Reviews Bodega Cantina Birmingham

I had a Brazilian dish with prawns and fish and a creamy coconut sauce and it was delicious. The prices are quite decent, lower than I expected. Service was quick.

Very chilled environment, a place with true comfort food and lots of veggie options. Food is amazing and there’s a beer selection from all over latin america. I will go back for sure

Visited Bodega many times prior to this visit and have never been disappointed at all. Great drinks, food and staff are polite and helpful. February evening 16 took our friends, food was great fajitas and burritos were ordered as well as salads and starters, food was so tasty and fresh. Drinks good too ordered a bottle of house wine which was great too. Very loud it was Friday. Manager asked if we had enjoyed our food which I thought was really nice. Love the place

Absolutely amazing vibes,  this one is a hell of a place! So cool ambience which you can't help but notice as soon as you enter this place, various seating options from high seating, low seating, couch, bar stools etc. and very happening music to set the right tone for the evening. So my partner in crime this time was my little sister who gave me a surprise visit and as we made ourselves comfortable to this cozy place I ordered a Dry cider Maeloc for myself and Blueberry and hazelnut daiquiri for my sister. Those who don't know "Daiquiri" is a rum based cocktail mixed with citrus fruits juice and lime, while cider is a beer type fuzzy alcoholic drink but sweeter as it's made of fermented apples. after appreciating the view,comfort, music and a lot of chit-chat over our drinks which were quite refreshing we ordered food so I decided to go for "Slow roasted shredded chicken burritos" and I hate to admit that it was the first time I was trying it and I found it so good that I actually regret not trying it earlier, it was filled with rice,beans,mozzarella n cheddar cheese, sour cream and salsa sauce apart from chicken ofcourse and it was so yummy. My sister ordered a tried and tested "Chipotle chicken quesadillas" which was also good but not at par with the burritos. Staff was really nice too. Simply put we had fantastic time at this wonderful place and will definitely be going again soon.

November 7, 2011 Halloween & bonfire night are traditionally associated with being a whole lot of fun for kids. For me, however, it’s the perfect excuse for some food indulgence (like I need an excuse…) Although I have been known to dress up in some weird and wonderful costumes and go out on the hunt for sweeties, this year my Halloween was a much more grown up affair as I celebrated Dia De Los Muertos with my good friend Sarah at Birmingham’s own little slice of South America, Bodega . Their event included a pop-up shop, a special cocktail and a healthy dose of delicious food. Whenever I frequent Bodega (and it happens a lot) it takes me an age to decide what to eat. Do I play it safe with a tried and tested Burrito or do I dare try something new? This time, however, greed got the better of both of us, as we opted for the Bodega Selection platter with a selection of some of their best dishes, like Pork Carnitas Tacos, Patatas Bravas, Frijoles, Nachos, Albondigas Cubanas and Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas. Plus we got a side of sweet potato fries! I tucked into the Albondigas Cubanas first of all, tender and juicy beef meatballs in a deliciously rich red wine and tomato sauce, which were a flavour explosion in the mouth. Definitely gives Italian meatballs a run for their money! The patatas bravas in the same sauce were equally as impressive. Next up I tucked into the quesadillas which had the tiniest hint of spice, delicious flavour and stayed crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. Just the right amount of cheese complimented the chicken and made the quesadillas surprisingly light. The nachos were a surefire winner, smothered in tomato salsa, fresh guacamole and sour cream topped with melted cheese. You can’t go wrong with that combination and these were definitely right. The Pork Carnitas Tacos were also really good, with succulent, spicy shredded pork in a soft shell taco. The biggest surprise for me though, were the Frijoles. Call me uncultured, but on paper

This may possibly be my favorite place to eat in Birmingham. The decor is colourful, fun and very South American, with cacti and Mexican Luchadore masks adorning the walls. The staff are always friendly and attentive and their mixologists are top notch. Their menu of cocktails is expansive, but the best ones I've had are when you just say 'surprise me!' And the food is fantastic. Hearty, flavorsome and absolutely delicious! I recommend the burritos, the hand-made Bodega Burger and the stuffed jalapeños. The sweet potato fries are to die for and I'm really keen to try the sift shell crab. If you're looking for year round sunshine, look no further than Bodega. 10/10

Atmosphere

Bodega is casual, cosy and funky. When you step off the street and into the restaurant, you’re struck by the bright colours of the interior, and the infectious latin beats that play on the sound system. You can sit in the relaxed seating area by the glass front and watch the world go by, or dine at one of the tables further back. Downstairs is the Sugar Loaf Bar, which comes alive with fiestas on Friday and Saturday nights.

