The top foodie neighbourhoods in 11 UK cities
Discover 11 of the UK’s best neighbourhoods for food lovers, brimming with artisan bakeries, wine bars, destination restaurants and more
Take a culinary tour of the UK's most unique neighbourhoods for food lovers, from the bohemian streets of Brighton’s Kemptown, to the creative buzz of Sharrow Vale in Sheffield. Expect to find everything from bustling food halls and innovative fine dining, to specialist coffee shops, natural wine bars and local markets packed with artisanal produce. Whether you’re a long-time local or visiting for the weekend, these neighbourhood gems are essential stops for foodies looking to eat and drink well. The foodiest neighbourhoods in UK cities Sharrow Vale, Sheffield On and around Sharrow Vale Road, this inner suburb offers a concentrated cluster of indie shopping, green space (Endcliffe Park) and great food, from hip bakery, café and grocer Tonco, to legendary chip shop Two Steps, which dates to the 19th century. Foodies can fill their totes at Porter Brook Deli, discerning wine, spirit and beer store Starmore Boss, or coffee roaster and speciality tea retailer Pollards, on Ecclesall Road. Look out for Sharrow Vale Market too. Refuel as you go with a flat white (Corner Store or Porter Coffee), exceptional doughnuts at bakery-café Eve Kitchen, a glass of wine at The Harritt or pints in the charming The Beer House or fellow micropub, Loxley Brewery’s No 3 Sharrow. At fishmonger JH Mann you can buy fresh fish and eat lunch (Tue-Sat, 11am-3pm). Choose your seafood and have it cooked and served with sides of, for example, salt cod mash, lobster sauce, dhal or seasonal vegetables. Looking for brunch? Local fave, Made by Jonty, has you covered. Later, head to Porter Pizza (for stellar Neapolitan-style pizza) or Six and a Half, a hot 2025 opening where live-fire cooking creates dishes such as harissa venison with mint yogurt and crispy spiced onions. Bold Street and Ropewalks, Liverpool When locals talk of Bold Street they mean not just that main drag but also the grid of streets (aka Ropewalks) it sandwiches with Duke Street. In the past decade, that compact area has proven a fertile ground for bars, restaurants and nightlife. Where once Matta’s International Foods or treasured veggie-vegan veteran, The Egg Cafe, were foodie outliers, second gen pioneers such as boho café-bar Leaf, ace Levantine restaurant Maray, and Bold Street Coffee (do not miss its toasted brioche brekkie sandwiches) put Bold Street on the map and helped attract many flavour-forward indies to the area, from Liverpool and beyond. Today, those originals share Bold Street with, for example, Middle Eastern and North African spot Bakchich, coffee/wine bar Ropes & Twines and hot imports from across the north, including Fat Hippo burgers, Leeds-based Gujarati snack geniuses Bundobust and doughnut kiosk Gooey. The story is the same on the surrounding streets where local faves such as Hibiki Sushi & Ramen, cocktail bar Berry and Rye or Duke Street Market operate alongside growing northern brands such as Neapolitan-style pizza crew Rudy’s. Given its ultra-central location it is but a short hop from Bold Street to everything else, too. You could, for example, walk to specialist beer bar Dead Crafty, or Hope Street pub and dining room, The Dog & Collar, in 10 minutes. From Bold Street, Liverpool, if not the world, is your oyster. Pontcanna and Canton, Cardiff A short hop from Cardiff Central Station, handsome inner suburb, Pontcanna, is a distinctive enclave of Victorian villas and splendid parklands which, with neighbouring Canton, is home to an easily navigable cluster of indie boutiques, cultural hubs (most notably, Chapter Arts Centre) and on-point food venues. In Gorse, Heaneys and Thomas, some of Cardiff’s best restaurants share adjacent Pontcanna streets. But options go deeper than fine dining. The excellent bakery-cafés, Ground and Scandi-owned Brød, for example, offer casual victuals in various forms. Café and bar, Milkwood, serves “the best brunch in Cardiff,” enthuses chef Leyli Homayoonfar, owner of the South Walian Mexican street food brand, Bab Haus. Over at Kings Road Yard, you will find the Pipes brewery, The Wardrobe Coffee Shop, Tom’s wood-fired pizza and, among other events, a weekly Saturday produce market. Continue shopping at the discerning Al Ponte Deli or The Bottle Shop, before combining the retail therapy with drinks at Canton’s Corp Market (check wine shop Vin Van Cymru and Khione Sicilian deli) or Crafty Devil Brewing’s Cellar tap bar and shop. Hungry again? Head to Ffwrnes’s NY slice inspired spin-off, West Pizza. West End, Glasgow Glasgow's West End, a leafy, bohemian, student-y enclave, loosely sandwiched between Kelvingrove Park and Byres Road, remains a must-see, particularly for first-time visitors. From chilled riverside beers at Inn Deep to rolling street-food party, Dockyard Social, good burgers (Bread Meats Bread) or wood-fired pizza (Paesano), to the one-Michelin-starred Cail Bruich, all food life is here. Moreover, in the West End, such attractions are contained in an easily navigable pocket. You can go foodie shopping at cheesemonger I.J. Mellis, Lupe Pintos deli, the Grunting Growler beer shop and bar or Valhalla’s Goat for various “liquid treasures”; drink ace coffee (roasteries Black Pine or Papercup); visit great bakery-cafes (Cottonrake, SugarFall Patisserie, Tantrum Doughnuts); or local classics such as deli and restaurant, Eusebi, all within an area that is walkable, welcoming and as architecturally attractive as it is delicious. Altrincham, Manchester Though a strictly separate place, we've pinpointed Altrincham as great neighbourhood to visit while you're in Manchester. Certain areas in central Manchester, notably Ancoats, are dense with bakeries, bars and restaurants. But in its suburbs and satellite towns, such as Rusholme, Sale, Stockport or Prestwich, (Greater) Manchester has a number of distinct food scenes worth exploring. Just 25 minutes from Manchester by tram, Altrincham is, arguably, the region’s top foodie destination. The rebirth of Altrincham Market as a handsome indoor food hall and covered artisan market has created great energy, locally. In Neapolitan-style pizza perfectionist Honest Crust or Great North Pie Co, the food hall set a high bar, which has attracted quality neighbours to the area, such as pasta kitchen Rigatoni’s and tapas ace Porta. Altrincham now has an abundance of superb pizza at Rudy’s, NY-inspired Nell’s and takeaway Pizza Anna. From one end of Altrincham (hip brunch spot, à bloc) to the other (Cheshire Cookery School), you will make exciting discoveries almost street by street. Be that in good coffee (Dose or Kickback), beer (Libero, Dunham Massey Brewing’s tap bar, Costello’s) or food at Italian Tre Ciccio, Lebanese and Syrian restaurant, Yara, Hong Kong food and beer bar Harcourt, or cute, compact Asuke Sushi. Arrive early at Alty Market, bag a sourdough loaf at award-winning bakery, Lovingly Artisan, and make a day of it. Cliftonville, Margate A short walk out of the town centre, this independent, artistic area is bookmarked by Margate’s landmark lido sign and striking Botany Bay, famous for its rock pools and chalk rock formations. Join creatives for brunch at Forts, known for its focaccia bacon sarnies, or go for a proper fry up at The Dalby Café, before browsing the bars, shops and galleries along Cliff Terrace, including stylish fragrance store, Haeckels (which also sells a delicious seaweed tea made from locally foraged seaweed and sold in gorgeous glass jars). A few streets back from the seafront is Northdown Road, home to some of Margate’s friendliest independent food businesses. Mori Mori is a cosy spot for tucking into sushi boxes and ramen, The Grain Grocer has your organic groceries covered, and Oast bakes a fabulous rotation of sourdough and sweet buns. Head back to the seafront to work up an appetite by strolling along the coastal path to Botany Bay or embracing the sea water with some lengths in Walpole Tidal Pool. Back inland from Walpole Bay, you can warm up with coffee and vinyl at Cliffs or make your way through Sète’s eclectic curation of wines and cheeseboards (they also throw a casual BBQ in the garden every Sunday in August). Kemptown, Brighton Brighton’s vibrant Kemptown neighbourhood runs east from the Palace Pier to the Marina. There you’ll find a potent mix of bohemia, sleaze and comfortable refinement, and some of the best food and drink in the city. A few steps from Old Steine Gardens, Redroaster/Lucky Khao serves excellent coffee from its own roastery by day and a menu of northern Thai small plates including pork larb to a banging soundtrack at night. A few minutes’ walk away, chef Tom Stephens (ex Simon Rogan and Tom Kerridge) serves exquisite hyper-local and seasonal tasting menus at Dilsk, an intimate and stylish dining room in Drakes Hotel. Beautifully presented dishes might include Orkney scallop with Cornish Mids potatoes and dilsk butter sauce. The set lunch and dinner menus offer exceptional value. Head further into Kemptown, past characterful local boozers like the Hand in Hand and boutique shops including Butlers Wine Cellar for a glass of natural wine in the secluded garden of the smart Daddy Longlegs gastro pub. Inside there’s floral banquette seating, white painted wall panelling and an enticing menu of small plates such as tempura cauliflower with gochujang – the Sunday roasts are legendary. Finish your night back near to where you started at The Plotting Parlour cocktail bar with its baroque red velvet, candle-lit interior and copper-clad bar. The inventive cocktails include Tumi made with mezcal, pisco, orgeat and chocolate ganache. Walcot, Bath Residents of buzzy and bohemian Walcot are spoiled for choice when it comes to food. You can get freshly made New York-style bagels at Taylor's Bagels, which has become so popular that it’s popped up in three locations in Bath so far. Highlights include the New Yorker (pastrami, sauerkraut, pickles and cheddar) and Bath bagel (beef brisket, pickles, cheddar and mustard mayo). A few doors up, Hudson Steakhouse covers all things meaty, but also offers plenty of cocktails. Or, sample recipes made with English ingredients and French techniques at all-day restaurant and café-bar Walcot House, set over two floors in an old bakery. On every visit to the unassuming corner of Walcot Street, Landrace bakery is doing something new and brilliant, most recently expanding into a fully fledged café with ample seating and a lovely, bright space to linger. Expect cinnamon and cardamom buns galore alongside its iconic breads. Nearby, you'll also find Didi Cakes – pick up something from its vast range of cupcakes (peanut butter, black forest and passionfruit cheesecake flavours among them), a slice of vegan banana bread or pear and almond tart, and eat in nearby Hedgemead Park. If you’re self-catering in Bath, make a beeline for some of its best independent food and drink stores, like The Fine Cheese Co. for cheeseboards and Wolf Wine for booze. Bishopthorpe Road, York Many visitors to York never stray beyond its ancient city walls. That is a mistake – turn right past Clifford’s Tower, for example, and you will soon find yourself on Bishopthorpe Road (Bishy Road, to locals). This cute enclave of small indie businesses and pavement cafés is abundant with good food at next-level bakery Flori, brunch-lunch faves Robinsons Café and Pig & Pastry, Trinacria’s gelateria, coffee and cake stop Stanley & Ramona, or the Good Food Shop deli, whose lush salads and sandwiches are useful if picnicking in nearby Rowntree Park. Later, check out bar, Angel on the Green, home to RAD’s pizza and hip supper clubs; chill in charming wine shop slash bar, 2 Many Wines; or visit legendary fine dining restaurant, Melton’s, now in its fourth decade and enjoying a second creative life under head chef, Calvin Miller. The traditional Bishy strip is growing, too. Last summer, Dark Horse, already purveyors of excellent coffee and grilled cheese sandwiches at Shambles Market, opened a café a short walk beyond the Bishy’s Scarcroft Road junction. Want to get a true taste of York? Bishy Road is the place to start. Wapping Wharf, Bristol Situated on Bristol's historic floating harbour, Wapping Wharf is one of the city's coolest and best loved neighbourhoods. And for good reason. It boasts a collection of shipping containers, homing some of the best independent restaurants, bakeries and bars in Bristol. Here you’ll find more casual dining, lunches to grab after a visit to Bristol's famous M Shed museum as well as harbourside evening dining. There’s well-known Bristol institution Root for vegetable, seasonal-led eating and Gambas for the most delicious and authentic waterside tapas (not to be missed, its famous pil pil prawns). For a quick bite grab a New York style bagel from Bagelrybox, served from an old horse box – this small menu doesn't skimp on quality with freshly baked, hand-rolled bagels filled with 10-hour smoked pastrami and all the trimmings. An ideal lunch alongside a coffee from Mokoko sat by the water. For finer dining head to Lapin, a small French eatery with modern twists. Try golden, comte gougeres, Brixham scallops with garlic butter and roast aubergine ratatouille with pistou. The perfect way to satisfy your after-dinner sweet tooth might require a trip to Swoon Gelato for its rich, creamy Italian artisan gelato – its pistachio and Bacio (hazelnut and chocolate) being nothing short of perfect. If you fancy grabbing anything for the road, independent supermarket Better Food stocks an array of great local Somerset produce, from cheeses to seasonal organic veg, delicious breads and local chocolate. Stockbridge, Edinburgh Perched on the Water of Leith river and blessed with eye-catching architecture, this hip, upmarket inner suburb is a very pleasant 25-minute walk from central Edinburgh. Beyond its period charms (check cobbled Insta fave, Circus Lane), it is also a tasty place to eat. Acclaimed fine-dining restaurants eòrna and Avery, the latter having previously operated in San Francisco, rub shoulders with ambitious gastropub the Scran & Scallie, basement small-plates joint Skua, and the Last Word Saloon, sister bar to legendary cocktail spot Bramble. Wine geeks will love pacesetting wine bar Smith & Gertrude (do not miss its grilled Montgomery cheddar sandwich) and the shopping opportunities at treasure troves Raeburn Fine Wines, Vino and newcomer Communiqué Wines. To accompany those wines, shop for food at Stockbridge Market (Sundays) or cheesemongers IJ Mellis or George Mewes. Before the steep climb back into Edinburgh, refuel on next-level croissants at revered bakery Lannan, or take a moment in craft beer haven Stockbridge Tap, or Edinburgh Cider Co’s The Cider House.
