Jonny Mills to Launch Intimate Birmingham Counter Restaurant, Sǣl, This Autumn
Birmingham is set to welcome an extraordinary new addition to its dining landscape with the opening of Sǣl, the much-anticipated restaurant from acclaimed Chef Patron Jonny Mills, set to open at The Goodsyard in August 2026, on the JQ’s train station doorstep.
With just eight seats arranged around an elegant kitchen counter, Sǣl promises a dining experience that is at once intimate, immersive and deeply rooted in the seasons. Guests will be invited to take part in a single sitting per service, where the kitchen becomes stage and table – a place where conversation, craft and conviviality are given equal weight.
At the heart of Sǣl is a singular tasting menu that evolves in step with the landscape, driven by hyper-seasonal produce and the finest local suppliers. Mills’ cooking is defined by precision, restraint and deep respect for his ingredients – dishes are designed to let nature lead. Waste is minimised, with clever preservation techniques and an inventive drinks programme ensuring that no part of the process is left behind.
The drinks programme – and the front-of-house – will be helmed by Asher Beardsmore, whose pedigree includes time at Couch, Opheem, and more recently as Bar Manager at Tropea. With a thoughtful, waste-conscious approach, Beardsmore will craft an ever-changing drinks offering that mirrors the spirit of the kitchen – refined, resourceful and rooted in place.
Sǣl’s interior will echo its ethos – understated and welcoming, with soft furnishings, natural textures and art sourced from local galleries. Hospitality will be warm and familiar, inviting guests to feel more like family than diners, as they’re drawn into the rhythm of the kitchen.
The opening of Sǣl follows a successful run of acclaimed pop-ups across South Birmingham, with Mills’ return to permanent bricks-and-mortar marking a new chapter following the closure of his much-loved Leamington Spa restaurant, The Tame Hare, after the pandemic. His previous experience includes kitchens such as The Cross at Kenilworth and Mallory Court.
Sǣl
5 Station Way
The Goodsyard
Birmingham, B18 6FH
Serving dinner Wednesday – Sunday, 7pm
thegoodsyard-jq.com/commercial-opportunities
About Sǣl
Sǣl was born from a quiet creative hunger. After relocating to Birmingham with his partner Hannah, Jonny Mills found himself in a role that offered balance, but not the creative outlet he craved. A chance conversation with his neighbours led to an offer to host pop-ups in Stirchley. The fire was instantly relit.
The name, Sǣl, comes from Old English: a gathering of townsfolk to celebrate harvest, seasonality and community – an ethos that sits at the heart of the project.
A conversation with Jason Atherton in spring 2024 added momentum, and after a run of successful pop-ups, an opportunity arose to take on a permanent space at The Goodsyard. Introduced by Alex Claridge (The Wilderness), and backed by supportive landlords, the vision found a home.
Opening this autumn, Sǣl joins a curated collective of food, drink and retail talent at The Goodsyard – a new creative hub for Birmingham.