Join us at The Restaurant Show 2027 in Birmingham from April 12-14 for a premier food and hospitality event.
Dates
12–14 Apr 2027
City / country
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Venue
National Exhibition Centre (NEC)
Time
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Event overview
The Restaurant Show 2027 will take place from April 12 to April 14 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
This event is a key meeting point for buyers and suppliers in the food and hospitality sectors, showcasing innovative products and trends.
TL;DR
Visitors will benefit from networking opportunities, access to the latest products, and insights into industry trends.
Exhibitors gain visibility among a targeted audience, opportunities to generate leads, and a platform to showcase their products to key decision-makers in the food and hospitality sectors. The Restaurant Show is crucial for industry professionals to connect, discover new products, and stay updated on market trends. It serves as a platform for innovation and collaboration in the food and hospitality sectors.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, West Midlands, B40 1NT
Attend
Event days & opening times
Who runs the show
William Reed
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
This edition
2027
Visitors: 30,000
Next edition
Not announced yet
Photos
Impact
The Restaurant Show 2027 will take place from April 12 to April 14 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. This event is a key meeting point for buyers and suppliers in the food and hospitality sectors, showcasing innovative products and trends. The Restaurant Show is crucial for industry professionals to connect, discover new products, and stay updated on market trends. It serves as a platform for innovation and collaboration in the.
Exhibitor outcomes
Exhibitors gain visibility among a targeted audience, opportunities to generate leads, and a platform to showcase their products to key decision-makers in the food and hospitality sectors. The Restaurant Show is crucial for industry professionals to connect, discover new products, and stay updated on market trends. It serves as a platform for innovation and collaboration in the food and hospitality sectors. Exhibitor categories include Food and beverage suppliers, Equipment manufacturers, Service providers in.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
The Restaurant Show is one of the UK's leading trade events for the restaurant, bar, pub and catering sectors, covering equipment, food and drink supply, technology and operational insight in one NEC floor. For UK and international suppliers it is a direct route to decision-makers at multi-site groups and independents, while operators use it to benchmark suppliers, compare equipment and track menu and labour trends ahead of the spring trading season.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
Professionals expect pre-show agendas, product finders, and meeting tools; suppliers align demos and literature to short on-stand decision cycles.
Sustainability in procurement
Energy use, recyclable materials, and carbon reporting increasingly appear in RFPs and exhibitor scorecards across industrial trade fairs.
Automation and labour efficiency
Visitors benchmark machinery, software, and services that reduce downtime, staffing pressure, and total cost of ownership.
Regional supply-chain resilience
Buyers diversify suppliers across Europe, MENA, and Asia while favouring vendors with local service, spare parts, and training.
Hybrid engagement models
Live demonstrations remain decisive, but follow-up webinars, digital catalogues, and year-round supplier portals extend the commercial window after the show.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Gateway airport for Birmingham.
to venue
by car
Gateway airport for Birmingham.
to venue
by car
Gateway airport for Birmingham.
to venue
by car
Gateway airport for Birmingham.
to venue
by car
Elizabeth line and Tube serve most London exhibition venues.
to venue
45–75 min off-peak
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
taxi
Elizabeth line and Tube serve most London exhibition venues.
taxi
taxi
taxi
taxi
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Standard Visitor visa | Nationals of visa-required countries (for example India, China, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey) travelling for business meetings, networking or to attend a trade show. | $160.00 | Typically around 3 weeks for applications lodged overseas; priority and super-priority services are available at extra cost | |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | Visa-exempt nationals who do not require a visa, including US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese, South Korean and EU/EEA passport holders. | $21.00 | Usually within 3 working days; apply before booking travel | |
| Business visitor activity under the Standard Visitor route | Visitors attending meetings, conferences, trade shows or negotiations on behalf of an overseas employer - no separate permit is needed. | $160.00 | Same as the Standard Visitor visa (about 3 weeks) |
Visa-exempt nationalities (including EU/EEA, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea) need an ETA rather than a visa, but must hold it before travel to the UK.
The UK accepts ATA Carnets for the temporary admission of professional equipment, exhibition goods and samples; issuers must be nominated for UK acceptance sectors before departure. Confirm current requirements with the organiser's freight partner and the UK Carnet helpline.
Official visa pageWeather
April in Birmingham is mild but changeable: daytime highs typically around 13 °C (55 °F) with overnight lows near 5 °C (41 °F), and roughly 45-55 mm of rain spread over about 13-15 wet days. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes for the walk between NEC halls and the car parks.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
UK mobile networks offer prepaid SIM and eSIM options for visitors; venue Wi‑Fi availability varies — confirm with the organiser.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Tipping and service charges
In UK restaurants and bars a discretionary service charge of 10-12.5% is commonly added to the bill; tipping at the bar is not expected. Check the bill before adding a tip, and note that service charges are frequently shared across the team.
Business dress and greeting
Smart casual or business casual is standard at UK trade shows; a suit is fine but rarely required. Greetings are typically a handshake, first names are used quickly and small talk before business is normal.
Arrival, queuing and timekeeping
Punctuality is valued and queues are respected. Arrive early on day one for badge collection and NEC security screening, and allow extra time if you are crossing between halls or travelling from Birmingham International station.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: BHX
Book flights to BHX when possible for the shortest transfer to the venue; compare CVT only if fares are materially lower.
Most international visitors to the UK need either a UK Standard Visitor visa (approx. GBP 127 / USD 160) or, if they are a visa-exempt national, a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, approx. GBP 16 / USD 21). Apply on gov.uk at least 3-4 weeks before travel, carry your organiser invitation/badge confirmation and accommodation details, and note that business meetings, networking and attending a trade show are permitted on the Standard Visitor route.