London's best outdoor restaurants and terraces
Check out the best al fresco dining in the capital, from sun-baked city squares to rooftop terraces and waterside retreats
Looking for the best restaurant terraces to soak up the sun in London? Choose from our favourite restaurants with outdoor dining for an al fresco lunch or evening bite to eat. Hungry for more? Soak up the capital's most impressive views with our guide to London's best restaurants with a view, then see our favourite outdoor restaurants in the UK for the best of al fresco dining. If you want to pull out all the stops, discover the best dining experiences in London. Looking to get out and about with your foodie friends? Check out the best food and drink festivals to visit. If you like your cocktail served with a stellar sound system, discover our favourite listening bars in London. Also looking for the best brunch to visit in the city? We've narrowed our favourites down in our guide to the best brunches in London. London restaurants with outdoor terraces Amelie, Belgravia Set within the iconic Pantechnicon building in elegant, pedestrianised Motcomb Street, Amélie has a gorgeous, sun-kissed terrace that brings a bit of the south of France to the heart of Belgravia. With tables set up for people watching and comfy rattan chairs the super-relaxed vibe encourages long lazy lunches (and ordering just one more glass of rosé). The Med-inspired menu is concise with some fun touches such as the rösti section – deep golden crunchy triangles topped with caviar, steak or tuna tartare – a perfect sharing bite. Starters are light and vibrant – try the creamy stracciatella topped with sweet, ripe plum slices and a basil dressing, or tender asparagus on airy whipped goat’s cheese with a hazelnut vinaigrette. Mains keep that light and simple Med vibe going with perfectly al dente paccheri served with a vibrant green pesto and sweet confit tomatoes. There’s a carefully curated wine list with lots of French classics including the Amélie signature chablis, beautifully mineral and refreshing. Do save room for the signature chocolate mousse, served table-side from a huge dish and topped with a choice of toasted nuts, chocolate crumb, sea salt and olive oil. It’s a lovely piece of theatre and a perfect way to round off the meal. amelie-restaurants.com Toklas, Strand This design-forward restaurant is a hangout for London's artsy crowd over vibrant mediterranean-style dishes. It boasts a large, peaceful, plant-festooned terrace above the Strand, serving the likes of wild bass crudo with chilli and finger lime, dover sole with courgette trifolati, marjoram and Amalfi lemon, and grilled lamb chops with courgette, chickpeas and mint. Sit on the colourful café chairs and sip on cocktails such as Provençale sbagliato laced with Cinsault rosé. There's a real focus on seasonal produce with an annual spotlight on rare citrus. toklaslondon.com Ham Yard Hotel, Soho This hotel is tucked down an alleyway away from the bustle of central London, which gives you the feel of discovering a hidden gem. The space is stylishly designed and art-led – the ground floor restaurant spills out onto a courtyard with a huge Tony Cragg sculpture. The courtyard captures the last of the afternoon sun and is a lively place to enjoy the excellent menu. You’re spoiled for seafood options, with dishes like smoky octopus salad and punchy Calabrian anchovies on sourdough, and mains including zesty red mullet in a fresh sauce vierge and wild seabass with tartare sauce alongside ribeye steak and chicken schnitzel. Make the most of the oyster cart during the summer for a fresh starter or snack to go with drinks. Hotel guests can enjoy the fourth floor’s elegant roof terrace too, also home to the restaurant’s vegetable garden and dedicated beehives. Its central water feature, benches and swathes of different plants give it a secret garden feel. firmdalehotels.com Setlist, Somerset House To celebrate 25 years of Somerset House, Setlist has arrived – a sharp, summery pop-up that blends food, art and music in a pavilion perched above the Thames. With riverside views, serious culinary clout and a laid-back festival feel, it’s one of the capital’s coolest new hangouts. On the food front there’s plenty to get excited about. Opeoluwa of Future Plate plates up punchy Nigerian-inspired dishes – crisp goat croquettes with a hum of heat, and jerk chicken offset with a scotch bonnet mango chutney that’s all fire and fruit. Sophie Wyburd teams up with Wildfarmed for pizzettes that go big on comfort and character – roast potatoes and taleggio mingle with fennel sausage and caramelised onion, while smoked aubergine meets sweet-hot honey in a must-try veggie twist. Andrea Montes Renaud and Laura Copp use heritage Mexican maize for their hand-pressed tortillas. The Baja fish taco, zingy with lime slaw and chilli, and lifted with burnt garlic and habanero mayo, is a proper highlight. Drinks are seasonal and sunny. Try the Somerset Spritz – light, botanical and best sipped as the sun sets to the beat of a live DJ set echoing across the river. Local brews are on hand, too, if you’re keeping things classic. somersethouse.org.uk Fonda, Soho Tucked just off Regent Street on Heddon Street, Fonda feels like a secret. Co-owned by Santiago Lastra of Kol, it’s a more relaxed cousin – casual yet quietly refined, its terrace buzzing with the hum of the restaurants all around and the summer heat. Start with the frozen margarita or a salt-rimmed, non-alcoholic paloma – sharp, refreshing, all edge and sparkle. The ceviche leans into fresh and floral: soft tuna, basil and tomato meet fresh cherry in a combination that’s quietly brilliant. The crab tostada is creamy, cool and just the right side of fiery, the Baja taco is everything a fish taco should be – lacy crisp batter, tender cod you can actually taste and a pistachio mole that brings it all together. Octopus tacos layered with Ratte potatoes and bruléed bone marrow are deeply rich (ask for the pickled vegetables to cut through). Finish with the mezcal rice pudding - smoky, silken and punctuated with cherries that burst and bloom. It’s a place to settle in, let the plates keep coming and forget the busy city just round the corner. fondalondon.com Roe, Canary Wharf If you're seeking a break from the towering glass buildings of Canary Wharf, Roe, the new sister restaurant to Fallow, provides a tranquil retreat by the water. The spacious venue, seating up to 500 guests, boasts an interior that mirrors the soft curves of a shell – a fitting homage to the oysters you'll enjoy. Expansive windows seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor spaces, and the terrace, directly facing the water, allows you to soak in the sunset as you imagine being out at sea, far from the bustle of the city's financial centre. Roe's menu takes familiar seafood dishes and elevates them with playful twists. The cuttlefish fried toast, topped with pork skin and sesame, is an upscale take on classic prawn toast. For a punchy bite, the beef and oyster tartare, served within an oyster shell and flavoured with ginger, apple, sesame and shiso, offers a bold combination of textures and flavours. Vegetarians need not miss out, with dishes like the mushroom parfait providing a beautifully sweet contrast to the rich seafood and meat offerings – a perfect introduction to the rest of the meal. Roe delivers a dining experience that is as imaginative as it is memorable. roerestaurant.co.uk ACME Fire Cult, Dalston Andrew Clarke and Daniel Watkins put the spotlight on vegetables in their live-fire joint beneath a contemporary canopy outside Dalston’s 40FT Brewery. Start by devouring umami-rich slices of marmite Ararat flatbread, blanketed in pecorino cheese. Vegetarian highlights include coal-roast leeks, that fall apart onto pistachio romesco, huge, herb-dressed cuore del vesuvio tomatoes on a bed of vibrant green Goddess sauce, and cauliflower slathered in spiced butter and served with umbrian lentils and pickled jalapeños. Pair with meat sharing dishes, such as the doorstop of succulent smoked pork collar, charred at the edges into a blackened knobbly crust, served with charred onions and mustard sauce. Finish with rich hazelnut chocolate ganache topped with hazelnuts and beer molasses. Beer by-products feature in ferments and hot sauces, and 10 beers are available on tap, including a lager brewed with ancho chillies. acmefirecult.com Luca, Clerkenwell This modern Italian restaurant – spotlighting seasonal UK produce in its Italian cooking – has quietly honed its craft, in recent years garnering a Michelin star. Deep into the succession of stylish dining rooms, the restaurant conceals a stunning terrace, reminiscent of a Tuscan walled garden. Start with a Luca spritz, featuring bittersweet Venetian Select aperitif, before a line-up of Italian summer classics. Burrata served on vesuvio tomatoes and flat white peach, finished with a chilled tomato soup, kicks things off alongside thinly sliced veal tonnato coated in a tuna, anchovy and caper mayonnaise, topped with crispy fried capers, shaved fennel and tema artichoke. Next comes a delicate stack of pistachio pesto tortellini on smoked sheep’s ricotta, before pork chop with English sweetcorn, girolles and rainbow chard. Finish with a boozy rum baba ring, filled with lemon verbena-lifted Kentish strawberries. luca.restaurant Kutir, Chelsea Walking into Kutir feels like entering the home of a well-travelled relative – think green walls with jungle prints, ornate chandeliers and the warm aroma of spices. Housed in a Georgian townhouse just off Chelsea’s King’s Road, it’s an intimate setting ideal for date nights or long overdue catch-ups. But the real reason to visit is Rohit Ghai’s cooking: a refined journey through India’s rich culinary heritage. This summer, head to the newly opened garden – a sunny terrace made for lazy afternoons. The gin and tonic menu is both thoughtful and creative: the Bahaar, with citrus and elderflower, is a standout. From 1-5pm, a three-course menu at £35 offers excellent value. Expect classics like the smoky, gently spiced chicken tikka, alongside more adventurous plates – the venison and green peppercorn curry is rich, gamey and deeply comforting, with a buttery sauce that you’ll be thinking about long after the final bite. kutir.co.uk Four Hundred Rabbits, Brockwell Lido Brothers Daniel and Duncan Edwards took over the café at Brockwell Lido in 2019, and its now home to a colourful mishmash of a restaurant and terrace specialising in craft beer and sourdough pizza. After some lengths in the lido, plot up poolside for gelato, negronis and 72-hour proved sourdough pizzas topped with pickled chillies, Brindisa chorizo and more. 400rabbits.co.uk Coal Terrace by Coal Office, King's Cross This terrace on the rooftop of Coal Office gives sweeping views over Regent's Canal on one side and Coal Drops Yard on the other. The beautifully calm space dining is dotted with lemon, bay and olive trees in a nod to the restaurant’s Middle Eastern roots. Exec chef Dan Pellas has created a special terrace menu inspired by his childhood memories of Jerusalem. A must order is the famous kubalah bread – a gorgeous cloud-like Yemeni take on brioche. Paired with the silan (date syrup), olive oil and za'atar dip it’s a dreamy start. Other standout dishes include a zingy fresh red tuna sashimi with a vinaigrette and marduma tomato salad, and one of the signature dishes of Coal Office, a parmesan-rich, oozy polenta with mushroom ragout and asparagus with a hint of truffle served in a glass jar. For the full experience order a glass of crisp, saline Israeli Alma white or try a Basil Smash cocktail – a vibrant green mixture of Plymouth Gin, Italicus, basil leaves, citrus and vinho verde. If you’re feeling full, a single scoop of the Persian pistachio ice cream with a crunchy, slightly salty kadaif topping is a delight. For the full experience order a glass of crisp, saline Israeli Alma white or try a Basil Smash cocktail – a vibrant green mixture of Plymouth Gin, Italicus, basil leaves, citrus and vinho verde. If you’re feeling full, a single scoop of the Persian pistachio ice cream with a crunchy, slightly salty kadaif topping is a delight. coaloffice.com Lasdun, Southbank Tuck into picture-perfect buns and sip on summer cups at this expansive South Bank terrace overlooking the Thames. Expect seasonal British twists on classic sandwich flavour combinations, from Dorset crab and mayonnaise to treacle-cured Tamworth ham, and Lincolnshire Poacher and goat’s curd, caper and watercress. Pair with one of Lasdun's selection of refreshing serves – try the Lasdun summer cup made with Sipsmith London Cup for a British summer staple, or opt for the elderflower tom collins for a seasonal twist on the much-loved cocktail. We suggest following lunch with a post-prandial stroll along the South Bank. lasdunrestaurant.com Caia, Notting Hill Expect a menu of steak sandwiches and tequila cocktails at this suntrap terrace on Notting Hill’s buzzy Golborne Road. The terrace’s succinct menu is an extension of Caia’s signature live-fire cooking concept, where bold flavours and textures are cooked over an open grill. The stacked steak sandwich, served in freshly baked ciabatta from Layla Bakery, is packed with meaty umami flavour, layering a reduced Guinness and worcestershire sauce glaze with gorgonzola dolce and Lyonnaise onions. The side dish – a tomato salad of Nutbourne tomato, smoked tomatoes, miso cured beef and whey – is a refreshing, creamy antidote to the sandwiches' richer flavours. Caia’s signature dessert – chocolate and toasted rice soft serve ice cream with sweet and salty popcorn – is a must try for those into the 'swalty' food trend. Wash it all down with a spritz or agave cocktail – make a beeline for the spicy mezcal paloma using Ojo de Dios. caia.london The Campaner, Chelsea Barracks Hidden within the Chelsea Barracks development and opposite the stunning Garrison Chapel, The Campaner offers an exciting Catalonian menu. When the sun’s out, there’s an ample terrace to people-watch and enjoy the dining experience alfresco. It’s rare in London to find somewhere so close the hustle and bustle of city life while remaining peaceful. The menu has a good selection of dishes with a grounding in Catalan cuisine. Particular favourites were the iberian ham croquetas which had the perfect balance between ham and cheese in the filling as well as the seafood salpicón salad and ajoblanco, which was like a chopped seafood salad full of fresh summer flavours. For meat lovers, the iberian pork rice with brava sauce is a great sharing dish with smoky, perfectly cooked pork and a handful of jalapeños on top to give you true Spanish flavours. To finish, the pa amb oli I xocolata is a lovely, rich chocolate ganache, or the strawberry mille-feuille is a fresh way to finish, especially during the summer months. Ask for a view of the church to give you Spanish village vibes, especially when the sun is shining. thecampaner.com Joia, Battersea Billed as, ‘Where Lisbon meets the London skyline’, Joia Rooftop Bar spotlights renowned Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa’s favourite petiscos using the best of Iberian and British produce. Sat atop the 16th floor of the Art’otel development, this art deco inspired alfresco terrace boasts panoramic views of London, as well as adjacent iconic Battersea Power Station. Sá Pessoa’s menu includes a traditional bifana sandwich with marinated Iberico pluma and mustard, cuttlefish bun served in a squid ink roll with coriander mayonnaise and an heirloom tomato gazpacho topped with sweet, juicy cured watermelon. Cap off your visit with a refreshing cocktail by Joia’s infinity pool while taking in the industrial landscape. For those looking for something more spirited there are DJs, Thursday to Saturday evenings, as well as Solecito Sundays every bank holiday Sunday for exclusive entertainment, cocktails and BBQ Portuguese petiscos cooked on Joia’s Big Green Egg. joiabattersea.co.uk Yasmin, Piccadilly Circus Come for the sunny terrace and jewel box interiors, stay for the sharing plates at chef Tom Cenci’s latest venture at Piccadilly Circus. Inspired by a stint in Istanbul, the menu majors on superior dips, flatbreads and zingy salads and grills. Signature desserts are the pistachio ice cream sandwich and turkish delight cheesecake. Delicately spiced cocktails work throughout dinner – try Shapash, which blends tequila with chili, watermelon, strawberry and citrus. yasminsoho.com Lahpet, West End Perched in the heart of Covent Garden, Lahpet's terrace offers a harmonious blend of convenience and serenity. Nestled just moments from London's vibrant theatre district, it provides a tranquil escape from bustling city life. Indulge in a pre-theatre feast featuring a delightful array of small plates like split pea tofu fritters with tangy tamarind dip, or opt for larger plates, such as fried bream in a savoury tomato, shallot and garlic soy glaze. Check out the coconut noodle bowl with tender chicken – the spicy balachaung side perfectly complements its sweetness. For those seeking libations, Lahpet offers an impressive cocktail selection, ideal for unwinding after work under the sun. Savour the signature margarita infused with betel leaf tequila and jaggery, and elegantly rimmed with Himalayan rock salt. Or, tantalise your tastebuds with the Jewel of Mogok, a delightful blend of coconut tequila, spiced rum and passion fruit. lahpet.co.uk Kapara, Soho Channelling Tel Aviv, this vivacious Soho complex mixes music, food and cocktails, the fun spilling out onto a large covered, heated terrace. Chef Eran Tibi’s creative food revels in theatrical presentation and playful dish names. Dessert ‘gramp’s cigar’ very much looks like it, while deep-fried paprika marinated chicken thighs, with orange harissa kimchi and wild garlic mayo, are subtitled ‘crispy crunchy bums’. kapara.co.uk Dinings SW3, Knightsbridge Shaded by an ancient oak, the cute courtyard behind this west London mews offers a serene escape. Chef Masaki Sugisaki’s elevated fish dishes, sushi and sashimi are equally restorative. diningssw3.co.uk Bentley's, Piccadilly Circus Richard Corrigan’s classic, AKA the ‘grand