Another day, another new opening in Birmingham – and this time, it’s a brand-new Mediterranean restaurant called Regina’s, located on Newhall Street. Birmingham has always felt like it’s missing a truly standout Mediterranean spot – one that’s consistently great and well-loved. When I try to think of a solid Mediterranean restaurant in Brum, my mind draws a bit of a blank.

Regina’s comes to us from the team behind Noels at Waterfront Walk, near The Mailbox. Admittedly, Noels has always been a bit hit-and-miss for me – frustratingly inconsistent, to be honest, but I didn’t want to let that cloud my experience at Regina’s. I went in with an open mind, hopeful for something new and exciting.

My first thought? Bloody hell, they’ve really invested in this place. Walking into Regina’s felt more like stepping into the Tate Modern than a restaurant – it’s genuinely jaw-dropping beautiful. The design throughout is immaculate: sleek, stylish, and beautifully put together. The bar gleamed as I walked in, and I loved how the front of the restaurant opens up, letting in that airy, vibrant city energy. Bravo on the interior – it’s stunning.

I was shown to the bar area with high-top tables and stools. I did have a slight struggle getting onto the bar stool (standard, as a 5ft 1″ lady with a bit of a booty- bar stools are not made for me!), but after a minor battle, I was seated and handed the menus.

They offer a weekday lunch set menu (Monday–Friday, 12–4pm) with two courses for £21.95, as well as a tapas menu for smaller plates. But I was here to explore the à la carte offering. First things first – I ordered the Bees & Lavender cocktail (£13), made with Beefeater Gin, honey mead, lavender, and Moët Chandon Brut Impérial. It was light, floral, and refreshingly citrussy. The cocktail list impressed me, it spanned about four pages, with everything from sweet and dessert-style drinks to solid non-alcoholic options too.

After my cocktail arrived, I moved to the main dining area. It’s a little darker in the restaurant, but the design continues to shine – elegant and full of character. Dining alone can sometimes feel isolating, but the team at Regina’s made me feel welcome without being overbearing. A real standout for me was the service -it felt like the kind of attentive hospitality you’d get at a Michelin-starred venue. I had a lovely conversation with one of the waiters named Declan, who was kind, engaging, and made the experience even more enjoyable.

To start, I went for the Steak Tartare (GF) (£15.95) which came with vinaigrette, shallots, crispy capers, and caviar. For the main, I was torn between the lamb and the stone bass, but after a helpful recommendation from one of the waiters, I went with the Duo of Lamb (£27.95). I asked if I needed a side, and he advised against it – saying the dish was rich and satisfying as is, especially after the beef tartare. I appreciated the honesty – it wasn’t about upselling, it was about the experience, and he was absolutely right.

Before diving in, I have to say – it’s genuinely refreshing to see a restaurant offering so many gluten-free options clearly marked on the menu. However, on the flip side, the vegetarian and vegan options felt noticeably limited in comparison. While there are a couple of dishes, it would be great to see the same level of variety.

There was a slight wait for the tartare, but as they had just opened and the restaurant was filling up quickly, I was happy to let it slide. When it arrived—wow. Who knew raw beef could look that beautiful? Garnished with flowers and plated to perfection, it was vibrant and elegant. The tartare itself was flavourful and well-balanced, the crispy capers added the perfect salty pop to the creamy beef and caviar. Initially, I thought it looked like a few bites, but it was surprisingly filling and satisfying.

The Duo of Lamb followed shortly after. Visually stunning again, the plate featured two roasted lamb cutlets and a slow-roasted lamb belly, topped with a rich lamb jus and pomme fondant. Oddly, I couldn’t spot the peas mentioned on the menu (realised this when I got home!) The lamb cutlets were on the smaller side, and I do wish there had been a bit more meat on them but what was there was cooked to perfection. The lamb belly was the star, meltingly tender, fatty, rich, and absolutely delicious. That said, it was quite fatty, which I loved, but I imagine it could be divisive for some diners. The pomme fondant, however, was a bit of a let-down. It lacked seasoning and was a little firmer than I’d have liked. That said, once it was smothered in the lamb jus, it was easy to overlook.

Then came dessert – a real showstopper and, honestly, a bit of a shocker for me, considering I’m not usually a fan of white chocolate. But after both the manager and my server highly recommended The Secret Garden (GF) (£12), I had to give it a go. It’s one of those interactive desserts, a white chocolate shell filled with mascarpone cream, white chocolate cream, fresh raspberries, raspberry jelly, and a zingy raspberry sauce. One satisfying smack of the spoon and it bursts open into a beautiful, delicious mess – very Whac-A-Mole, and I absolutely love that playful element. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it. The white chocolate wasn’t overly sweet or heavy, and the raspberry brought a lovely tartness that balanced everything out perfectly.

The bill came to £67.95, and I walked out feeling full, happy, and pleasantly surprised. Aside from the portion size of the lamb cutlets being a bit underwhelming, the entire experience was very good. Regina’s is perfect for a date night or cocktails with friends – it’s not necessarily the kind of place I’d visit again and again, but it’s a welcome addition to the Birmingham dining scene.

Yes, there are a few minor teething issues, expected with any new opening, but if they keep this level of service and attention to detail, and maintain consistency, Regina’s could easily become a go-to for Mediterranean dining in the city. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on it.

Book your dining experience at Regina’s here