The fit-out for Fumo at Selfridges is said to be one million sterling. A crazy amount of money for any restaurant, but a particularly obscene sum given (and yes, the clue is in the name) that it is within the confines of a shop. When I initially heard the plans, I thought the owner had lost his marbles. And now that I’ve sat inside the fourth floor restaurant, it is clear that someone else has found them and sold them back to him at a massive profit. It is a mass of polished calacatta, the kind that I sell for a day job and wonder who is buying it at the sort of money it commands. Answer: Here. It smells of money. Of high heels with coloured soles, of oversized handbags with padlocks, and of perfume made from the tears of Romany gypsies. I may have made the last bit up. Even the tables are thick marble, ours a large disc in the centre of the room big enough for six big gents and six bigger egos.
Absolutely divine every time I go there! Food and atmosphere is great.
Service is great
The bar is wonderful
Great for romantic meals or birthdays
The sister company to San Carlo so already came in with high expectations. The food was absolutely exquisite, really made me want to chew my food slowly to saviour every bite and let me tastebuds take it all in. The lamb chops in particular was great. I would however request for bigger portions, I know they are tapas style, but some were tapas children size...
Çok güzel bir mekan. Garsonlar İtalyan. Yemekler küçük porsiyonlarda gelmekte. Ortalama 5 farklı seçenek 2 kişi için doyurucu olacaktır.Gnocchi Gorgonzola şiddetle tavsiye edilir..Yediğimiz her ürün çok lezzetliydi..
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I visited Fumo with my family yesterday evening to celebrate my son's departure to university. Fumo is an Italian tapas restaurant (yes, Italian!), and cocktail bar. We arrived at 7.00 and it was fairly quiet but there was good music playing and the atmosphere was fun, with cheerful waiting staff with Italian accents aplenty.
The restaurant had lovely lighting and beautiful marble tables, along with quite a glitzy decor. We all found the room temperature a bit too cool due to the air conditioning settings being a bit low so I'd recommend you to wear layers of you go there.
We ordered bread and olives, rocket and Parmesan salad plus 2 tapas dishes each from an extensive menu. The dishes were delicious but some tapas portions were particularly small so we had to order a further round of tapas dishes. In all we had 12 small tapas dishes plus the olives, bread and rocket salad, plus 1 drink each. The bill was approx £130.
Buy the time we left the place was packed out and the atmosphere was fantastic.
Overall we had a lovely evening, although the experience was over a bit too quick.
We ordere
I went with my friend for lunch, both our first time and we were seated quickly. Our table was in the corner table but sat with our backs to the main area. I think I would preferred to sit looking in rather than watching people coming out of Louis Vuitton making me jealous with their store bags lol
Service was good but had to listen carefully to understand the menu as its tapas style. We ordered a few things and the waitress recommended few things.
The pizza was not that good, we had the chicken one, it had no taste.. Quite bland. The meatballs were tasty. We had scallops too which were quite salty.
I prefer San Carlos to be honest.
It usually is nice every time I have been , however, it gets a 4 star for my latest trip. I had the lobster special , which was watery and had no flavour. Whenever I order , it has been nice yet a little expensive. But this special needs to be improved.
Came here for a birthday meal. Cocktails were exceptional and food was up to the usual Fumo standard.
We had booked for a party of 7 but had been placed on two circular tables pushed together. There wasn't a lot of room but we made the best of what we had been given.
The staff sang happy birthday and presented a cake we had brought with us with candles. They also offered to serve the cake up for us at no extra cost.
Excellent service and I shall be returning again.
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Despite living only round the corner, it took me years to visit this place for some reason! I was really pleased my friends suggested it! We went at 6.30 on a Saturday evening. Unfortunately you can't book a table (which is deliberate to get you to buy more drinks at the bar I think), we were early enough, so when we were told our table would be 40 minutes we weren't too worried. We sat over looking the picturesque cathedral square and had a drink. They had a great cocktail list, but I chose an interesting sounding white wine-it didn't taste so great. Never mind. Service was quick, they encouraged us to buy more, but we held fast waiting for our table, which was 50 minutes. Orders were taken quickly and food came quickly and all at once, more like tapas than the traditional starter, main, dessert order, but that was fine for us. Most main meals were around £10 and other dishes around £6, which seemed fine. The quality of all our dishes and the breads was good too.
The atmosphere was buzzing and it felt like a good place to be, though I felt slightly under-dressed!