Food

The bodega selection, a selection of six mini-dishes designed for sharing, gave us the chance to try out a few of the new options on the menu alongside old favourites like the plain nachos, crispy and covered with melting cheese and jalapeno peppers. The sweetcorn quesadillas (toasted tortilla wraps filled with sweetcorn, peppers, tomatoes and cheese), and the beef empanadas (pastry parcels stuffed with spicy beef) are two classic examples of Bodega’s hearty, Hispanic snacks. Not only are they very satisfying to the taste, they fill you up incredibly quickly.

The platter also included albondigas cubanas, or Cuban meatballs, made from beef and served in a rich sauce of red wine and tomato sauce. We found these fairly average, and didn’t finish them. The papas chorreadas, a dish of cubed potatoes mixed with cheese sauce, chillies and spring onions, divided us. I found them delicious, and so did my guest at the time, but she later told me that she had a surprise on returning a few days later and ordering the same thing: the texture and flavour were both disappointing the second time round.

Both of us agreed, however, that the cordero seco (Peruvian lamb stew) was superb. The menu describes it as ‘tender beer-braised lamb and dumplings seasoned with fresh coriander, cumin and chillies.’ I would describe it as ‘yum’. The lamb was wonderfully succulent and beautifully accompanied by the flavourful sauce.

drink

The cocktail and drinks menu boasts a whole bunch of authentic spirits and liqueurs hailing from South America, from pisco (a Peruvian grape brandy) and cachaça (a Brazilian spirit distilled from sugar cane), to various brands of tequila and rum, and a list of Mexican and Argentinian bottled beers.

Many of the cocktails were created by members of the bar staff, as the menu indicates. On this occasion, a cheeky original margarita before the meal did the trick: simultaneously refreshing, salty, sour and sweet.

pricing

Bodega selection = £20.95

Cordero seco = £10.45

Original margarita = £5.80

overall

Bodega deserves to be talked about far and wide. It brings more than just a touch of South American flavour to the city. You can see the effort that has been made to keep the ingredients authentic, and that passion that shines through in the menu and the flavours on offer. Best of all, the staff are always friendly and professional. All of this is what makes Bodega one of my favourite restaurants in Birmingham.

Sara greeted me with a warm smile on her first day, making my experience extra special. Having previously explored Mexico beyond Cancun, I appreciated the authenticity of Tulum’s cuisine, particularly their use of corn tortillas. The food was delicious, and I even got some flavorful green jalapeño sauce upon request. The margaritas were exceptional, and the blue corn sharing tortillas were a delightful treat. To top it off, the churros were a perfect finale, especially with a side of vanilla ice cream.

Bodega Cantina beckons with a vibrant atmosphere and welcoming hospitality, offering a culinary journey even for those new to Mexican cuisine. The Vegetarian Burrito Bowl is a standout, featuring hearty mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and vibrant veggies atop fluffy spicy rice—a symphony of flavors and textures. Equally tempting are the Crispy Cauliflower Tacos, where crunchy cauliflower meets tangy slaw and creamy sauce, creating a delightful combination for any palate. Bodega Cantina transcends cultural boundaries with its inviting ambiance and mouthwatering dishes. Whether you're a seasoned vegetarian or simply seeking bold flavors, this restaurant promises a culinary adventure like no other.

I've been here several times and always enjoyed the food, especially the homemade nachos (proper fried tortillas rather than Doritos-style chips)! The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because on my must recent visit I was disappointed to see that cheese sauce is now used on the nachos, rather than melted cheese. Please change it back! Other than that, the food, drinks and service were great.

Delicious food with a great atmosphere. Drinks were super yummy😍. Had a good Vegetarian selection of food. There was some corn tortillas for the gluten free eaters 🥰. Be sure to book a table in advance as it does full up. Only thing was food took a little long to get to table.....or maybe I was ravenous and impatient?

Johnathan was our waiter and was very accommodating, polite and patient as I have allergies that are not always straightforward. Yet he took the time to even go and check with the chef. A thousand thank yous from my wife and I.

What a lovely little mid week date night this was, came in after being recommended for a friend for a lil mini-anniversary meal and I’m so glad we did. We shared 4 different dishes and really made the most of the selection. My rare rump steak was actually really well cooked and was far better than anticipated. Our server Charlotte was lovely and friendly, and really helped make the evening for us. The service was a little slow but everything else certainly maid up for it.

We went around 3.30 (had to book a table in advance) and the restaurant was fairly empty but it was buzzing by the time we left. I got the mushroom and sweet potato burrito and it arrived lovely and hot, was well seasoned but i got the hot which wasnt as spicy as i thought it would be. Lovely drinks ans atmosphere,and the happy hour was well appreciated