Book a booth in a cosy Italian restaurant, treat your date to an affordable candlelit dinner for two, or secure a spot with the perfect view for a romantic meal in the capital
Looking for romantic restaurants in London? Want to find affordable romantic date ideas? Here are our favourite picks in the capital, from warm and cosy restaurants to romantic restaurants with a view (click here for more spots with perfect views). We also have the UK's most romantic restaurants and the most romantic UK hotels outside of London. Now discover our effortless Valentine's Day menu ideas. Most romantic places to eat and drink in London Albers, Hackney – for classic small plates, reimagined Albers is a small corner room in De Beauvoir, all big windows, candlelight and warm wood. White walls and pared-back decor keep things calm, tables set snugly together, the atmosphere softly sociable with just enough low-light intimacy for a lingering dinner. The cooking sits in that middle ground between pub comfort and bistro intent: classics half-remembered, then gently tilted. I started with a sage cordial and soda, sweet and syrupy with a light fizz, the herb giving a quiet savoury lift. The sardine ragu croquette was the first real hello from the kitchen: crisp outside, creamy within, full of deep sardine warmth and finished with a generous parmesan dusting. Grey mullet crudo with cranberry and citrus was expertly judged, sharpness layered on sharpness, the fish cool and faintly earthy, the fruit offering tart little bursts. Sausage with sauerkraut and quince came rich and peppery, handmade and unctuous, the kraut leaning sweet-sour, quince adding a gentle perfume. The smoked eel and bacon caesar was the dish I kept returning to, smoke from eel and bacon folding into salty anchovy depth, crisp leaves slicked in dressing, a bold, comforting twist on something you think you know. Celeriac with confit egg was decadent and nutty. Bluefin tuna with peppercorn sauce was pleasant enough, thick buttery slices and a clean sear, though the sauce felt a touch thin and the temperature slightly off. Dessert was a maple and hazelnut ice-cream sandwich: the biscuit a little firm, but the maple ice cream silky, toasty and lovely. Service is friendly, still smoothing its edges, and there are no hot drinks to linger over at the end. Even so, Albers feels like a place settling into itself. albers.london Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden – for a romantic pre-theatre dinner Clos Maggiore is a little piece of the Med in Covent Garden. The conservatory, draped with blossoms and fairy lights, has a retractable roof for balmy evenings, while the main building is more cosy Provençal inn. From the French-Italian menu, expect hearty starters such as roasted duck foie gras with crisp confit duck leg and braised shoulder of Loire valley rabbit; mains of slow-cooked Charolais beef cheek and braised halibut fillet with leek fondue. Numerous vegetarian options include a roasted pumpkin, pine nut and parmesan soup and Sicilian aubergine and fig caponata, with Provençal goat’s cheese. olive tip: Close Maggiore is in the heart of the West End, so book the pre-theatre menu (two courses for £32.50, including a glass of bubbles) before treating your loved one to a West End show. closmaggiore.com Leydi, Holborn – for sharing plates Leydi sees the return of the talented Selin Kiazim (previously Oklava) to London and brings with it the spirit of Istanbul, serving an all-day menu oozing with Turkish favourites but with Selin’s unique modern twist. Launched opposite the Old Bailey in an area in Farringdon with an abundance of history, the restaurant pays tribute to the vibrancy of Istanbul’s eating culture, featuring generous, celebratory Turkish food meant to be shared and savoured. The drinks menu boasts bespoke creations from Kevin Patnode, two-time winner of the best bartender in Turkey, in addition to a transcontinental wine list with a distinctive Turkish influence. With décor featuring plush banquettes, warm lighting and understated references to Istanbul’s architecture and interiors that can only be described as elegant, this intimate 90-cover dining room is a charming setting for a date night. Order the The Leydi Deluxe to let chefs decide for you and dig into dips, kebabs, breads and salads to share. leydilondon.com The Georgian at Harrods, Knightsbridge – for luxurious surroundings There’s a place for traditionally glamorous, formal dining and Harrods is just that. While its ground floor dining hall reflects the tastes of both global restaurant-curious Londoners and food-savvy international visitors, the fourth-floor The Georgian is a British affair. By day, afternoon tea is taken in the vast, regal, chandeliered space. At night, there are cocktails, a pianist and gloriously old-fashioned trolley service. Pies are the must-order here – chef, previously of the much-lauded The Pie Room at Rosewood London, Calum Franklin’s curation includes beef shin and squash; lobster; chicken and penny bun; plus the signature lamb – with ratatouille, anchovy tempura and sweetbread for two. Whipped potatoes with buttermilk make an indulgent side dish. Pie refuseniks can chose from mains of dover sole, cod or chicken. But first there is bread with Marmite butter, starters of crab tart or pâté en croûte. Crowd-pleasing puddings include sticky toffee, lemon tart and a trifle where layers of apple, calvados and vanilla cream are constructed tableside. harrods.com/en-gb/c/restaurants/the-georgian Bottarga, Chelsea – for candlelit Greek sharing plates On a corner spot on the King’s Road, this Greek restaurant is a visual treat: cleverly lit, with playful modern art. Lovingly sourced ingredients in hero dishes ensure food is the focus, best enjoyed at a counter seat along the open kitchen. Silky taramasalata is topped with cod’s roe; anchovies served with sheep’s milk butter and slivers of crisp flatbread are a must-order; signature dish bottarga orzo is creamy and rich, perfectly paired with lamb and a superior Greek salad with caper leaf, barrel-aged feta and rusks. While chef Tzoulio Loulai sources ingredients from his homeland, the menu is not slavishly Greek: chocolate burnt cheesecake and salted caramel is a big hit on Instagram. A Greek house soundtrack ensures a buzzing atmosphere. bottarga.london "mu", Dalston – for a date-night dinner with jazz and cocktails Treat your date to an evening of jazz, Japanese food and innovative cocktails at this trendy Dalston hotspot. Drop into the buzzy bar for drinks, or book a sought-after spot in the restaurant proper, where a handful of tables with atmospheric lamp lighting provide front-row seats to the weekly jazz sets courtesy of Cuban group, Conjunto Cubano. Dishes are reasonably priced. Start with charred, skin-on pumpkin skewers, silky salmon tartare to scoop into nori sheets and plump prawns in tempura batter served with sweet and spicy nori-flecked mayo. Follow with the tonkotsu – a generous pork chop, trimmed with melting fat, crusted in panko breadcrumbs, served with shredded cabbage and tonkatsu sauce – and umami-rich nikiri-glazed tofu with Japanese salad. A side of oyster mushrooms has an udon noodle slurpiness, coated in a glossy soy and garlic glaze. The only dessert, a seasonal crème brûlée, is ideal for sharing before another round of cocktails and the second Cuban jazz set. mu-ldn.com Holborn Dining Room – for a Parisian brasserie feel Holborn Dining Room is one of the most beautiful spaces to eat in London. An impressive, airy room with a Parisian grand brasserie vibe, banquettes and tables are positioned so each dining space feels cosy and intimate - perfect for a special date night or occasion meal. The menu champions the pastry work which made the restaurant famous (the pie menu is always available), but other additions include roast Orkney scallops with Delicia pumpkin, a shrimp burger with jalapeño tartare and a vegan version of the legendary HDR wellington with beetroot and hispi cabbage. The room is flanked down one side by a stunning copper-topped gin bar, with more than 400 varieties available, so a specialist gin cocktail is a must-order to kick things off. Try the Cornish martini made with Tarquin’s Holborn Edition, dill and samphire and Cornish wildflower liqueur. Dawn-til-dusk dining means the space is buzzing from breakfast to late – this is a real hidden gem tucked away from the main road inside the plush Rosewood London Hotel. holborndiningroom.com Isabel, Mayfair – for wow-factor and late-night dancing From its lux grill dishes, including a Galician ex-dairy côte de boeuf or a sharing Cornish dover sole with creamed spinach, preserved lemon and brown butter, to its silk jacquard wall coverings, golden ceiling and bar, this glamorous Mayfair restaurant is guaranteed to wow any date. After dinner, the beats purr, as DJs take guests through until 3am, both in the restaurant and the Dragon Room bar, downstairs. Isabel’s innovative cocktail list includes the Rosetta, a take on the French 75, garnished with a rose petal and dehydrated lychee. isabelw1.london Kitty Fisher’s, Mayfair – for an intimate romantic dinner Red velvet curtains welcome diners into this intimate bistro. A handful of tables sit snugly beside a bar, behind which jars of home-made rhubarb gin, turmeric syrup and fig leaf vodka nestle in amongst trinkets. A creaky wooden staircase in the back corner takes you down past the kitchen into the intimate basement dining room, where dusty-pink banquettes line walls decorated with antique paintings. Start with a round of cocktails. A boozy hanky panky is a more delicate and floral twist on the negroni, while the restaurant’s signature Bad Kitty has a subtle sparkle and a syrupy sloe gin edge. Order all the bite-sized snacks. A smoky stack of Welsh rarebit is finished on the open grill to make Montgomery’s cheddar cheese extra golden; crisp ham hock and jowl croquettes melt in the mouth; and a silky-smooth splodge of chicken liver parfait comes with pieces of quince on a seeded cracker. Mains are cooked on a wood-fired grill so take 20-25 minutes to arrive, but it’s worth the wait. Pork presa is soft and pink with charred edges, accompanied by a pig-cheek sausage, candied heritage carrots and plums, while meaty monkfish comes on a rich bed of aubergines and tomatoes. Get involved with the sides, too – crunchy layers of deep-fried pressed potatoes or wood-fired Hispi cabbage lifted with mustard seeds, described correctly by the owner as “buttery wonderfulness”. For pudding, try the hazelnut and chocolate ganache with brown butter ice cream, covered in a dome of fluffy hazelnut mousse and dusted in cocoa powder. olive tip: If you want a more affordable romantic evening, pop in for a glass of wine and a couple of snacks to enjoy perched at the table in the window, perfect people-watching opportunities for first dates. kittyfishers.com Brutto, Farringdon — for Tuscan-Florentine dishes for sharing Refreshingly, this Tuscan-Florentine restaurant isn't one that values style over substance. Opened by the late restaurateur legend Russell Norman, the relaxed, no-frills interior is reminiscent of more old-school Italian establishments, with red gingham tablecloths, walls lined with framed pictures and a wine menu that's modestly stapled together, emphasising good Tuscan bottles. The menu is particularly good for sharing, with four small pasta plates that include a delicate rabbit pappardelle, and tagliatelle with a nostalgically rich, meaty ragu-style sauce. Start with the deep-fried dough ball 'cuddles' antipasti, paired well with thin slices of salty prosciutto and creamy stracchino. The mains, or secondi, are quite beef-focused, with a blackboard of perfectly cooked T-bone steaks to be ordered per 100g, and a hearty Tuscan beef shin stew. Alternatively, you can try the juicy pork and fennel sausages with lentils and a big dollop of dijon mustard. Leave room for a slice of the light, layered apple tart, or the 'ugly but good' cookies — these crisp hazelnut meringues originate from Tuscany, served here with smooth vanilla ice cream. Despite 'brutto' translating to 'ugly' in Italian, the food here is far from it. It's simple, but it proves that good food doesn't have to be stylish. msha.ke/brutto Ekstedt, Great Scotland Yard – for a romantic 7-course tasting menu Niklas Ekstedt’s tasting menus (five or seven courses) team British produce with traditional Scandinavian ingredients for a memorable experience. Current dishes include charcoal grilled wild sea bass, hay smoked pork loin and sea buckthorn sorbet for dessert. A wood-fired oven and open flame give dishes a delicious smokiness and create both warmth and theatre. ekstedtattheyard.com 144 on the Hill, Richmond Hill – for a cosy alpine-like experience 144 on the Hill is an imposing Georgian Hotel just a stone’s throw from Richmond Park. While the interiors are opulent, the atmosphere is warm and relaxed. An outdoor terrace has been transformed with thick blankets, fairly lights and outdoor heaters to make for a cosy, alpine-like experience. The fondue menu is £90 for two people and includes a warming glass of mulled wine to get you started. The artisan cheese fondue is incredibly generous and almost impossible to stop eating. It comes served with Parisian potato salad, steamed broccoli, a charcuterie board and bread. It’s easy to while away a few hours as the menu is so plentiful and the setting so comfortable. If you’re feeling up to it, you can finish with a rich Belgian chocolate fondue served with strawberries and marshmallows. Imagine the snow and you can pretend you’re just back from a day on the slopes. 