Fumo

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.

I can’t believe how disappointed I was with Fumo. Despite the excellent reviews and always busy appearance, mediocre food and lackadaisical service were the order of the day for us.
We visited one mid-​week evening and were seated almost immediately; the restaurant was at approximately fifty percent capacity: busy but not boisterous. A good start!
After a few minutes we’d ordered a bottle of white and a selection of small plates and sat back to soak in the atmosphere. The wine arrived promptly and was good; the ice bucket was positioned out of sight and reach, a sign that the waiting staff/​sommelier will be attentive and not let your glass run dry. That assumption was soon proved false: after a wait of nearly 20 minutes for any sign of food, my glass had indeed run dry and I’d had to go on an excursion for my bottle. Surely the reason we let restaurants charge £40 for a £10 bottle is the service. If I’m to wait on myself, halve the price: you’re still making a killing but I’m not being ripped off!
Good eventually arrived some 30 minutes after the order. I’m not sure if this was a particularly bad day or if it’s the primary reason it always seems busy: a lack of turning tables would certainly keep the place full.
The food was lacklustre and inconsistent. My overriding memory is the lobster. I’d ordered this as my dining partner had never had it before, and may never again so poor was it. I cannot imagine that the poor beast was caught in 2015, it had no flavour at all. And it had definitely been frozen after cooking and reheated: no other process can deprive a morsel of seafood and all its texture so thoroughly. And for nigh on the price of a complete Thermidor, one would have expected more than 3 small cubes of tail meat and half a claw: although the tiny portion was welcome as there was less to force down. The crayfish sauce in which it came was, however, pleasurable and completely at odds with the incompetency shown over the ‘star’ of the dish.
The wine debacle continued throughout the meal but was eventually resolved after a vociferous discussion with the manager, after a waiter had attempted to bring me 2 glasses of wine from the bar because he had no idea we’d order a bottle and still had half left. The duty manager in question (I’d say maitre d’ but frankly the service is akin to a cheap chain restaurant) did at least comp the wine no one could find except by donning full expedition gear, and in so doing redeemed one star, but I fear I shall neither be returning not recommending.

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.

Really what a place, the hype is not justified cocktails are ok service is ok but it’s one of those places that creates a queue for no reason when only 20 people are inside.

I cannot recommend this place enough. go in the off peak times and throw some cash at the meal. its well worth it

Outstanding. Incredible food, matched by the service. Quickly became one of my favourites.

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.

Food is always good, I like the tapas idea because you can try lots of different dishes. The staff are very friendly. Shame you can’t book

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. Décor is nice, modern and fresh. Toilets are clean.

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 décor’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.

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.