Inside The Birmingham Restaurant Serving Up Sky-High Views And Fancy French Fare

Having only opened up late last year, on the 24th floor of 103 Colomore Row, Orelle in Birmingham has already garnered quite the reputation. Pictures of its swanky interiors and sky-high views are plastered all over the 'Gram, but does the rooftop restaurant also possess substance, and not just style? I had to find out for myself, so when the opportunity to visit arose, I couldn't help but swing by.

We were in awe at the super snazzy decor of the restaurant.

It was a Friday evening, and live music beckoned us into the venue, where we were met with a warmly lit, sophisticated room, boasting orange scallop sofas and dramatic plant centrepieces. After settling into our cute corner at the edge of the restaurant, we soaked up the interiors - flowing, crisp white cloths adorned each table, and the cityscape views from the floor-to-ceiling windows? Well, they were marvellous, to say the least.

We kicked off with a bottle of white, Cuvée Jean Paul ‘Cote de Gascogne’ (£35), and crusty, sourdough bread - served warm, the butter glided on beautifully. I then dived into the paté en croûte (£19), a meaty blend encased in a hearty pastry casing (essentially a really fancy pie). The pork terrine inside was delightfully textured, with pieces of black pudding studded throughout. It came paired with a selection of pickled vegetables and a sweet mustard sauce, providing a refreshing component to balance out what may have otherwise been a very heavy starter. My pal tried the beef tartare (£19), an umami affair, elevated with capers, pieces of apple and mushroom ketchup.

All the dishes on Orelle's menu in Birmingham were beautifully presented, making it a seriously Instagrammable spot.

As for mains, I ordered the filet (£48), served with miso-glazed carrots and a peppercorn sauce, which our waiter dramatically glazed over the dish. The steak came well-cooked and tender – but the highlight of the dish surprisingly had to be the potato purée; buttery, silky and perfectly seasoned, it was a pleasure to eat. We also ordered the agneau (£39), a lamb-heavy dish featuring both tender rump and braised shoulder, cooked medium rare and glazed with a haggis jus.

For the quality of the food, Orelle Birmingham's prices were pretty fair too.

As you can imagine, after all that, we only just about had space for dessert. I opted for the noisette (£10) - whipped panna cotta placed atop sponge, encased in a crunchy hazelnut coating reminiscent of a Kinder Bueno. The sweet treat came accompanied by salted caramel ice cream and crunchy pieces of sweet biscuit crumb. While the sponge was slightly dry, all the other components were exquisitely creamy and rich, complementing each other well. Alongside this, my friend went for the religieuse (£9), a choux pastry dish with a white peach cremeaux, plus blackberry and raspberry sorbet. It was light, despite the heavy components, with the fresh fruit flavours serving as a refreshing end to a satisfying meal.

The DesignMyNight Digest

Orelle was a very special experience – not only did it ooze elegance, with its gorgeous interiors and fabulous skyline views, but it also had the menu to match. Whether you're looking for a swanky date night restaurant or a classy venue for cocktails with the girls, this Colmore Row beauty has got you well and truly sorted. And if you're wondering "is Orelle Birmingham halal?", there's a bunch of delectable options - just ask the waiter.

Looking for more restaurants in Birmingham? Check out our guide here and sign up to our newsletter for the latest openings.