144onthehill.co.uk/winter-wonderlounge Manthan, Mayfair — for quality Indian street food in a romantic setting With a pedigree like chef Rohit Ghai's, expectations of the food at his Mayfair restaurant are high — and it doesn't disappoint. Rohit led the kitchens at Gymkhana and Trishna before opening his first venue, Kutir, in Chelsea. At Manthan — the Hindi word meaning to churn and reflect — Rohit takes inspiration from his mother's cooking and the street food of India. The Maddox Street dining room is long and wood-panelled, adorned with beautiful paintings of exotic flowers. Even at lunchtime it feels romantic, and the sharing dishes reflect that vibe. If you're here for the first time, have an overview experience and choose two dishes from the Gali ka khana (street food) section, one from Rassedar (curries), one from Chapata Chops & Tikka, plus a couple of sides. To start, ghati masala prawns are plump and tender, coated with sesame, peanut and coconut for a satisfying crispy crunch. Jackfruit tacos are a revelation — almost meaty in texture, stuffed into fluffy rice lentil pancakes with southern spice and chutney. Fall-off-the-bone lamb ossobuco sits in a silky, satirsfying sauce flavoured with jaffa spices and curry leaf, while sarson chicken, tangy and hot with mustard and chilli, is as soft as butter. If you have room for dessert, opt for the Classic Trip of sweet laddoo, sticky gulab jamun and creamy srikhand. manthanmayfair.co.uk Trullo, Higbury – for a romantic Italian restaurant Older sister to Borough Market’s Padella, Trullo serves perfect pasta, antipasti and larger charcoal grill dishes in a romantic yet relaxed environment. Upstairs, wooden tables – simply laid with white paper tablecloths and flickering tea lights – are huddled together, while downstairs, dark booths are perfect for a longer, more intimate dinner. The menu changes twice daily, depending on seasonal produce, but if there’s two of you we’d recommend a couple of antipasti, a couple of plates of pasta and one larger oven dish. Rich beef shin ragu coats slippery ribbons of pappardelle, while sweet squash ravioli gets a richness from the olive oil. Meat and fish are simply cooked over coals, served with the likes of soft polenta and salsa verde or baby beetroot. As with the food, wines change regularly but there are always a few available by the glass. The natural Puglia Miro is bursting with ripe cherries, or sip on a punchy coffee negroni as a nightcap. olive tip: Impress your date with the promise of Padella's famous pasta dishes without the long wait. If it’s on the menu, order Padella’s iconic pici cacio e pepe for a cheesy hit. trullorestaurant.com Fenchurch restaurant at Sky Garden, The City – for a romantic dinner with a view If you’re on the right side of the room, there’s no view finer than that from Fenchurch. It’s the highest – and most expensive – restaurant at Sky Garden, the three-storey high oasis at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street (better known as the walkie-talkie building). Wherever you’re sat, a meal here is a luxurious experience. Staff are experts; our crumpled napkins were twice replaced with ninja-like stealth, and at night the room transforms into a glamorous, flatteringly-lit space designed to make everyone feel like a million dollars. We were here for the tasting menu, and began in style with a well-made old fashioned and a signature gin and St Germain cocktail. The latter was a little too sweet, but the giant spherical ice cube it came with was transfixing. skygarden.london/restaurants/fenchurch/ olive tip: Make sure you ask for a table ‘on the view side’, and ideally one that’s away from the private dining room, rammed as it sometimes is with rowdy business-types. Gold, Notting Hill – for a secret indoor terrace Gold is a buzzing restaurant and late-night bar on London’s Portobello Road which puts cooking over coals at its heart. Split into raw, charcuterie and cheese, salads, vegetables and plates, all the dishes are designed to share. Portions are hearty though, so start off steady and see how things go. Charred pears with burrata welcome the salty tang of Tuscan ham, while a bouncy farro salad with sweet peas, broad beans and Berkswell cheese steals the show with its fresh flavours. Indulge in desserts – honey rum babas arrive as boozy as they should be, with plenty of lemon verbena cream, while buttery sable biscuits layered with raspberry and mascarpone are lifted further with the crunch of praline. goldnottinghill.com olive tip: You can dine in two rooms, but head to the covered terrace on the ground floor for romantic Moroccan rooftop vibes. Lyon's Seafood and Wine Bar, Crouch End – for a romantic seafood dinner The vibe at this neighbourhood spot is unfussy yet classily comfortable, with muted green banquettes, wooden floors and a white marble bar, while pretty traces of the room’s original cream and green Victorian tiling can be spotted on the walls. Seafood fans will love the kitchen’s offbeat and creative approach to ingredients. Oysters – sourced from Wright Brothers – come with garnishes designed to complement each variety: we try Carlingfords delicately matched with a melon and cucumber salsa. Toasted, treacly rye bread comes piled with fat, sweet, pickled mussels and a delicate curry-tinged sauce, while a classic caesar salad gets a successful maritime twist thanks to smoked sardines. The wine list focusses on sustainable, organic and low-intervention bottles, and there’s also a pithy cocktail list – a super-dry, briny martini made with seaweed-infused Irish An Dúlamán gin and manzanilla sherry is the perfect start to a seafood feast. lyons-restaurant.com olive tip: Finish the evening with a night cap at another excellent neighbourhood outfit in Crouch End, Little Mercies. Stripped-back cocktails include the likes of strawberry negronis made with homemade vermouth and silky caramelised white chocolate old fashioneds. littlemercies.co.uk Champagne + Fromage, Brixton – for an affordable first date Champagne + Fromage does exactly what it says on the tin. It brings an authentic taste of the best that France has to offer to three shops/restaurants in London. The menu is made up of cheese and charcuterie boards, baked cheeses, salads, tartines, and a small selection of desserts. Everything is designed for sharing. This isn’t a typical sit-down meal; it’s more a place to go if you want to linger over a few glasses of champagne and lighter bites, making it ideal for a first date. There are over 50 different cheeses on offer, which could be daunting. But the staff are knowledgeable and friendly, and forthcoming in their suggestions. The charcuterie is all high quality so you can’t go wrong - the blueberry saucisson (although it sounds strange) was particularly good... champagneplusfromage.co.uk olive tip: You’re encouraged to go to the counter to taste and build your board, so go and chat to the staff with your date for an interactive ice-breaker to start the evening. Bob Bob Ricard, Soho – for a blow-out romantic dinner This Russian-inspired restaurant in Soho that exudes luxury, with ornate interiors loosely based on the Orient Express (train-carriage style booths, brass rails and coat racks) and slick service. It’s all about excess, with hearty portions, theatrical presentation and copious amounts of fizz. Start things off with a round of oysters baked with parmesan and black truffle, or stunning beetroot and goat’s cheese gateau. Order the beef wellington to impress, presented as a latticed pastry sphere before being taken away and carved into thick slices. Perfectly pink 28-day aged Scotch beef fillet comes wrapped in a layer of finely chopped porcini mushrooms and a thin pancake to soak up the juices with a golden crisp pastry case. ‘Chocolate Glory’ is an instagram-worthy dessert. Hot chocolate sauce is poured over a gold sphere that opens up to reveal a soft chocolate Jivara mousse with brownie pieces, zingy berries and passion fruit and orange jelly. If you’re too full for all that chocolate, order the zesty trio of lime, lemon and pink grapefruit sorbets served with Platinum vodka. olive tip: Book a private booth for an intimate dinner, complete with iconic ‘press for Champagne’ buttons for a fizz-filled date. bobbobricard.com Sager + Wilde, Hackney – for drinks with nibbles Sager + Wilde’s original Hackney Road bar is a romantic, candle-lit neighbourhood spot to enjoy unusual wines with your date. Huddle around a table on little stools and wooden benches, or sit up at the industrial iron grate bar to get a closer look at the rare bottles displayed in the rack along the back wall. The small but thoughtful wine menu covers lesser-known regions such as Austria, unusual orange wines and twists on classics procured by owners Charlotte and Michael Sager-Wilde. Golden jalapeño and cheddar toasties are served on E5 Bakehouse sourdough and round off the evening perfectly. sagerandwilde.com/hackney-road olive tip: For a super-cheap date option, head to Sager + Wilde's Paradise Row restaurant on Monday-Saturday between 5pm and 7pm for the bargain £10 plate of pasta and negroni or glass of wine deal. Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Mayfair Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants near Oxford Street Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
From romantic markets dotted around a forest-lined lake to family-friendly markets in French towns, here are 9 of the best continental Christmas markets for the festive season
Looking for the best Christmas markets? Want to find the best European food markets? Read on for 9 of the best continental Christmas markets, then discover the best spots for winter sun and our favourite foodie city breaks by train. Brussels, Belgium Head to Brussels for Christmas markets filled with freshly fried frites, warm waffles and chocolatiers galore. Running from 28 November until 1 January 2025, the Christmas markets spread over several squares in the centre of the city with over 200 chalets, a towering Christmas tree, an ice skating rink, curling and a ferris wheel to take in views over the city. Choirs perform on an igloo-shaped stage at weekends and there's a Santas Workshop with children's activities. From 5pm to 10pm every day, a five minute video and light show is projected onto the tower of the City Hall every 30 minutes. This year's theme is 'Winter Wonders'. Chalets serve warming tartiflette, glühwein, thick hot chocolates and waffles – discover the difference between the two waffles styles, Liege and Brussels waffles, by trying both, naturally. brussels.be <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2024/11/Brussels-market-232cb1d.jpg" width="2118" height="1412" alt="Christmas tree in the iconic "Grand Place" (literally "Big Square") in the centre of Brussels. Built mainly between 1696 and 1704 the square has beautiful façades, with a mixture of baroque and Renaissance architecture. During Christmas evening, there's a light festival at dusk, as well as christmas markets." title="Magic Christmas light at Brussels Grand Place Belgium, Europe" /> Vienna, Austria You're spoilt for choice with Christmas markets to explore in Vienna, with festivities springing up in every square and palace gardens across the city and over 20 official markets. The Viennese Dream Christmas Market is the largest, held on the square in front of the city hall, with light installations, plenty of mulled wine and choirs singing carols at the weekends. Visit both the Schönbrunn Palace and Belvedere Palace for smart markets in the palace grounds. Hot punch (mulled wine, but also mulled amaretto, gin or even mulled Aperol) will keep your hands warm. Try langos – fried dough topped with sour cream and grated cheese, and hot kartoffelpuffer – freshly fried crispy potato pancakes. For something sweet, kaiserschmarrn is shredded fluffy pancakes served with plenty of icing sugar. austria.info Lisbon, Portugal Sweet aromas of roast chestnuts fill the air in the Portuguese capital from 11 November (St Martin’s Day). Grab a paper cone and wander the steep, cobbled streets, joining locals in corner kiosks as they shot cherry liqueur (ginja). Rossio Square comes to life in December with wooden huts in its Christmas market, as does the old Campo Pequeno bull ring, that hosts exclusively Portuguese artisans. The technicolour designs of Conserveira de Lisboa’s tinned fish make pretty stocking fillers to take home for loved ones, as do pastéis de nata scented lip balms and hand creams from Lisbon beauty brand Benamôr. visitlisbon.com Krakow, Poland Only a two hour flight from most UK airports, Krakow offers a picture perfect Christmas market experience. The Krakow Christmas market is centred in and around Krakow’s Main Square with over 80 huts, plus a main stage for festive entertainment. Foodies will find mulled beer alongside mulled wine, spiced beetroot soups, hot sausages and tender roasted pork knuckles. Pierogi (Polish dumplings) are a must try, with stalls selling wide varieties of fillings. Bruges, Belgium Bruges brings the fairytale festive charm with medieval buildings, winding streets and boats floating down the canal. Bruges' Christmas markets are known as 'Winter Glow' celebrations and two markets take over the city in December: the Market Square offers traditional Christmas market charm and the Simon Stevin Square is filled with crafts to buy for souvenirs. As well as the markets, there is ice skating, a magical lights trail and decorations throughout the city. The air is filled with the scent of fresh waffles and stopping into tiny chocolatiers for treats to take home is a must. Combine a trip to Bruges with stopping in Brussels for double the Christmas market fun. visitbruges.be Arras, France If you're craving a quick Christmas weekend getaway this December, look no further than the charming historic town of Arras. A mere 2-hour journey from London will transport you from the hustle and bustle of city life to the enchanting Christmas markets with more than 140 stalls nestled across three magnificent