Yummy Brummie Glynn Purnell Opens New Tapas Bar In Birmingham

Birmingham’s first Michelin Star Chef has opened ‘Plates by Purnell’s’, just one street away from his flagship restaurant in Birmingham’s Colmore Business District.

Glynn Purnell, who holds a Michelin star at Purnell’s, is now bringing the highest quality of classic Spanish tapas inspired food and drinks to the bar, which is on the site of the former Spanish café bar Pinchos on Edmund Street. Named Plates by Purnell’s, the tapas bar will be run by Glynn, who has won the acclaim of Michelin judges and graced TV screens on Saturday Kitchen and The Great British Menu, and his team.

The venue has been empty since closure during the COVID pandemic and has now been transformed by the Purnell’s group. Plates by Purnell’s has around 28 covers inside and a small number on the pavement outside. It serves sharing plates inspired by classic Spanish tapas with influences from Glynn’s time training and working in northern Spain. The menu includes small plates such as anchovies on toast, chorizo in red wine, cheese croquettes, grilled octopus, and Crème Catalan. 

Glynn said it had been a long-held ambition to expand his brand in his home city of Birmingham: 

“Having worked in northern Spain, I have had a soft spot for pintxos or tapas for many years. In Spain, I used to spend my days off eating and drinking in small tapas bars, which is the same philosophy we want to breed here at Plates by Purnell’s. 

Guests are welcome to stay for two or three hours and graze, or nip in for a quick drink and a small plate of food. In the current climate, people are very conscious of what they’re spending, and I wanted to be able to provide an offering for anything from a full gastronomic evening, a pitstop while shopping or a pre-theatre bite.

My award-winning team and I have worked hard on making this a stunning venue which will serve some amazing dishes. There are some recognisable tapas dishes on the menu- all with an added sprinkle of Purnell’s magic. The food is tasty, satisfying and will put a smile on people’s faces. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an engagement, a graduation or just celebrating life itself, we look forward to welcoming you for delicious drinks and fantastic food in a place where you can have lots of fun and make lasting memories.

I have been overwhelmed by all the support and well wishes we’ve had so far since we opened our doors to the public on Friday 10 February. Plates by Purnell’s underwent a stunning refurbishment before we opened, and the team have worked incredibly hard and have gone the extra mile to ensure the venue looks absolutely beautiful.”

Bookings for Plates by Purnell’s are now open via the website (www.platesbypurnells.com). Reservations can be made for Wednesdays to Saturdays between 12pm and 3pm for lunch and between 6pm and 9pm for dinner. Reservations can also be made via telephone on 0121 461 9254.