dame of Swallow Street’, has been serving oysters, lobster bisque and dover sole from starched white linen since 1916. Its year-round terrace is especially appealing in the city sunshine. bentleys.org Tavolino, London Bridge Tavolino is a relaxed, modern Italian with a killer riverside view and a crowd-pleasing menu that follows the classic Italian model of antipasti, pasta, secondi and dolci. There is also a short pizza menu and daily chef specials. Antipasti include crab on bitter endive with ricotta and burrata with a slick of basil oil and a chunky sweet-sour caponata of olives, courgette, celery and pine nuts. Next try fresh tagliatelle with a spicy slow-cooked pork and ’nduja ragu and saffron-glazed monkfish with tiny gnochetti in a brothy fennel-spiked sauce and little zingy pops of sea herbs. Finish with an amaretto panna cotta and a quirky ‘liquid dessert’ tiramisu – a heady cocktail of coffee liqueur, vodka, cream and chocolate. tavolino.co.uk Hawksmoor, Canary Wharf This luxe Hawksmoor bar has plenty going for it, namely its slick water-level terrace set on a floating pavilion. The terrace offers respite from its business-orientated surroundings, with lush waterfront views and a decadent bar snack menu of seafood, small plates and American-inspired subs, as well as larger steak dishes. Highlights include a bowl of crunchy pickles, trout tartare with zingy citrus, chilli and coriander, langoustine scampi dunked into tartar sauce and fancy hash browns served with a pot of caviar-topped crème fraîche. The ‘Brick Lane’ sub is a crunchy explosion of Indian flavours, stacked with spiced cauliflower, raita and sweet chutneys. For drinks, big-hitters from its brother restaurant sit alongside cocktails ‘designed to be enjoyed with the sun on your back and the wind in your hair’ – the Cantaloupe Bellini has ample sweetness from the melon, lifted with Campari, moscato and prosecco for Italian verve. Desserts hint at childhood nostalgia, with ice-cream sundaes and toffee puddings aplenty, or seek pleasure in the heavenly trio of salted caramel rolos, best served with a tipple from the ‘Nightcap’ menu or a pot of mint tea. thehawksmoor.com Trivet, Bermondsey Tucked away in a quiet side street, Michelin-starred Trivet’s sunny, south-facing terrace has its own summer menu, created by head chef (and Fat Duck alumni) Jonny Lake. Start with snacks of springy Coombeshead sourdough and tangy kefir cultured butter, salumi and cheese plates before moving on to light and bright starters – of which the star of the show is the hot tongue bun, a golden parcel of tender, rich folds of meat with anchovy mayo, tangy hits of pickles and blackcurrant mostarda. Classic mains, including tender, well-made chicken leg ballotine, crisp, bronzed potato terrine and a meaty jus gras sauce are deftly executed, and the kitchen has a lovely way with vegetables – particularly in a dish of Cornish Earlies potatoes, creamy and almost fudgy in consistency, served with broad beans, seaweed and lovage. Wash it all down with a wine from Trivet’s 450-plus collection, or delicious non-alcs including zingy carrot beer. trivetrestaurant.co.uk Fiume, Battersea This contemporary Italian restaurant boasts a large terrace by The Thames, with dramatic views of iconic Battersea Power Station. Whisk yourself away to southern Italy with summery Malfy Gin cocktails, including the delicate, martini-style Essenza Di Bergamotto, laced with Italicus and bergamot peel, or a refreshing, citrusy take on a spritz using Malfy Rosa grapefruit gin. Pair with inventive cicchetti, such as Sicilian red prawn carpaccio and grilled calamari with watercress pesto, chilli jam and Sicilian lime. Mains include hearty Welsh lamb ragu on generous folds of tagliatelle, and round courgettes stuffed with seasonal veg. fiume-restaurant.co.uk Ombra, Hackney This ramshackle restaurant perched above Regent’s Canal in Hackney is a riot of pop art posters, bottles of low-intervention wine and cookbooks, with a hatch behind the bar where Mitshel Ibrahim and his chefs pass out Italian dishes. On a sunny day, sit at contemporary wooden tables on the sun-soaked terrace and sip on a bitterly refreshing Cynar spritz or a zingy, thirst-quenching non-alcoholic aperitif. Start with delicate, ricotta-filled tempura courgette flowers and puffed gnocco fritto pillows topped with peppered wild boar mortadella. Homemade pasta comes in all shapes and sizes, including thick tonnarelli laces that cling to spicy ‘nduja and tubes of rigatoni to soak up vibrant pea and mint sauce. For dessert, the chocolate cream-filled choux buns are the perfect size for a satisfying sweet hit. ombrabar.restaurant Nobu, Portman Square Summertime means sushi and rosé on the covered terrace of this central London hotel, a welcome retreat from frenetic Oxford Street. Don’t want to think too hard what to order? The Taste of Nobu option lets you enjoy delicate sashimi, black cod lettuce wraps, inside-out rolls and maki, and more robust flavours of crispy rice with spicy tuna while sipping Whispering Angel. london-portman.nobuhotels.com/nobu-terrace Circolo Popolare, Fitzrovia With its extravagant décor, Neapolitan-style pizza and fresh pastas (including a carbonara served in a hollowed- out pecorino wheel), Circolo feels like a portal to Italy. Its leafy terrace, like a courtyard you might stumble across in Sicily or Rome, continues that vibe. bigmammagroup.com Hoppers, King's Cross Any food lover will know that Hoppers gets its names from the crisp, bowl-shaped pancakes made from a fermented batter of rice flour and coconut milk. Try them, along with other Sri Lankan classics, at buzzy, spacious, family-friendly King’s Cross branch of Hoppers. The restaurant's plant-filled terrace is a lovely place to enjoy twists on classic Cocchi cocktails, including a particularly refreshing mangrove spritz laced with Indian Desi Daru mango vodka and elderflower soda. The Taste of Hoppers menu offers a variety of the restaurant's dishes in smaller portions, from hot buttered squid and crunchy mutton rolls filled with tender shredded meat to classic hoppers that are perfect to mop up fragrant chicken kari and a selection of punchy sambols. Make sure you choose one of Hoppers’ own beer collaborations, such as the Salt Brewery Toddy Ale that offers a touch of salt to combat the heat in the dishes, or the Two Tribes tropical lager for a refreshing lift. hopperslondon.com/kingscross The Pilgrm, Paddington This boutique hotel on a pretty Victorian terraced street in Paddington has a hidden secret at the top of its original mahogany staircase… A retro-chic lounge, scattered with coral and olive velvet chairs and marble tables, is the perfect hideaway for brunch or date-night cocktails. Doors open onto a cosy terrace, where you can sit under blankets with a hot chocolate or eggnog and enjoy the bustle of Paddington from a distance. Enjoy brunch until 3pm: tuck into brioche brunch baps, including thick-cut bacon with house-made ketchup and smashed avocado with feta and olive salsa. Don’t forget to peruse the grocery store-cum-coffee shop on your way out, stocked with Workshop Coffee, fig jam, Cretan woodland honey and more. thepilgrm.com CRATE Brewery, Hackney Wick There are few more lovely places to spend an afternoon than on the canal outside CRATE’s tap room in Hackney. Each week there’s a selection of guest bottles from a fruity brown ale to a dark Indian pale ale as well as regular casks and kegs of zingy lemon gose, velvety Crate stout and a crisp Crate cider. They do great pizza, too, such as sage and truffle, middle eastern lamb and spicy salami. cratebrewery.com Vinegar Yard, London Bridge From the folks behind London Bridge’s popular foodie destination Flat Iron Square, this amalgamation of drinking terraces, bars and street-food trucks is a great 'al fresco' hangout. Choose an Atlantic IPA from the bar that shares a space with artist Joe Rush’s workshop (check out his installations made from scrap metal scattered around the space), or order a glass of fizz from the pastel-pink prosecco van. Take your drink of choice to the covered grassy area of benches and tuck into street food from Baba G’s (chicken tikka burgers, loaded masala fries and poppadom nachos slathered in Indian salsa and fresh mint raita), Up in My Grill (perfectly pink flame-grilled bavette or picanha steak on beef dripping fries with chimichurri) or Nanny Bill’s (burgers and croquettes galore). vinegaryard.london The Waterway, Little Venice This large canal-side terrace is an ideal spot for alfresco eating and drinking. The large dining deck is well-equipped with huge parasols and patio heaters so you can sit out until late at night all year round. Huge goblets of gin are spruced up in perfect serves – Plymouth gin comes with refreshing lemon tonic, grapefruit peel and a stalk of lemongrass – or stick to one of the many wines or craft beers. Seared tuna fillet is perfectly pink with a tomato salsa, red peppers and artichoke, half rotisserie corn-fed chicken comes with French fries and slaw, and there are plenty of burgers to choose from, including the super deluxe beef burger with foie gras, crisp bacon and tomato chutney. thewaterway.co.uk Westerns Laundry, Holloway A residential road in Drayton Park might not seem the obvious choice for a restaurant with a view, but come summer Westerns Laundry (from the team behind north London’s Jolene and Primeur) outdoor area is the perfect spot to settle down with punchy negronis and bowls of olives among the olive trees. Long wooden benches come strewn with blankets, while trees and lush greenery add a sense of calm. Floor-to-ceiling doors draw back, so, even those sat indoors have natural light and warmth. Small plates and seafood are the focus on the daily changing menu, so expect dishes such as salted sardines, turbot, pickled mussels, baked cuttlefish fideo pasta and crispy ray wing with aioli. westernslaundry.com Rooftop bars and restaurants Llama Inn, Shoreditch Having built a cult following in New York, Juan Correa and chef Erik Ramirez have brought their critically acclaimed Llama Inn and its playful taste of Peru across the Atlantic, taking over the rooftop restaurant at The Hoxton hotel in east London. The menu draws inspiration from the chef’s Peruvian-American background and the drinks list features many of the original NYC signature serves alongside a wine list with a focus on low-intervention and biodynamic wines. thehoxton.com Boundary Rooftop, Shoreditch Boundary Rooftop is the ideal spot to rise above the streetside hustle and sip cocktails as the sun sets over a slightly hushed, 360-degree view of London. Shelter under the pergola and a string of fairy lights with a seasonal cocktail and a sharing plate of octopus and chorizo skewers, or fish or meat dishes cooked on a Robata grill. Or just head up after dinner and sit by the outdoor fireplace nursing a digestive glass of vielle prune. boundary.london/rooftop/ The Culpeper, Spitalfields There are scant opportunities to escape the concrete in East London, which makes the British woodland inspired rooftop garden at this handsome Spitalfields boozer all the more precious. Its raised beds and greenhouse (which doubles as a private dining room) provide herbs, salad leaves and strawberries for dishes such as the Rooftop Mess, a muddle of wild strawberries, Botivo aperitif, meringue and cream, preceded by lemon and thyme roasted Rhug Estate chicken. Sit among the silver birch, apple and hazel trees and watch the sun set with a woodland inspired cocktail, such as the rhubarb and ginger spritz. theculpeper.com Hidden gardens with outdoor dining The Corinthia, Embankment The Corinthia has an excellent afternoon tea and is home to Kerridge’s Bar and Grill. Now it adds The Garden to its roster of must-try restaurants. A chic courtyard – fully sheltered if raining – serves hotel classics with elegant twists. Starters include tuna tartare with sesame and ponzu, and a superior burrata and fig salad featuring the London-made La Latteria cheese. With the menu in the hands of executive chef Andre Garrett this is best in class cooking, including lobster linguine and a magnificent veal chop. Spatchcocked poussin with preserved lemon, cumin and harissa and smoky wood-fired pizzette (try speck, blue cheese and truffle honey) offer bigger flavours. A generous rose wine list, sink-into seating and striking flower displays make it an easy place to spend a hazy summer afternoon or evening. corinthia.com/london/restaurants-bars No.16, South Kensington On a sunny day, make the most of No.16’s hidden garden oasis The Orangery and enjoy a glass of wine in a thick-cut glass goblet, or afternoon tea perched on pale green garden furniture under elegant white parasols. Vases of white flowers dress the tables and Kit Kemp’s personalised Wedgewood crockery adds a bit of fun, with dancing mythical creatures from her favourite Indian fabric that literally look like they have been stitched on to teacups and saucers. If you’re lucky enough to bag the tiny gazebo, you can look back on the garden, complete with stone fountain bubbling away in the rectangular fish pond. firmdalehotels.com/hotels/london/number-sixteen/ Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond Seasonal, Italian-inspired dishes are the focus at this charming café set within a glasshouse. Try risotto with peas, garden mint and Parmesan or spiced chickpeas with broccoli, courgette and nigella seed flatbread. Many ingredients come from Petersham itself, and, among others, you’ll find herbs, cherries and salsify growing along its walls. Supplementary produce comes from a tight-knit network of small producers such as Haye Farm, run by Harry Boglione, a son of Petersham’s founders. In summer, you can dine outside under a canopy of wisteria surrounded by roses. petershamnurseries.com Check out more London restaurant guides: 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 Battersea Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Kings Cross Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
On the west coast of Canada, the relaxed city of Vancouver has plenty to offer for a gourmet getaway
Learn all about what makes the cuisine of Vancouver so special. From craft beer and chocolate to foraging and wild salmon, there's plenty for foodies to enjoy. Plus, we share where to eat and where to stay whilst you're in Vancouver. For more deep-dives into global cuisines, check out our guides to Grenada, South Africa and Mumbai. Jump to: 10 things we love about Vancouver Where to eat and drink in Vancouver Where to stay in Vancouver 10 things I love about Vancouver Angus An, owner and head chef at Maenam restaurant in Vancouver, shares the seasonal, relaxed eating that this west coast Canadian city has to offer. The produce Vancouver has four distinct seasons, so there’s real seasonality for produce. In the spring we have fiddleheads, elderflowers and nettles, and in the summer we have a bounty of different types of tomatoes – from Sungold to Heritage – and the markets are bursting with local berries. In autumn there’s an abundance of wild mushrooms and squashes. Vancouverites celebrate this seasonality not only in the restaurant scene but at home, too. Foraging Vancouverites love to get away to the wilderness at any opportunity and, as it’s right on our doorstep, it’s so easy to do. In the mountains you can often find a variety of wild mushrooms – my favourite is the Matsutake mushrooms, which are prized in Japanese cuisine but grow abundantly in our pine forests. This comes through in their flavour, as they are woodsy and almost spicy, which pairs perfectly with the Thai food in my restaurant Maenam. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2025/08/Foraging-GettyImages2183737892-copy-c51ca02.jpg" width="6691" height="4463" alt="Squamish, BC, Canada - November 07, 2024: A woman searches for wild mushrooms in a rainforest near Squamish, British Columbia, on Nov. 7, 2024. The region’s damp, temperate climate creates ideal conditions for foraging a variety of edible fungi such as Chanterelle mushrooms." title="Forager Hunts Wild Mushrooms in Lush Rainforest Near Squamish, B.C." /> Community No matter which area of Vancouver you live in, there’s a real sense of community among the residents. This is especially true among chefs and anyone in the restaurant scene, where we often go through the ranks and earn our stripes together. The scene is very close-knit and, if you don’t know someone directly, often another colleague will. There’s a real sense of camaraderie among chefs and it’s not unusual to see them joining together for collaboration dinners and experiences, leaning on each other for expertise or eating at other restaurants with great gusto. Asian food Vancouver is well known for its variety of cuisines, especially Asian options. On Robson Street in downtown, you can slurp many bowls of authentic ramen and enjoy amazing Korean fried chicken. Vancouver was also once the sushi capital of North America, with everything from casual places to Michelin-starred omakase destinations, such as Tojo’s. Vancouver is also home to a vast Chinese population and the largest Chinatown in Canada. As such we are lucky to enjoy a huge array of Chinese food, from casual barbecue, such as HK BBQ Master in Richmond, to contemporary Chinese dining at internationally acclaimed Mott 32 – we have it all! Craft beer We have a fantastic independent craft beer scene – Mount Pleasant is a great area to start with, as you’ve got Brassneck Brewery, 33 Acres and Main Street Brewing. Brassneck Brewery has been open since 2013 and offers a wide range of beers, from hazy IPAs and pilsners to dark ales. The tasting room at Brassneck is wrapped around the brew house and cellar, with a shop on site to pick up beers for later. If you’re over in East Vancouver, check out Powell Brewery, Superflux and East Vancouver Brewing Co. People are known to do a mini craft beer crawl around the city on foot so they can experience all these great places. Seafood As Vancouver is on the Pacific coast, we have some of the freshest seafood in the world. With albacore tuna, ling cod, halibut, Dungeness crab, geoduck and sea urchin, there’s a lot of variety to enjoy in restaurants across Vancouver. Or pick some up at the local Granville Market to make yourself. Both geoduck and sea urchin (called uni in Japanese) are considered delicacies in Chinese and Japanese cuisines but can now widely be found in western cooking – it’s great to see that influence coming through. You can also forage the Pacific coastlines for seaweed, sea urchins, crab and sea cucumbers. Granville Island Public Market There is nothing more quintessentially Vancouver than a visit to the Granville Island Public Market. There’s so much to see and try but it does get crowded, so go early. All the local produce is stacked and presented beautifully. Try tastings from Oyama Sausage Co, Armando’s Finest Quality Meats, Bon Macaron Patisserie, Benton Brothers Fine Cheese and Hobbs Pickles. After a bit of shopping you can also have a seat and order food from A La Mode for pie, Chau Veggie Express for Vietnamese, Kaisereck Deli for perogies or Sen Pad Thai for Thai. Just outside is also Popina Canteen – a great place for lunch after a shop. One tip: be careful of the very friendly seagulls when enjoying your meal outside – they are very bold and will snap that croissant out of your hand in no time. The salmon British Columbia is home to five wild varieties of salmon. In the autumn they migrate back to their native waters for the famous salmon run, which is a sight to behold. Sockeye salmon, with its deep red orange flesh, is a BC delicacy found in restaurants throughout the city. You can visit the Capilano River Hatchery along the Capilano River on the North Shore to watch the salmon run in person and learn more about the salmon life cycle. Non-alcoholic drinks There’s been a big surge in popularity for non-alcoholic cocktails and drink alternatives in Vancouver, so now many bars, lounges and restaurants offer a selection completely dedicated to zero-proof options. It’s not only about flavoured soda anymore, either – bartenders are taking the same amount of care in creating non-alcoholic options as they would for their alcoholic counterparts. Check out The Drive Canteen on Commercial Drive for an abundance of non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits. Or try one of Chinatown’s newest cocktail bars, Meo, for a cosmo fizz made with beet shrub. Chocolate The Nanaimo bar – a no-bake treat featuring a coconut crumb base, custard filling and chocolate ganache – is famously associated with British Columbia, and for good reason. Try Northern Bars’ version – you can find a stall at Granville Island Public Market, or throughout Vancouver. Stop in at Thierry Chocolates’ café, run by chef Thierry Busset, an artisan chocolatier and patissier, to gawk at its beautiful displays of shining, perfect chocolates and pick up a box for someone back home. 5 places to eat and drink in Vancouver Burdock & Co Burdock & Co presents the best of BC, using local growers, fishers, farmers and foragers to stock its restaurant. The set menu changes monthly, usually highlighting a specific ingredient for a thoughtfully curated, down-to-earth, special experience. The wine list, too, has been carefully selected to include responsibly sourced wines, local craft beers and cocktails. burdockandco.com Tojo’s This isn’t your typical Japanese restaurant – here you’ll find the inventor of the California roll, Hidekazu Tojo. Hidekazu loves to celebrate local ingredients by making creative new dishes with them, incorporating many different flavours into Japanese fine dining. Take a seat at the bar and watch the master at work while he creates a unique omakase experience for each customer. tojos.com Bar Corso Unassumingly tucked away on the popular Commercial Drive, Bar Corso has a huge grappa, amari and Italian wine selection, and chef Luke Boswell serving up delicious Italian small plates. This is perfect for a happy hour drink and snack with friends or a cosy date night spot. barcorso.ca Havana Filled with the vibrant colours and vibes of Old Havana, Cuba, this Latin restaurant is the ideal place to grab an ice-cold margarita. Pull up a seat on its year-round terrace and do some excellent people watching on the spirited Commercial Drive. You can wile away the day here with snacking on authentic Latin flavours infused with that seasonal, fresh BC style. Then head next door for cocktails and live music at The Flamingo Room. havanavancouver.com The Downlow Chicken Shack The Downlow Chicken Shack provides bold flavours with its spin on the classic Nashville hot chicken. Guests can also find a variety of creative fried chicken sandos, tenders and fries on ‘the downlow’ and even more on the current menu. Try the tender, crunchy, spicy chicken in this laid-back, casual restaurant. dlchickenshack.ca Where to stay in Vancouver The Douglas, Autograph Collection If you’re looking for a downtown location to easily explore the city and its sights, The Douglas will host you in comfortable luxury. Named after the Douglas fir tree, which is native to BC, you’ll find hints of its namesake throughout the hotel – from the large trunk dominating the reception area, to elegant décor in the rooms. The rooms are large, sleekly designed and comfortable, and have excellent views over BC Place and Rogers Arena (ideal if you’d like to watch a hockey game during your stay). With excellent on-site restaurants to choose from – such as The Victor, with locally sourced seafood and steak – you won’t have to travel far for good eats. From £244 per night; check availability at marriott.com. Granville Island Hotel This small boutique hotel is located on Granville Island, just across False Creek from downtown Vancouver. It’s the only hotel on this peninsula and, with its waterfront location, is excellently suited to peruse the unique artistic offerings of Granville Island. The rooms are airy and spacious, and the hotel offers a boutique experience, but the real star is the view over the creek from the rooms. You can watch the boats pass serenely by from your room in the morning before heading into the calm of the forests or bustle of the city. From £134 per night; check availability at granvilleislandhotel.com. More cuisine guides Fez cuisine: 10 things we love Puglian cuisine: 10 things we love Andalusian cuisine: 10 things we love Jamaican cuisine: 10 things we love Georgian cuisine: 10 things we love Colombian cuisine: 10 things we love The Algarve's cuisine: 10 things we love Thai cuisine: 10 things we love South Korean cuisine: 10 things we love Nashville cuisine: 10 things we love Norwegian cuisine: 10 things we love Tuscan cuisine: 10 things we love Cork cuisine: 10 things we love Northern Ireland cuisine: 10 things we love Finland cuisine: 10 things we love
Get it fresh at one of our favourite British beachside shacks, from cockle popcorn in Mumbles to takeaway whelks in Margate and kipper baps on the Northumbrian coast
Looking for Britain's best takeaway oysters? Or an authentic Craster kipper bun for lunch? Soak up the sun, enjoy the seaside views and guarantee yourself a laid-back, locally caught lunch at the team's favourite beach shack restaurants. For more seaside inspiration, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Deal or the best restaurants in Margate. Or read our guides to the best restaurants in Cornwall, the best places to eat and drink in Brighton and best restaurants in Bournemouth. The best beach shack restaurants in the UK Crab House Café, Dorset “On the water’s edge, where Weymouth meets Portland Bill, the Crab House Café is essentially a weather-beaten shack attached to an oyster farm. The oysters and local crabs take star billing on the menu, which can change twice a day depending on what’s landed by day boats working out of Poole, Weymouth or Brixham. Tables on the shingle outside look across Chesil Beach, and out to those same fishing boats that supply the kitchen.” crabhousecafe.co.uk Riley’s Fish Shack, Tynemouth “Day-boat fish from nearby North Shields Fish Quay is cooked over coals and showcased in dishes such as bang bang monkfish kebabs and hake with blackened Little Gem and capers. In the summer, tables, deck chairs and parasols extend the dining area onto the sand – on cooler days you can hire portable firepits and blankets.” rileysfishshack.com. Janine Ratcliffe, olive editor Crab Shed, Ventnor, Isle of Wight “Steephill Cove (aptly named) in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight is renowned for the Crab Shed, right on the seafront. Queue for one of its famous crab pasties or mackerel ciabattas – well worth the wait.” facebook.com/crabshed. Lulu Grimes, managing editor, Good Food The Lobster Shack, North Berwick “The Lobster Shack on North Berwick’s harbour includes Tom Kitchin (Scotland’s youngest winner of a Michelin star) among its loyal customers. Fresh-off-the-boat seafood is on the menu, as well as show-stopping lobster and chips.” lobstershack.co.uk. Freya Bromley, contributing writer Gower Seafood Hut, Mumbles, Swansea “Freshly fried local fish (think fritto misto, calamari and cockle popcorn) served straight from a converted horse trailer, just metres from the water it was caught in. The team has also recently opened a permanent seafood deli for those wanting to take the taste home.”@gowerseafoodhut. Barney Desmazery, Good Food shows and skills editor Café Môr, Angle, Pembrokeshire “Now moored at The Old Point House pub with rooms, Café Môr dishes up award-winning seafood with a seaweed twist. Try buttery lobster rolls, crab baps and laverbread-laced burgers, all served from an iconic boat kitchen in the garden.” ​theoldpointhouse.wales. Barney Desmazery, Good Food shows and skills editor Pipers Pitch, Craster, Northumberland “Craster crab (and kippers) are as synonymous with Northumberland as Bamburgh Castle. The best way to try them both is in a Pipers Pitch bap – stop by this unassuming little hut in Craster Quarry car park for cooked herring in a bun (oak-smoked at nearby L.Robson & Sons), or seasonal dressed crab sandwiches made with crab caught that day. Perfect fodder for a coastal walk to nearby Dunstanburgh Castle (look out for the dolphins).” piperspitch.com. Charlotte Morgan, contributing sub editor The Company Shed, Mersea Island, Essex “Eat oysters and crab platters at the The Company Shed on Mersea Island, part of the family oyster business. Top tip: get there early to avoid the lines.” the-company-shed.com. Lulu Grimes, managing editor, Good Food Dungeness Snack Shack, Dungeness “There’s nothing like eating seafood with a view of the sea, and it’s even more special in the ethereal setting of Dungeness beach. The Snack Shack catches and cooks its own local fish and seafood in a simple way, letting the produce speak for itself.” dungenesssnackshack.com. Samuel Goldsmith, Good Food senior food editor and podcast host Sargasso, Margate “Perched atop Margate’s iconic Harbour Arm is Sargasso, a wine bar set up by the owners of my favourite east London neighbourhood restaurant, Brawn. Order the set lunch of sourdough piled high with salted butter; steamed mussels clattering around in ’nduja-laced sauce; and a glass of small-batch albariño. Not hungry? Sip on a vermouth and soda instead, while marvelling at the views back to the old town.” sargasso.bar. Alex Crossley, digital editor, olive The Hidden Hut, Cornwall “Sat on a coastal path above beautiful Porthcurnick Beach in Cornwall, The Hidden Hut is sister to The Standard Inn pub just up the hill. The outdoor kitchen resembles an army field kitchen and offers big beach salads and grilled seafood in the summer, plus local ice cream and homemade cakes. On a typical midsummer day, up to 2,000 customers are fed, many taking their food to the beach for those sea views.” hiddenhut.co.uk River Exe Cafe, Exmouth “Known by locals as ‘floating heaven’, this custom-built barge has the same relaxed vibe as any of our other recommended beach shacks. Accessible only by water taxi or boat, River Exe Café serves sharing platters loaded with hand-picked Brixham crab, steamed mussels and shell-on prawns, all enjoyed alongside panoramic views of the Exe Estuary.” riverexecafe.com. Tara Smith, Devon contributor Mannings Seafood, Margate “This dinky Margate shack is British seaside heaven. Snack on take-away pots of cockles, whelks and prawns while strolling along the Harbour Arm, or order a platter of fresh seafood and oysters to enjoy on the beach with a bottle of champagne.” @manningsseafoodmargate. Alex Crossley, digital editor, olive The Stowaway, Tenby “In the arches right next to Tenby harbour is The Stowaway, a specialty coffee shop that also serves food. It’s easily the best coffee for miles around and is a great spot to have a morning mocha while looking over the bay. Check its social media for opening times, as it changes depending on the season.” facebook.com/thestowawaytenbyharbour. Samuel Goldsmith, Good Food senior food editor and podcast host More travel inspiration Best UK spa hotels for food lovers Best day trips from London by train Best seaside staycations Best restaurants in St Albans Best new restaurants in the UK Best holiday cottages for foodies Best autumn breaks Best cosy cabins for foodies Best restaurants in Bath Best UK afternoon teas Best Irish holidays
7 sleep myths this insomnia expert wants you to know about
All the conflicting advice about what makes the perfect night's rest can have you so confused you'll be up till dawn worrying. Ignoring these common myths will help…
For tips on how to improve your sleep, find out more about sleep hygiene, or what to do when you’re struggling to drop off – or try these expert breathing exercises for better sleep. We’ve also reviewed the best supplements for sleep, and got the latest information on the ‘sleep tourism’ trend. Myth 1: We should aim for a perfect night’s sleep It’s time we normalised different types of sleep – not everybody aims for a perfect bedtime routine with essential oils and a white noise machine. It’s important to take the pressure off, so you don’t add to your stress, as this only makes it more difficult to drop off. Remember, sleep varies from person to person, so what’s considered a good night’s sleep for one person could be a bad night for someone else. We all vary in terms of how much sleep we need, when we find it easiest to drop off, and so on. Myth 2: Your body will know when it’s time for sleep While your body does have a natural rhythm that helps it wind down in the evening, it doesn’t work automatically if we don’t support it properly. Two main things affect how naturally sleep comes: how predictable your sleep drive is (supported by a consistent wake-up time), and how much you allow your body and mind to slow down in the evening. Getting up at the same time each morning helps your sleep drive become more predictable, meaning you’re more likely to feel sleepy at roughly the same time each night. But if you keep stimulating your brain with bright lights, tasks or lots of information late in the day, it can override your body’s natural signals that it’s time to rest. We’re not great at doing nothing anymore, and yet that’s exactly what our brains need in the lead-up to sleep. Think of it this way: it takes the average person about 20 minutes to fall asleep. Could you sit and do nothing for 20 minutes? If you find yourself lying in bed wide awake, don’t stay there for a long time getting frustrated. Get up, do something quiet and calming in dim light, and return to bed only when you feel sleepy again. Myth 3: Phones ruin your sleep This is both true and false. While the light and stimulation can delay sleep, banning screens can also backfire. It's more helpful to create a meaningful wind-down period you enjoy, rather than forcing a no-phone policy. Consider listening to a calming podcast or relaxing, sleep-inducing playlist instead of scrolling on social media. Myth 4: What you do before bed is the only thing that matters Actually, the most powerful part of your sleep-wake routine isn’t what happens at night, it’s what happens in the morning. Repeatedly pressing snooze or sleeping in at weekends can have a negative impact. As your time to wake up shifts, your circadian rhythm gets thrown off and you’ll feel less sleepy at bedtime. This may cause you to have a harder time waking up the next day. Instead, wake up at the same time in the morning, even if you’re tired and haven’t slept well. You’ll be thanking yourself tomorrow. Myth 5: You need eight hours a night This is false. How many hours we need varies from person to person and from day to day. Some people thrive on six hours while others need a solid nine. What matters is how you feel, not the number on your tracker. Myth 6: Blackout blinds are essential There are some benefits to blackout blinds, however morning light is essential for your sleep-wake routine. If you’re struggling with poor sleep or low mood, getting bright light exposure soon after waking – whether natural or artificial – can be a game-changer. Myth 7: Your bad sleep needs fixing – and quick If you’re having sleep issues, don’t panic. Trying to ‘fix’ it or overthinking your sleep often makes matters worse. Instead, focus on taking a few positive steps, such as waking up at the same time every day, getting light within 30 minutes, being active during the day, and creating a soothing wind-down routine. So, how can you sleep better? Firstly, stop worrying about every toss and turn and remember good sleep doesn’t mean a perfect eight hours. The key to improving sleep is to go easy on yourself. Start by taking small, practical steps, such as setting aside an hour for a calming nighttime routine or getting exposure to bright light within 30 minutes of waking. Consistency is key, so allow time for these to have an impact before adding anything else. If you are really struggling to improve your sleep, consider reaching out to a professional. Stephanie Romiszewski is a leading sleep physiologist, director of the Sleepyhead Clinic, co-founder at re:sleep, and creator of the internationally distributed BBC Maestro course Sleep Better. She has worked with institutions including Harvard Medical School doing studies for NASA, and the NHS. Known for her non-scaremongering, practical yet evidence-based approach to sleep, she helps people break free from insomnia without fear or perfectionism.