Flemish-Baroque-styled squares. These markets, while not the largest in Europe, boast a delightful array of attractions for all ages – from a vintage carousel and ice rink for the kids, to delectable local treats like chicory conserve, honey and craft beers. arraspaysdartois.com Bled, Slovenia A misty Lake Bled and the tiny, church-topped island at its centre form the backdrop to one of Slovenia’s most romantic Christmas markets, the Winter Fairytale, open from 28 Nov-4 January. Walk beside the forest-lined lake, following a route marked by flickering fire torches and watch a team of divers ceremonially recover the lake’s sunken bell on Christmas Day, then hit the market stalls to track down festive gifts, and food and drink typical of Slovenia’s Gorenjska region. Try a golden fried potato snack called pocrt krompir, or a slice of potica – a swirly cake made from paper-thin sweet dough and creamed nuts, rolled as tight as a pinwheel biscuit – but leave room for Bled cream cake, a neat little square made from layers of butter puff pastry, vanilla cream and whipped cream. bled.si Riga, Latvia The air is sweet with roast almonds, mulled wine and glazed gingerbread at Riga’s Old Town Christmas Market, open from 28 November. Way back in 1510, the Latvian capital was one of the first two cities in the world (the other was Tallinn) to display a Christmas tree in the way we do today – the supposed spot, in Cathedral Square, is where the festive market now stands. Little wooden huts sell everything from hand-knitted mittens to carved wooden spoons and piping-hot “grey peas”. Despite the uninspiring name, the latter is actually a delicious combination of sticky-sweet onions, Latvian peas and crispy bacon, fried together until fragrant. You can also eat sausages with sauerkraut and drink hot cocktails made with Riga Black Balsam (a herbal liqueur made from vodka infused by black pepper and valerian). vzt.lv/ Black Forest, Germany Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market takes place, as the name suggests, in a geological chasm beneath a railway viaduct in Germany’s Black Forest. Among its 40 or so snow-capped cabins are those selling everything from cuckoo clocks to cherry-topped Black Forest gâteau, Black Forest-smoked trout and venison, and flammkuchen – a German-style flatbread topped with bacon, onion and cheese. To drink, it's all about a theatrical glass of feuerzangenbowle: mulled wine topped with a square of rum-soaked sugarloaf which is set alight as it’s served. While you shop, frosty blue lights bounce off the Höllentalbahn railway line 40 metres above you, and for a special treat you can hike to the Christmas market via the Löffeltal walk, a 3km trail starting from Hinterzarten village (there are shuttle buses back, if you’re knocked out by all that feuerzangenbowle). hochschwarzwald.de Trento, Italy Split across Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti, Trento’s Christmas market is so dedicated to local produce and sustainability (there’s a ban on plastic bags) that the city has earned itself the reputation of Italy’s Città del Natale. Browse nearly 100 stalls selling regional specialities, including dried orange slices, local sheep’s cheese, grappa and mostarda di rosa canina, a Christmassy condiment made from rosehip berries and winter spices. Go hungry – there are shallow-fried potato pancakes called tortel di patate to try, as well as polenta wedges, panettone and apple strudel (a nod to the city’s previous life as part of the Austro-Hungarian empire). Sit and eat awhile, enjoying (if you’re lucky) views of the snow-dusted Dolomites beyond the city. visittrentino.info Bilbao, Spain Traditional Basque products hog the limelight at Bilbao’s Santo Tomás Fair, held on December 21 every year (officially the first day of Christmas in this part of Spain). Buy homemade cider, cheese, chorizo, honey and ever-so-slightly-sparkling txakoli wine from local farmers, then hit the street-food stalls for corn flour tortillas, txistorra pork sausages and rosquillas – cake-like ring donuts, often dipped in chocolate and dusted in icing sugar. There’s always an exhibition of farm animals and plenty of live music to enjoy, including those from bertsolaris (singers of bertso, a Basque form of musical verse) and txalapartaris (they make rhythmic music using wooden sticks and planks). tourism.euskadi.eus Bologna, Italy The Fiera di Natale is Bologna’s biggest wintertime celebration, running right through until January 7. On New Year’s Eve, amidst the bustle of Piazza Maggiore’s street market, a statue of an old man (or an old woman on leap years) is burnt to symbolise the ousting of the old and beginning anew. Stalls are set out underneath the gaze of San Pietro Cathedral, selling ornate Christmas decorations, handmade nativity scenes, roast nuts, chocolate-dipped orange peel and torrone (citrus-scented nougat, studded with almonds). Plus you’ll discover Bologna’s version of panettone: a dense fruit cake made with brandy, dried figs and cocoa, then brushed with alchermes or saba liqueur (a sort of syrup made by slow-cooking wine in copper cauldrons). bolognawelcome.com Angers, France An illuminated ferris wheel, vintage merry-go-round, ice-skating rink and colourful light show (projected onto Angers Cathedral) makes this French market ideal for families. Even Santa Claus shows up each year, to receive the keys to the city from the Mayor of Angers. Stalls are set out on the Place du Ralliement in front of the Grand Theatre selling food and drink typical of the Loire Valley – pommes d’amour (like toffee apples, but coloured red), nougat, vin chaud, gingerbread houses and warm galettes – while the nearby Maison du Vin offers tastings and sales of 70 local Loire Valley wines until 6:30pm most evenings. Better still, at a corner kiosk, you can get any purchased gift-wrapped in pretty paper. marchedenoelangers.com Torun, Poland Head to the Polish city of Torun if you want to get your Christmas market fix away from the crowds. Warm nippy hands around firepits, drink mulled wine spiked with warm honey, watch old movies in the Market Square and snap a photo with a life-size nutcracker. Food-wise you can indulge in everything from dried sausages to oscypek, a smoked sheep’s milk cheese that’s served warm with cranberry sauce. Whatever you do, don’t miss the peppery gingerbread – Torun has been making it in traditional moulds since the 14th century. Buy beautiful, intricate examples of the craft, or simple heart-shaped gingerbread cookies filled with plum jam. You can even learn how to make your own during the Christmas period, at the Museum of Torun Gingerbread. jarmarktorun.pl/ Tallinn, Estonia Estonia's enchanting Christmas markets in Tallinn beckon as snow blankets the landscape. Dating back to 1441, when the Brotherhood of the Blackheads introduced the first Christmas tree to Tallinn's town square, this tradition continues to captivate. From 21 November - 28 December, Tallinn's medieval Old Town and Tartu host festive markets blending holiday cheer with Estonian charm. Discover over 100 stalls in the UNESCO Old Town, offering hand-knit woollens, crafted woodwork and festive decorations. Indulge in traditional Estonian treats like black pudding and sauerkraut, and savour the magic from 10am to 10pm daily – an unforgettable blend of history, tradition and holiday joy. visitestonia.com/en/tallinn-christmas-market Image credits: Getty Images More travel guides Best Morocco food trips Best French food trips Best Spanish food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best foodie city breaks by train Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best country house hotels in the UK Best Scottish hotels
Follow our easy, simple recipe to make healthy apple crisps to snack on. This fruity recipe uses a normal oven and just one ingredient!
Apple crisps are one of the easiest healthy fruit snacks to make at home. Just follow a few simple guidelines and you’ll be batch-baking these crisp, sweet addictive snacks every weekend. Now discover more apple recipes, autumn desserts and healthy autumn recipes. Cook’s tip: Boost your plant points "I used both apples and pears to easily boost the plant points, plus it adds variety of flavour. Serve with melted dark chocolate and your favourite nut butter for dunking into. You could also sprinkle the chocolate-dipped side with sunflower or pumpkin seeds for more crunch and nutrients." View Green Video on the source website Note these changes to the recipe will alter the nutritional information displayed. Here are more ways to boost your plant points and plant-packed recipes. How to make apple crisps in the oven Our apple crisps take a total of three hours in the oven, so plan to make them when you have a morning or afternoon at home. You’ll also get crisper results if you turn them halfway through cooking. Choose your favourite eating apple Drying the apples out will concentrate their natural sugars, so a Cox gives sweeter results than a Granny Smith. Don’t be tempted to try Bramleys; they're too sharp to eat on their own. Skip the sugar A lot of recipes sprinkle the apples with sugar or brush with honey before baking, but we’ve found that the natural sugar present gives the perfect amount of sweetness. Plus, adding sugar will make your healthy snack redundant. Add extra flavours if you like A sprinkle of ground cinnamon or ground ginger before baking will complement the natural apple flavour. Use the right equipment You’ll need a large baking sheet or tray and some baking paper. Greaseproof tends to stick to the apples so avoid using that. If you have a mandolin you can use that to get perfectly thin slices, but it's also possible to juse use a sharp knife. Make sure they don’t overlap as this will prevent them from crisping-up. Cook them low and slow We’ve tried a few methods including cooking at a higher temperature for less time. But in the end, we discovered that slow cooking on a low heat gives the most crisp results and stops them from catching. Healthy apple crisps recipe Step 1 Heat the oven to 120C/fan 100C/gas ½. Cover a large baking sheet or tray with a sheet of baking parchment. Step 2 Using a sharp knife or mandolin cut your apple into thin slices, about 2 mm is ideal. Don’t worry about getting perfectly round slices (they look nice when they're a bit jagged). Flick out any pieces of pip. Step 3 Lay the slices on the baking paper and put in the oven for one hour. Take out the tray and turn the slices over then cook for another hour. Step 4 After 2 hours is up turn off the oven completely and leave the apple slices in there for at least another hour for further drying. If you like you can make them last thing at night then leave them in overnight. Store in an airtight box, they will keep for a few days (if they last that long!). You can them dip them in melted dark chocolate or nut butter for a more substantial snack. You might also like Tips for healthy desk snacking Make your own kale crisps Lunchbox flapjacks recipe The baking with apples collection Healthy lunch boxes to make for work
Best restaurants in St Albans: where to eat and drink
The best food spots to try in St Albans, including the city’s most popular pizzeria, sharing tacos and our favourite farm shop cafés, restaurants and bakeries
Looking for restaurants in St Albans? Want to know where to eat in the cathedral city? Local Charlotte Morgan shares her insider tips for the best places to eat in St Albans, including where to find the best cocktails, cinnamon buns and tacos. For more travel guides, check out our best foodie day trips from London by train and small towns across the UK that every foodie should visit. Also discover our pick of the best restaurants in Winchester, best restaurants in Oxford and best restaurants in Cambridge. Best places to eat and drink in St Albans Gracey’s Pizza – best for pizza Who would have thought that Chiswell Green, a quiet conurbation halfway between St Albans city centre and the M25, would be home to 2024’s most talked-about St Albans eatery? Gracey’s Pizza, next to the village store, is so popular that townsfolk like me have been waking up early to guarantee a slot on its online click-and-collect system. It's a tiny joint, with one or two tables inside, a few places to perch outside and an open kitchen where the family-run team transform smooth balls of 36-hour fermented dough into American-style pizzas with crunchy crusts, charred air bubbles and a San Marzano tomato sauce. It's a sauce so flavoursome and fresh that one pizza, the marinara, doesn’t even need cheese on top to be a success – just a few shavings of sweet garlic and fresh oregano (no dried herbs here). Whether it’s the pizza sauce, hand-cut slices of spicy Calabrian salami, 36-month aged parmesan, or dough made from flour milled at nearby Redbournbury Mill (a beautiful working mill – visit for bags of flour and fat eccles cakes), it’s the quality of ingredients that really makes these pizzas shine. If you can only choose one, get The New Haven – baked extra-long for optimal charring, with a base thick with sauce, two types of mozzarella, Pecorino Romano and garlic. graceyspizza.com Hazéls – best for a special occasion Hazéls, a pocket-sized, candle-lit restaurant with linen café curtains and warm, wooden interiors, only opened in July 2024 and is already the most fashionable place to eat in St Albans. It’s the passion project of chef (and St Albans local) Drew Knight, whose love for ‘jazz kissa’ (niche Japanese jazz cafés with high-end audio systems) inspired the venture. A custom-built oak bar at the back showcases Drew’s vinyl jazz collection, which is played throughout the evening by guest DJs on twin vintage turntables. The sound system is on its own circuit to avoid interference, and even audio ingénues will notice how crisp the acoustics are. It’s more than just