Estimated cost: Varies by visa type and nationality (check official site).
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Apply on gov.uk before booking non-refundable travel. Attach your organiser invitation or badge confirmation, accommodation booking and employer letter. Linked electronically to the passport and valid for multiple visits over a two-year period; no sticker or paper document is issued.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Birmingham Airport (BHX): Gateway airport for Birmingham.; Coventry Airport (CVT): Gateway airport for Birmingham.; East Midlands Airport (EMA): Gateway airport for Birmingham.; London Luton Airport (LTN): Gateway airport for Birmingham.. Allow road or rail time to National Exhibition Centre (NEC); on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near National Exhibition Centre (NEC): Birmingham International / NEC campus and airport: Premier Inn Birmingham NEC/Airport (Resorts World), Travelodge Birmingham Airport, ibis budget Birmingham Airport - NEC; Birmingham International / NEC campus: Ibis Birmingham NEC, Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport - NEC, Novotel Birmingham Airport; On the NEC campus and adjacent Resorts World: Hilton Birmingham Metropole (on the NEC campus), Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC, Arden Hotel & Leisure C
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Birmingham; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Check local bus/metro options for routes to National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
Parking: On-site parking is available at National Exhibition Centre (NEC); confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April 2027
Temperature: 5-13 °C (41-55 °F) typical overnight-to-daytime range in Birmingham in April
Seasonality: April is a showery shoulder-season month in the West Midlands: around 45-55 mm of rain across roughly 13-15 wet days, mixed with bright spells and lengthening daylight hours.
Packing: April in Birmingham is mild but changeable: daytime highs typically around 13 °C (55 °F) with overnight lows near 5 °C (41 °F), and roughly 45-55 mm of rain spread over about 13-15 wet days. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes for the walk between NEC halls and the car parks.
Plan your trip
Best day for qualified buyer meetings: Tuesday 13 April 2027 (Day 2)
Day 2 of a three-day NEC show typically has the fullest seminar programme and the highest exhibitor attendance, with day-one registration queues behind you and senior exhibitor staff on the stands. If you can only attend one day, Tuesday gives the best balance of meeting availability, session choice and networking density.
Birmingham city centre (Bullring, Jewellery Quarter, canals)
Restaurants, bars and shopping for an evening after the show; useful for benchmarking competitor venues.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare's birthplace with a strong independent food and pub scene - an easy half-day extension before or after the show.
Warwick and Warwick Castle
Historic town with heritage attractions and good dining, convenient for a weekend add-on.
NEC exhibition hall networking and B2B zones
On-floor networking
Dedicated seating and meeting points inside the hall where supplier and buyer conversations happen between stand visits.
Show catering and drinks areas
Informal networking
Central meeting points at lunch and at end-of-day drinks; the highest-density spot for spontaneous introductions.
Resorts World Birmingham (adjacent to the NEC)
Off-floor networking
Bars, restaurants and hotels immediately next to the NEC campus - the natural venue for evening meetings with exhibitors and peers.
Budget
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visa_fee
visitor · standard_visitor_visa
GBP 127 / per person
visa_fee
visitor · eta
GBP 16 / per person
visitor_ticket
visitor · trade_pre_registration
GBP 45 / per person
hotel
visitor · mid_range
GBP 110–180 / per room per night
per_diem
visitor · standard
GBP 55–75 / per person per day
visa_fee
visitor · UK Standard Visitor visa
USD 160 / per application
visa_fee
visitor · Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
USD 21 / per application
visa_fee
visitor · Business visitor activity under the Standard Visitor route
USD 160 / per application
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visa_fee | visitor | standard_visitor_visa | GBP 127 / per person | official | |
| visa_fee | visitor | eta | GBP 16 / per person | official | |
| visitor_ticket | visitor | trade_pre_registration | GBP 45 / per person | estimate | |
| hotel | visitor | mid_range | GBP 110–180 / per room per night | estimate | |
| per_diem | visitor | standard | GBP 55–75 / per person per day | estimate | |
| visa_fee | visitor | UK Standard Visitor visa | USD 160 / per application | official | |
| visa_fee | visitor | Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | USD 21 / per application | official | |
| visa_fee | visitor | Business visitor activity under the Standard Visitor route | USD 160 / per application | official |
Decision
Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have defined sourcing goals and can commit 1-2 days on the floor at the NEC.
Best for
Restaurant, bar, pub and catering operators, chefs and buyers scouting equipment, food & drink suppliers and menu ideas
Min. budget
$700.00
Timeline
1-3 weeks (badge registration, hotel/flights, ETA or visitor visa)
Risks
Budget estimate from listing cost signals - confirm live rates.
Entry is normally free for pre-registered trade visitors but can be chargeable on the door.
Birmingham hotel rates rise sharply during NEC show weeks - book early.
exhibit
You already have UK distribution or an importer and a stand budget from roughly USD 4,000 upward.
Best for
Equipment manufacturers, food & drink brands, kitchen tech and hospitality service vendors targeting UK operators
Min. budget
$4,200.00
Timeline
3-6 months (space booking, stand design/build, freight or ATA carnet, staffing, travel)
Risks
Budget estimate from listing cost signals - confirm live rates.
Space, shell scheme, rigging and services are quoted by the organiser and change year to year.
Freight, stand staffing and carnet costs often add 30-50% on top of the floor-space fee.
skip
Your buyers are reached more efficiently at HRC, Casual Dining or Food & Drink Expo, or you sell only outside the UK.
Best for
Suppliers already covered by UK distributors and visitors with no active sourcing or specification project this cycle
Timeline
None
Risks
No major risks listed.
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FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Trust footer
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References
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Publishers
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Date checked
William Reed
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
