A new bakery popular in London has opened its first Birmingham cafe on New Street. Gail’s, which has more than 150 stores across the UK, began moving up from the south and into the Midlands last year with the opening of branches in Stratford-upon-Avon and Solihull.
The first Birmingham branch opened this morning, Thursday, January 16. Set across two floors, the venue sells bread and pantry items to eat in or take away.
Fresh coffee is on the menu too, along with a range of teas and matcha options. As prices go, Gail’s is on a par with the likes of New Street independent bakery Medicine, with avocado toast priced at £8 to dine in at both locations.
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A sourdough loaf at Gail’s is £4.70 while a brown sourdough loaf is a little more expensive at £5.10. Challah sandwich bread and loaves of currant and sour cherry and rye and barley are also over a fiver, ranging from £5.10 to £5.50.
In the ‘pantry’, most jams are £5.60 a jar while seeded crackers are £4. Marmalades and honey are available too, along with loaf cakes in ginger and treacle or lemon drizzle, which are £12 a piece.
A concise menu of porridge, toast and soup are available to eat in or take away. Porridge £3.70 for a takeaway portion topped with demerara, honey and date molasses, while toasted sourdough or bagels topped with butter and jam, chocolate spread are priced from £3.
On the drinks menu, a cup of whole leaf tea (there are eight options from Assam breakfast to blackcurrant and hibiscus or Earl Grey) are all £3.20 a cup to go, or an extra 20p if you’re staying in. Matcha lattes are from £4 and coffee is from £2.90 a cup. There’s chai, hot or iced, and other iced drinks too.
The bakery counter is well stocked with classics as well as some lesser seen specials. Croissants, cookies and cheese straws are stored behind the glass counter, baked fresh upstairs, and a takeaway almond croissant will set you back £3.80, or £4.50 if you’re eating in.
More unusual options include chocolate babkas, sour cherry and chocolate scones, blueberry and custard bakes and a maple and pecan scone, topped with a Canadian maple glaze. Those are £3.60 a piece, to go, or £4.30 if you’re sticking around to eat them.
Gail’s is open every day from 7am until 7pm with the exception of Sundays when it closes at 5pm. It’s at 42A New Street, B2 4EG.