
Arco Lounge
Quick info
About Arco Lounge
On High St in Birmingham, Arco Lounge occupies a former building society building, with brunch, tapas and pub dishes served through the day. The Mezze Bowl with grilled halloumi, the birria toastie and tapas prawns turn up on tables alongside burgers and noodles, and a gluten-free menu is available. Cocktails and other drinks round out the list. Seating runs along the windows and near the bar, and game boards are set out at the tables. Dogs are welcome throughout. Arco Lounge takes walk-ins rather than reservations, and the washroom sits some distance from the main seating area. Street parking and nearby paid parking serve those arriving by car.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingFree street parking · Paid parking lot · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention gluten-free menu options, vanilla latte, mezze bowl / grilled halloumi and birria toastie.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention gluten-free menu options, vanilla latte, mezze bowl / grilled halloumi and birria toastie.
Customer Review Summary
Tapas dishes draw the most praise, with reviewers repeatedly singling out the mezze bowl, grilled halloumi, and tapas prawns as standouts, while the birria toastie and a vanilla latte also earn enthusiastic mentions. Close behind, several describe the gluten-free breakfast options and traditional English pancake as generous and well made. Diners consistently note the staff by name-recognition of friendliness, though a few flag that service can lag or feel less professional when the place gets busy, and one mentions crumbs left on a table. One reviewer, gluten intolerant, reports a bad reaction after eating there and felt the food prep was less safe than other locations in the same chain. Portion size draws mixed comments too, with an Asian curry dish described as tasty but small. Most describe the atmosphere as cozy and relaxed, good for groups, dates, or solo visits, with several saying they plan to return.
Customer Review Summary
Tapas dishes draw the most praise, with reviewers repeatedly singling out the mezze bowl, grilled halloumi, and tapas prawns as standouts, while the birria toastie and a vanilla latte also earn enthusiastic mentions. Close behind, several describe the gluten-free breakfast options and traditional English pancake as generous and well made. Diners consistently note the staff by name-recognition of friendliness, though a few flag that service can lag or feel less professional when the place gets busy, and one mentions crumbs left on a table. One reviewer, gluten intolerant, reports a bad reaction after eating there and felt the food prep was less safe than other locations in the same chain. Portion size draws mixed comments too, with an Asian curry dish described as tasty but small. Most describe the atmosphere as cozy and relaxed, good for groups, dates, or solo visits, with several saying they plan to return.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“We normally love a lounge restaurant for food but on this occasion the one of us that is gluten intolerant had a bad reaction so not as safe as other lounges in terms of food prep when we have been to those. Staff are lovely. All other food was lovely as was the restaurant itself”
- Google user
“Visited today as a family of 7 to celebrate my son's upcoming 34th birthday 🎉 My first visit here and all I can say is it won't be my last! The food was amazing! Can highly recommend the Mezze Bowl, I had the Grilled Halloumi ..was amazing! Infact I think Mark who served us thought I'd inhaled it, it was gone that fast 🤣Everyone enjoyed their food, so much better than other places in Harborne! I'm salivating just thinking about how nice it was 🤤 Now for the service, How lovely are Mark and Steven! Considering we are not regulars they certainly treated us like we were! Extremely attentive and made us laugh a few times! You could tell they love to make the customers happy by going above and beyond 🍺 Both Mark and Steven are a shining example of great hospitality! They are certainly a credit to the establishment. P.S Thank you Steven for my little coffee (Jelly beans) 🥰 See you soon Laura C”
- Google user
“Food was really good, staff were super lovely and it was one of the only places open late in the area. Cocktails were incredible and the overall vibe was really relaxed. I had the birria toastie and it was die for, who on earth doesn't like juicy meat with cheese.. totally grilled to perfection.. unfortunately not a local so will have to try and recreate that beauty at home 🤤😋”
- Google user
“I have been there several times. I like sitting by the windows or near the bar where the natural light shines from the top. My friend and I ordered Veggie breakfast and Panang curry chicken with rice. I didn’t know that they serve Asian food. Frankly, it looks like the ready to eat sold in the supermarket but the taste is not bad, just the portion is too small. Washroom is a long way to go, be patient.”
- Google user
“Arco Lounge in Harborne is one of the closest Lounges to Birmingham city centre. I like to check out the Loungers chain whenever I travel within the UK to help fill out my Loungers Passport, and because of their extensive gluten-free menu, the gluten-free menu here is on the tables and includes so many options, including brunch, burgers, tapas, toasties and more. The interior is slightly smaller than other Lounges I’ve visited, but I was still able to get a table pretty easily. It was super bright and had a really good community vibe inside the place. You don’t feel like you’re so close to a big city; you feel like you’re in a local town. It just felt friendly. I liked the yellow theme of the walls and the artwork. I did have to wipe some crumbs off my table, so I do feel a slight bit more care and attention to cleanliness could make the place even better, but not a huge issue. I ordered the GF Lounge Breakfast, swapping the bacon for sausage, adding an extra egg, with both eggs being poached. The food was all served hot and of good quality, and I enjoyed my breakfast. The hash browns and eggs were slightly overcooked, but I still enjoyed everything. For my drink, I had an Iced French Vanilla Latte, and this was really good. I love how they garnished the top with coffee beans. It was really nice for sure, the cold foam on top was a nice touch too, and it wasn’t too heavy, which I appreciated. I would return on future trips to the city, and this is yet another strong location from Loungers.”
Highlights
“Retro-chic lounge bar and diner in a former building society, serving brunch, tapas and pub menu.”
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Offerings· 11
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Dining options· 9
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Parking· 3
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Highlights· 7
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 4
- College students
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
Location
Restaurants near Arco Lounge
- Harborne Fish Bar4.52030.7 miVegan optionsVegetarian optionsGood for kids
large cod and chips, crispy golden batter, gluten free fish and chips
- Tasteology4.85270.7 miOutdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
homemade merguez sausages, shakshuka, pistachio latte
- De La Vies4.35981.2 miVegetarian optionsReservations
steak, arrabbiata pasta, tiramisu
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arco LoungeVegan options · Vegetarian options · Wheelchair accessible | 4.51,509 | — | gluten-free menu options, vanilla latte, mezze bowl / grilled halloumi |
| Harborne Fish BarVegan options · Vegetarian options · Good for kids | 4.5203 | 0.7 mi | large cod and chips, crispy golden batter, gluten free fish and chips |
| TasteologyOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.8527 | 0.7 mi | homemade merguez sausages, shakshuka, pistachio latte |
| De La ViesVegetarian options · Reservations | 4.3598 | 1.2 mi | steak, arrabbiata pasta, tiramisu |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.