background music – but still unobtrusive, and not loud enough to drown conversation out. You’re welcome at Hazéls for just a glass of wine, craft local beer or short cocktail (we liked the rhubarb negroni for its aroma and rhubarb-infused vermouth), but Drew’s French-style menu shouldn’t be missed. We loved the panisse, a trio of cylindrical cheesy chickpea chips with the lightness of a gougère and a velvety comté middle. Also from the small plate menu is the juiciest fillet of flaky Cornish mackerel, balanced on top of pommes Anna and finished with sauce vierge and tiny basil leaves; and a towering wedge of airy focaccia sprinkled with sea salt chunks and spread with whipped cultured butter. Larger plates (double in price and size) might include grilled onglet steak with courgette two ways (buttery chunks and mouth-puckering pickles); and Cornish sole on the bone, the star of which was the accompanying flavour-packed moules marinière. It’s worth noting that Hazéls is probably best enjoyed by omnivores – and adults, for that matter (over 12s only). Finish with lemon tart for dessert, with its crème brûlée-style topping and wobbly, lemon curd filling, or a signature Snickers old fashioned (peanut butter, cacao nib, salted chocolate and bourbon). hazels-stalbans.co.uk Per Tutti – best for Italian “For everyone” indeed, family-run Per Tutti manages to keep us all happy: bustling groups of friends, young families hoping for a kids’ menu (two courses and a drink for under £8), and quiet couples in search of romance will all find sanctuary here. From the outside, with its pretty red bricks and curved bay window, Per Tutti looks like a tiny trattoria, but it’s a rabbit warren inside, with tables tucked into all sorts of corners and an expansive dining room upstairs (the place to be for big groups). Our preference is the cosy, softly lit space on the ground floor, where olive-green panelled walls and low-hanging pendant lights set the scene for intimacy. Risotto gamberetti, with its fat prawns and flecks of chilli, is excellent, but we suggest picking from the pasta menu: homemade, paper-thin ravioli stuffed with velvety butternut squash, or long strips of fettuccine in a rich Italian sausage, red wine and rosemary sauce are our current favourites. pertutti.co.uk Boot Cantina at The Boot – best for sharing plates Built in 1420 right next to the city’s Clock Tower (the pub walls would have witnessed the very first Wars of the Roses battle), The Boot and its gnarled wooden beams has always been worth visiting. But, now that Boot Cantina is here, it’s an absolute must. The team launched its sharing fusion menu in 2021. Hand-sized tacos are piled high with vibrant and eclectic toppings, including rich confit duck leg with oi muchim (a kind of spicy cucumber salad), gochujang mayo and chipotle black cherry jam; and slow-cooked pork with jalapeño coleslaw, chipotle barbecue sauce and pickled pink onions. It's all very relaxed – go with your pals and order as many different taco types as you can (but leave room for the chocolate-stuffed churros). Want to keep the party going? Head to The Boot’s sophisticated sister pub, Dylans at The Kings Arms on George Street (a 45-second walk away), for craft beer and specialist cocktails in a 15th-century tudor building. It serves an excellent espresso martini made with 58 and Co British vodka, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur and The Gentlemen Barsita’s espresso. @bootcantina No Nuisance – best for cocktails Also on George Street (probably the prettiest shopping street in the city) is No Nuisance, a new cocktail bar from mixologist maestro Alastair Burgess, owner of the London speakeasy bar Happiness Forgets. Head here to sip exceptional cocktails in a trendy, low-lit, moody bar decorated with splashes of crimson and mustard-yellow bar stools. There are at least 10 cocktails to choose from, including classics (we love the spicy margs for their chilli oil kick) and innovative concoctions. Brighter Later is an irresistible, fragrant blend of mezcal, umeshu Japanese liqueur, amontillado sherry and genmaicha tea – sweet and slightly sour, with a buttery, toasty aroma. @nonuisancebar Sopwell House – best for afternoon tea Sopwell House Hotel is a grand affair, with more than 100 rooms, two restaurants, a spa and 12 acres of grounds to its name. Among all of that, the best place to relax is in the cocktail lounge, where afternoon tea is served. It’s a long, breezy room that starts at a marble-topped bar and stretches all the way to a library, with little alcoves and giant sash windows along the way. Waiters make the rounds with silver trays of sandwich refills, and scones are well-risen and shiny on top, with fluffy interiors and a good bite. But, by far the best tier of Sopwell House’s afternoon tea stand is the homemade cake selection. Bright-yellow lemon macarons burst with zest, their shiny shells sandwiched together with a thin layer of sharp raspberry jam. Little pastry cases come filled with soft crème patisserie and topped with blackberries, and deliciously moist squares of carrot cake are decorated with chocolate feathers. sopwellhouse.co.uk For more, check out the best afternoon teas in London. Darlish – best for ice cream Darlish, the Persian ice cream specialists, set up shop here in spring 2018, bursting onto the scene with a clever seasonal special – hot cross bun ice cream sandwiches. All the ice cream is made by hand in St Albans, and it sits in creamy mounds under silver domes on the countertop. Blackboards spell out the day’s flavours: floral orange blossom studded with pistachios and apricot, aromatic coconut and cardamom, or sweet cream and sour cherry. There are sorbets, too (vegan coconut and raspberry rhubarb, with an intensely sweet and sharp berry flavour, is our favourite) and you can garnish your chosen flavour with a sprinkle of homemade halva or sesame brittle. Turkish coffee, deep-red Persian tea and mini cones for children are also available. A couple of tables line the walls, but you’re best off moseying around the weekend market (which dates back to the ninth century) or nearby St Albans cathedral while you lick – this is a very pretty part of town. darlish.com Lussmanns – best for a sustainable dinner Lussmanns is the kind of neighbourhood restaurant that you can always rely on. The bright, modern space is a reflection of what to expect from the menu: clean, colourful plates of food, smartly presented without pretension. Menu highlights include a pretty tangle of seasonal salad leaves, lovage pesto, roast beetroot and local Wobbly Bottom goat’s cheese to start, and plaice with North Sea brown shrimps and a coin of melting paprika butter for main. Ninety five per cent of the ingredients used at Lussmanns are grown or produced in the UK, all the fish is Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) approved, the beef and mutton is organic (try the latter in an aromatic kofta with a brioche bun and cucumber mint raita), and the British Saddleback pork is woodland-reared. Order a pint of Farrs Brew bitter, Mad Squirrel pilsner, Zealous pilsner or Three Brewers classic English ale with your dinner – all of them are brewed in Hertfordshire. lussmanns.com The Waffle House – best for waffles Opposite a quaint ford and over the brow of an 18th-century brick bridge, The Waffle House is well worth the 10-minute walk from St Albans city centre. It sits in the middle of St Michael’s village (a winding road lined with red-brick cottages and ancient pubs) and is housed in a 16th-century watermill. Choose from a menu devoted to Belgian waffles made from organic flour milled just three miles away, including a breakfast special of smoked back bacon, fried banana and grilled vine tomatoes. Make a feast of it by ordering a savoury waffle to start (topping highlights include slow-cooked barbecue pulled pork with homemade slaw) and a sweet waffle to finish. The latter are piled high with everything from banana and crumbled flapjack, to pecans and butterscotch sauce – there’s always a seasonal special, too, such as blueberry-studded waffles with wild blueberry sauce. Help yourself to as much maple syrup as you like, and don’t forget to marvel at the original water wheel and millstones before you leave. Once only a breakfast and lunchtime spot, The Waffle House is now open for dinner, too. wafflehouse.co.uk The Potting Shed – best for lunch Carpenters Nursery, with its position just off the main road to Sandridge village, is easy to miss. But, locals know better than to pass by this treasure-trove of home-grown produce. It’s been both a garden centre and farm shop since 1923, selling vegetables grown in the fields right next to the building. A tiny team of three plant seeds in early spring, eventually filling the farm shop with everything from chard and marrows, to red lettuce, beetroot and Brussels sprout tops. Optimal freshness is the aim: carrots pulled and bunched in the morning are on the shop shelves an hour later. You can also pick up cereals, soaps, beers, chocolate, eggs, oil, honey and even vodka, all from Hertfordshire producers, and there’s always a hefty selection of organic breads made by Redbournbury Mill (the same folk who mill flour for The Waffle House). Even better, a barn at the back of the farm shop has been converted into a sleek café, which transforms all that home-grown produce into breakfast, brunch and lunch. The Potting Shed is a modern, L-shaped space flanked by bifold doors that beautifully frame a rockery with open fields beyond. It’s a bucolic view, given how close you are to St Albans city centre. Mushrooms on toast for brunch may sound modest, but you’ll be served a powerful plate of punchy pickled mushrooms on sourdough with a poached egg, truffle oil and a little puff of superbly rich goat’s cheese mousse. For something bigger, try harissa-roasted sweet potato with hummus, chill and garlic kale, fried capers and tahini yogurt. There’s a separate kids' menu and an afternoon tea option with homemade scones and local jam. pottingshedcafe.com, carpentersnursery.co.uk/farm-shop The Prae Wood Arms – best for a country pub Once a standard carvery joint, this “little cottage” (as described by its original owner, Lady Frances Cooke Grimston, in 1838) has been transformed by Brunning & Price into The Prae Wood Arms, a destination pub and restaurant. You can walk to it via The Gorhambury Estate, which encompasses a roman theatre, the 16th-century ruins of a house built by Sir Nicholas Bacon, a neo-palladian mansion, babbling River Ver brooks, and dense woodland that's home to everything from muntjacs to woodruff (a sweet-fragranced plant with tiny white flowers that taste like vanilla). Downstairs is a warren of dining rooms, each with its own ambience from family-friendly to romantic, and most tables have views of the pub’s expansive lawn and the Gorhambury Estate beyond. There’s even a rickety wooden gate that leads from The Prae to the banks of the River Ver, which shines with wild trout. A rusty old tractor, piles of gnarled tree trunks and a gentle hill to roll down keeps kids entertained for hours, while parents watch from a terrace sheltered by an elegant iron awning. It’s posh pub grub to eat, including braised shoulder of lamb with dauphinoise and rosemary gravy, baked whole plaice with butter sauce and, for dessert, a teeth-tingling sticky toffee pudding with matching sauce. To drink, order from a mighty gin menu, which is split into flavour profiles (there are 23 options in “smooth and fruity” alone), or go for a pint of Side Pocket for a Toad, a citrussy, floral golden ale that’s brewed in nearby Tring. brunningandprice.co.uk/praewoodarms Bishop’s Cave – best for cheese Holywell Hill, said to be the site where Saint Alban was executed (his head apparently rolled all the way to the bottom), never used to be fashionable, but over the past decade several independent restaurants – including the aforementioned Per Tutti – have chosen it as their home. Bishop’s Cave, sister to the original Cave in Bishop’s Stortford, is the city’s first cheese, wine and craft beer emporium, and it’s housed in one of the Hill’s most historic spaces. Sloping beamed roofs, geometric tiled floors and crumbly red-brick walls ooze history, while a St Albans coat of arms, soft lighting and vintage wine crates add to the atmosphere. Create your own cheeseboard from a fridge crammed with around 45 options (try Baron Bigod, Britain’s first unpasteurised brie; gruyère-style Red Wine Farmer, which is washed in Swiss red wine; or Darling Blue for its mellow butteriness) and eat it alongside a glass of Tuffon Hall English pinot noir. There are also more than 100 modern and craft beers to sip, including Millionaire – a decadent salted caramel milk stout made by Wild Beer. Prefer spirits? The team behind Bishop’s Cave has recently opened The Gin Cave in the shop next door, where you can pick from a menu of more than 70 small-batch gins – try a spicy, citrus-tinged Silverback Old Tom gin with lemongrass tonic. thebishopscavestalbans.co.uk, thegincave.co.uk More UK restaurant guides Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge Best restaurants in Margate Best restaurants in Manchester Best restaurants in the Lake District
Cosy up in a quirky country pub, spend the night in a stylish bed and breakfast or feast at a boutique hotel that's home to a destination restaurant with our guide to the Lake District’s best hotels