The UK's best outdoor restaurants and terraces
From sun-baked city squares to chilled rural idylls, rooftop hideaways and waterside retreats, there's an al fresco restaurant for everyone this summer
Looking for outdoor restaurants in London? Want some al fresco dining ideas across the UK? Here’s our guide for the best outdoor dining restaurants, and check out the best outdoor restaurants in London here. Then discover the best restaurants with rooms in the UK and the best chef's table experiences in the UK. Now find out the best female-owned restaurants in the U.K and our favourite informal dining spots. Now find out the best food and drink festivals to visit. Best outdoor restaurants in London This guide is dedicated to restaurants outside of London, but here are a few in the capital to get you started. Find our full list in the link above. Kapara, Soho Channelling Tel Aviv, this vivacious Soho complex mixes music, food and cocktails, the fun spilling out onto a large covered, heated terrace. Chef Eran Tibi’s creative food revels in theatrical presentation and playful dish names. Dessert ‘gramp’s cigar’ very much looks like it, while deep-fried paprika marinated chicken thighs, with orange harissa kimchi and wild garlic mayo, are subtitled ‘crispy crunchy bums’. Core plates from £11; kapara.co.uk Dinings SW3, Knightsbridge Shaded by an ancient oak, the cute courtyard behind this west London mews offers a serene escape. Chef Masaki Sugisaki’s elevated fish dishes, sushi and sashimi are equally restorative. Plates from £6.50; larger dishes from around £16.50; diningssw3.co.uk Circolo Popolare, Fitzrovia With its extravagant décor, Neapolitan-style pizza and fresh pastas (including a carbonara served in a hollowed- out pecorino wheel), Circolo feels like a portal to Italy. Its leafy terrace, like a courtyard you might stumble across in Sicily or Rome, continues that vibe. Mains from £13.50; bigmammagroup.com Toklas, Strand Large, peaceful, plant- festooned terrace above the Strand, serving – example plate: dover sole with courgette trifolati, marjoram and Amalfi lemon – some of London’s best Italian food. Larger plates from £19; toklaslondon.com Petersham Nurseries, Richmond-upon-Thames Petersham Nurseries Café, made green with fragrant jasmine, provides a charming setting for a meal. Set within a glasshouse a stone’s throw from Richmond Park, Petersham Meadow and the River Thames, it’s the place to go for seasonal Italian food eaten in a room draped with Indian blinds and decorated with antique furniture, mirrors and paintings. petershamnurseries.com Best outdoor restaurants across the UK Harry's, Camber Sands The rolling, unspoilt dunes of Camber Sands are minutes away from The Gallivant, the stylish coastal boutique hotel that’s home to the equally stylish Harry’s. The restaurant’s sunny outdoor terrace is the place to be in warmer weather, with a white pergola, marble-topped tables and plentiful greenery setting a distinctly continental tone. Kick off with a glass of English fizz before choosing from a menu that spotlights local seasonal produce and classic French cookery by ex-Bibendum head chef Matthew Harris, from terrine de campagne and braised rabbit in riesling to sharing dishes like côte de boeuf in green peppercorn sauce. Starters of crisp spring vegetable salad with creamy goat’s curd, and delicate smoked eel with an oozy soft-boiled egg, rye bread and a peppy celeriac remoulade set a tone of refined simplicity that continues into mains – star billing of which goes to a sturdy, juicy Romney Marsh Barnsley chop winningly matched with earthy mushroom duxelles, asparagus, crisp pomme frites and a creamy sauce paloise: a variation of béarnaise flavoured with mint rather than tarragon, it’s a bull’s-eye match with the lamb. Desserts are pared back. A petit pot au chocolat has grown-up cocoa bitterness, while a vanilla panna cotta with grappa and strawberries matches sweetness with a welcoming boozy kick. The wine list has a plentiful European selection but also a strong focus on English bottles, only fitting given Harry’s sits in the heart of wine country – we enjoyed a juicy, crunchy Artelium pinot noir from the South Downs. thegallivant.co.uk Holm, South Petherton A spin-off from London’s acclaimed Levan, this gorgeous Somerset restaurant-with-rooms has a kitchen garden terrace where you can linger over Orkney scallops with salsify and dulse butter or Westcombe ricotta agnolotti with pecorino and wild garlic. Larger plates from £18; holmsomerset.co.uk The Gallivant, Camber Sands, Rye There is a take-out menu to graze on while lazing in the dunes, or seek out this hotel’s chill alfresco area for English wines and sustainable plates such as Brit burrata with ember-cooked leeks and romesco. Mains from £22; thegallivant.co.uk Updown, Deal There’s a Tuscan villa vibe to this renovated Kent farmhouse. Both in the more Italian of chef Oli Brown’s seasonal dishes (pork, borlotti, cime di rapa and salsa verde; Amalfi lemon sorbet), and in its outdoor space with its pergola of vines and wisteria. Mains from £22; updownfarmhouse.com Beckford Canteen, Bath Chef George Barson’s modern British cooking (sardines on toast; monkfish with cauliflower and curried butter) is gathering plaudits and Beckford’s new courtyard garden only intensifies its appeal. A varied drinks list includes own-label wines, or for a great choice pop into nearby Beckford Bottle Shop where you can buy wines to drink here (plus corkage fee). A commitment to sourcing locally and choosing suppliers with strong sustainability credentials make it extra popular. Larger plates from £19; beckfordcanteen.com Pompette, Oxford With its pavement terrace, steak frites, panisse and jambon persillé terrine, Pompette is a slice of Paris in Summertown. Two courses from £26; pompetterestaurant.co.uk Celentano's, Glasgow Nurse a negroni made with homemade vermouth on the handsome terrace, before trying chef Dean Parker’s Italian plates, such as linguine, cod cheeks, pistachio, preserved lemon and dill. Larger plates £15-26; celentanosglasgow.com Heaneys, Cardiff Serving ambitious dishes such as barbecued Welsh lamb, goat’s curd, black garlic, mint and nori, chef Tommy Heaney’s buzzy restaurant is a fave with Pontcanna foodies. Now includes a neat pavement terrace. Two courses from £25; heaneyscardiff.co.uk Barnaby’s, Padstow Prawn on the Lawn’s new summer pop-up at Trevibban Mill Vineyard, an indoor-outdoor affair with lush views of vineyards and wildflower meadows. Expect dishes such as scallops, fenugreek and pistachio butter or BBQ mackerel and mojo verde. Plates around £7-24; prawnonthelawn.com The Barn, Ascot Stylish covered terrace amid hotel Coworth Park’s splendid gardens. The Barn’s British brasserie menu, from upscale burgers to elegant seafood dishes, is designed by Adam Smith, Michelin star holder at the hotel’s Woven restaurant. Mains from £26; dorchestercollection.com Chalk, Washington, West Sussex Lush courtyard setting amid a renovated 18th century barn complex, on winemaker Wiston’s estate. After an appetite-sharpening glass of brut NV, enjoy well executed dishes of beef tartare or lamb, juniper-smoked potato and salsa verde. Mains from £17; wistonestate.com Maray, Manchester Colourful global plates on a terrace by the famous Hidden Gem church. Plates £5-13.50; maray.co.uk Argo, Newlyn Celebrating Cornwall’s fishing fleet, this modish, wood-clad restaurant serves daily changing menus of, say, grilled chard and scallop butter, sand sole with preserved lemon or coley skewers with togarashi. Its terrace and low-intervention tap wines seal a sweet summer deal. Plates £9-30; argoenewlyn.co.uk Fordwich Arms, Kent Chefs Dan and Natasha Smith have turned this handsome 1930s pub into a Michelin-starred destination for clever, approachable cooking which, in dishes such as pig’s cheek with lardo, prune and cracked wheat, or roast lamb with confit breast, nettles and broccoli, makes stellar use of the UK-Kentish larder. The pub’s pergola-shaded River Stour terrace has been extended and, with a glass of English sparkling wine in hand (Kent vineyards such as Gusbourne and Simpsons are prominent on the menu), it makes for a truly idyllic location. Mains from £34; fordwicharms.co.uk Sargasso, Margate Run by electronic musician Matthew Herbert and the team from London’s Brawn, Sargasso, sat on the harbour above Margate beach, is renowned for its terrific terrace views, chef Marcelo Rodrigues’s cooking (think grilled scallops and saffron butter, onglet, Tropea onions, anchoiade dip) and monthly DJ sessions. Plates £8-£20; sargasso.bar Henrock, Windermere As a Simon Rogan restaurant, exacting execution and seasonality are standard at Henrock. But its pop-up summer marquee in the grounds of Linthwaite House will showcase the team’s cooking at its most populist. Expect next-level buttermilk fried chicken and Korean pork belly brioche sandwiches, while salads (ingredients picked daily at the farm which also supplies Rogan’s three-Michelin-star L’Enclume), are served from a tableside trolley. Mains from £16; henrock.co.uk The Stables, Sedbergh Located in the Black Bull hotel’s meadow garden, the Stables is where chef-owner Nina Matsunaga vents her creativity in street food. Utilising a custom-built oven, grill and rotisserie, the menu runs from pizzas (15-year-old starter, British charcuterie) to langoustine with chimichurri and Herdwick lamb flatbreads. Mains around £9-£13; theblackbullsedbergh.co.uk Nook by the River, Cardiff Pop-up small plates and natural wines by the Taff. Plates £6-£14; nookcardiff.co.uk Topsham Brewery & Taproom, Exeter Sweet beer garden on the quay with Napoli-style pizza from Portal. From £6.50; follow on Instagram @topshambrewery Garden House, Cambridge From beetroot and goat’s curd salad to afternoon tea on lawns by the River Cam. Dishes from £9; gardenhousecambridge.co.uk Salt & Malt, near Bristol First-rate fish ’n’ chips by Chew Valley Lake. From £12.50; saltandmalt.co.uk Civerinos, Edinburgh Great pizza on Portobello beach. From £4.25; civerinos.com Buyers Club, Liverpool Awesome handmade pastas in a cool courtyard. Mains from £12; buyers-club.co.uk GRUB, Manchester Street food hub with brilliant DIY yarden (definition: a post-industrial-yard-cum-beer garden). Dishes from around £7; grubmcr.com Yuzu, York Neat bao and rice bowls in Brew York’s yard. Mains from £10.50; yuzustreetfood.com Cook House, Newcastle Anna Hedworth’s modish Cook House occupies a leafy corner of once industrial Ouseburn. Eat in the kitchen garden or terrace space, which, as well as a busy BBQ and smoker, incorporates a dedicated outdoor kitchen. Expect local, seasonal, foraged, fermented goodness: from breakfast through to lunch and dinner plates of barbecued oyster mushrooms with peanut sauce and chilli oil, or lamb belly with lovage salsa and beans. Mains from £18; cookhouse.org The Sardine Bar, Plymouth Little sis’ to neighbour Rockfish, this bar-takeaway (colourful seating area, harbour views), opened in May. MSC-certified cod/hake and chips is the main lure but the menu includes dressed crab or tinned sardines and sourdough. Meals from £9.95; therockfish.co.uk Kampus, Manchester From NY-style pizza on Nell’s terrace (try the ’nduja, Cobble Lane pepperoni and hot honey; slice from £2.50; nellspizza.co.uk), via brunch at Pollen (follow on Instagram @PollenBakery) to the imminent arrival of Scouse taco kings Madre (thisismadre.co.uk), the alfresco options at this canalside garden – part of residential development Kampus – make it a hot address this summer. Marle, Hampshire Skye Gyngell’s seasonal, sustainable slice of luxury at Heckfield Place hotel. Mains from £24; heckfieldplace.com The Barn, Aughton, Lancashire One-Michelin-star brother to neighbouring Moor Hall set in five attractive acres. Mains from £20; moorhall.com Nick’s, Port of Menteith, Stirling Globe-trotting dishes and classy pizza at Nick Nairn’s restaurant, where diners can eat in beautifully designed gardens. Pizza from £12; nairns.co.uk Pythouse Kitchen Garden, Tisbury Naturally, at a restaurant so rooted in its Wiltshire setting, Pythouse diners can lunch at canopied terrace tables in its 18th-century walled garden. This year, chef Darren Broom will also host several open-air Eat the Equinox and Garden Gathering communal feasts, where guests can enjoy dishes such as celeriac carpaccio with a smoked spring onion vinaigrette and Old Winchester, or lamb, fermented garlic and wild leeks. From £35pp; pythousekitchengarden.co.uk The Bailiwick, Egham Eat Windsor Great Park venison bon bons overlooking said park. Bar mains £15; thebailiwick.co.uk The Pool House Restaurant, Exmouth Swimming and dining overlooking the Exe Estuary at Michael Caines’ Lympstone Manor. Mains from £14; lympstonemanor.co.uk The White Hart Inn, Mersea Island, Essex Historic pub close to Monkey Beach, reopened by the Sun Inn at Dedham team, with a lush sheltered beer garden. Naturally, oysters feature on a menu that ranges from pork belly sando to skate in Café de Paris sauce. Mains from £14.50; whitehartinnmersea.co.uk Hare & Hounds, Bath This stone-built, dog-friendly inn is only a mile from Bath city centre, but nevertheless the Hare & Hounds is surrounded by beautiful countryside and extensive gardens. From the terrace there are sweeping 10-mile views across the city towards Solsbury Hill, an Iron Age hill fort immortalised in song by Peter Gabriel. The garden comes into its own in the summer, with its large lawn, picnic benches and children’s play area. It all makes for a lovely spot to enjoy a pint of Somerset-brewed Butcombe ale and simple dishes such as beer-battered fish and chips, or mash and beef braised in red wine. hareandhoundsbath.com 20 Stories, Manchester In the heart of Spinningfields, the restaurant at 20 Stories lays claim to the highest rooftop terrace in Manchester and provides magnificent 360° views of the city’s vast skyline. It’s a dramatic setting to enjoy modern British dishes in, including sweet-cured bacon chop, sauerkraut and lentils, and rhubarb panna cotta and crème fraîche sorbet. 