty of golden accents, while the menu? It's inspired by Asha's own experiences, with North-West, modern and artisanal influences throughout. Think tandoori lamb raan (£49.75), Chandni Chowk ka keema (£25.45) and classics like butter chicken (£23.75).

Luxurious fine dining is the name of the game at Varanasi, the city's largest Indian restaurant. An opulent burgundy and gold colour scheme makes this place scream of grandeur, with intricate mirrors, dark wood tables and draped curtains only adding to the allure. As for the menu, you'll find a range of classics and dishes that evolve with the seasons, with highlights being the Lucknow lamb biryani (£26) and the homemade chicken samosas (£10). Plus, thanks to the six private rooms and three snazzy cocktail bars, it's perfect for special occasions, from birthdays to engagement parties and more.

This list of course would not be complete without Opheem, one of the most renowned Michelin star restaurants in Birmingham – the first to earn two stars, in fact. Led by chef-owner Aktar Islam, the fine dining destination incorporates techniques from across the globe for a dazzling menu that pushes the boundaries of Indian cooking. Though there are lunch and a la carte options which change with the seasons, you can also opt for a five or 10-course tasting menu for a full-on foodie experience. Past dishes have included the likes of saagwala (aged sirloin, braised cheek, BBQ greens and spinach), as well as gajar (made with heritage carrots, lentil pakoras, mint and coriander).

Founded in 2010, with their first outpost in Covent Garden, Dishoom has now become a national icon, toting locations in Edinburgh, Manchester and many more. The Birmingham branch nestled in Chamberlain Square only opened in 2020, but has already become a seriously sought-after spot for delicious Indian fare. Styled after the Iranian cafes that were so popular in Mumbai during the 60s, the restaurant flaunts a retro vibe, with classic cafe seating, wooden partitions and low-hanging lights. So, grab a chair and delve into their famous house black daal and chicken ruby curry paired with tandoori roti, or if you're a bit of an early riser? You can't miss out on this joint's signature bacon naan roll.

Bringing exquisite traditional Indian cuisine to the Midlands, Itihaas in Birmingham city centre has won numerous awards for its curries, and for good reason. The stylish venue in the city centre boasts slick, vintage-style interiors, with wood pannelled walls, retro seating and black and white photographs. Food-wise, you'll find maharaja maachli masala, tandoori soya tikka and a selection of Indo-Chinese starters, like chilli paneer.

For those of you in the mood for a traditional Indian restaurant in Birmingham, look no further than Umami Indian Kitchen, which slings out home-style cooking from across the continent, but with an elevated twist. The award-winning Harborne favourite pairs crisp, flowing table cloths with amber upholstered chairs and colourful artworks for a modern yet authentic feel. When it comes to the menu, everything is made with local British produce, including nihari ghosht (£16.95), laal maas Rajasthani (£13.90) and a range of British favourites too, from madras to karahi and more.  

Ajay and Shivani Kenth, a husband and wife team, wanted to bring the vibrancy of India's street markets to their home, which led to them to opening Zindiya in Moseley. With the help of local artists and crafters, they've created a fun, unique restaurant with rickshaw booths, multi-coloured seating, retro Indian signs and streams of fairy lights. Everything on the street food-style menu, including the okra fries, papri chaat and a soya tikka burger, comes as and when it's ready. While you're there, make sure to check out the cocktail menu too, as it boasts a bucketload of signature sips, like the Bengal Tai-ger, a blend of rum, plum sake and chilli.

With executive chef director Vinod Singh (a finalist in 2022's The Asian & Oriental Chef Awards) at the kitchen's helm, Pushkar has gained numerous accolades for their fantastic fare, including 'Best of Birmingham' in The Nation's Curry Awards. Here, you'll find a modest yet sophisticated dining room, featuring banquette seating and gold-framed artworks lining the walls. But of course, you want to hear all about the food right? The upmarket menu showcases dishes like Goa fish curry, achari haldi salmon and dal makhani, which you can mop up with a freshly prepared peshawari naan.