Looking for hotels in the Lake District? Want to know where to stay in Windermere? Read on for the best hotels in Cumbria and check out the best places to eat and drink in the area here. Next, discover the best UK spa hotels for food lovers, the best small towns in the UK for foodies and the best UK pubs with rooms. Farlam Hall, Brampton Doubles from £290 per night, check availability at farlamhall.com or booking.com In a nutshell Nestled in the heart of Cumbria, Farlam Hall is a tranquil retreat surrounded by ancient trees, serene ponds and stunning gardens that change with the seasons. Just a short drive from the North Pennines and Hadrian’s Wall, it’s perfect for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation. The elegant rooms offer comfort, while Cedar Tree Restaurant serves award-winning, locally sourced cuisine. A stay here promises peace, indulgence and the charm of the Lake District countryside. Why foodies stay here Chef Hrishikesh Desai has created a memorable dining experience at Cedar Tree Restaurant. The menu celebrates the finest locally sourced ingredients, including produce from the estate’s own kitchen gardens, resulting in seasonal dishes bursting with freshness and creativity. Each plate is thoughtfully crafted, balancing classic and Indian flavours with skill. The intimate atmosphere, immaculate service and beautifully curated wine list elevate the experience further. Whether indulging in a leisurely tasting menu or an à la carte dish or at the exclusive Hrishi’s table, dining at Farlam Hall is a celebration of Cumbria’s rich culinary heritage. What are the rooms like? As expected from a Michelin Key hotel and member of Relais & Châteaux, the rooms at Farlam Hall exude luxury. However, what truly sets them apart is the perfect blend of elegance and warmth, creating an inviting, homely atmosphere that encourages instant relaxation. Thoughtfully designed interiors, rich furnishings and lovely views of the hotel’s tranquil grounds enhance the peaceful ambiance. Whether unwinding in your room or admiring the picturesque surroundings, guests are enveloped in a sense of calm and comfort that makes Farlam Hall a beautiful getaway. Breakfast There’s a generous breakfast menu ranging from a full English to an omelette to fruit, granola and yogurt. As with the dinner menu, local and seasonal produce are at its heart. Where to eat and drink nearby Hidden River Cafe in Longtown, around 25 minutes by car, is a secluded restaurant in a stunning setting. It’s off the beaten track so a perfect spot to unwind. Doubles from £290 per night, check availability at farlamhall.com or booking.com Gilpin Hotel & Country House, Windermere Doubles from £335 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk In a nutshell Luxurious bedrooms with lakeside views, individual spa suites and multiple dining options, including a Michelin-starred restaurant Why foodies stay here The main Gilpin hotel has two restaurant options – SOURCE and Spice. The Michelin-starred SOURCE offers a six or 10-course tasting menu with wine pairings that changes daily. Our menu included refined dishes like scallop, celeriac, truffle & white kelp, Sladesdown duck, beetroot, endive, kampot pepper & parfait, and white chocolate, caviar & hojicha. The more informal option is Gilpin Spice, a buzzy fusion restaurant with an open-plan kitchen. Here, menu highlights include Asian fried chicken, ox cheek rendang, Herdwick lamb rump boti, and sticky Jamaican sponge pudding with a coconut sorbet. There's also a solid afternoon tea offering at The Lake House. What are the rooms like? This Relais & Châteaux bolthole is set across the two sites, The Gilpin Hotel and The Gilpin Lake House – the former has bedrooms with lakeside views and cedarwood hot tubs, as well as five ‘spa lodges’ that have their own private ensuite spa. The Lake House is just over a mile away from the main hotel, and each of its six rooms have access to 100 acres of grounds, including a private lake, boat house, heated indoor pool and jetty spa. Breakfast Expect classic dishes like full English and eggs benedict, alongside buck rarebit with poached eggs. Guests not wanting to leave their cocoon-like bed can order breakfast to their rooms. Where to eat and drink nearby Try The Watermill Inn for a beef and home-brewed Collie Wobbles ale pie beside an open fire. Doubles from £335 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk thegilpin.co.uk The Samling, Windermere Doubles from £290 per night, check availability at booking.com In a nutshell A luxurious country house hotel (think al fresco hot tubs, fine-dining and ornamental water gardens) set in nearly 70 acres of woodland, gardens and fields. It sits right on the banks of Lake Windermere. Why foodies stay here The kitchen garden, surrounded by apple and nut orchards, is well worth exploring. Cucamelons and microgreens grow in the central greenhouse, and wildflower meadows buzz with bees (their honey is used to sweeten desserts and cocktails). At the restaurant, which is made entirely of glass to make the most of those lake views, executive head chef Robby Jenks is in charge of a modern menu that includes the likes of shellfish raviolo with citrus bisque, turbot with mussels and samphire, and rhubarb with vanilla, ginger and lemon. What are the rooms like? Most overlook a tree-lined Lake Windermere (only two have woodland and garden views instead), and all are decorated in plush neutrals, with sash windows, marble bathrooms and goose down pillows and duvets. For an extravagant stay, pick the Windermere Suite: it’s at the very top of the estate and benefits from its own private patio (with astonishing views) and a copper-clad freestanding bath. Breakfast It’s a short menu, but one which includes kedgeree, homemade granola with yogurt, and fresh fruit. Where to eat and drink nearby The Priest Hole restaurant and tea rooms, part of Kelsick Old Hall, is a 10-minute drive away, and is the ideal spot for a laidback lunch on the terrace. The classics are done well here – jumbo fish finger sandwiches with homemade tartare sauce, Cartmel-smoked salmon salads and Cumberland sausage chilli dogs. Doubles from £290 per night, check availability at booking.com thesamlinghotel.co.uk The Pentonbridge Inn, Penton Check rates and availability at pentonbridgeinn.co.uk In a nutshell A once-tired coaching inn, The Pentonbridge Inn now prospers as a gourmet pub under the direction of chef Gary McDermott. The River Esk, that natural dividing line between England and Scotland, is about half a mile to the north. Why foodies stay here The pub’s owners, Gerald and Margo Smith, live at nearby Netherby Hall and have renovated their Victorian walled kitchen garden to supply the inn with fruit, veg, microgreens and herbs. Expect solid pub food at lunch and dinner, with an emphasis on locality; try the soup of the day with Cumbrian farmhouse cheese on toast, Cumbrian chicken and tarragon pie with garden broccoli, or warm treacle tart with clotted cream. There’s also a Sunday lunch menu, including local loin of pork with caramelised apple sauce and cider gravy. What are the rooms like? The nine rooms, all different shapes and sizes, are named after famous Border Reiver families – marauding raiders who rampaged around these parts between the 13th and 17th centuries. Style-wise, it’s all whitewashed walls, contemporary cream wooden furniture, vintage-style radiators, tweed chairs, and cheery tartan throws. The barn rooms are dog-friendly with wooden floors, soaring ceilings and rafters, but they don’t come with the views of the upstairs rooms. Breakfast Breakfast is served in the conservatory, overlooking the car park and hills beyond. Choose homemade granola topped with fresh berries, porridge with rhubarb and ginger compote, or bacon (thick and salty) with fried eggs and sliced avocado. Where to eat and drink nearby You can book afternoon tea at Netherby Hall on the last Wednesday of each month. It’s taken in the Great Oak Hall and might well include swirls of meringue, pastry cones, fruit tarts and mini chocolate eclairs. Check rates and availability at pentonbridgeinn.co.uk Askham Hall, Penrith Check rates and availability at askhamhall.co.uk In a nutshell The Lowther name is everywhere in this part of Cumbria – pubs, a ruined castle, even a village bears the name. Capitalising on its organic estate, the Lowther family turned to hotels with the opening of Askham Hall, home to Allium restaurant and 18 rooms. Why foodies stay here Richard Swale works in an environment most chefs dream of. His sunny, conservatory-style restaurant opens out onto acres of its own kitchen gardens and farmland. “Pick, cook and serve vegetables within the hour,” explains Richard, “and their freshness is amazing.” The kitchen is often busy pickling damsons or preserving edible flowers, either to deal with gluts or to extend the shelf life of ingredients. Meat used to be the centrepiece of Richard’s dishes, but now he gives equal prominence to creatively treated vegetables. He might, for instance, add fermented cabbage to salads, or serve scallops with smoky courgette flowers, flash-cooked in the wood-fired oven. You can choose either a la carte or a tasting menu; the latter may include native lobster with smoked bone marrow, home-reared goose with sour cherry sauce and chocolate tart with milk sorbet and candied walnuts. What are the rooms like? There are 18 spacious bedrooms to choose from, all with their own character. The Admiral’s Room (located in the 13th-century Pele tower, the oldest part of Askham Hall) benefits from a central four poster bed and River Lowther views. The Train Room (where the family used to keep their model railway set) has a duplex-style layout, with two extra beds upstairs for children. The Old Dressing Room combines original features, such as mullion windows, with modern luxuries, including an open-plan drench shower. Breakfast Start the day with fresh eggs, local smoked kippers, or apple pancakes. Where to eat and drink nearby Penrith’s Four and Twenty, with its rustic mix-and-match furniture and open kitchen, is loved by locals. It’s a converted former bank that serves modern British food, including carrot, ginger and honey soup, cheese soufflé and apple crumble fool. Check rates and availability at askhamhall.co.uk The Forest Side, Lancrigg Check rates and availability at theforestside.co.uk In a nutshell This imposing Victorian manor sits above the road, skirting the slate-strewn prettiness of Grasmere. It looks staid and traditional, but behind the old-fashioned façade is one of the most innovative restaurants in the Lakes. Why foodies stay here A ramble through The Forest Side’s personal fellside (home to roe deer, red squirrels and blankets of wood sorrel) will help you work up an appetite for fine dining at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. Chefs draw on a one-acre vegetable and herb garden (everything is cooked on the days it’s picked), planted with over 100 varieties – try golden beetroot with cuckoo flower and smoked yow’s curd, or roast mooli with cherry bell radish, at a 6- or 10-course dinner. Pickling is big here (try the walnuts), as is foraging – sup a ‘Forager’ at the bar, made with pineapple weed-infused vodka and homemade ginger beer. What are the rooms like? Bedrooms are cosied up with plush wool carpets and locally built Westmorland beds, and some have panoramic views of The Lake District. Choose from Cosy (petite, but still stylish, with Zoffany fabrics), Superb or Master; the latter comes with astonishing Lake District views and Bramley bath products. Breakfast All the classics plus homemade granola, foraged wild mushrooms, Bannerigg Farm duck eggs, Slack’s Farm bacon and Cartmel Valley smoked salmon. Where to eat and drink nearby Expect spotty crockery and cow murals at Grasmere’s Jumble Room, a fun village bistro that serves everything from Whitby crab crostini to local lamb rump rubbed in rose harissa. Check rates and availability at theforestside.co.uk L’Enclume, Cartmel Check rates and availability at lenclume.co.uk In a nutshell Simon Rogan’s Michelin-starred restaurant in Cartmel, with a famously-innovative menu that capitalises on local produce and the team’s creativity. There are bedrooms, too, scattered around the village. Why foodies stay here L’Enclume feels low-key and local with its stone-flagged floor and slate walls. But from the fragrant pink rhubarb cordial (served in a long glass with a slice of sweet, dried rhubarb) to the bread (homemade sourdough with a jar of rendered pork fat and apple), the attention to detail is palpable. Every dish is exquisite and clever. You might try a broth of artichoke, Westcombe cheddar and hen of the woods, which teases diners: the cheese ball is cheese-free (instead, cheese-infused water is thickened and made into balls). Valley venison, charcoal oil, mustard and fennel is a house specialty: delicately diced venison from the Holker estate is peppered with tiny sugary balls of gin infused with fennel and sugar, which explode in the mouth. Whatever you try, the ingredients are guaranteed to be seasonal and local – Rogan operates under a strict farm-to-table ethos. What are the rooms like? Simple, elegant and modern, with a choice of double, superior or deluxe. They’re dotted around Cartmel (two suites are in a townhouse that overlook the town square), and some come with beamed ceilings, window seats and views of the River Eea. Breakfast Breakfast is taken in L’Enclume’s more informal sister restaurant, Rogan & Co (informal up to a point - it still has a Michelin star). The usual suspects – fruit salads, smoked haddock, eggs come beautifully presented. Where to eat and drink nearby At the Pig & Whistle, Rogan’s pub, you can try small plates of brawn and black pudding fritters, pigs in blankets with mustard mayo, and homemade scotch eggs. There’s also a nice selection of ales, including Hartleys XB, Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde and Hawkshead Lakeland Lager. Check rates and availability at lenclume.co.uk The Drunken Duck Inn, Ambleside Doubles from £182 per night, check availability at booking.com In a nutshell A quirky, country-style watering hole that makes its own beer, enjoys panoramic views of the Lake District, and