20stories.co.uk Riddle & Finns, Brighton Riddle & Finns, tucked under a Victorian arch beneath the promenade at Brighton beach, is both a seafood restaurant and champagne and oyster bar. It has one of the town’s most sought-after views – the window area overlooks the skeletal remains of the iconic West Pier. Sit on the alfresco terrace in the summer or dine upstairs and glance over the pebble beach, gazing out to sea as you feast on grilled langoustines with chilli and salsa verde, followed by fish pie or pan-roast fillet of turbot with confit potato, burnt apple, Asian pear and shiso leaf butter. riddleandfinns.co.uk The Griffin Inn, East Sussex As Britain begins to warm-up, the two-acre garden at this rural dining-pub shines. Nicknamed ‘the Serengeti’, it enjoys sweeping views of the South Downs and, on summer weekends, includes its own BBQ kitchen and an outdoor bar where, as the sun sets, you can sip at a ‘Sussex Serengeti’ cocktail of homemade elderflower cordial, prosecco, mint and raspberries. You can also eat on the neat outdoor terrace. Expect dishes such as South Brockwell Farm asparagus, buffalo mozzarella and baby basil as well as Portland crab linguine with chilli, garlic and white wine. thegriffininn.co.uk Nancarrow Farm, Cornwall Each month this organic farm throws open its swanky barn for feast nights, cooked in the outdoor kitchen. Open fires and elemental hardwood cooking are a focus, and super-seasonal dishes might include oak-grilled lamb with wild garlic pesto, braised lentils, sweetheart cabbage and asparagus or a novel beef carpaccio (‘cooked dirty, on the embers’) with rosemary salt, horseradish and radishes. All the meats are reared at Nancarrow, which also has a fecund kitchen garden. nancarrowfarm.co.uk Ruin Beach Café, Isles of Scilly This happily situated café, overlooking Raven’s Porth beach, is on the privately-owned island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, less than 30 miles from the Cornish coast. It uses the best island produce available for its Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and the view towards St Martin’s from the sun terrace of this former smuggler’s cottage offers an equally Mediterranean-style view. A wood-fired oven produces excellent pizzas and is also used to roast top-quality Tresco beef and island-caught fish. tresco.co.uk The Inn at Whitewell, Lancashire Lancashire gem The Inn at Whitewell is a 16th-century pub perched high on the banks of the River Hodder, with spectacular views down the valley to the grouse moors beyond. The kitchen sources game from the surrounding woods and moors (the inn sits within the Forest of Bowland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and neighbouring Burholme Farm produces delicious Lonk rare-breed lamb. innatwhitewell.com The Godolphin Arms, Cornwall A short walk along the beach from Penzance, The Godolphin Arms restaurant-with-rooms overlooks the iconic St Michael’s Mount with farreaching views of the Lizard Peninsula. In the summer, the suntrap terrace is the place to sip a Cornish gin and eat excellent local fish and chips. godolphinarms.co.uk The Old Coastguard, Cornwall The Old Coastguard, sister hotel to nearby Gurnard’s Head, is set in the idyllic Cornish fishing village of Mousehole (pronounced ‘Mouzzal’), close to Newlyn fish market. The views from the hotel’s tropical garden, positioned as it is on rocks looking across to St Michael’s Mount, are breathtaking and, if you watch closely, you’re sure to see dolphins and seals gliding through the water as you enjoy a meal in the restaurant or on the terrace. oldcoastguardhotel.co.uk Riley’s Fish Shack, Tyne and Wear This no-bookings seafood restaurant is well worth queuing for. It’s a rusty shipping container on the rocks above the beach at Tynemouth, with a tarpaulin-covered terrace. Watch the waves over a daily-changing menu of the day’s catch cooked in the wood-fired pizza oven, and served in brown cardboard boxes with wooden cutlery. Seafood at its simplest and with one of the best views in the North East. rileysfishshack.com The Hidden Hut, Cornwall The Hidden Hut, sat on a coastal path above beautiful Porthcurnick Beach on the Roseland Peninsula of west Cornwall, is owned by the National Trust but run by chef Simon Stallard and Jemma Glass. The outdoor kitchen resembles an army field kitchen and the menu changes daily, with freshly baked pasties and good coffee and cake available before the lunch menu is chalked on the board. On a typical midsummer day, up to 2,000 customers are fed, many of them taking their food to the beach for those sea views. hiddenhut.co.uk River Exe Café, Devon A custom-built floating restaurant surrounded by water, and only accessible by water taxi, the River Exe Café sits in the middle of the Exe Estuary in east Devon. Watch the colourful Devon sunset over food prepared by head chef Chris Dayer, and eat fresh fish from the estuary itself as you hear the water lapping around you. riverexecafe.com Crab House Café, Dorset On the water’s edge where Weymouth meets Portland Bill, the Crab House Café is essentially a weather-beaten shack attached to an oyster farm. The oysters and local crabs take star billing on the menu, which can change twice a day depending on what’s landed by day boats working out of Poole, Weymouth or Brixham. The view from the restaurant and tables on the shingle outside looks across Chesil Beach to some of the fishing boats supplying the kitchen. crabhousecafe.co.uk The Cherwell Boathouse, Oxford There can’t be many restaurants with their own punt station... but the clue here is in the name: The Cherwell Boathouse occupies half of a working Victorian boathouse, right on the River Cherwell. There are 80 punts available during the season, weather permitting, but if you just want to relax, then grab a table on the terrace and watch the punts and wildlife while making the most of an award-winning wine list. cherwellboathouse.co.uk Beach House, Gower Peninsula Whether your table is inside or on the terrace, the coastal views at this beachside gaff, towards the famous Welsh landmark Three Cliffs Bay, are breathtaking. Native Welshman head chef Hywel Griffith is passionate about local produce from the Gower coast, and that’s reflected in his menu, which often includes lobster caught from the sea directly in front of the restaurant. beachhouseoxwich.co.uk Lord Crewe Arms, Northumberland Set in the picture-postcard village of Blanchland, on the Northumberland and Durham borders, the 18th-century Lord Crewe Arms occupies an idyllic and timeless spot next to an ancient church and opposite the village square. Close to Hadrian’s Wall, parts of the building can be traced back to the 12th century and in summer you can enjoy lunch on the lawn of the walled garden that produces 95% of the menu’s produce. Dishes include local duck breast with summer vegetable salad and ‘rough cut’ pasta with a ‘low and slow’ ragu of Durham rare-breed pork. lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk Words by Mark Taylor and Tony Naylor Photographs by Matt Austin, Mike Searle, Paul Massey, Nigel John, Ed Schofield, Owen Howells, Girl Behind The Lens, Luke Hayes
Check out our favourite restaurants, bars and foodie spots in this buzzing area of north London. Try Mexican-style rotisserie chicken, low-intervention wines, bacon naans and more
Looking for King’s Cross restaurants? Here are our favourite restaurants in King’s Cross. Check out our ideas for eating and drinking in King’s Cross, from Coal Drops Yard to Granary Square and beyond… Next discover the best private dining rooms in the UK and the best UK spa hotels or food lovers. For more London food inspiration, check out our guides to the best restaurants in Soho, best restaurants in Islington, best restaurants in Paddington and best restaurants in Mayfair. Best places to eat and drink near King's Cross station Bao Kings Cross — for Bao’s take on Western-style cafes in Asia This modern all-day dining spot, tucked between the canal and St Pancras, offers a chance to dine in and a take-away bakery option. As the name suggests, this is one of the Bao stable and its signature fluffy white bao is on the menu, along with two exclusive versions (giving you a good excuse to visit every venue), a hamburger bao (just as it sounds) and a seafood roll made from a decadent fried brioche filled with lobster, crayfish and mayo. The rest of lobster reappears as a no-waste dish, head split open with crisp fries to dip into the creamy filling. A Taiwanese breakfast staple is reimagined, the standout ham hock congee comes not with a side of youtiao (fried bread sticks) but a golden pastry topping to rip off and dip — if you only eat one thing, make it this. Desserts feature BAOfiterole and an exemplary pineapple cake (actually a pastry), and cocktails include a plum sake-based negroni. The bakery dispenses salted egg custard ‘sad face’ bao and cookie caramel bao alongside coffee — should you wish to take away. baolondon.com Supermax – for a hidden gem bar Supermax is a hidden gem in King’s Cross, transporting guests straight to the disco era with its 70s-style speakeasy vibes. Tucked beneath Happy Face Pizza, it’s the perfect spot for both an after-work aperitif (don’t miss the daily aperitivo hour from 5-7pm) and late-night revelry. The cocktail list here is a well-curated mix, from classics with a twist, like the negroni picante and mezcal old fashioned to unique creations like the signature spicy Maxcalita that comes to your table, quite literally smoking, ideal for adventurous palates. The expert bartenders are always on hand to recommend the perfect drink if you’re unsure. For a light bite, the menu offers tasty nibbles like smoky almonds and Nocellara olives. Stick around past 10 pm on Thursdays through Saturdays to dance under the disco ball and neon lights, making this an all-in-one nightlife destination. supermaxbar.com Sushi on Jones – for affordable omakase With omakase menu prices often heading into triple figures, it’s refreshing that this London outpost of a New York fave brings it in for £68 for 12 courses. It’s an intimate space with only eight seats at a counter, so you can watch as head sushi chef Mattia Aranini and his team prepare and explain each course. Tasting menu £68; sushionjones.com Booking Office 1869 – for classic all-day dining Booking Office 1869 is the re-imagining of the original 19th-century ticket hall that has greeted the many travellers visiting St Pancras Station since its opening in 1869. But Harry Handelsman – lead behind the redesign – is no stranger to grand undertakings, having been responsible for past projects including the Chiltern Firehouse. This relaunch coincides with the 10-year anniversary of stewardship of the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, where the restaurant is located. With décor that embraces its Victorian heritage and celebrates the building’s rich history, plus a menu that highlights classic dishes and gives them a modern twist, Booking Office 1869 is establishing itself as the place to be for all-day dining in London’s King’s Cross, whether it be for an early breakfast or late-night supper. booking-office.co.uk Fatto Pizza & Beer – for authentic Neapolitan pizza If you like your pizza pillowy, Fatto A Mano’s Kings Cross outpost is a must-visit. The opening from the Neapolitan-style pizzeria boasts modern furnishings and a buzzy atmosphere, perfect for a quick and casual dinner with friends. Which pizza to order? The menu balances traditional Italian toppings with simple twists, with everything from fennel sausage and Neapolitan broccoli to mortadella and a whole burrata. Dough is made fresh every day then left to prove for at least 24 hours – meaning less yeast is used for a lighter crust – then, the pizza is cooked at about 450 degrees for no more than 90 seconds (just how they do it in Naples). To start, nibble on nocellara olives and fennel tarallini as you sip on a seasonal aperitivo. A bowl of signature Campania fries is ideal for sharing, or opt for a cheeky salad of buffalo bocconcini, pesto, tomato and Little Gem lettuce. Everything is noticeably fresh and well proportioned, so you’re getting bang for your buck, too. Round off your night in typical Italian fashion with a limoncello – a smooth, warming digestif. fattoamanopizza.com Decimo – for hip Mexican with a view Hop in the red bubble lift that clings to the outside of The Standard Hotel up to chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’s striking top floor restaurant. Cacti poke out from behind wooden features, Mexican textiles line sweeping curved banquettes, and a large open fireplace provides a focal point. Bag a burgundy-tiled table by the window for iconic London views while you sip zippy margaritas on the rocks or Sevilla mimosas and peruse the menu. Order a selection of Spanish and Mexican small plates, including salty anchovies slivers in a pool of confit garlic oil, panko-coated croquetas laced with iberico ham and manchego, and charcoaled sourdough to scoop up smoky red pepper tartare. At the Saturday brunch, try twists on classic egg dishes, such as huevos flamenco – iberico pork shoulder ribbons topped with two fried eggs. There are also tacos served on chunky bespoke marble platters and delicate skewers including pork in cumin and cinnamon or meltingly soft koji squid. Opt for the mezcal flight to taste a selection of handpicked regional Mexican agaves, from a toasty variety from the Pacific Coast to a Oaxacan mezcal distilled with coffee. All to the backdrop of live DJs and music. standardhotels.com Merkato, Kings Cross This Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant on Caledonian Road is not only popular with knowing locals but has also attracted the attentions of London’s top critics in recent years. Portions are gargantuan – with speciality dishes like their dereq tbsi (sautéed beef with tomatoes, pepper and onion), keyh qlwa (hot spiced fried lamb), and special kitfo (minced beef with spiced butter). Their delicious injera (fermented teff flour pancake) is tangy and springy in texture, the perfect vehicle to scoop up everything in front of you. merkatokingscross.co.uk Hoppers – for Sri Lankan food in bustling Pancras Square Any food lover will know that Hoppers gets its names from the crisp, bowl-shaped pancakes made from a fermented batter of rice flour and coconut milk. They are devilishly difficult to make at home – but devilishly delicious in the hands of the chefs at the buzzy, spacious, family-friendly King’s Cross branch of Hoppers, the third in the empire from JKS restaurants. Filled with a soft fried egg or masala, they are a must-try. But, there are other essential-order dishes inspired by the street food along the coastal journey from the capital Colombo to Galle. Crunchy mutton rolls yield soft and tender shredded meat. Devilled paneer, a perfect sponge for chilli sauce, has a pleasing bounce. Chilli cheese dosa is as big as a bath sheet and a perfect mop for signature karis, the stand-out of which being swimmer crab – a tangle of shell and claws smothered in intense, silky sauce. Make sure you choose Hoppers’ own beer – Toddy ale. It has a touch of salt, which is as surprising as it is fire-dousing. hopperslondon.com/kingscross Happy Face Pizza – for pizza Tucked away behind Coal Drops Yard, Happy Face Pizza is a must-visit if you’re after a low-key dinner without having to queue. A slick marble bar takes centre stage, with high stools and sharing tables filling the industrial-style space. Wood-fired pizzas (with dough fermented for 72 hours) come with puffy, charred crusts and sloppy centres. Try the salsiccia with smoked mozzarella, Neapolitan sausage and fresh fiery chilli, or the prosciutto one for a salty number. If you just fancy a snack, order shoestring zucchini fritti, washed down with a house-bottled Roller Ball cocktail – a concoction of Suze, white vermouth and tonic cordial. For more party vibes, head downstairs to SUPERMAX, a vermouth-led cocktail bar that’s all glitter balls, plush pink furnishings and DJs every Friday night. happyface.pizza Fortitude Bakehouse – for bakes Time is a key ingredient at Dee Rettali’s fascinating mews bakery off Russell Square. Doughs and cake batters are designed to ferment in stages, between making, rolling and baking, to enhance their complexity. “We make a fermented brownie using a liquid starter and cultured butter which sits for four days before baking,” explains Dee. From Guinness cakes to lunch sandwiches of zaalouk, aged feta, preserved lemon and parsley, flavour inspiration is drawn from Dee’s Irish background and her love of Morocco. A viral hit, Fortitude’s beignet might feature a rhubarb cream filling and crumble topping: “The dough is a fermented, fried brioche, not typical doughnut dough.” fortitudebakehouse.com Granger & Co. – for brunch Granger & Co. King's Cross is the third London location of Australian celebrity chef Bill Granger's restaurants. Focussing on it's trademark sunny, healthy style of Med/Southeast Asian food, great cocktails, wine and top-notch coffee, Granger and Co is open from breakfast to dinner every day. Granger & Co's menus are famously eclectic, bringing flair to the sunny Australian Med/South-east Asian melting-pot. The crispy duck, spring onion crepes, iceberg and plum sauce, is an especially memorable dish which could be likened to a dream you might have had about what crispy duck pancakes might be like before you'd ever seen any. Granger & Co. makes reference to 80's Italian train station restaurants, with its Terrazzo floors and bar tops, olive leather banquettes, a wood-panelled ceiling, 70s table lamps, moody modern art, salmon and peach paintwork, an Italian style leather and brass fixed-stool-seated bar with a huge feature mirror dominating the space behind it. grangerandco.com Canopy Market – for street food This weekly food market in King’s Cross plays host to independent food producers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Choose between honeycomb doughnuts from Bread Ahead, meats from The Charcuterie Board and hot sauces from World of Zing. Take your pick between indulgent risotto balls from the Arancini Brothers, or grilled cheese sandwiches at the Big Melt. canopymarket.co.uk Best places to eat and drink in Coal Drops Yard Bubala, Lewis Cubitt Park – for Middle Eastern vegetarian small plates Bubala has done it again. The third spot from Marc Summers (Berber & Q) and Helen Graham (Palomar) boasts its very own wood-fired oven, as well as a bright, light-filled space and tall ceilings – unlike its cosier counterparts in Soho and Shoreditch – and with shelves furnished with pickle jars and greenery. Trust that ‘Bubala Knows Best’ with the vegetarian or vegan set menus. Start with a pickle plate – three types all in different brines – closely followed by the superlative dips. The superbly silky baba ganoush comes with a well of curry leaf oil and