There is nothing wrong with a traditional Christmas dinner – but by the third turkey of the season, even the most devoted fan of pigs in blankets starts to wonder whether there might be another way. There is, and Birmingham does it particularly well. As one of the most diverse food cities in the country, it offers festive dining in Birmingham that ranges far beyond the roast: Chinese banquets, small-plate feasts, theatrical cocktails and sharing menus built for a table full of friends. If you are looking for a Christmas meal that swaps the sprouts for something with a bit more spark, this guide is for you.
Why break from turkey and trimmings this Christmas
The appeal of an alternative festive meal is not just novelty. A turkey dinner is a lot of the same flavours on one plate, and after a month of them the palate is ready for a change. Global cuisines bring brightness, spice and texture that the traditional roast simply does not – think crisp, sticky, fragrant and fresh rather than heavy and rich. Sharing-style menus also change the social feel of a meal: instead of everyone hunched over their own plate, dishes travel around the table, people try a bit of everything, and the evening becomes more of an event. For office parties, friends’ get-togethers and family celebrations alike, that shift often makes for a livelier, more memorable night.
What Birmingham offers beyond the roast
The city’s dining scene is genuinely international, so alternative festive options are plentiful. Pan-Asian and Chinese restaurants lead the way with banquets and dim sum that lend themselves naturally to sharing. Indian and Middle Eastern kitchens bring warming spice and generous mezze-style spreads. Small-plate and tapas venues suit grazing over drinks, while modern steak and seafood restaurants offer a treat without a single sprout in sight. Many of these sit within a short walk of one another around the Brindleyplace and city-centre districts, and you can get a feel for the wider scene through Visit Birmingham or the Birmingham Restaurant Festival. The common thread is choice: whatever your group’s tastes, there is a festive table to match.
A festive feast at Lulu Wild
If you want a strong example of how good alternative festive dining can be, Lulu Wild makes the case neatly. A contemporary Chinese restaurant and cocktail bar at Eleven Brindley Place (B1 2HP), it spreads across two dramatic floors – one leaning into natural, leafy textures, the other neon-lit with plush red fabrics – giving the whole place a sense of occasion that suits Christmas perfectly. It is the kind of setting that feels like a night out in itself, not just a meal.
The festive offering, A Wild Christmas, is built around seasonal set menus designed for groups, drawing on the kitchen’s mix of traditional dim sum, classic Chinese dishes and modern twists on global favourites. Signatures such as steamed dim sum, Imperial sticky ribs, silk black cod and Szechuan crispy beef make for a festive table that is a world away from the usual roast – and a good deal more exciting to share. You can see the full range on the food menu.
Drinks are half the fun here. The bar turns out theatrical festive cocktails – the likes of Glow, Green Lantern, Silk & Snow and Santa’s Sleigh – that bring colour and a sense of ceremony to the table. For a more relaxed daytime celebration, Lulu Wild’s weekend bottomless brunch pairs Asian-inspired small plates with free-flowing drinks, which works well for a lower-key team get-together or a catch-up with friends.
For larger celebrations, the venue offers tiered private hire: The Nest for intimate groups of up to around 30, The Hideout for up to roughly 80 standing, and full venue hire for up to about 200 standing, each with its own catering options. With vegetarian dishes available too, it is an easy venue to book for a mixed group with varied tastes and requirements. As always, confirm the current festive menus, prices and availability directly with the restaurant, as these are updated each season.
Making it work for your group
A few practical points help any festive booking go smoothly, whatever cuisine you choose. Book early – the best tables and private spaces in Birmingham fill up well before December, and weekend dates go first. Gather dietary requirements when you send the invite, including vegetarian, vegan, allergy and dietary needs, and confirm the venue can cover them; sharing-style menus are often better at this than a fixed roast. Check what is included in any set-menu or package price, and whether drinks are extra. Finally, think about location and transport: central Birmingham and Brindleyplace are well served by New Street and public transport, which makes getting everyone home at the end of the night far simpler.
The bottom line
Christmas dinner does not have to mean turkey and trimmings. Birmingham’s international dining scene means you can celebrate the season with a menu that actually excites your group – spiced, fresh, theatrical and made for sharing. Whether you go for a Chinese banquet at Lulu Wild, a small-plate feast or something else entirely, the key is to pick a table that matches the people around it and to book it in good time. Do that, and you will have a festive meal everyone remembers – for all the right reasons, and not a sprout in sight.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best alternatives to a turkey Christmas dinner in Birmingham?
Birmingham’s diverse food scene offers plenty of options, from Chinese and pan-Asian banquets to Indian feasts, Middle Eastern mezze and small-plate sharing menus. Chinese restaurants such as Lulu Wild in Brindleyplace are a popular choice for festive dining that swaps the roast for dim sum, sticky ribs and theatrical cocktails.
Where can I get festive dining in Birmingham for a group?
Many city-centre and Brindleyplace venues offer festive set menus and private hire for groups. Lulu Wild, for example, runs seasonal ‘A Wild Christmas’ set menus and tiered private spaces for anything from an intimate dinner to a party of around 200, making it well suited to office parties and larger celebrations.
Is there vegetarian festive dining in Birmingham?
Yes. Many Birmingham restaurants cater for vegetarian and vegan diners, which makes alternative cuisines a good fit for mixed groups. Lulu Wild offers vegetarian options alongside its main menu – always confirm specific requirements with the venue when you book.
When should I book a festive meal in Birmingham?
As early as possible. December weekends and the most sought-after tables and private rooms are typically reserved well in advance, so booking in September or October gives you the widest choice of dates and menus. Weeknights and early-December slots offer more flexibility if you are booking later.