serves polished food that’s free from pretension. Why foodies stay here This has been a pub for at least 300 years, and became one of the area’s first gastropubs when new owners took over in the 1970s. The cooking is more refined than traditional pub grub: cheddar and almond soufflé comes with onion soubise and crispy sage, pork collar with celeriac, celery, truffle and crackling. As well as an excellent menu, The Drunken Duck also has an on-site microbrewery – try a pint of the single-hopped, citrussy Cat Nap. What are the rooms like? There are 13 of them, all simple and clean in style, with some in the pub and the rest in a L-shaped extension (built to suit the Drunken Duck’s style) at the back – the latter is a good option if you’re travelling with children and would like to avoid background chatter come bed-time. Deluxe rooms have leather armchairs, wool cushions and feature baths. Breakfast Try fried mushrooms and wild garlic pesto on an English muffin, or homemade granola, smoothies, sourdough toast with grapefruit marmalade, and overnight oats. Where to eat and drink nearby The Old Stamp House is a fine-dining bistro that serves strictly Cumbrian produce, including roe deer tartar with rye crumbs, pickled mushrooms and nasturtiums; and Cumbrian gingerbread with ginger panna cotta. Top fact: the setting is the cellar of the building where Wordsworth once worked as a distributor of stamps. Doubles from £182 per night, check availability at booking.com drunkenduckinn.co.uk <h3">The Rum Doodle, Windermere Doubles from £76 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk In a nutshell Just one mile from Lake Windermere, this stylish b&b is named after mountaineering spoof novel, The Ascent of Rum Doodle. It specialises in Cumbrian-sourced breakfasts and homemade cakes. Why foodies stay here Mainly for the excellent breakfasts, but also for the style of the place – the theme is quintessentially English, with everything from vintage typewriters and worn Edwardian suitcases to Queen Elizabeth II tea caddies dotted throughout. Plus the owners are keen bakers, so expect a complimentary slice of carrot cake or a stack of homemade shortbread when you arrive. What are the rooms like? All nine bedrooms – each named after a The Ascent of Rum Doodle character – are peppered with antique and retro furnishings, and are decorated to match the personality of their namesakes; Shute, an expedition photographer, is all mirrored furniture and antique cameras while Burley, an extravagant individual, includes a freestanding pink bath and vintage wardrobes. Breakfast Blueberry pancakes, smoked haddock with poached eggs, or a mammoth Cumbrian breakfast, complete with peppery sausages and fresh eggs with rich yellow yolks. It’s taken in a room made wonderfully sunny with tall windows. Where to eat and drink nearby Five minutes’ away is The Wild Boar Inn, which benefits from its own micro-brewery and smokehouse. Try wild boar and damson scotch eggs, fillet steak with bone marrow gravy or rabbit and crayfish pie. Doubles from £76 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk rumdoodlewindermere.com The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere Check rates and availability at theyan.co.uk In a nutshell This 1620s stone farmhouse, surrounded by grey-faced Lakeland Herdwick sheep, has been transformed into a boutique hotel halfway between Windermere and Keswick. There’s an on-site bistro that serves rustic Cumbrian food made from strictly local ingredients. Why foodies stay here The menu at The Yan Bistro covers every whim, from staples such as shepherd’s pie made with braised lamb and cheesy mash potato, to sharing platters of thyme and garlic beef brisket, baked potatoes filled with garlic cheese, corn on the cob, coleslaw and chargrilled flatbread. There are plenty of veggie options too (don’t miss mozzarella and roast tomatoes with saffron potatoes, roast figs, pesto and fresh basil), and a children’s menu. What are the rooms like? If you’re staying in the bistro bedrooms, you can choose between standard or deluxe. All seven bedrooms take inspiration from the surrounding fells, so expect plenty of wood and woollen cushions. Deluxe rooms can include a double sofa bed if there are four of you, and there are two pet-friendly rooms if you want to bring your dog. The Yan also has self-catering cottages, plus glamping pods. Expect more of the same natural materials and attention to detail, including sustainable cleaning products, expertly curated cooking kit, a cosy environment and terrace area for absorbing the incredible surrounding landscape. Breakfast A refreshingly original affair, including courgette, tomato and herb frittata with hash browns, tomato salsa and hollandaise sauce, or an epic plate of Cumberland sausage, middle back bacon, black pudding, homemade baked beans, hash browns, roasted tomatoes, fried field mushrooms, eggs and thick-cut buttered toast. There are lighter options, too, including homemade muesli with fruit and yogurt, and porridge topped with nuts and berries. Where to eat and drink nearby Lucia’s takeaway coffee shop, also in Grasmere, is perfect for on-the-go homemade sausage rolls, cinnamon buns, sourdough loaves and, of course, coffee. Just the thing when you’re planning a picnic. Check rates and availability at theyan.co.uk Words by Charlotte Morgan, Lucy Gillmore, Tony Naylor and Alan Spedding More hotel guides Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels
Rich chocolate cake with brown butter frosting
We’ve covered this rich, dense chocolate cake in a caramelly, nutty butter icing – perfect for any special occasion
Try our rich chocolate cake with brown butter frosting, then try brown butter cakes, chocolate drip cake, chocolate molten cake or triple-chocolate caramel cake and these chocolate dessert recipes. Rich chocolate cake with brown butter frosting recipe
These gluten- and dairy-free coconut pancakes have a deliciously rich coconut flavour and pair beautifully with coconut yogurt and fresh fruit for a light and wholesome treat
Try our coconut flour pancakes, then check out our dairy-free coconut pancakes, vegan pancakes, gluten-free pancakes and more easy pancake recipes. Recipe tip: The batter can thicken slightly as it sits. If this happens, gently fold in a splash of milk. Coconut flour pancakes
This is a beautiful, diverse, high-fibre and high-protein recipe. Use wild-caught salmon for its potent omega-3 fats
Try our sriracha salmon power bowls, then try sriracha and lime salmon with avocado cream, sesame-crusted salmon with sriracha-glazed veg, or salmon poke bowl. Recipe extracted from The Blood Sugar Balance Cookbook by Meredith Mann (£19.99, Fair WindsPress). Photographs: Michelle Miller. Recipes are sent by the publisher and not retested by us. Meredith Mann is a certified holistic nutrition coach who specialises in metabolism and fat loss. Follow her on Instagram @thepeachiespoon. You can also cook the salmon in an air fryer at 200C for about five minutes. Sriracha salmon power bowls recipe
These are easy to make ahead for when you want an afternoon pick-me-up. Don’t be surprised by the sweet potato – it keeps these brownies moist and delicious
Try our flourless protein brownies, then discover flourless chocolate truffle cake with amaretto cream, flourless chocolate cake (caprese), or flourless honey nut cornflake and caramel bars. Recipe extracted from The Blood Sugar Balance Cookbook by Meredith Mann (£19.99, Fair Winds Press). Photographs: Michelle Miller. Recipes are sent by the publisher and not retested by us. Meredith Mann is a certified holistic nutrition coach who specialises in metabolism and fat loss. Follow her on Instagram @thepeachiespoon. Flourless protein brownies recipe
This healthy breakfast, brunch or lunch recipe contains minimal carbs but plenty of protein. The salty feta works well with spinach and tomatoes
Try our Mediterranean frittata, then discover more: courgette frittata, broccoli and taleggio frittata, mini picnic frittatas, or broccoli and roasted red pepper frittata. Recipe extracted from The Blood Sugar Balance Cookbook by Meredith Mann (£19.99, Fair Winds Press). Photographs: Michelle Miller. Recipes are sent by the publisher and not retested by us. Meredith Mann is a certified holistic nutrition coach who specialises in metabolism and fat loss. Follow her on Instagram @thepeachiespoon. Mediterranean frittata recipe
Ingredients and technique are of utmost importance for this simple dish. Which is to say: you must cook over charcoal and use the best quality pork you can buy
Try Tim Anderson's obihiro Butadon (grilled pork bowl), then try pork gyozas, spicy pork ramen, or Japanese chicken and broccoli curry. Butadon is an Obihiro speciality which is an instance of pork acting as a substitute protein. Apparently, the founder of local restaurant Panchō, Shūji Abe, wanted to serve unagi (eel) but it was difficult to procure in Hokkaido. He tried the same dish – same tare, same technique – with local pork instead and found it to be a delicious success. They even hung a banner outside boasting, “Better than unagi-don!”. The tare can be used on most meat and fatty fish. If you like, you can infuse it with aromatics such as garlic or ginger, or umami-rich ingredients like kombu or katsuobushi. The recipe that follows is for a single serving – just scale up as needed. Because the dish is so simple, ingredients and technique are of utmost importance. Which is to say: you must cook this over charcoal and use the best quality pork you can buy. Recipes extracted from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hokkaido-Recipes-Fields-Farmlands-Northern/dp/1784885983/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3C28S9U3HUCMI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2AfiD7SG0MT8pwZPgHfZOxdK_DVfMcuzD2bCmrwIorTIch-oL8Eteq9_Z-GatHBXumdti1SVSFMcYJhDMWbnrYGhf6Y8JYJg4kJq1KaSw0NgLusQvsQVIVagx5_XDI7B8glax9C4n-7v8Wo6VxDdx7bFIUMHw5Yr4S2OtsErVzlZJIUViqP2hMPDC8g3NPeNOsLu2ylBhVPtDLS_L6cmBBQqogq-UMIGIhpmWMd9vJE.e_lq2NP0KoZ74LIqnndzXHhEMRQOH80OcVVL5WzxM0g&dib_tag=se&keywords=hokkaido&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1736338746&s=books&sprefix=hokkaido%2Cstripbooks%2C88&sr=1-1&tag=olivemag-21&ascsubtag=olivemagazine-249853" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Hokkaido by Tim Anderson (£28, Hardie Grant). Photographs: © Laura Edwards. Recipes are sent by the publisher and not retested by us. Obihiro Butadon (grilled pork bowl) recipe
An irresistibly rich and creamy blend of shredded chicken thighs, three types of cheese and soured cream. Serve with pretzels, celery and tortilla chips for dipping
Try our recipe for buffalo chicken dip , then try our buffalo chicken, BBQ buffalo chicken thighs with wedged ranch salad or buffalo chicken mac ’n’ cheese. Discover more ways with chicken thighs. Buffalo chicken dip recipe
Whitstable best restaurants: where to eat and drink
The seaside town of Whitstable has plenty to offer foodies, from Michelin-starred gastropubs and the best fish and chips to tapas and the best bakery
Looking for the best Whitstable restaurants? We've found the best places to eat in Whitstable in Kent and there's something for everyone: try Whitstable oysters, Michelin-starred dining, traditional tapas and much more. For more like this, discover more of our foodie day trips from London by train or for more seaside inspiration, check out our guides to the best restaurants in Deal and the best restaurants in Margate.. A popular choice for day-trippers in the southeast looking for a foodie day out by the sea, Whitstable deserves a little more lingering. In the summer, especially, this quaint little fishing town comes alive with the sound of fish and chip papers rustling, prosecco bottles being popped on the beach and oyster shells being cracked open. And each July it even hosts a whole festival dedicated to local Whitstable oysters. Best restaurants in Whitstable Samphire For Kentish produce The best Kentish produce is on offer at chef and owner George Begg’s cosy all-day dining high street bistro. Opened in 2006 a pebble’s throw from Whitstable beach, Samphire has been consistently popular with locals and visitors, including Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, for seasonal dishes such as asparagus, ricotta and potato pithivier and brunch dishes such as sugar pit bacon loin with fried eggs and hash brown. samphirewhitstable.co.uk Harbour Street Tapas For tapas You’ll find this intimate tapas restaurant set among the boutique shops of Harbour Street. The simple decor of white-washed walls and wooden tables and chairs puts the spotlight squarely on the menu of classic Spanish dishes and more modern creations made with local produce. Choose from a plate of Jamón Ibérico, patatas bravas or tortilla or try pork belly with red cabbage and PX sauce, all paired with a glass of something from the short list of mainly Spanish wines. harbourstreettapas.com Grain & Hearth Best bakery in Whitstable Baker Adam Pagor relocated what was a micro-bakery in London to this bakery and cafe in Whitstable in 2019 and now has an outlet in nearby Faversham. Specialising in sourdough, this family-run neighbourhood spot on the edge of the town centre is renowned for its friendly welcoming atmosphere as well as its breakfast shakshuka and lunchtime sourdough sandwiches. In good weather enjoy a coffee and pastry in the charming courtyard garden. grainandhearth.co.uk Pearsons Arms Best pub for food in Whitstable Stroll along Whitstable’s pebble beach, then head to this whitewashed clapboard pub just yards from the sea for a cask ale and some seriously good Kentish food in the rustic first-floor dining room. Start with oysters with a compressed rhubarb and gin mignonette dressing or deep-fried with harissa mayonnaise, followed by locally caught lobster with garlic