The Balti Triangle is a popular neighbourhood in Birmingham where you'll find a multitude of balti restaurants that offer the delicious eponymous dish with alluring authenticity. The restaurant scene is quite impressive here, but the balti establishments are so influential that the entire district is named after them.
Kids and adults alike can enjoy balti, as it's been a staple of Birmingham since the 1970s. There are various spiciness levels available with the curry they use, so you can find a variety of balti dishes on offer. You can easily spend all day in this district enjoying a different Pakistani dish for each meal of the day.
The Balti Triangle in Birmingham - one of the highlights of 10 Things to Do in Birmingham off the Beaten Track and 13 Best Things to Do in Birmingham (Read all about Birmingham here)
The Balti Triangle highlights
Within The Balti Triangle, you'll find quite a few impressive restaurants. One of the most popular is Shabab, which has been a staple of the area for decades. Here you can enjoy a spicy cricket balti in less than 10 minutes. They cook using a high flame, so all the oil gets burned off in the process.
You may also want to visit Al Frash. This establishment is so iconic that celebrities and critics alike have raved about its delicious flavours. You'll find baltis, of course, but Al Frash also features a collection of dishes cooked with organic coconut oil that are as healthy as they are delicious.
Good to know when visiting The Balti Triangle
If you've never had balti before, there are a few things to keep in mind. Eating with a fork and knife isn't really the proper way to enjoy it. Traditionally, balti is consumed by scooping it with naan. Rich naan flavoured with garlic often serves as a good contrast to the spiciness of the balti.
Like with typical Indian and Pakistani food, you can request different levels of spiciness. It's important to remember, however, that balti is cooked fresh and fast. That fast cooking allows the spices to retain their signature hotness, and that may be more than you're used to if you don't regularly eat hot foods.
The Balti Triangle in Birmingham
Location: Balti Triangle, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, UK