Fairlawns Restaurant (at Fairlawns Hotel and Spa)
The restaurant at Fairlawns Hotel and Spa is a high-end British cuisine dining establishment just outside Aldridge, to the north of Walsall. Its two rosette accredited status with the AA shows that this restaurant is a cut above the average. Cuisine is both contemporary and traditional, and whilst the prices are at the high end for the Walsall area, the quality of the food speaks for itself. Fixed price multiple course menus are on offer, and the wine list is extensive and of excellent quality. The attached hotel and spa also receive very positive comments, so you could make a weekend of it if needed! Well worth a trip for that special occasion!
Fairlawns restaurant is on Little Aston Road, Aldridge, WS9 0NU. Contact number is 01922 455122. Map and directions available here.
Golden Moments, Walsall
There is no shortage of Indian restaurants in the Walsall area, but Golden Moments is surely amongst the best of them all. The fresh ingredients rise to the fore of their incredibly tasty dishes, and the presentation is excellent. The menu is comprehensive enough to offer something for everyone, but not to the point where quantity overcomes quality, a classic mistake in some Indian restaurants. Prices are reasonable, and the dining area is surprisingly large with a ppleasing neutral interior, despite the appearance from the street. Set price banquet meals are also available Wedensday and Thursday, offering a range of dishes to choose from. Well worth a visit!
Golden Moments is at 3 Ablewell Street, Walsall, WS1 2EQ. Contact number is 01922 640363. Map and Directions available here.
http://www.goldenmomentswalsall.com/
Shireen’s
On Aldridge High Street lies a relatively recent newcomer to the Indian dining scene in the form of Shireen’s. It isn’t the biggest restaurant, but that gives it a great atmosphere, and the red and black décor feels fresh and modern. Food is of excellent quality and at a reasonable price. Drinks are strictly of the non-alcoholic variety from the bar, as the restaurant is unlicensed – so feel free to bring your favourite tipple along with you! The friendly staff are also worth a mention, as we chatted about the history of the restaurant and other things besides – a personal touch sadly lacking from most restaurants now. Probably advisable to book beforehand due to the seating limitations of the cosy premises.
Shireen’s is at 41 High Street, Aldridge, WS9 8NL. Contact number is 01922 279330. Map and directions available here.
Fiesta World Buffet
Another fairly recent newcomer to the Walsall dining scene is the Fiesta World Buffet, taking over the premises vacated by the old Chicago Rock Café. Whilst food in most buffets is of the horrendous school conteen/all inclusive resort variety, Fiesta World is very different. Whilst the food is still not Michelin star quality, it is clearly freshly cooked with a degree of pride, and the resulting taste is clear. Rather than focusing on a particular style of cuisine, Fiesta World boasts food from all corners of the globe; Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, British, French; you name it, it is represented somewhere! The sheer size of the place is also impressive, room for a couple of hundred people with ease, which should make for a lively atmosphere at peak time! There is also a fully stocked bar, with a surprisingly comprehensive wine list. Special mention should go to the dessert section, the chocolate fountain being just one of the many treats awaiting you -assuming you have left room of course!
Fiesta World Buffet is at 132 Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1SL. Contact number is 01922 722888. Map and directions available here.
Smokey’s Joint
A new addition to the Walsall dining scene is this American restaurant offering all the best of Ameican comfort food. The small size does a good job of covering up that this place offers the ‘biggest burger in Europe’ (apparently) – a mammoth 12 inch diameter and over 3.5ibs of meat, topped with all the trimmings! Good luck with that if you feel brave, but the rest of the more manageable portions are equally impressive. Right in the town centre by the station, it is easy to miss, but is well worth checking out – it doesn’t really have any similar competition in Walsall!
Smokey’s is at 26-27 Station Street, Walsall, WS2 9JZ. Contact number is 01922 277161. Map and contact details available here.
