Expanding Indian restaurant opening third venue in West Midlands after surge in popularity

An independent Indian restaurant is opening its third venue in Birmingham this week after experiencing a surge in popularity for its street kitchen-style food.

Four new staff have been recruited to run the new Indian Café Racer venue at St Paul’s Market, a food hall hosting a range of independent traders at 4 Mary Ann Street in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.

Indian Café Racer started life in 2022 in a room at The Wellington Hotel & Pub, on the corner of Bromsgrove Street’s junction with the southbound A38 Bristol Street, on the edge of the city centre.

Founder and owner Azad Kayes opened the second Indian Café Racer a few doors down at 88-90 Bristol Street last year.

Mr Kayes, a food entrepreneur who built up his restaurant experience working front of house at the Pushkar Indian restaurant on Broad Street, said: “We’re really excited to be opening a new kitchen venue at the vibrant St Paul’s Market.

“Our main restaurant on Bristol Street has become a real a target for corporate diners in the city thanks to popular reviews in the national press.

“We’re keen to spread the word even further and believe that taking space at St Paul’s Market will bring our brand to the attention of more young people and professionals who live in and visit that part of the city.

“The St Paul’s Market venue will hopefully not only be successful in its own right but will also help us to draw even more diners to enjoy our main restaurants on Bristol Street.”

Mr Azad said the Indian Café Racer venues on Bristol Street already employed 25 staff, ranging from chefs to waiters, and that he had recruited four new staff to run the new venue at St Paul’s Market.

Joe Schuppler, co-founder of Saint Paul’s Market, said: ‘’We’re so excited for Indian Café Racer to bring authentic Indian flavours to Saint Paul’s Market.

“We’re always looking to champion brilliant independents that bring something special to Jewellery Quarter’s food scene, and we can’t wait for visitors to discover their food.’’

The new Indian Café Racer venue will open at St Paul’s Market this Wednesday (4 November).