The White Swan

The White Swan set in an beautiful area of Edgbaston/​Harborne borders. The establishment reflects the clientele of the area. This opulent restaurant/​pub offers fantastic drinks, food and top class customer service.
The restaurant in itself is located inside the pub and should not be missed by all fine food connoisseurs out there. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very up market and classy, but it retains a homely feel.
I have visited the White Swan a few times for drinks and twice for dinner and been pleased each time. I like the way that there is a clearly defined ‘pub’ area and a ‘restaurant’ area as too many pubs are now restaurants in the evening, with few tables if you only want drinks.
Ours was a last minute decision to eat out and, despite arriving at 8:30 on a Friday night, the restaurant was almost full — but they managed to fit us in and all menu choices were available as well as a festive menu for christmas. But we chose to eat from the regular menu.
They were able to cater for a range of customer parties — from couples holding hands by candlelight to two large christmas staff parties (thankfully, near each other). There was a nice atmosphere and the waitress was friendly and observant.
The times i’ve visited for drinks, we have found the pub area to have a comfortable «post-​work» feel: up-​beat, but not raucous. The staff behind the bar have been attentive and very friendly.
There’s something for everyone and for all occasions too.

Ok only been there for drinks, which you can basically get at any other bar. A little pretentious for being a pub for my tastes. They have parking but it is usually full. Bar staff slightly busy to get served quickly so end up waiting a while before being served. If you are the type that wants to be seen or pretending to be posh, then this is the place for you. If you are looking for something less pretentious and more real and relaxed go somewhere else.

Looking for a posh pub supper, this place puts a big tick in that box. On the cusp of Edgbaston and Harborne this modern stylish pub is great for lunch, supper, and seemingly very popular with folk on first dates (impressive without being too flash). Book at weekends, it’s always busy. We opted for a table in the bar rather than the restaurant area. Mid week supper for two set us back £50, that was two pints of ale, a shared «sticky pork» starter platter followed by two salt beef hash and a few side dishes. As pubs go the food is above average, however the prices are way above average. The place was spotless, the service was good and there’s a big car park. There’s nothing wrong with this place, however it felt a tad pricey and lacked a personality of its own, but that wouldn’t put me off taking a date there (Phil heads for one of those Internet dating sites…).

a very modern stylish pub with a good restaurant inside.
I didn’t try the restaurant but the menu looked good. they have decent outdoor area too. the inside feels very comfortable.
it’s in harborne and they are used to a wealthier clientele.
a very classy pub

Checked in for a two night stay– quaint town with lots of character and the White Swan offers romantic rooms (and even a claw foot tub!)
After a bit of research, we decided to dine this evening in-​house; while I wouldn’t start handing out Michelin stars (as another reviewer suggested) — the meal featured a creative menu and the plates were well-​executed.
The dining room is an intimate space boasting original wood beam structure and a restored wall painting dating back to the 1600s. We enjoyed a bottle of wine, 2 appetizers and two main courses followed by a dessert to share, all for 75 quid. Each serving was very generous, if not too much… The plates could use focus (the lamb dish featured lamb three ways, olive tapenade, crème fraîche and another sauce, kale, potatoes… Editing needed).
The service was friendly but not super attentive… And a bit scatter brained (the party of ten seated nearby had to remind the servers who ordered what & to bring the red wine they had ordered earlier.). A bit of training and confidence in the wine menu would go a long way.
Overall… Recommend this for an interesting & inventive meal at a reasonable price for what you get.

One of many excellent pubs in the Edgbaston area, the white swan is a particular favourite and tends to attract a variety of customers.
It seems the expensive food and slightly pricier than normal drinks does not put off people and you can kind of see why.
The food and seating area for the restaurant is great, the last time i ate there was in a large group of 10 and our seats had this cow hide covers which were cool. The service was great as was the food.
This is also a great pub to come for a quite drink and chat, so you will see many couples both young and old.
The patio area is not that great and on a real hot day you will struggle to find a decent spot to sit and besides your looking out on to the car park area which is kind of meh!
Either way do visit the pub, it really is a gem but do not expect a darts board or pool table here.

This is not a place to go, if you are not expecting to pay £50 plus because the restaurant is filled with classy people who love to have a nice meal and enjoy a few drinks. The location of the White Swan is fabulous and beautifully set in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham.
I’d say it has some of the most magnificent settings a pub/​restaurant has and it’s no surprise that the clientele who attend this pub are those who like the finer things in life.
The first time I went there I was pleasantly surprised at the extensive selection of food and wines plus beers and other drinks. The prices are not cheap either, they are going to make a little hole in your pocket but the service and food is worth it. I’d say it’s the right place for anyone looking to treat their family or their partner. When I went there it was with my family for Mother’s Day and we really enjoyed the experience.