toasted pine nuts, alongside a sleek fava bean dip with vadouvan. Smoky laffa bread is fresh off the grill and beautifully charred. The oyster mushroom skewer with tamari and coriander seed is a highlight, with umami meatiness that will convince even the staunchest mushroom naysayers. Crisp falafel with a vibrant green centre is served with tangy mango pickle amba and sumac onions. Even something as simple as a side salad is pepped with Bubala flair – oak and mustard leaves with onion, pomegranate molasses and mint is a refreshing complement to the deep-fried falafel, charred, smoky vegetables and creamy dips. Wash it all down with a spicy margarita rimmed with flecks of char from the grill. bubala.co.uk El Pastor Coal Drops Yard – for Mexican party vibes Dining is an alfresco affair at El Pastor – with multicoloured tables and chairs grouped around a central bar in a covered, heated terrace, complete with Latin beats on the speakers. The menu might be casual – spicy Mexican-style rotisserie chicken, tostadas and tacos are the stars here – but there’s an attention to detail that elevates the food. A surprisingly meaty mushroom taco comes with oaxaca cheese, caramelised onion, pumpkin seeds and coriander, with a piquant salsa made with toasted árbol chillies and garlic oil (they have seven salsas in total, all made in-house). tacoselpastor.co.uk Lina Stores – for pasta This swish space near Coal Drop’s Yard is made more cosy with soft globe lighting and clever sectioning off into counter dining, a bar lined with Italian aperitivi, and booths sheltered by iconic striped awnings in Lina Stores’ signature pale peppermint hues. Kick things off with a cocktail – try a punchy Villa Ascenti Gin negroni or a refreshing Italian twist on the g&t spiked with vermouth, black olive tonic and a sprig of rosemary. Antipasti dishes include roast aubergine and red peppers adorned with toasted pine nuts, nocellara olives and caramelised sultanas. Or slices of tuna carpaccio topped with gherkins, salsa verde, caper berries and lemon zest with tuna anchovy mayo. The focus is on fresh, handmade pasta dishes to share. Pici alla Norcia is a highlight, with thick pici pasta worms topped with a deep, umami-rich ragu of porcini mushrooms and Umbrian sausage. Large ravioli parcels are filled with sweet pumpkin and black pepper, or try oxtail ragu enriched with black ferrandina olives and tossed through silky pappardelle folds. linastores.co.uk The Drop – for wine Exposed brick walls, low-arched ceilings and soft lighting give The Drop an intimate, unpretentious feel. The chiefly European curated wine list focusses on mostly low-intervention and small producers, from France to Georgia. There’s lots to explore here, plus Guinness on tap and cheese toasties from the kitchen. thedropbar.co.uk Vermuteria – for aperitivo Vermuteria opened at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, in October 2018 and it’s the first café and bar created by chef Anthony Demetre and designer Michael Sodeau. As well as charcuterie and dishes combining European and British influences (think rabbit in mustard sauce, potato and kale; Galician octopus and chickpeas; or venison ragu and gnocchi), there are more than 70 vermouths on the list. The vermouth takes centre stage in the form of simple aperitifs and a base for cocktails such as the sbagliato (Cinzano Rosso, Campari and prosecco). vermuteria.cc Click here for the best wine bars across the country Best places to eat and drink in Granary Square Dishoom – for casual Indian food Inspired by the all-day Irani cafés that were an integral part of Bombay life, there are now four branches of Dishoom in London (and another in Edinburgh), each serving Bombay breakfast, lunch, afternoon chai and dinner. Dishoom restaurant can also be found in Shoreditch, Carnaby and Covent garden. To see more of our best Indian restaurants in London, click here Ruby Violet – for ice cream Run with old-school glamour but contemporary flair by ex-food photographer Julie Fisher (the name is a nod to her maternal grandmother), this north London ice cream hot spot developed from a stall at a local market. As Julie says ‘ice cream makes people smile’ and Ruby Violet’s certainly does that. As far as possible, Julie subscribes to the fresh, seasonal, local philosophy; look out for peach and rosewater, damson, English strawberry, Seville orange marmalade ripple and Kentish Town honey. rubyviolet.co.uk Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Chelsea 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 Battersea 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
We know a good pub when we see one. Curl up by the fire in the Lake District or tuck into a hearty roast in the Cotswolds then prolong the cosy vibes with a night in a great-value boutique room
Looking for gastro pubs with rooms to stay over in after your Sunday roast? Read our guide on the best pubs with rooms in the UK, from the Cotswolds to Sussex, Yorkshire to the Peak District. We’ve got country pub hotels in Oxfordshire with log fires, to classic good pub food in Kent. Whether you fancy a relaxed weekend getaway in a luxury pub, or a a stopover in a pub hotel, check out our recommendations below, then check out our pick of the UK's best boutique hotels, the best restaurants with rooms in the UK and best London pubs for food lovers. You can also bring the cosiness of a great pub to your home with recipes from olive's favourite pub chefs and for a more casual affair, find out our favourite informal dining spots. If you're planning a summer holiday, check out our UK summer travel ideas. Next, discover the best restaurants in the Lake District, best restaurants in York and the Cotswolds, plus the best walks in the UK. Best gastro pubs with rooms Manor House Inn, Ditcheat Chickpea Group runs some of the best-loved pubs in the South West and this, its latest, continues a winning formula of effortless, pared-back interiors, friendly service and, at the heart of it all, outstanding food. Stacked with pub classics as well as more refined options, menus offer plenty of choice for those staying a few nights. Westcombe rarebit croquettes were very moreish, while butterflied sardines were piled on crusty sourdough and doused in a vibrant salsa verde. Perfectly crisp and juicy chicken schnitzel with fennel and caper salad could easily have fed two, which sadly left little room for pudding. There’s plenty of choice to drink, too, with Chickpea’s signature cocktails and sharpeners alongside a good range of wines, including local picks. Breakfast is a generous affair, too, with ginger and turmeric shots brought to the table, and bloody marys on the plentiful buffet for those keeping the party going. The full English was as good as you’d hope, with local produce cooked well, and a number of lighter options available from the kitchen including eggs royale with smoked mackerel. The Manor House Inn has just nine bedrooms, each with its own character, making the most of original features with thoughtful additions for modern comfort. Ditcheat is a well-appointed Somerset village with plenty to fill a weekend. Wraxall Vineyard is a short walk up the road, offering tours and tastings, and the trendy enclave of Bruton is nearby, too. Check rates and availability at manorhouseinnditcheat.co.uk The Sun Inn, Felmersham Combining a decent pub experience for regulars with a special getaway vibe for overnight visitors is no mean feat, but one that The Sun Inn has magnificently mastered. First and foremost, it’s a friendly country pub: thatched roof, local beers on tap, plenty of stools and standing room at the bar, open fireplace, unfussy food like goat curry and hot dogs. In the dining room a five-course seasonal tasting menu starts with sourdough and chicken salt butter, a soup such as watercress and crackling or crab, starter of trout and jerusalem artichoke and a main which might be beef shin with saffron and bone marrow risotto, and apple pie with custard and soy ice cream. Much of the meat is sourced from the pub’s own Wild Berry Farm and local producers. Lucky weekenders can stay in one of just two rooms – the bijou green and neutral-toned Dusk, or bigger, split-level apartment Dawn, decorated in calming shades of old rose with freestanding copper bath and a sofa bed in a separate living space which can comfortably accommodate up to four. Exposed brick and wooden beams contrast beautifully with crisp white linens and a fully equipped kitchen. Behind The Sun Inn and the farm are two couples, childhood chums, chef Pete Pestell and farmer JJ Ibbett, and their partners Conny and Laura. Their friendship, love of the countryside and community creates a generous, welcoming atmosphere at the heart of the village. Check rates and availability at thesunfelmersham.com Sculthorpe Mill, Fakenham, Norfolk The impossibly pretty setting next to the River Wensum is almost as lovely as the inside of this colourful pub, designed by interiors whizz Shaun Clarkson. Botanical print wallpaper, a forest-green tiled bar, red leather booths, feature lights and a bold aqua blue and orange colour scheme add a contemporary touch to this converted watermill with wooden beamed ceilings. Seven bedrooms are decked out in similar colours with tongue and groove, natural wood and rattan accents. No TVs, this is a place to switch off. On the menu, Guinness soda bread with brown butter and smoked salt is a nod to the Irish heritage of Sculthorpe’s owners, sisters Siobhan and Catriona Peyton, while local dishes include Brancaster oysters, Norfolk barnsley chop, Heath Farm rib of beef and Blakeney leaf salad with ranch dressing. Cocktails are a cut above your average boozer, made with local spirits like artisan Archangel gin. Quiz nights, sausage rolls on the bar, Sunday roasts, East Anglian cask beer and cider speak to its status as heart of the community. B&B from £110. Check availability at sculthorpemill.uk or booking.com The Bay Horse, Hurworth, County Durham Warm and welcoming, The Bay Horse is the hub of this pretty riverside village near Darlington. Pop in for just the one, take a relaxed sunny lunch in the beer garden or book dinner in one of the pub’s cosy nooks in the wooden beamed building – the notably friendly and knowledgeable team ensure you’ll be treated as a regular. On the menu things are a little fancier than your traditional pub – yes, you can have steak and onion rings or mussels with triple-cooked chips, but there’s also black treacle venison loin, roasted halibut with saffron foam, and 12-hour daube of beef with girolles, all offered with thoughtful wine pairings by the glass. Going for a bottle or carafe? The wine-literate team will offer more suggestions. This attention to detail extends to its accommodation, too. In the adjoining Keepers Cottage, the fridge in its well-equipped kitchen is stocked with fresh milk and wine – not the usual mini bar stuff but decent selections like a Portuguese Alentejo white. Sip it in front of the open fireplace or, in warmer months, outside in the champagne-themed courtyard. The bathroom with clawfoot bath adjoins a cosy bedroom where crisp white linens are softened with textured throws, vintage-style rugs, prints and books. From £140 per night. Check availability at thebayhorsehurworth.com The Great Bustard, Wiltshire Game features prominently at this freshly renovated pub and restaurant with rooms on the edge of the Durnford Estate, as chef Jordan Taylor liaises daily with the estate team. Both the cosy bar and brighter, wood-beamed restaurant serve elevated comfort food: partridge goujons, game terrine and venison, while vegetarians are equally well catered for in hyper-seasonal, estate-grown dishes like glazed beetroot, ancient grain risotto and smoked ewe’s curd. The kitchen’s skills are most evident in puddings such as mont blanc with condensed milk ice cream, and clementine parfait and cognac sorbet. Take a souvenir home from the on-site farm shop, which offers homemade dill pickled cucumbers, piccalilli, fig and date chutney and strawberry jam. Breakfast highlights are duck hash with fried egg and pickled walnut ketchup, and crumpet with scramble, Spenwood cheese and truffle. Rooms, named for the British birds who can be spotted in the ancient woodlands of the estate, are havens of calm, neutrally decorated with a nod to the countryside location in tweed throws and contemporary touches like glossy ficus plants, huge paper lampshades and Durnford diffusers. Discover more uplifting scents in the treatment room where facials and massages use estate-created products with aromatherapist Annie Brown. Check rates and availability at thegreatbustard.uk The Three Daggers, Wiltshire Is it a pub, is it a micro-brewery, is it a farm shop – or a collection of self-catering cottages? The answer is all of the above. A versatile experience near the tourist hotspots of Salisbury Plain and Avebury, at The Three Daggers you can have a decent pub lunch, learn about the brewing process and sample its real ale, and spend a very comfortable night or two in a room above the pub or in three self-catering cottages which sleep from two to 12. Appealing to regulars and visitors alike, its menu of pub classics – fish and chips, steak and burgers – is enhanced by the trend-aware additions of sourdough crumpet with crab and gochujang glazed squid. House draughts and seasonal cocktails, which might include the pub’s own brand gin, add a unique touch. Rooms at the inn are cosy and country-style with original wooden beams, crisp linen and rustic throws. Hillside is a grander option and, although still homely and rustic, is more house than cottage, complete with books, games and squishy sofas, and with a huge, well-equipped kitchen with views across the county. Outside there’s a hot tub and, a few steps away, the spa barn offers treatments and wellness activities such as pilates. Self-catering guests and those wanting to take home a souvenir can stock up on treats at the farm shop, including local raw honey, cheese from Wiltshire and adjacent counties, artisan bread, organic meat and pies. Rooms at the inn start from £102. Prices for Hillside begin from £1,250 per night (sleeps 12). Rooms can also be booked on an individual basis (starting from £190 per night), using the living room and kitchen as communal spaces. Check availability at thethreedaggers.co.uk Brackenrigg Inn, Lake District Nestled just steps away from Lake Ullswater, the Brackenrigg Inn offers an inviting blend of cozy charm and understated luxury. With stunning views of England’s second-largest lake and its surrounding countryside, the inn's rooms exude a traditional feel, adorned with local artwork and curated books. Thoughtful touches abound, including plush pillows, extra blankets, and complimentary drinks and treats. Bathrooms are sleek and modern, featuring walk-in showers and heated towel rails for added comfort. Guests of the Brackenrigg Inn also enjoy access to the amenities at nearby Another Place hotel, which boasts a spa, a pool with mountain vistas, three restaurants, and a sumptuous library stocked with board games and complimentary tea and coffee. The pub’s menu showcases a hearty selection of locally sourced meats and cheeses, with standout dishes like homemade steak and ale pie and sticky toffee pudding. During the winter months, the cozy ambiance is enhanced by roaring fires and plenty of board games to enjoy after an invigorating walk along the lake. Rates: Doubles from £180 (1 room); family rooms (2 rooms) from £250. Check availability at brackenrigginn.co.uk The Feathered Nest, Cotswolds Not many locals boast lobster and chips on the specials board but The Feathered Nest is much more refined than your average country pub. A six-course tasting menu shows Asian influences, from pork belly with mango and papaya salad to roasted monkfish in Thai buttermilk broth, in the summer months taken on the terrace as the sun sets on the Evenlode Valley. But it’s still very much a pub. Yes, the wooden-beamed bar offers cocktails and even sake, but you can also pop in for a pint of Empress IPA or steak and chips, and dogs are welcome. Four guest rooms, one with roll-top bath, are designed with comfort and calm in mind, with waffled bedspreads, Bramley toiletries, contemporary art and homemade biscuits. An adjacent cottage features an upstairs bedroom, freestanding bath and a cosy lounge with open fire and a small kitchen. Explore the area with an easy walk to nearby Church Westcote or challenge yourself