I would like to visit again soon!
The food menu here is pretty extensive. I love the concept where food comes out when it is ready, without the restrictions of defined courses.
The food has always been enjoyable here. I can recommend the calamari, as well as the gnocchi.
The cocktails at Fumo are very good. I recommend the rossini, though if they are running short on fresh strawberries, I wish they would offer me a different cocktail than making it sub par.
If you are a fan of sweet things, then definitely order the dessert platter to share with someone. It's a lovely assortment of their desserts, which comes nicely presented. Another one for Instagram fans.
If you have dietary requirements beyond vegetarian (ie gluten, dairy etc), then you may find the menu, and service here lacking for you in my experience.
Worth noting that Fumo don't take bookings except for parties of 6 or more. Though we have rung ahead by 20 minutes previously just to check their availability and the staff have been helpful in advising us.
Was staying in Birmingham for the weekend and found this restaurant on yelp so decided to give it a try. The staff were friendly and welcoming and the service was good, the food was very nice and the fact that you got small portions of each meant you could try a dish you may not have had before, I thought the price was reasonable at £85 for three people one being my 8 year old daughter and included wine. It had a vibrant atmosphere not the place to go for a quiet and intimate chat though.
Would go again.
I cannot recommend this place enough. go in the off peak times and throw some cash at the meal.its well worth it
Fumo, part of the San Carlo group, is easily my favourite restaurant in Birmingham. It serves small Italian tapas-style dishes known as Cicchetti so you pick a selection of dishes and share them between the table. The menu is vast and every dish extremely well presented and packed full of flavour. The food is staggered and brought out as it is cooked so you eat a bit, chat a bit, eat some more, drink some more and if you're still hungry after that you can just order some more -hurrah - which makes for a really relaxed dining experience. The restaurant is chic and sophisticated without losing its laid back vibe and the staff are always on the ball, super efficient and professional. Cocktails are also to die for!! A perfect place for a special occasion.
Fumo is extremely hard to get into on a Saturday night as you can't book, so when I had the chance to pop in for lunch, I did.
We were quickly seated and served after choosing a selection of cicchetti (Italian 'tapas') including scallops, rabbit stew, cheese and ham crostini and sticky ribs.
I may have hyped the place up a little in my head after I heard it had opened and failed to get in several times. It seemed a bit expensive for what you get, although the food was nice. I guess sitting right in the middle of the room made it feel a bit less cosy.
The decor's in the Italian grand style and there's a large bar which I understand serves great cocktails.
It's a good concept restaurant, something different and great if you only want a little with a drink, or if you want to try a variety of different dishes.
I went back to Fumo as it was so delicious last time. My husband and I are a big fan of Fumo. The staff are in the ball and are very attentive. I ordered the ministrone soup from the specials menu...It just tasted like boiled veg with salt. The waiter was kind enough to take it off the bill. Thereafter I had the asparagus risotto . Really tasty, if I had to fault it then I would say that there was slightly too much butter. Millefuille dessert was nice. Bakewell tart cocktail was lovely. Another great night out with the husband.
Fumo is a new Italian restaurant in Birmingham flying the flag os the amazing heart stopping bank breaking San Carlo.
What sets this new venue apart from its older richer mafia owning brother is the fact its tailored to lighter dining and cocktail drinking. Italian tapas (chicchetti) are the main attraction here and the selection is massive.
You could very easily meet friends here midday for a spot of quick lunch due to the informal atmosphere this place puts acros, as opposed to San Carlos more formal sit down meal layout.
The interior is ultra modern and is easily one of the best looking restaurants in Birmingham to date.
Fumo is open from 8am for all you early drinkers.
Outstanding. Incredible food, matched by the service. Quickly became one of my favourites.
Owned by San Carlo next door and sharing the same kitchen; Fumo offers an extensive selection of Italian Tapas great for sharing. The place does not take bookings so you have to turn up and wait for a table or just pull up a stool at the large bar. Saturday night you have almost no chance or getting a table as this place gets busy! Late afternoon drinks is always less crowded and you can sign up for a table later on and beat the crowds.
From the range of food I have tried, I have never been disappointed. 4 or 5 plates to share between 2 for a good feed is enough. 2 of us regularly share 3 plates at lunch time and that is enough. They range in price from about £4 for something more basic to £11 for a steak with truffle and mushrooms (which is delicious!). The majority of dishes are presented on wooden boards making it easier to share.
