3 hours Ago By [email protected] (Kirsty Bosley)
The Bullring and Grand Central seem to have been really undergoing a period of change over the past year or two. As shoppers' habits have altered, the shopping destination - both owned by Hammerson - have done too, with more 'things to do' moving in alongside places to shop. In this feature, we're taking a look at all of the new food and drink places that have opened in the complex in recent months.
Furthermore, you'll find details of all of the places yet to launch, refits that are underway and launches that have been confirmed. We'd be keen to know, in the comments below, what you think about the new launches. Is there anything you'd like to see at the Bullring that you think is missing? With three, big American chains moving in this year, are there any others you would be excited to have in town? Let us know.
Read more: Birmingham bakery that 'can't keep up with demand' opening second site in 'up and coming' suburb Subscribe to our Brum Food Club food and drink newsletter for the latest news from our hospitality scene every Thursday. For now, let's take a look at..
. Food and drink spots that have opened in the Bullring and Grand Central TOCA Social Serving: Sharing plates. Expect nachos, hot dogs, burgers and bao.
TOCA Social is an interactive football bar that opened back in June where the very top floor of Debenhams was. Below it is the forthcoming Zara store and, underneath that, two floors of Marks and Spencer. While it's not a restaurant per se, TOCA Social does serve food for you to feast on while you have a kickabout.
If you're wondering what the football experience is like, you can read our write-up here . There's a kids menu if you're taking the little ones and if you're not? A cocktail menu to work your way through. Zambrero Serving: Burritos and Mexican grub Zambrero opened in May at the old Indian Streatery and promised the ' best burritos in Birmingham '.
We did test the theory when we reviewed it in the weeks following. There's space inside to sit if you so wish, room outdoors too, though it's more a grab-and-go kind of a place. If you're canny about how you unwrap your burrito, you should be able to walk and eat if you so wish! Cinnabon Serving: Cinnamon buns and coffee The American chain serving 'ooey gooey' cinnamon buns opened to giant queues back in July outside the Rolex store on the Selfridges side of the shopping centre.
People were going wild to get hold of them. We went and gave it a while not long after it opened if you'd like to have a read . Expect big squidgy buns, super high calorie drinks if you want them and smaller version of the famous buns and regular coffee if you just want a little treat.
Kirsty Bosley at Cinnabon (Image: Kirsty Bosley) Blank Street Coffee Serving: Freshly baked goods and matcha Two branches of Blank Street Coffee opened in Birmingham in recent weeks, the first being where Baguette Du Monde was at the Bullring and the second round the corner on New Street . The American chain was 'highly requested' by Brummies according to the brand. We were surprised to find they're serving bakes from Sutton Coldfield's Silvertree Bakery alongside their own products.
The drinks range from coffee and tea to special lattes and seasonal offers. Matcha seems to be the thing people love the most. Oakberry Serving: Acai bowls Oakberry has branches of its acai shop all around the world but it opened its first Birmingham branch this past wee k.
The 'healthy fast food' spot is down on the ground floor of the shopping centre and launched with half price bowls. Acai is a berry revered for being a 'superfood'. At Oakberry, you can order a smoothie bowl topped with a whole range of different things, including chia pudding, peanut butter and seasonal fruits.
Oakberry might be the most recent food opening but there's still more to come in the Bullring and Grand Central before the year is out. Heres..
. What's still to come in the Bullring and Grand Central this year Pop Street Serving: Street food with options 'for everyone' Pop Street is set to open where Burger King was in the Bullring, on the ground floor between the two 'sides' of the centre. It's a prominent corner spot and Pop Street says that it will have options 'for everyone' .
We're still not exactly sure exactly what food will be on offer, prices or a precise open date, but we'll let you know as soon as we get details. First look inside Pop Street opening in the former Burger King Unit at the Bullring (Image: Bullring) Shake Shack Serving: Burgers, fries and hand-spun milkshakes New York chain Shake Shack is working on transforming the former @Pizza unit in Grand Central into its first Birmingham branch. The store does have stores in Britain but this will be its first in town.
They serve burgers, fries (including cheese fries) and hand-spun milkshakes. It'll be a competitor to McDonald's , a stone's throw away at the top of the ramp, but it offers one thing McDonald's doesn't: hot dogs! Here's what we know about the new shop so far . Sweet Joe's Serving: Cookie dough Sweet Joe's will be a 'nostalgic' cookie dough shop when it opens at the site of the old Wonder Brows and Lashes in Grand Central this autumn.
The unit is right beside Link Street, on the same stretch of shops as Nando's, Shokupan and the incoming Shake Shack. We got a chat with the boss who tells us about how he started out with an idea and made it a reality in his parents' shed! Read that story here..
