Friendly Grill
Quick info
About Friendly Grill
A Romanian kitchen anchors Friendly Grill, a restaurant at 101-102 in Smethwick, where the cooking stays with traditional dishes. Smoked lamb pastrami sits among the grill options, alongside a mixed grill, and papanași closes the meal as dessert. Chips are made in house and come with plates such as schnitzel. Portions run large. The dining room keeps high chairs on hand, so families with young children can settle in without bringing their own. Reservations are recommended if you want a table held. The restaurant serves through the week and closes on Thursdays.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree of charge street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Good for kids birthday · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention huge portions, lamb pastrami, papanași dessert and home-made chips.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention huge portions, lamb pastrami, papanași dessert and home-made chips.
Customer Review Summary
Homemade Romanian cooking anchors nearly every account, with the grill drawing the most attention: one visitor calls the mixed grill outstanding, while others single out lamb pastrami with polenta and pickles, schnitzel, and home-made chips that one compared to their mother's. Close behind is the papanași, which two reviewers rate the best they have had, one calling it heavenly. Also named are cold starters of Romanian cheeses and smoked meats, sea bass in brine, pancakes, and a home-made cherry liqueur described as brilliant. Generous portions come up repeatedly, with several saying they left full and found the prices fair, and the owners and staff are described as friendly and welcoming, one customer noting a decade of return visits. Complaints are scarce: a single diner found the glass of Romanian wine so-so and pointed out that only one soup is made fresh each day, so the one they wanted was not available. Others mention clean bathrooms, regional trinkets around the room, and fresh flowers on the tables.
Customer Review Summary
Homemade Romanian cooking anchors nearly every account, with the grill drawing the most attention: one visitor calls the mixed grill outstanding, while others single out lamb pastrami with polenta and pickles, schnitzel, and home-made chips that one compared to their mother's. Close behind is the papanași, which two reviewers rate the best they have had, one calling it heavenly. Also named are cold starters of Romanian cheeses and smoked meats, sea bass in brine, pancakes, and a home-made cherry liqueur described as brilliant. Generous portions come up repeatedly, with several saying they left full and found the prices fair, and the owners and staff are described as friendly and welcoming, one customer noting a decade of return visits. Complaints are scarce: a single diner found the glass of Romanian wine so-so and pointed out that only one soup is made fresh each day, so the one they wanted was not available. Others mention clean bathrooms, regional trinkets around the room, and fresh flowers on the tables.
Featured reviews
- CARMEN BISTRAN
“Been a customer for 10 years now. Big fan of their lamb pastrami and sea bass in brine. And when it comes about the papanași dessert ... well, that's something that taste heavenly!”
- Biris Bogdan
“Exelent food,always fresh the best Papanasi in uk”
- Robert-Gabriel Agavriloaie
“Great Romanian food, fresh and really tasty. Big portions and friendly staff. Good prices too. Definitely coming back.”
- Tik tok
“Really nice spot for Romanian food. The grill was on point, everything tasted fresh and proper homemade. Portions are big so you definitely won’t leave hungry. Staff were super friendly and made the whole experience feel relaxed and welcoming. Prices are fair for what you get as well. If you’re in Birmingham and want authentic Romanian food, this place is worth it. Will definitely come back 👍”
- Victoria McCallin
“Delicious food, large portions and very good value for money. The staff were friendly and the service was brilliant. The bathrooms were clean. I will definitely be visiting again. I highly recommend this restaurant.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Sport
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Free of charge street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Delivery
- Takeaway
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Family friendly
- Vegetarian options
- Bar on site
- Casual
- Beer
- Offerings· 10
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Dining options· 6
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- Good for kids birthday
- Kids' menu
- Highlights· 6
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Sport
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Planning· 3
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
How Friendly Grill compares to nearby restaurants
- Friendly Grill · This shop4.8376 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: huge portions, lamb pastrami, papanași dessert
- 284 reviews0.1 mi
Mentioned in reviews: mixed grill sharing platter, gyros (pork and chicken), generous portions with takeaway box
- 267 reviews0.2 mi
Mentioned in reviews: oxtail, rice and peas, coleslaw
- 94 reviews0.8 mi
Mentioned in reviews: jollof rice, inconsistent portion sizes, egusi and bitter leaf soup
Friendly Grill This shop | Mr Greek Giro | Formula Jamaican Restaurant | Onyé Restaurant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8(376) | 4.6(284) | 4.6(267) | 3.9(94) | |
| Price | £ | — | — | £10–20 |
| Distance | — | 0.1 mi | 0.2 mi | 0.8 mi |
| Open today | ||||
| Outdoor seating | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Vegetarian options | ✓ | — | — | — |
| Reservations | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
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