They offer a good wine list and the cocktails are great too. Service is fast and efficient. Decor is nice, modern and fresh. Toilets are clean.
We went there for lunch and ordered a few plates to share. We absolutely loved our appetizers but a little less the lemon chicken. This is a beautiful restaurant, with a good ambiance and a nice service. A bit on the pricy side though.
Beautiful place with an upbeat atmosphere.
Me and my friend enjoyed a meal out here together comfortably, with staff being attentive and service fairly fast.
The pricing was also very reasonable and the bill not hefty at all, however it is worth noting that neither of us had any alcohol.
Would happily come back!
We came here to celebrate a Christmas meal. We had booked and was seated next to the bar and the speaker so could not hear each other.
We asked to move and waited at the bar for about 5 minutes and was seated away from the bar.
The food is Italian tapas style and you order a selection for everyone to try.
The food came quickly and was lovely.
A down side was although we were still away from the bar. As there was no screen separating the dining area the noise travelled through to the whole restaurant.
Absolutely love this restaurant. Had a pre Birthday meal recently and the service and food were absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is always high energy but not overwhelming- you can still have an intimate conversation/ meal.
Decor 10/10
Food 10/10
Service 10/10.
A must visit while in Birmingham!
Nice Italian restaurant in the center of the town!
The food was great and the service was good and quick! (A very kind lady served us).
We definitely recommend it 👌
Andrew Glen - Williamson
+5
We are in the area and staying just up the road at the Grand Hotel. We walked around and found this restaurant. Service was friendly and welcoming from the moment we arrived at the door. We didn't have a reservation, but the lady on the door quickly found us a table. The waiters and waitresses were all very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about the menu. Making suggestions on what to order and how much to order. The food was delicious, all freshly made and perfectly cooked. We really enjoyed our time here. Thank you!
The food was amazing. Service was polite but not friendly!! Not sure how they justify the 12.5% service charge hence why we didn’t leave a tip. Couldn’t help but notice how unimpressed the older couple at the next table were by my and my husband’s appearance, several loud comments about tattoos and if I got a pound for everytime I heard “inappropriate” I’d of got a free meal. Of course no fault of the restaurant.
While Fumo boasts an impressive menu and a vibrant atmosphere, it sometimes falls short in terms of service. During my visits over the years to both restaurant’s in birmingham , I've encountered inconsistencies in attentiveness and efficiency from the staff. While some servers are attentive and accommodating, others seem disengaged or rushed, detracting from the overall dining experience.
However, Despite this drawback, the restaurant compensates with its luxurious and high quality furniture, adding a touch of elegance to the dining environment., Fumo's culinary offerings remain a highlight. The Italian pizzas, in particular, are crafted with quality ingredients and bursting with authentic flavour.
The ambiance adds to the dining experience, with a lively atmosphere that reflects Birmingham's vibrant culinary scene. Overall, while Fumo has the potential to be a top notch dining destination, improvements in service could elevate it to even greater heights.
The atmosphere was really good for an afternoon lunch. I really enjoyed the meal with a friend and it was amazing. I got the ribeye adding truffle sauce with it was mind blowing amazing I wish they add it for the menu. Although the waitress did make it happen for me easily. It was really a good combination.
After coming for a meal just before Christmas 2023 with my family, I came back a week later by myself for a solo date on a Thursday evening.
I ordered the carbonara and lasagne, with a very nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon red wine.
Because the food portions are tapas style, I ordered 2 dishes of meals I adore.
Because of the layout it can be noisy, but it gives a sense of atmosphere that other restaurants don’t tend to have.
The staff were attentive, even when it was busy.
I highly recommend this place, if it’s your thing. I understand why many wouldn’t like it, but it was fantastic for me and I left very happy. Will come back more often.
Grazie!
Lovely restaurant. Recommendation is 5-6 dishes for 2 people. We shared 4 dishes and had a dessert each which we found to be sufficient. I often find that in higher end restaurants they can rush you and be less attentive if you’re not spending lots of money but, despite our obvious intention to keep it cheap (asking for tap water and less dishes than recommended), the staff were lovely and very welcoming. I did not feel rushed at all. The food tasted great, bruschetta tasted very fresh and the calamari was delicious. Definitely recommend!
Delicious food, amazing service, beautiful restaurant! Luca and Clara took excellent care of me and my lunch. I ate a few dishes and I don't have enough words to describe how delicious everything was! Amazing food!
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