The Boat
A family run pub and restaurant which specialises in locally sourced produce made into some of the freshest and best quality pub food around. The menu changes pretty much everyday so there will always be something new to try, and the prices are quite cheap as well. It is not just the food that gets the local touch as well – guest ales from local breweries are on rotation as well, and the bar is fully stocked with the usual favourites and a good wine list. Situated to the north of Walsall near Muckley Corner, it is a place to drive to, but the reward is great local food at a great price, and great atmosphere to boot.
The Boat is on Walsall Road, Summerhill, Lichfield, WS14 0BU. Contact number is 01543 361692. Map and directions available here.
http://www.oddfellowsintheboat.com/
Shimla Peppers
In the centre of Walsall lies an Indian restaurant with an ace up it’s sleeve – a lovely courtyard offering alfresco dining! It really adds a novelty to the evening being able to sit outside and see the stars,rather than the usual air conditioned bubble we are accustomed to. Patio heaters mean the alfresco dining can continue even in the average British summer…! The food is good quality and wine is fine for the (fairly cheap) price. The bar downstairs is also pleasant for a pre or post meal drink. Dining here does not feel like a typical meal in the West Midlands concrete jungle!
Shimla Peppers is at 91-92 Ablewell Street, Walsall, WS1 2EU. Contact number is 01922 640605. Map and directions available here.
Sofia’s Italian
Situated in a listed building right in the heart of Walsall centre, Sofia’s is a large split level Italian restaurant, albeit with some slightly mismatched décor themes going on. It serves up a wide variety of freshly cooked dishes, including all the traditional Italian favourites and a few more adventurour options as well. The wine list is reasonable, and the prices overall are not too bad. Be warned though, if it is full, the size of the place can make for a pretty loud place to eat, but most of the time it is fine. The entrance is partly hidden around the back as well.
Sofia’s is at 8 High Street, Walsall, WS1 1QW. Contact number is 01922 632223. Map and directions available here.
http://www.sofiasitalianrestaurant.co.uk/
Chiquito, Walsall
If you fancy a Mexican in Walsall, Chiquito is pretty much your only option. It is out on a mini retail park near the motorway, but at least that means plenty of free parking. As you would expect from this chain, good quality Mexican comfort food is served up to your liking, plenty of alcohol available, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. Probably not a restaurant for a classy date, but a pleasant place for families and friends. You can even catch a film afterwards as the cinema is over the road!
Chiquito is on Bentley Mill Way, Walsall, WS2 0LA. Contact number is 0121 568 2400. Map and directions available here.
http://www.chiquito.co.uk/restaurant/walsall
Jerome’s
A traditional British restaurant in the centre of Walsall with one distinct twist – it is run by the students of Walsall college! I know what you’re thinking, a car crash dining experience waiting to happen, right? WRONG! Excellently cooked food and attentive service can be expected, even though the students are only really learning the ropes of the restaurant business. Only open for lunch, except Thursday’s where an early dinner is served up to 8.30pm. Prices are ridiculously cheap as well, fitting the college setting, but the food is better than the price would suggest. Give it a try!
Jerome’s is at Walsall College, Littleton Street West, Walsall, WS2 8ES. Contact number is 01922 657061. Map and directions available here.
http://www.walsallcollege.ac.uk/about/facilities/jerome-s-restaurant/
Da Vinci’s
A fairly nondescript frontage hides a great little Italian restaurant in the centre of Aldridge. A varied menu of freshly cooked dishes and decent wine combine to give a nice dining experience. Special offers are also available some nights to keep the price down, but even at full price it is not exactly expensive! Well worth a visit.
Da Vinci’s is at 1 Anchor Parade, Aldridge, WS9 8QP. Contact number is 01922 457128. Map and directions available here.
Cinnamon Court
An Indian restaurant with a focus on well-prepared classic curry dishes, with a few more adventurous options built in as well. Plenty of good quality wine at a reasonable price as well. Located just off the M6, it makes for a good meeting place, and large groups are always welcome.
Cinnamon Court is on Bentley Mill Way, Walsall, WS2 0BP. Contact number is 0121 568 6664. Map and directions available here.
Night Out Walsall 