Empress bar & grill - Birmingham

Gladys Ariberito

I was staying in a hotel in Birmingham and ordered some food from this empress African restaurant.
The delivery time kept being updated to a later time until it had updated to an hour after the originally stated delivery time. I called the restaurant and asked what was going on. The lady on the phone said the food is coming out right now and will be with us within 10 mins. After 15 mins I called again to be told the same things. I called again after another 15 mins and they were now not picking my calls. The food then came at around 10:30.
The jollof rice had a funny taste and smell to it, the turkey was a bit hard like it was cooked a day or so prior. The soup that was with the turkey was nice. Small chops box was average at best, chicken wings were not great but the puffpuff was nice.
A very big fish that was well seasoned and looked very appetising until we realised it was raw on the inside, I called the restaurant to let them know. The lady on the phone sounder very insensitive and told me to come in the next day although this was an order placed for delivery. Leaving me and my child without proper food to eat. We had to order McDonald’s as a last resort.
I love supporting African businesses but experiences like this are what make people stay away. You guys need to do better to be honest, this is diabolical. This will definitely be taken further.

MixedPrincess_

I do usually order from these guys but will not be ordering again since they were trying to tell me its not bitter or oily
It tasted extremely soapy for some reason
I’ve had this soup growing up and know exactly what is meant to look like and taste like. It did not taste like ogbono soup or look exactly like it

Jane E.

We visited the restaurant in the evening as we had been in Birmingham for a trip and were craving some “home” food. We checked on Google and saw that this one came highly recommended.

When you arrive, you have to scan a QR code and pay online, then the meal is ordered to your table. One thing to note is, they are strictly card only, so cash is not accepted.

We sat down and got some Palm Wine and about 30 or so minutes later, the food arrived. The portion is big and we struggled to get through it but it’s better too much than not enough. We got Egusi soup with Eba and Efo Riro with Pounded Yam. Lots of assorted meat and very tender which we loved. It tasted so delicious and home cooked. Not too much oil and seasoning just right. I can’t give any faults about it.

I would totally recommend this place. There is even a Suya/Shawarma truck next to it and an African Food store.

Any Nigerians/Africans that are in Birmingham, make your way to Empress Bar & Grill!

Oreoluwa Gabriella Olajide

After leaving a negative review in the past due to the staff's attitude at Empress, I've revisited twice since then, and all my friends who have also visited have noticed a significant change. The staff, especially those on duty on 4/4/24 around 1400, from the kitchen crew to the lady at the till, were absolutely delightful. I'm pleased to report that the customer service was top-notch, a solid 10/10. They even interacted with my baby, which was a lovely touch. As for the food, it was a perfect 10/10 as well. We enjoyed puffpuff, suya, and amala with abula, and everything was incredibly delicious. Thank you, Empress, for the improvement in staff attitude. It is definitely appreciated.

Makanjuola Taiye

By far the best meal I have had in the UK. The serenity of the environment makes it a very comfortable place to eat and the staffs are always beaming with smile as they attend to you. Definitely coming back for more.

Stephen Oshilaja

The restaurant is 2 buses from Selly Oak where I stayed, I called and booked ahead but when I got there i still had to wait like 20mins or so before I could get my food. The food was well made and good tasting. The Egusi Soup tastes much like that of the eastern part of Nigeria (I prefer the that of the western part of Nigeria). The soup was supposed to come with assorted meat but it really wasn't the case. The restaurant is inconspicuously located and the atmosphere felt more like a dingy bar than a restaurant. Then again the egusi soup I ordered was supposed to be £11.99 but the lady at the counter charged me £12.99. In alI, I can say I have experienced better Nigerian/ African food and restaurants in Halifax, Canada.

Ann Tut

Efo Riro soup is too too salty, just shake and bones in the soup, even thou I requested for goat meat. Total rip off of my money.

The customer care guys was really really nice but kitchen lady was not quite it at all

Tap water in the bathroom runs hot boiling water. Literally when you come out of bathroom, there is no water to wash your hands. Hopefully people Dont get invested with diarrhoea.

Camile Samuels

Food was exceptional. The cook Vivian and server Dolapo provided some excellent customer service. My first time trying Nigerian food and will definitely be back!