A top city chef has shared her favourite restaurant in Birmingham and it's a little neighbourhood place with space for just 12 diners. Kasia Piątkowska, chef and owner of Tropea in Harborne, joined a number of leading British chefs to share their recommendations in the Good Food Guide.
Kasia, who was named 'one to watch' in Good Food Awards, recommended Riverine Rabbit in Stirchley in the guide, saying the food is 'exciting and above all, delicious'. Riverine Rabbit opened in December 2023 and is a new iteration of a restaurant that was popular in Cape Town before chef Ash Valenzuela-Heeger moved to Birmingham with scientist and front-of-house manager Erin and the pair settled on the Pershore Road.
Recommending Ash and Erin's place, chef Kasia wrote: "Our favourite restaurant is called Riverine Rabbit. It's run by a couple, Erin and Ash. Ash is a South African chef and the menu of small plates has influences from there, which give it a unique edge.
Read more: I ate at Birmingham's finest restaurant for as cheap as possible and felt like a criminal
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"Her food is exciting and above all, delicious. Erin is a rocket scientist by day and front of house by night, looking after the 12 covers that sit by the kitchen. They've only been open a few months and already their crab muffin has become legendary in Birmingham."
It's high praise from the Tropea chef given the restaurant she runs with partner Ben Robinson-Young was named Best Local Restaurant in Central & East of England in 2023 by the Good Food Guide. We reviewed Tropea last year and their food made our top dishes of 2023 end-of-year round-up.
Stirchley's Pershore Road, where Riverine Rabbit is, has become known as a haven for food and drink, with the neighbourhood being named among the best places to live in Britain.
Kasia isn't the only Brummie to enjoy the food at Riverine Rabbit. So far, it has a perfect five star rating on Google, with glowing reports from diners, with one saying that every table in the small restaurant feels like a chef's table experience.
D called it 'really lovely' while Adam Pearce said the food was 'fantastic'. Attie Kearon wrote: "To be able to share a birthday meal with friends as a gluten free person is a feat in itself. Riverine Rabbit delivered a beautiful meal with attentive service and catered to my requirements easily making it one of the best meals out I've had in Birmingham, if not ever."
Chloe Parry added: "Amazing restaurant and experience! Such a chilled environment with delicious food.
"All the little touches are so thoughtful! It’s literally like one of your friends is cooking for you! One of my favourite restaurants I’ve been to this year! Will definitely be back."
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