📍 Piccolino, Birmingham
Some meals are just food.
Others feel like a soft whisper of a place you’ve never been—but suddenly long for.
This was one of those meals.
It was a warm afternoon in Birmingham, the kind of day that asks for al fresco dining and slow conversations. We chose Piccolino, tucked just around the corner of the city’s usual rush—a modern Italian spot promising good wine, coastal flavours, and a sprinkle of sophistication.
We weren’t celebrating anything major—just our day off. But sometimes, the best kind of celebration is the one you don’t plan.
Starters That Set the Mood
Our starter was simple but perfect: Calamari Fritti, lightly battered, golden and crisp, served with a wedge of lemon and a spicy-smooth dipping sauce. It was the kind of dish that disappears quickly, because “just one more” turns into none left before you know it.
Crisp on the outside, tender inside—and paired with sunshine and conversation, it was already a win.
The Main Characters: Tagliolini & Grilled Prawns
For my main, I had the tagliolini with crab and cherry tomatoes—and let me tell you, it tasted like summer wrapped in pasta. The sauce was light but rich in flavour, with sweet tomatoes, fresh herbs, and generous pieces of crab folded through. It wasn’t heavy, yet it lingered in all the right ways. Comforting. Elegant. Coastal.
Jan went for the chargrilled king prawns, served on a bed of smoky aubergine with a deep tomato base. Visually stunning. The prawns arrived head-on, tails curling like they’d just come off the grill. Bold, briny, and full of character—this was a dish made for seafood lovers who aren’t afraid to get their hands a little messy.
Drinks to Toast the Moment
Our drinks were just as bright: I had a mango-orange mocktail—citrusy and fresh with a hint of sweetness, topped with lime. Jan’s was a berry-based refresher, tart and vibrant, served cold and full of colour.
They weren’t just drinks. They were the clink of “we made it to another weekend,” the soft exhale after a long week, the kind of drinks that remind you to slow down and taste your life.
Sweet Endings That Stay With You
We finished the meal with dessert—because how could we not?
I ordered an affogato: vanilla gelato drowned in hot espresso, with a biscuit on top. Simple, dramatic, and honestly… addictive. That contrast of hot and cold, bitter and sweet—it felt like a metaphor for adulthood. You don’t rush it. You let it melt, slowly, and taste the layers.
Jan’s choice was the pistachio panna cotta, delicately set and topped with crushed pistachios, fresh raspberries, and a crown of golden jelly. It looked like something out of an Italian summer dream—and tasted just as light and luxurious.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Yes. Wholeheartedly, yes.
Piccolino Birmingham gave us more than good food—it gave us a midday pause that felt like a gentle escape from the city. The flavours were clean, vibrant, and memorable. The service was polished but kind. And the ambiance? Effortlessly chic without being cold.
If you’re in Birmingham and craving seafood pasta, grilled prawns, or even just a really good affogato, this place belongs on your list.
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