butter. pearsonsarmswhitstable.co.uk The Sportsman For Michelin-starred dining Probably the most well-known restaurant in the area, The Sportsman is a Michelin-starred gastropub in Seasalter but isn’t half as pretentious as that sounds. Take a taxi out to it for lunch then enjoy a leisurely walk back along the coast to walk off any excess. Bookings need to be made quite far in advance but it's worth it. The menu changes frequently but there are always local meat and fish dishes (think Monkshill lamb, Thornback ray or Whitstable native oysters - at their best in July). Puddings are outstanding; we liked the apple soufflé with salted caramel ice cream. thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk Wheelers Best oysters in Whitstable Oysters are must-try whilst you're in Whitstable. Candyfloss-pink-fronted Wheelers has been dishing up oysters in its parlour-sized dining room since 1856. wheelersoysterbar.com VC Jones Best fish and chips in Whitstable The best fish and chips in Whitstable? VC Jones, hands down in our book. The reason? They cook their chips in beef fat. True, the flavour isn't for everyone but the smell wafting out onto Harbour Street is enough to lure us in every time. It's a family owned and run chippie and has been for three generations, and one of the family will likely be serving you your supper. There’s almost always a queue of people outside, either waiting for a takeaway to eat on the beach, or waiting to eat in the restaurant. vcjones.co.uk The Cheese Box Best cheese shop in Whitstable Head to The Cheese Box on Harbour Street for all manner of local cheeses from Dark Horse Ancient Ashmore to Kentish Blue. It also sells cheeses from further afield. Order a cheeseboard to eat in, with a glass of wine. Or, if you’re after something more substantial, stock up here then head next door to its new sister restaurant headed up by local chef Michelle Booth. Wednesday nights are all about pies. thecheesebox.co.uk The Twelve Taps Best bar in Whitstable The vibe at this Whitstable bar is chilled and dogs are welcome. Try artisan gins such as Silent Pool, from Surrey, or Blackwoods, from the Shetlands (there are around 13 gins on the drinks menu), or order a Blueprint coffee or one of a regularly changing line-up of craft beers. thetwelvetaps.co.uk Jojo’s Best café in Whitstable It’s not strictly in Whitstable (happily if you want to escape the crowds it’s in neighbouring Tankerton, where the beach is quieter) but Jojo’s is a local institution. Renowned for its casual vibe and vibrant tapas-style menu (firm favourites include excellent cured meats, lamb cannon and calamari but there are always a few daily specials) bookings need to be made in advance, especially for dinner at weekends. The café at the front is a good spot for a coffee or a freshly squeezed juice. If the weather is nice, sit out at the front and watch kite-surfers riding past. jojosrestaurant.co.uk The Oyster and Chop House Best bistro in Herne Bay, Whitstable Not many people venture to Herne Bay for lunch or dinner. They do so mainly to go to the pier and the arcades, or for fish and chips. But our tip is to venture there specifically to eat at The Oyster and Chop House. Produce is sourced from the surrounding areas, including game from local hunter, John Caddick, and it’s great value. The seared scallops with apple and homemade cured ham are delicious, as is the steak bavette. oysterandchophouse.co.uk More UK travel guides Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in Broadstairs Best restaurants in St Albans Best restaurants in Margate Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge
From an overnight trip to Glasgow to a leisurely journey to Barcelona (complete with lunch at an opulent station restaurant), check out our guide to the best train-friendly foodie city breaks
Want to travel by train on your next foodie holiday? Looking for a gourmet getaway but don't want to fly? Check out our ideas below for some inspiration for holiday planning – we've got our top tips for where to go and how to get there, plus the best hotels to stay at and must-visit restaurants and cafés to visit. For more like this, read our guides to the best English vineyard breaks for a foodie staycation, or our best romantic getaways for more hotel breaks. Next discover our top European city breaks and the best honeymoons for foodies. Toulouse Why go? There’s a vibrant pop-up restaurant scene along the city’s riverbank in summer, and markets around almost every corner (don’t miss the sprawling Saint-Aubin farmers’ market on Sunday mornings). Join a Taste of Toulouse tour to learn how to eat and food-shop like the French – you’ll go to the city’s Victor Hugo covered market for real French bread (which should be golden, with blisters on its base caused by the stone floor of a traditional oven), Les Choux d’Eléonore for sticky choux pastries, then one of the city’s best charcuterie stalls, Maison Garcia, for Toulouse sausage. Where to stay? Hôtel Albert 1er is the first eco-label hotel in Toulouse and an advocate of slow tourism, encouraging guests to explore on foot or by bike along mapped-out trails. It’s round the corner from the Place du Capitole, and breakfast entails an organic spread of freshly baked breads, cheese, free-range eggs and fruit. Doubles from £81 per night, check availability at hotel-albert.com or booking.com olive tip When you arrive at Toulouse train station, walk down Rue de Bayard for 10 minutes or so to reach Criollo Chocolatier. It’s the place to go for pralines, with flavours ranging from dry fig to balsamic vinegar, bay leaf, lime zest and red pepper. How to do it Catch the train from London St Pancras to Toulouse Matabiau, with one change in Paris (you need to hop from the Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse), in less than eight hours. Single fares from London to Toulouse start at around £80 (check raileurope.co.uk for tickets). Milan Why go? To taste risotto “alla Milanese” (with saffron and bone marrow) cooked by chef Cesare Battisti of Ratanà restaurant. It’s also worth trying tacos stuffed with wild Nero di Parma pork belly at Tipografia Alimentare, and pâte de fruit in edible bonbon wrappers at Pasticceria & Dessert, a pastry shop in the tranquil Piazzale Bacone. Fancy an ice cream? Head to Gelato Giusto, where flavours range from creamy fior di latte to velvety Tonda Gentile Romana hazelnut – if it’s available, order a scoop of the refreshing Uva Fragola grape. Where to stay? The four-bedroom La Favia guesthouse is an urban hideaway tucked inside a refurbished 19th-century building. On sunny mornings, start the day with breakfast in the rooftop garden – eggs cooked to order, homemade jams and juice squeezed from oranges grown in the owners’ citrus grove. Doubles from €95 per night, check availability at lafaviamilano.com olive tip Rossi & Grassi deli is a 10-minute walk from the Milano Porta Garibaldi train station, so head there before your return journey to pack a picnic of artisan cheese, dried porcini, artichoke lentils and homemade pasta. How to do it Catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, then take the metro to Paris Gare de Lyon, where the train for Milan’s Porta Garibaldi leaves. The total journey time is around 10.5 hours. Single fares from London to Milan start at around £140 (check eurostar.com and trainline.com for tickets). Berlin Why go? The beating heart of Berlin’s food scene is the magnificent Markthalle Neun – don’t miss the traditional German meats and brilliant burgers at innovative butcher Kumpel & Keule. For the best pho in town head to Madame Ngo, in Charlottenburg, where bone broths are cooked all day to give an intense and authentic flavour. Iconic department store KaDeWe has a seriously impressive food court, and no trip to Berlin would be complete without sampling the halawet el jibn (rolls of semolina dough filled with white cheese and rosewater) at Syrian sweet shop, Damaskus Konditorei. Where to stay? The pared-back Michelberger Hotel includes a 24-hour bar and café, while its plant-forward restaurant champions local producers and natural wines. Doubles from £95 per night, check availability at michelbergerhotel.com or booking.com olive tip From Berlin’s main train station, catch the number 142 bus to the Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz stop (a 10-minute journey) to reach artisan bakery, Zeit für Brot. Here you’ll find more than 20 varieties of sourdough for sale, plus legendary cinnamon buns. How to do it Catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Bruxelles-Midi, then take the ICE to Berlin via a change in Cologne. The total journey time is around 9.5 hours, with single fares from London to Berlin starting at around £100 (check eurostar.com and trainline.com for tickets). Read our guide to the best restaurants in Berlin for local food and drink inspiration. Amsterdam Why go? The Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk are long foodie streets with sustainable shops, organic delis and a farmers’ market on the Haarlemmerplein each Wednesday. If you’re celebrating a special occasion book in for the chef’s tasting menu at Daalder (arguably the finest food you’ll find in Amsterdam – chef patron Dennis Huwaë’s salted caramel ice cream sandwich take on the stroopwafel is divine). Hop aboard the free ferry to the Noord for lunch at Pllek, a beach bar housed in an old shipping container. For plump, crispy fries served in red-and white checked paper cones, head to Frites uit Zuyd and have them with a punchy piccalilli mayonnaise. Where to stay? The Dylan is a boutique hotel that pairs luxurious living with Michelin-starred dining. 40 individual bedrooms range from large elegant suites to cosy but minimalist rooms up in the eaves, and the hotel’s Restaurant Vinkeles serves black truffle braised in its own jus, with truffle butter and toast. Doubles from £717 per night, check availability at dylanamsterdam.com or booking.com olive tip Catch a metro from Amsterdam Centraal station to Wibaustraat (an eight-minute journey). Nearby is Hartog’s Bakery, where you can try a wholewheat version of sugar-scented oliebollen (a Dutch take on the beignet, served dusted with icing sugar and sometimes studded with currants). How to do it Catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras direct to Amsterdam-Centraal and you’ll arrive in less than four hours (from the start of 2020 it’s also been possible to catch a direct train back from Amsterdam to London instead of changing in Brussels). Single fares from London to Amsterdam start from around £40 (check eurostar.com for tickets). Paris Why go? To kick off the weekend with an apertif at Les Enfants Perdu, an elegant neighbourhood bistro whose vintage wooden bar is lined with liqueurs and a gigantic coffee machine. It’s also great for a weekend brunch (olive and cheese muffins, eggs cocotte, tiny parcels of cheese- and herb-filled pasta and house hot chocolate are all included). Eat deftly executed classics at Le Pantruche, including braised ris de veau (sweetbreads) and Grand Marnier soufflé. La Guinguette d’Angèle is the place for a casual lunch of lentils on pesto rice with smoked tofu. Try a Rhubarbe cocktail at bar Artisan, made with rhubarb-infused vodka, grapefruit juice, Peychaud’s bitters, absinthe and elderflower cordial. Where to stay? Le Grand Mazarin in the Marais district offers eclectic, colourful luxury complete with indoor underground pool. Expect hand-painted ceilings, unique vintage objects and a generous quantities of artwork in this Wes Anderson-inspired decor. Relax in canopied beds, enjoy Diptyque toiletries friendly service and a decadent breakfast buffet with baked goods galore – cakes, madeleines, pain au chocolat, brioche and warm cookies should set you up for a day of exploring the city. Doubles from £515, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk olive tip It’s a pretty quick journey on the Eurostar from London, but chances are you’ll be hungry when you reach Paris Gare du Nord. A 20-minute walk west along Rue Condorcet takes you to Le Dépanneur, a trendy and fun neighbourhood diner that sells gourmet burgers, Brooklyn beer, milkshakes and cheesecake. How to do it Catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras International direct to Paris Gare du Nord in 2 hours, 45 minutes. Single fares from London to Paris start from £46 (check eurostar.com for tickets). Antwerp Why go? Belgium’s port-side city is an ideal weekend break for foodies. For the best vegetarian food, head to Graanmarkt 13; part concept store, part apartment, it has a trendy restaurant in the basement, where chef Seppe Nobels serves carpaccio of portobello mushroom with walnuts, mustard seeds and fermented garlic. We also love the laid-back calm at Café de Kat, a mustard-tiled Belgian café bar where you can sip Beligan beer and listen to jazz crackling through tin speakers. For an authentic sweet treat, head to Domestic Bakkerij and buy a bokkepootjes (goat’s feet), a chocolate-dipped meringue and almond biscuit that resembles a little hoof. Where to stay? Hotel Pilar, on one of Zuid’s most lively squares, is a lesson in contemporary design. The bedrooms all boast unique features (the ‘classic’ rooms have concrete ceilings and black freestanding baths) and the hotel’s food bar spans the whole of the ground floor, dominated by a huge counter where cocktails, coffees and breakfasts are prepared. Doubles from £105 per night, check availability at hotelpilar.be, booking.com or expedia.co.uk olive tip Start as you mean to go on, with a visit to Frites Atelier (just a 15-minute walk from Antwerp Centraal train station). Watch the chefs pour bowls of freshly fried golden chips and assemble gourmet toppings, including sweet and nutty mimolette cheese with truffle mayo. You can even choose from five varieties of mayo, from classic