THE LOWDOWN

Originating in Manchester’s ‘Little Italy’ area of Ancoats in 2015, Rudy’s follows the authentic Neapolitan tradition of pizza making, serving classic recipes such as Marinara, Margherita and Calabrese – all originating from Naples, the birthplace of pizza. After taking Manchester by storm, restaurants in Leeds, Sheffield and London came next. And now Rudy’s has just unveiled its second branch in Birmingham, taking the UK total to 17 pizzerias.

THE LOCATION

Following the success and popularity of their neighbourhood pizzeria in Bennetts Hill, Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana, officially opened the doors of its brand new Oozells Street restaurant in central Birmingham this month.

Sitting inside former Italian restaurant, Cielo, this is the epitome of canalside dining. Located in buzzy Brindleyplace, named after 18^th century canal engineer James Brindley, it’s surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants off busy Broad Street. The location is spot on, I love it around here and you’re pretty close to everything (see out and about – below).

Rudy’s new pizzeria in Oozells Street, Brindley Place, Birmingham

THE VIBE

Laid-back, homely and unpretentious. The building’s had a complete refit transforming it into a relaxed dining space, so it now feels very much like a neighbourhood Napoli eatery.

The décor is rustic, with a mix of bright accents, simple wooden tables and chairs, white metro tiling and an open kitchen with an impressive light blue tiled wood fired Stefano Ferrara pizza oven – shipped from Naples – taking centre stage.

Finally, there’s a further covered outside terrace for al fresco dining and drinking in warmer weather, spilling onto the square. All the restaurant windows open fully too for that authentic continental feel. Picture yourself here on a hot day Negroni in hand – I’ll be there!

What’s particularly lovely is the super friendly welcome from staff and the fact that 50% of tables are kept for walk-ins. You can order a takeaway too.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Rudy’s serves classic Neapolitan pizza with fresh dough made daily using Caputo ‘00’ flour, which ferments for at least 24 hours, alongside authentic ingredients imported from Naples, including San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius (tins of which adorn the kitchen shelves), and Fior di Latte mozzarella.

Following the authentic Neapolitan technique, the dough is cooked in the Stefano Ferrara oven for just 60 seconds – resulting in a soft and light pizza with an airy and raised cornicione (which I now know to be the edge or rim of the pizza). No soggy bottoms and plastic cheese here!

But first things first, what to drink? All the wines on the menu are Italian. Joined by one of my old uni friends, who grew up in nearby Walsall, we chose a glass of something cold, crisp, refreshing and citrus-y – Sauvignon Blanc Il Caggio, from Venice. Italian beers and aperitivo are also available, including Aperol Spritz, Negroni, Espresso Martini and Rudy’s very own banana liqueur, Bananino or Blood Orangecello, if you fancy trying a new tipple.

We caught up over a shared Veggie Campana starter (pictured above) which includes vegetarian buffalo mozzarella, roasted peppers, artichokes, toasted almonds, mixed olives, wild rocket, oven-dried tomato and house bread – all fresh, enticingly presented and tasty.

There are 13 pizzas to choose from, with in-vogue toppings galore ranging from anchovies, spicy ‘nduja sausage, Italian hams and wild boar salami. There’s also a Specials board – pizzas of the day were: Triple Pepperoni, Almost Carbonara and Pesto Rosso, with homemade sundried tomatoes and red pepper pesto.

My bestie opted for the hot, meaty Cinghale topped with wild boar salami, ‘nduja, roquito peppers, parmesan, fresh chilli, basil and olive oil (pictured above).

Vegetarians are well catered for, but you’ll need to avoid the pecorino or parmesan. I ordered the Portobello (pictured above) – San Marzano tomato, Fior di Latte mozzarella, portobello mushroom, basil, oregano, sea salt and garlic oil with extra artichoke hearts, but other veggie options include the Margherita and Parmigiana with roasted aubergine, as well as the Pesto Rosso. For vegans there’s the Marinara – San Marzano tomato, garlic, oregano, basil and extra virgin olive oil, with lots of veggie toppings to add on if you wish.

There’s also the option of dips, garlic aioli, nduja aioli or chilli honey – yes it’s a thing! – to drizzle over your pizza.

True to form the pizzas were ready seconds after our waitress asked if we were ready for our mains. The tradition is to eat pizza by folding it over in half, but fearing this could get messy we chickened out and stuck to a knife and fork.

Having travelled to Italy a few times with our families and tasted some of the best local pizzas around, we consider ourselves relative aficionados, and we weren’t disappointed. I really felt like I was transported back to Siena or Sardinia with each mouthful. The combination of melted mozzarella, mushrooms and artichoke on a crispy, crusted and deliciously charred base was superb.

If you have room, I’d totally recommend one of the delicious-looking desserts, especially the creamy Tiramisu made fresh every day and served in a glass. There’s also ice cream, choc brownie or Affogato if you want to finish it the Italian way.

OUT & ABOUT

Rudy’s Brindleyplace is right in the heart of city centre so there’s plenty of shopping and mooching along the canal to be enjoyed either side of a meal. The Ikon, a contemporary art gallery inside a former Victorian school (pictured above), is literally a stone’s throw away in the same square. Other cultural venues close by include top classical music venue Symphony Hall, the striking Library of Birmingham (a major tourist attraction), Birmingham Rep and Utilita Arena for major music concerts and events. In 2023 artists ranging from Lizzo to Elton John’s farewell tour and sell-out comedian Peter Kay, are coming here.

This is the heart of Birmingham’s industrial past so a stroll up Gas Street along the towpath to the Mailbox with a coffee in hand is lovely, and has more of a whiff of Peaky Blinders about it.

You can also explore the city’s historic waterways on a canal boat ride, by chartering your own fully-electric 8-person boat or taking a kayak tour. Options include Sherborne Wharf Heritage Narrowboats (departing daily from the International Convention Centre Quayside, Easter to end of October), Brindley Cruises, Go Boat or Roundhouse Birmingham’s Green Escape and Bustling Birmingham guided kayak tours.

Rudy’s is also ideal for a family meal out with younger kids (for starters, who doesn’t love pizza?), as the National Sea Life Centre and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre are a few minutes walk away, or simply let them walk in-between the water jet fountains in Brindleyplace’s Central Square for free.

THE MUDDY VERDICT:

Good for: Some of the best affordable pizzas you’ll get outside of Naples — puffy, charred crust, rich sauce, excellent cheese and inventive toppings.

It’s really great for family-friendly outings in the city – I’ll definitely be going back with my teenage kids and 21-year-old. But works for lunch dates with mates, or your partner, and relaxed evenings before a gig, theatre show or night on the town.

Not for: Don’t expect starchy tablecloths, the vibe here is informal.

The damage: Amazingly affordable! The Veggie Campana sharing starter for two is £9.50; pizzas are £6.50-£12.50, and desserts hover around the £4-£5.50 mark.

Rudy’s Brindleyplace is open seven days a week, Mon to Sun, from 12pm-8pm. You can follow them on Insta @wearerudyspizza

6 Oozells Street, BrindleyPlace, Birmingham, B1 2JB. Book a table at Rudy’s Brindleyplace Tel: 0121 392 2989.

A message to you Rudy’s! Review: Rudy’s Brindleyplace, Birmingham

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