Working in and around Victoria Square comes with delicious perks, and one of the best is the abundance of food options just steps from your desk. For those who only have a quick half-hour between meetings, want to take a client out for a relaxed one-to-one, or need somewhere fun for after-work catchups with colleagues, Birmingham’s growing street food and pop-up scene delivers.
We explore seasonal markets, monthly food trucks, festivals and independent eateries, where there is an abundance of fresh, flavour-packed options that fit neatly into your busy workday.
New Street Eats
Just a five minute walk from Victoria Square WorkRooms, Birmingham New Street transforms into an open-air fiesta during New Street Eats, one of the city’s busiest areas between New Street Station, Grand Central and the Bullring.
Perfect for a lunchtime stroll or an after-work bite, this street food market operates throughout the year and offers a mix of global street food and local traders right in the heart of the city. Expect everything from sizzling Korean corndogs, Greek-style wraps, American-style burgers, Caribbean spice, Indian snacks and Italian classics. Sweet options are just as tempting, with cookie pies, handmade doughnuts, brownies and macarons on offer to power you through the afternoon.
There are always vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes available, so you’ll never struggle to find something that suits. Alongside the food, artisan stalls showcase cheeses, candles, crafts and jewellery, offering both browsing and discovery.
Each season brings its own culinary flavours. The Autumn event is set to run from Thursday, 25th September to Sunday, 28th September, featuring more than 40 independent traders. Free to attend and running until 6pm, it is an ideal spot for a quick bite, a relaxed lunchtime wander or a quick stop on your way home.
Food Truck Friday
If you fancy venturing a little further out on a weekday evening with colleagues, head to the Jewellery Quarter and Albion Square. On the last Friday of every month, the square comes alive from 5:00pm to 9:30pm with a lineup of independent food trucks serving global flavours.
Previous vendors have dished up indulgent Wagyu burgers, homestyle curries, authentic Mexican plates and wood-fired pizzas. With the menu changing each month, there is always something new and exciting to try.
You can even take your food into the nearby pub, Temper and Brown, pair it with a drink and enjoy live music. The combination of street food, community feel, and DJ sets makes it feel more like a festival that brings people together. It’s a laid-back way to round off the month and fully ease into the weekend.
Colmore Food Festival
The Colmore Food Festival is the perfect excuse to discover the best of Birmingham’s culinary scene. Held every July, the award-winning festival brings together more than 30 food and drink traders, each offering three taster dishes or drinks at capped prices, so you can enjoy high-quality food without breaking the bank. Past traders have included favourites such as Purecraft Bar & Kitchen, Gaucho, Jamaya, Zambrero, F1 Arcade and Wayland’s Yard.
Watch live kitchen demonstrations by top local chefs, including celebrity chef Glynn Purnell, or catch a live recording of Birmingham’s popular Breaking Bread podcast. The Square buzzes with music and dancing, featuring a diverse range of performers, from brass bands and DJs to cultural acts like Bhangra dancers and steel pan players, creating an energetic atmosphere right in the heart of the city.
Colmore Food Festival offers a lunchtime experience that’s fun, affordable, and full of flavour.
Farmers’ Market – New Street
If you’re based at Victoria Square WorkRooms, the New Street Farmers’ Market is the perfect excuse to step out for a break, grab a bite, or pick up something fresh for later. Just a short walk away, and ideal for those commuting via New Street Station, the market takes place on the first and third Wednesdays of every month from 9am to 4pm, making it easy to drop by between meetings or during your coffee break.
Set along New Street, connecting Victoria Square to the Bullring, the market brings the region’s best local producers right into the heart of the city. Though compact, it packs a punch, offering everything from fresh fruit and breads to cheeses, biscuits, preserves, and other handmade treats. It’s a simple way to support independents while breaking up your working day, and perfect for grabbing a few essentials on your way home.
Notable mentions
Tiger Bites Pig
When you need a lunchtime pick-me-up or an after-work bite that’s a little different, Tiger Bites Pig delivers bold, flavour-packed Taiwanese-inspired food just minutes from your desk.
Known for their fluffy bao buns, choose fillings like slow-braised beef shin, crisp fried chicken, pork belly, duck, lamb, or fresh vegetarian and vegan options. Each bao is layered with greens, house-made kimchi, fiery hot sauce, crispy shallots, and spring onions, turning a quick lunch into a flavour adventure. Their rice bowls are equally generous and perfect for powering you through the afternoon. Grab one between meetings or unwind with a sake or craft beer at the end of the day.
Plates by Purnell
Looking to share a few dishes with your colleagues? Plates by Purnell is a standout destination for tapas lovers in Birmingham, especially if you’re looking for something delicious, without the luxury markup. With rustic Spanish interiors and a menu inspired by chef Glynn Purnell’s time in northern Spain, it’s perfect for one-to-one lunches, relaxed afternoons with colleagues, or small team dinners after work. Expect authentic tapas such as whipped goats’ cheese with serrano ham, chorizo in red wine, crispy squid and chicken croquettes, all served in a warm and informal setting.
Quick Eats, Big Flavours
Victoria Square is surrounded by an ever-changing landscape of food stalls, festivals and pop-ups that make lunch breaks and after-work catchups something to look forward to. Whether you’re dashing out for a quick bite to eat, exploring the Farmers’ Market on your way home, entertaining clients over tapas, or taking the team to a festival, there’s always something happening just around the corner. Eating well at work has never been so easy.