to curry and Béarnaise. How to do it Catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Antwerp’s stunning art nouveau railway station, Central, via a quick (same station) change in Brussels. The total journey time is 3.5 hours and single fares from London to Antwerp start from around £55 (check eurostar.com or raileurope.co.uk for tickets). Rotterdam Why go? The illuminated artwork that wraps around the walls and ceiling of the city’s Markethal is a sight to behold. As is the covered market beneath it, home to more than 100 food stalls – look out for Madame Cocos and its warm coconut pastries. Try a ‘Burgeresse’ burger with truffle mayo at Ter Marsch & Co, or go meat-free (noodles with kimchi, shiitake and tempeh) at sustainable hotspot Op Het Dak, which has turned a disused rooftop into a kitchen garden and bee farm. Visser & Ko gets Rotterdam’s morning sun: soak it up at one of the al fresco tables, with a view of the city’s old harbour. Where to stay? Suite Hotel Pincoffs, located near the Erasmus Bridge, is a light and airy boutique hotel, with a swish lounge bar adorned with cast-iron pillars, antique cabinets and Chesterfield sofas. Sign up to the hotel’s Saturday Culinary Experience for an overnight stay with breakfast, plus a tasting menu dinner at nearby Michelin-starred restaurant, FG. Doubles from £122 per night, check availability at hotelpincoffs.nl or booking.com olive tip Your first meal in Rotterdam should be at Restaurant De Jong, a 10-minute walk from Rotterdam-Centraal train station. Fittingly, it’s set in a former train tunnel, and is made cosy with vintage lights. The menu revolves around whichever vegetables are in season – in springtime, try the buttery white local asparagus. How to do it Catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras direct to Rotterdam-Centraal in 3 hours, 16 minutes. Single fares from London to Rotterdam start from around £40 (check eurostar.com for tickets). Lyon Why go? The city’s best food producers, from bakers to wine merchants, can all be found at Halles de Lyon – start by nibbling on rosette (cured sausage) from the Sibilia stall. Indulge in fine vegetarian dining at Culina Hortus, or head to Terrasse de l’Antiquaille, high on Fourvière hill, for views of a twinkling Lyon as you dine. Terre Adélice sells an impressive range of handmade ice-creams (pick basil, lavender, smoky bacon or Armagnac), and savour a real, handmade, oh-so-buttery croissant at Partisan Boulanger. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2020/03/GettyImages-1133483952-77ef5ba-scaled.jpg" width="2560" height="1708" alt="Chef Adrien Zedda takes a break at the bar of the kitchen of his culinary gourmet vegetarian restaurant Culina Hortus in Lyon" title="FRANCE-GChef Adrien Zedda takes a break at the bar of the kitchen of his culinary gourmet vegetarian restaurant Culina Hortus in LyonASTRONOMY-VEGETARIANISM-SOCIETY" /> Where to stay The defiantly quirky Collège Hotel, in the Vieux Lyon district, features an art deco facade and back-to-school interiors – there are giant wooden pots filled with giant wooden colouring pencils at reception. Many of the bedrooms come with private balconies, and the downstairs restaurant is reminiscent of a school refectory. Doubles from £90 per night, check availability at college-hotel.com, booking.com or expedia.co.uk olive tip Arriving by train? Stroll north up Rue Garibaldi for 20-minutes-or-so to reach Bernachon, one of the rare French chocolatiers that makes its own chocolate. The aroma of cocoa envelopes its boutique and adjoining tearoom, luring clients towards extraordinary chocolate eclairs or the signature Gâteau President. How to do it Catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Lille Europe then make an easy same-station switch onto a TGV to Lyon Part-Dieu. The total journey time is around 5.5 hours, with single fares from London to Lyon starting at around £60 (raileurope.co.uk). Glasgow Why go? It’s worth visiting Glasgow for The Ubiquitous Chip alone. A Glaswegian institution that’s been feeding the city since the 1970s (try the venison haggis), the restaurant’s main room is a covered courtyard with an original cobbled floor, bare brick walls and a fun, tropical vibe. At Ox & Finch, local venison carpaccio is perfectly seared and served with creamy Scottish crowdie with hazelnuts. Skip dessert and instead head to Tantrum Doughnuts, where the pillowy beauties are fried in rapeseed oil in small batches, then filled or topped with homemade custards, fondants and jams (choose pistachio custard or classic raspberry). Where to stay Kimpton Blythswood Square, set in a Georgian townhouse, is the nearest thing Glasgow has to a 'true' boutique hotel. Expect polished marble floors, velvet banquettes, trailing ferns, soothing grey-tone bedrooms, a glitzy spa and a restaurant, Bo & Birdy. If you’re on a more modest budget, choose Citizen M for its stylish, affordable bedrooms, complete with wall-to-wall windows. Doubles from £189 per night, check availability at ihg.com or booking.com olive tip Arriving by train? Glasgow’s Central Station is just a five-minute walk from Mikaku, a restaurant inspired by Tokyo’s izakaya bars. Start with miso broth (which can be ordered extra spicy) pepped up with pork, before tucking into panko-coated lotus root skewers and lemon pepper chicken wings. How to do it Catch a train from London Euston direct to Glasgow Central and you’ll arrive in around 4.5 hours. Single fares from London to Glasgow start at around £30 (check nationalrail.co.uk or thetrainline.com for tickets). Or, splash out on a sleeper ticket and travel while you snooze; single fares start at £48 for a seated ticket or £97.50 for a berth in a couchette (sleeper.scot). Barcelona Why go? For the tapas. At El Xampanyet, you can drink the bar’s own-brand cava, eat blistered padrón peppers and soak up the loud, chaotic atmosphere. Or pop into old-school Bar La Plata to eat the same four tapa it’s been serving since opening in 1945 – piles of little fried fish, glistening anchovy montaditos, a simple tomato salad, and Catalan butifarra sausage. Let your waiter guide you through the impressive collection of natural wines at bookshop-turned-restaurant Pepa Pla, or join locals in the queue for Granja M Viader, which serves velvety hot chocolate with churros. Where to stay? Check into hip Casa Bonay, a renovated mansion where traditional hydraulic floor tiles are mixed with Gaudí’s iconic paving stones, adding a hint of edginess to its ground floor lounges, coffee bars and restaurant. Or pick Hotel Brummell for a rooftop pool, bright and modern rooms and vending machines stuffed with wine and snacks. Doubles at Casa Bonay from £231 per night, check availability at casabonay.com or booking.com Doubles at Hotel Brummell from £211 per night, check availability at hotelbrummell.brummelprojects.com or booking.com olive tip Travelling to Barcelona from London involves a connection at Paris Gare de Lyon. Make the most of the time between trains by booking for lunch at Le Train Bleu, a station restaurant that’s as opulent as it is iconic. The building dates back to 1900 and is adorned with vintage frescoes, shimmering chandeliers and pew-like oak banquettes; soak it all up while enjoying plates of lobster, gratin dauphinois and roast leg of lamb, carved at the table. How to do it Catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (from £46 one-way, check eurostar.com for tickets), transfer to Paris Gare de Lyon then, from there, catch the double-deck TGV Duplex to Barcelona (from €39 one-way). The total journey time is just over 10 hours, meaning the beachside Catalan city is easily reachable in a day (raileurope.co.uk). Written by Charlotte Morgan Image credits: Hans Peter van Velthoven; Getty images | Armand Tamboly/robertharding; Getty images | George Pachantouris; Getty images | Alexander Spatari; Getty images | Holger Leue; Getty images | Jeff Pachoud; Getty images | Sam Mellish; Getty images | Jeff Greenberg; Getty images More travel guides Best Morocco food trips Best French food trips Best Spanish food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best European city breaks
Gin expert Leon Dalloway shares his favourite gin distillery tours in London, including East London Liquor Company, Sipsmith, Jensen’s and City of London Distillery. Plus: even more fantastic distilleries to visit around the world.
Gin is the talk of the town, and it’s rather enjoying it. However, it wasn’t always like this. In the lean years during the latter part of 20th century many distilleries left London for more economical pastures; but now there’s been a resurgence of great gins returning to the big smoke. Gin knew where its roots were and the capital is once again the beating heart of the aromatic elixir. Luckily enough for gin-swilling punters, the majority of these flavour factories have opened their doors to the public. Here are our expert picks of the best gin distillery tours in London, from familiar names such as Sipsmith and Beefeater, plus new brands to discover. For more like this, discover the best gin experiences in the UK or have a browse of the best dining experiences in London. Best gin distillery tours in London Sipsmith, Chiswick Sipsmith were the wonderful people to bring gin BACK to London. In 2009 they were granted the first new licence in London for nearly 200 years. Crazy, right? These guys do it with aplomb, and are trailblazers in their own rite. Situated in Chiswick, the gin distillery tour will cover the three beautiful stills, an in-depth tutored tasting, G&T on arrival and goody bag to take home, plus a sipping bar to sample the fruits of the distillers labour. The venue is rough around the edges (barbed wire on the front gate) and that’s just how we like it! Quality knowledge: Sipsmith's three stills are known as Prudence, Patience and Constance. Rumour has it that Prudence was named after Gordon Brown’s tendency to instruct the British public that ‘in these times we must be prudent’. But they are only rumours... Tickets: sipsmith.com Virgin Experience Days, £50 for a tour and tasting for 2 people Beefeater, Vauxhall The Godfather of London gin has been housed in its Montford Place site since 1958. The company, however, has been running since 1820. They were the only distillery that made their own gin not to leave London during the 1900s. The eponymous brand opened their first visitor centre in the summer of 2014. Their museum of gin will make the gin lover purr. Beefeater Gin Distillery Tours start at £25 for a 1.5 hour tour, with VIP experiences also available for the real gin fanatic. Tickets: beefeaterdistillery.com East London Liquor Company, Mile End Dusted with a touch of East London style, East London Liquor Co arrived on the London gin distillery scene in 2015 with a swagger. The venue boasts outdoor seating, the most beautiful still room I’ve ever seen and bang on drinks; plus they produce five gins, vodka a bespoke rum and whisky. Leon’s top tip: order the Batch 2 Dry Gin Martini with a sage leaf garnish and a bowl of smoked almonds. Heaven! Tickets: eastlondonliquorcompany.com Jensen’s, Bermondsey Devour your way through Maltby Street Market on a Saturday and at the end of the road there’s a pot of gold – Jensen’s. It’s habitat is a railway arch; dive in and you’ll gaze across gorgeous still towering from behind the glass. There’s also a lovely little bar, ready to sort you out with a blinding G&T. Book a Jensen's gin experience to go on an after-hours tour of the distillery: you'll learn the history of the brand, have a G&T on arrival, a tutored tasting and a tour of the historic London distillery and Still Room. Tickets: bermondseygin.com Virgin Experience Days, £61 for 2 City of London Distillery Situated in the heart of the city, COLD (as it’s also known) is a hidden gem, and the home of Whitley Neill gin. A stone's throw away from the hustle and bustle of St Paul’s you find yourself wandering down the Dickensian-style Bride Lane – take a left down a mysterious set of stairs, and you’ll be greeted by a stunning distillery and a beautiful bar serving sumptuous liquids for you to get your tipple on at. A great central London option for a distillery tour. cityoflondondistillery.com listen to our tips on the perfect gin and tonic serve olive magazine podcast ep29 - the perfect G&T, one pots & our fave foodie Instagrammers View oEmbed on the source website
This spaghetti bolognese has slightly less meat in than usual but no less flavour, and is bulked out with lentils for healthy fibre. You could also use vegetarian mince, if you like
Try our healthy bolognese recipe, then check out our easy baked bolognese sauce, vegan bolognese, vegetarian lentil bolognese and more ragù recipes. Healthy spaghetti bolognese
Toasting the orzo brings out its nutty flavour, which goes really well with the gentle spices in this dish
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These ginger shots make a zingy, immune-supportive way to start the day. You can add more apple juice if you find it too gingery
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A quick, no-fuss dressing made from white miso paste, fresh ginger and a couple of storecupboard ingredients
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Chocolate bark with dates, pistachios and almonds
Pop into gift bags for a quick homemade gift, or keep it all to yourself... this fancy dark chocolate bark can be made in just 20 minutes, plus a little chilling time
Try our chocolate bark with dates, pistachios and almonds, then check out our blonde chocolate Christmas bark, frozen yogurt bark, chocolate concrete, classic biscotti and also discover more pistachio recipes and chocolate dessert recipes. How to make chocolate bark... step-by-step video View Green Video on the source website Chocolate bark with dates, pistachios and almonds