Bakeries in Smethwick

The baking story of Smethwick

Smethwick, on the edge of Birmingham, was a powerhouse of Victorian industry — glass, screws, ironwork and brewing — and the canals and bridges of the Galton Valley still mark the landscape. In the second half of the 20th century, Smethwick became home to one of Britain's earliest and largest Sikh communities, and its Guru Nanak Gurdwara on the High Street serves langar — the free communal meal of dal, vegetables and freshly made roti — to anyone who visits. Punjabi sweet centres and bakeries line Smethwick's main roads, alongside Caribbean, Kurdish and Polish shops. Black Country traditions of pork pies, batches and faggots remain part of the local fabric.

Local bakes to look out for

• Roti – A thin, unleavened wholewheat flatbread cooked on a tawa.
• Pinni – A rich Punjabi sweet of roasted flour, ghee and nuts.
• Pork pie – A Black Country classic in hot-water crust.

Bakery hunter's tip: Explore Smethwick High Street and Cape Hill for Punjabi sweet centres and bakeries; visitors are welcome at gurdwara langar, with heads covered and shoes removed.

Did you know? Smethwick's Guru Nanak Gurdwara, established in the 1950s, was one of the first Sikh gurdwaras in Britain, and like all gurdwaras it serves free langar to visitors.