For many years this place was a fairly ordinary, branded carvery outlet, which always seemed a shame to me as it’s in a great spot and it’s a lovely looking pub, despite being next to a main-​ish road.
In recent times it’s undergone a rather dramatic transformation, and for once when a pub gets transformed in this day and age it has been improved beyond all recognition. This is now a really, really smart restaurant pub with a truly excellent menu. We ate here about a month or so back and enjoyed a really superb Sunday lunch — excellent, fresh and tasty. Their dessert menu was very tempting, but we were all full!
The bar isn’t bad, either, with a really fine selection of lagers and cask ales, plus really good coffee. The range of Sunday newspapers on the bar was also a nice touch. Even if you weren’t eating it would still be a good place to pop in to for a pint, but I genuinely do recommend the food!

The White Swan is set in the idyllic background of Edgbaston and Chad Valley. These are by far two of the richer area of Birmingham and the clientele at the establishment reflect this opulent surroundings.
The restaurant in itself is located inside the pub and should not be missed by all fine food connoisseurs out there. The atmosphere of the pub/​restaurant is very up market and classy, yet retains a homely feel.
The selection of beers, wines and ales is spectacular; they also have an extensive wine list. The prices may be quite expensive, but for a treat it is really worth ordering a good bottle. They’ve got everything from crisp whites, popular rose to deep reds by the bottle or glass.
The food on offer ranges from traditional favourites such as fish and chips and steaks to freshly made pizzas and pastas with the chef’s daily specials showcasing the finest market fresh ingredients.
There’s something for everyone and for all occasions too. ]
The’ve got everything from crisp refreshing whites, trendy pinks to fat juicy reds by the bottle or glass.
I stopped by for a pint of ale, read the paper and relaxed and read a good book. I had a very pleasant time.

We visited for drinks early evening on a Saturday, though were not particularly impressed. As what was formerly a delightful coaching inn with period nooks and crannies, it seems a succession of owners have done their utmost to destroy all of its character. What you now get is an über trendy, minimalist bar that feels cold. The White Swan definitely appeals to Birmingham’s trendy set; lots of pretension but little substance. And despite the porsches and range rovers in the car park, one suspects the well-​heeled residents of surrounding Edgbaston avoid it like the clappers. To be fair, we didn’t stay for food so cannot comment on that aspect, however, for us (professionals in our late 20s), the place just felt very false.

Have enjoyed this place every time I have been there. The food is a little different with fairly imaginative pizzas and other dishes — my favourite is the camembert and bread starter. Its in a bit of a random place and only the 22÷23÷103 buses serve it, but once you’re there its cosy and enjoyable.

The White Swan is one of my favourite restaurants. I have always found the food to be excellent. The service can be a little slow when it’s busy, but that happens everywhere. Tip: Thursday is steak night!

This is one of the many pubs which are given the title ‘gastro pub’ because you are given some bread with balsamic at the start of your meal! A true gastro pub cooks all food from scratch — something that the white swan certainly does not.
I have visited many times and although the food is greatly superior to others locally — garden house, it is still well below par given the prices that they charge.
I agree with the other reviewer that things can be a little rushed — i think it is thier policy to remind people dining that they are given thier table for 2 hrs as we were told this on booking!
The positive points are a great selection of drinks and beers on draught and a fantastic wine list offering excellent value for money — st emillion grand cru £30, Barolo £28 super NZ Sauvignon Blanc for £20. Service is often friendly and efficient.
Bad points are that the food is executed poorly I have experienced dry burgers, over cooked steaks and bland underseasoned food as well as a selection of meats with chorizo that could have doubled up as a door stop it was sliced so thick (and yet strangely still made it onto my plate!!!)
White Swan is a good place to go and can somethimes be good but the food is so hit and miss that it is better to be avoided in my opinion.
Oh it is true that there is a lot of parking if that influences your decision about where to eat out!

This place used to be a very busy toby carvery, was closed and refurbished with a very modern contemporary, more upmarket feel. The menu is simple and although other reviewers say delicious, i have to disagree. While there is nothing wrong with the food, there is nothing special about it either, it’s simply steak house food with a liitle more pomp and circumstance. My point you asked, it’s overpriced, give it a miss and head for your local beef eater, better food, better atmosphere, better value for money if you like this type of fayre. Futhermore they seem to double and treble book the tables (i would like to add i have given the pub a chance having attended 3 times), and on all visits, on sitting down the waiting staff have announced the time they needed the table back and the whole meal is a rushed affair.

This lovely pub/​restaurant is located in the edgbaston area of Birmingham. It is normally referred to as a country pub in the city. It has a very spacious and relaxed atmosphere. They serve lovely meals. There’s are table outside, so when the weather is lovely you can sit outside and enjoy your meal or drinks in the sun. It also have enough packing space. Highly recommended.

The white swan is a great pub for both drinking and eating. The restaurant boasts a fantastically simple but delicious menu in a very contemporary designed room, really great atmosphere too; (good if you’re with a group of friends) large car park and garden make it a very pleasurable place to go without the hassle of fighting for car parking spaces or seating. A really lovely place that is both friendly and relaxed, just over mid range price wise. Big thumbs up.