Manhattan 70s — Restaurant in Birmingham

I come here regularly, often to do some work alongside a coffee (or three!) and I can honestly say I LOVE this place. There is a great vibe here, aided in no small part by the jazz and blues music playing through the speakers. The proprietors have clearly gone all-out with the decor, too - as you enter, your eyes are drawn towards the art deco mural of the Statue of Liberty on the back wall; on the side walls there are photographs of New York City through various eras.

The coffee is excellent, and if, like me, you can't drink milk, there are lots of dairy alternatives available. They serve a wide choice of both coffee and tea, which is always beautifully served. Food-wise, I have only had the soup of the day, but that is delicious, and very filling, too (they don't skimp on the portions, unlike some places). The blueberry and almond cake is also to die for.

I know it sounds like I am gushing - I am, because I love this place and want it to do amazingly well! It is far and away the best cafe in the south of Birmingham - definitely visit if you're...

Stepping off a busy shopping street into Manhattan 70s you enter a fabulous space. Cosy bare-bulbed lighting tinting terracotta brickwork, stylish photography on the walls and the coffee bar displaying a variety of generously-sized cakes that sort of draw you to the counter (!). Add the soothing piano jazz and you feel the stresses of life lifting off you.

The seating is comfy and the tables are substantial, with excellent leg room. The menus for both drinks and food are varied and extensive. The serving sizes of both are very generous and represent good value for money.

The coffee is rich, the coolers are dazzlingly refreshing and the flavours in the food make your taste buds work overtime - in a very good way. Personal favourites are the Hot Bistro, the chai latte (with real spices hand-ground in a pestle and mortar, no less!) and the cinnamon bun.

Add the friendly, attentive staff and you have a very strong case for making a...

This place does lovely coffee and cake. The cafe itself is really well done out and the people are lovely. The one thing that lets it down is the food. I had a breakfast and unfortunately it wasn’t very nice. All seemed to be very cheap ingredients which is disappointing when you have a butchers opposite. Greasy streaky bacon (had to leave it), toast was hardly done and what tasted like cheap frozen sausages. Menu is a bit confusing, seems like everything is a take on pizza but put in a sandwich of some sort. They need to simplify, go sample the breakfast in Pit Stop, which in my opinion is better and cheaper. See what the other cafes are doing. Offer something different like avocado and feta or egg on toast. There is a fruit and veg shop opposite. They could use the fresh local produce and just buy what they need. If they sorted that out they’d have the best cafe...