to the three-hour Bledington and Icomb circular route – a handy map is provided. Check rates and availability at thefeatherednest.co.uk Merry Harriers, Surrey In the picturesque, historic village of Hambledon, Surrey, The Merry Harriers – with a new team on board and room redecorations underway – makes an excellent base for a weekend walking in the surrounding woodland and rolling hills. There are walks from the front door, while the South Downs is a short drive away. Nearby Box Hill is a mecca for masochistic cyclists, too. Accommodation is cute but cramped, whether in one of the four rooms above the pub, in the six rooms (dogs allowed) running alongside the garden or over the road where there are five shepherd's huts. With a large beer garden and a huge fire by the bar, the pub is the perfect place to unwind after a walk, whether in summer or winter. We visited on a sunny day, when a G&T from the distillery next door and a game of pétanque in the garden provided the perfect interlude before dinner. The homemade scotch eggs are highly recommended but beware of over-indulging before heading to the restaurant. It’s very posh pub food, with high-quality, frequently local ingredients. A perfectly cooked cut of cod was the highlight, but pies for two and sticky ginger pudding are often on the daily changing menu. Rooms from £140, check availability at merryharriers.com The Orange, Belgravia, London If you want to stay in the beating heart of London, you won’t get much more central than buzzy Belgravia, and this refurbished pub is a chic base. The 19th century local is part of the Cubitts House group, who have given this glorious period building a whole new charm. The uber-stylish interiors have flashes of orange throughout, and the contemporary Italian-inspired menu is curated by Ben Tish. The Orange has just four rooms, giving it an extra-personal feel. They are decked in natural materials and finished with botanical flourishes. Downstairs in the bar, guests can soak up the buzz and order dinner off The Orange’s seasonal, à la carte menu. You’ll find a list of delicious-sounding pizzas with inventive toppings, like red prawns, rose harissa & crispy garlic. There’s a strong list of hearty, seasonal salads, which included braised kale and fried aubergine. Starters included panisse with bottarga. There are large plates too, including rib-eye with roasted onions & comte and roast chicken with grapes and rosemary. The orange theme runs into the dessert menu in the form of a signature Campari sorbet. Guests enjoy breakfast as part of their stay, and while we loved the house granola with new season rhubarb, where The Orange really plays an ace is with their breakfast wood-fired flatbreads. Choose from toppings like fennel sausage & roasted tomatoes, stracciatella, mushroom & truffle cheese sauce. We already rated The Orange, but we have extra respect for anywhere that serves pizza before 10am. Rooms start at £260 a night, check availability at booking.com or cubitthouse.co.uk The Gin Trap Inn, Norfolk Treat yourself to a getaway at this cosy 17th-century coaching inn for instant relaxation, modern-meets-traditional rooms and a G&T or two. The vibe is relaxed: a children’s play area backs onto the outdoor bar, and dogs are made very welcome. A youthful team makes you feel at home immediately – you’ll feel like a local in a lively pub you’ve known for years. On the menu you’ll find plenty of ‘drinking snacks’, such as guacamole and tortilla chips, and fiery chicken wings, plus a decent burger with buttermilk onion rings and hay roast ham with duck egg, chips and piccalilli to please pub traditionalists. There’s a nod to trends in the more ambitious charred harissa octopus, charcoal-grilled chicken with ’nduja and smoked saffron aïoli, and a crispy buffalo cauliflower bun. There are more than 100 gins on offer, including its own locally made Gin Trap brand. British gins rub shoulders with international varieties including Aussie Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz – drink with tonic, neat or in a post-dinner negroni. Breakfast must-orders are Staithe Smokehouse kippers, a beautiful cinnamon bun and the smoked salmon bagel with pickled cucumber and soft cheese. When it comes to décor, the line between modern and classic is nicely blurred: in the restaurant there are dark wooden tables and shelves stacked with well-thumbed, classic books. Beyond the main house is the light, contemporary, part-covered outdoor bar with raffia, sage and natural woods, a comfy corner sofa and bench seating. Cottages are cosy and stacked with games and books and filled with interesting textures and tiling that provide splashes of colour in the bedrooms. Doubles from £135, b&b, check availability at expedia.co.uk or booking.com The Nevill Arms, Medbourne Set in rural Leicestershire, you’ll find The Nevill Arms, a refurbished country pub and restaurant that has successfully achieved the feel of being your familiar local for residents and also attractive for visitors having a weekend in the country. The restaurant showcases two menus; the à la carte and the Josper Grill menu, both serving up quality, local produce, including meat that is reared at their farm nearby. If you’re going for the à la carte menu we recommend the seared scallops, and for main the wild garlic chicken kiev is a classic pub dish that’s perfect for this venue. Their dessert menu has room for familiar favourites like sticky toffee pudding, as well as something a little more indulgent like their chocolate delice. There are 10 refurbished boutique rooms in the pub, plus a cottage nearby for larger parties. The two front rooms are equipped with large bathrooms complete with walk-in shower and roll top bath. There is also a family room with bunk beds for the children to rest in after a long day. A complimentary continental breakfast is included in your stay that’s brought to your table. For two people you can expect a delicious board of yogurt, granola, jam, fresh bread, malt loaf and croissants. And if you’re still not satisfied you have the option of also having a cooked breakfast for an additional cost. Doubles from £150 per night, check availability at booking.com The Tickled Trout, Maidstone Set in the picturesque Kentish countryside, The Tickled Trout balances rustic country charm with smart modern touches. The all-day menu heroes Kentish produce and reflects the seasons, spanning pub grub classics (bavette steak, IPA-battered fish and chips, beef and mushroom pie) and signature fish dishes sourced from local fisheries and trout farms, including the whole baked rainbow trout en papillote with garlic butter, smoked bacon and winter veg. Dreamy desserts include the spiced orange tart served with a dollop of dark chocolate crème fraîche and crystallised citrus peel, artisan ice cream from Deal-based Solley’s, and Kent and Sussex cheeses with biscuits, winter chutney and frozen grapes. Beer and wine are provided by nearby Balfour Winery, located on the Hush Heath Estate – make a beeline for its flagship Balfour Brut Rosé or enjoy a glass of crisp Springfield Chardonnay as part of your post-prandial unwinding. The six bedrooms are a blend of snug and stylish, featuring exposed wooden beams, shabby chic décor, plush velvet textures and trendy rattan headboards – the back bedrooms overlooking lush fields. Rooms are equipped with a flat screen TV, Dualit coffee pod machine and Joe’s Tea teabags, with modern en suites kitted out with lime, rose and sandalwood-scented Arran toiletries. Breakfast covers the classics (full English, smoked salmon with scrambled eggs, breakfast bap), best washed down with freshly squeezed orange juice, coffee and, dependent on the weather, enjoyed on the large terrace and lawned garden. Doubles from £100 per night, check availability at booking.com The Bull at Charlbury, Cotswolds The Bull, from the team behind Notting Hill’s The Pelican and Canteen, The Hero in Maida Vale and Farringdon’s The Coach, is a village pub with a loyal London and local following. The kitchen uses locally-sourced produce, working directly with farms and growers including a community-supported agriculture project providing fruit and vegetables. Order hearty, unpretentious dishes like ham terrine, pork chop with apple, flat iron with horseradish; and ask about the pie on regularly updated menu. Rooms are neutral in palette and high in comfort, some with freestanding baths: Room 6 features an ensuite shower room and separate bath nook, to be enjoyed under the inn’s wooden beams, in front of a log fire thebullcharlbury.com Rooms start at £210 per night, based on two adults sharing. Check availability at thebullcharlbury.com The Fox at Oddington, Cotswolds The Daylesford group’s pared-back aesthetic is tempered here with a light-hearted foxy theme on everything from topiary to tableware. Its airy bar and Saddle Room is built around a lively open kitchen where chefs knock out the kind of relaxed, seasonal food we could eat every day. Sustainability is built into all Daylesford does, most visibly in the pub’s living roof, planted with wildflowers and herbs, and acting as a nectar source for bees. Chef Alan Gleeson’s menu of modern classics encourages sharing, from a half-pint of prawns and some Daylesford cheese to the full three courses. Small plates including tuna tartare with soy and ginger, and heritage tomatoes teamed with feta and mint are a promising start. A decent, tender pork chop comes with greens and apple; a simple plaice with seaweed butter and Ratte potatoes. Flatbread with lardo, anchovy and salsa verde is a must-try, as is Korean fried chicken. There’s usually a fruit tart and a dark chocolate mousse with pistachio biscotti. At breakfast, The Fox is flooded with light. Oversized plants and artfully placed saddles all echo the Gloucestershire location. Omelette Arnold Bennett, a rich haddock and cheese concoction, is served with hollandaise in a mini skillet; french toast with poached apricots is equally luxurious, as are breakfast brioche rolls. Wood-beamed rooms are decorated with hunting scenes and local wildlife from local artists. Sheepskins, woollen rugs and quilted blankets add a cosy touch to crisp white bedding. Some rooms include a free-standing bath, showers are powerful and fragrant with sage and geranium Bamford botanical products. Check availability at thefoxatoddington.com The Swan, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire This 16th-century half-timbered inn, at the heart of pretty Ascott-under-Wychwood, is now part of the Lionhearth Group (a Cotswold pub group that also includes The Chequers in Churchill and The Black Horse in Salford). It features hip-yet-homely hallmarks, including playful, eclectic furnishings and art, sink-into beds and spot-on seasonal food. There's attention to detail, from swan-shaped room keys crafted at the local forge to homemade cookies in bedrooms. British to the core, it appeals to locals, young and old, and city foodies seeking a rural weekend escape. Three new bedrooms were recently added and the pub now offers 11 spacious bedrooms, including a family room. Doubles from £150, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Pheasant Inn, Hungerford, Berkshire Once host to lock-ins and parties amongst the racing community, this renovated pub in the heart of Berkshire’s ‘Valley of the Racehorse’ still has plenty of character. Pub grub classics (Pheasant Ale-battered fish and chips, beef burgers, chicken kiev) sit on the menu alongside more unusual seafood dishes from head chef Andy Watts. The pub’s popular Sunday lunch includes whole-roast Cotswolds chicken for two, rich venison shepherd’s pie topped with piped mash, and crisp Kelmscott pork belly, followed by caramelised tarte tatin. There are plenty of local beers on tap – light, crisp Eagle IPA, malty Good Old Boy bitter and Ramsbury Gold, plus the pub’s own citrusy Pheasant Ale. Each of the eleven bedrooms is individually decorated, with fabric headboards, vintage pieces of furniture and Audubon’s Birds of America watercolours (look out for the flamingo on the stairs). Room 4 is fresh and botanical, with illustrations of plants, while rooms 3 and 7 boast stand-alone bathtubs in marble bathrooms. If you want to have a few drinks with your Sunday roast, you can prolong the weekend with the Settle in Sundays deal. Spend £100 or more in the restaurant on a Sunday evening and they’ll throw in a bedroom on the house. Doubles from £93, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Bottle & Glass Inn, Henley-on-Thames In the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside, the cosy Bottle & Glass Inn is a perfect bolthole for a weekend away in Henley-on-Thames. A traditional low-ceiling pub at the front opens up into the smart airy restaurant. The game-heavy menu takes advantage of the Phillimore Estate location, with a partridge wellington and fallow deer haunch both featuring at the time of our visit. The decadent dessert menu leaves you spoilt for choice – the winter pavlova topped with creamy orange curd was a highlight. The house wines are great examples of smooth organic Italian bottles. The Bottle & Glass also has a large outdoor restaurant complete with open fire within a barn adjacent to the pub, that attracts local walkers, families and plenty of dogs. The barn alternates between a burger menu or pizzas straight from the hefty pizza oven. Alongside classics and hot dogs (don’t miss out on the rosemary chips), the burger menu continues the game offering with the darkly named ‘Bambi burger’ for a fallow deer burger topped with braised venison shoulder. Three cosy, warm rooms are tucked above the inn with a separate side entrance. All are smartly decorated with a soothing Farrow & Ball colour palette: try room 3, complete with a roll-top bath in the bedroom, dressing gowns and a giant king-size bed. The simple breakfast menu served in the main restaurant covers the classics, from warm pastries to yogurt and granola or a full English using plenty of locally sourced meat. Check rates and availability at bottleandglassinn.com The Alice Hawthorn, Nun Monkton, North Yorkshire Set in the rural surroundings of Nun Monkton, The Alice Hawthorn has been revived into a thing of beauty. This pub with rooms has been awarded three Royal Institute of British Architects awards for its sustainable redevelopment. Inside the pub itself, rooms have been renovated to remain in keeping with the age of the building and outside, new buildings mimic agricultural structures – a stable, a field barn and an agricultural store. Internally, these feel traditional and warm while also having a modern edge. Whatever your preference, the quality of the rooms will ensure a comfortable stay – you'll want to take the beds home with you. This attention to detail is also reflected in the menu. Pub classics such as steak and chips are given a rework (chargrilled Waterford Farm fillet steak) and locally picked ingredients, such as Spilmans of Helperby asparagus, are brought to new heights with wild garlic pesto. These dishes will change with the seasons, but the thoughtfulness of head chef John Topham will be there whichever time you visit. For those staying overnight, there’s also a range of breakfast options, such as granola, yogurt with seasonal fruit, or a full Yorkshire breakfast, which was made with the same level of care as the dinner menu. Breakfast is made to order and served with a breakfast shot (non-alcoholic) and tea or coffee. Claire Topham’s thoughtful managing of the front of house leaves you feeling well looked after. There’s plenty to keep you busy nearby for a weekend, be it walks, heritage properties or wine tasting. Once you’ve finished your day, be sure to have a seat in the pub and order their homemade crisps (the parmesan crisps are a real find). For those happy to explore further afield, both York and Harrogate are within a short drive. Though the comfort of the rooms will entice you back soon enough. Check rates and availability at thealicehawthorn.com The Wild Rabbit, Cotswolds In the heart of the Cotswolds, on the Daylesford estate, The Wild Rabbit is a modern British inn serving seasonal, hyper-local food and offering 12 bedrooms (all, like the inn itself, named after creatures found in the English countryside). There are also two cosy cottages just a short walk away and, as of late 2018, three more opposite the inn. While it attracts an out-of-town crowd, at its heart The Wild Rabbit is a country pub, albeit one with Hugo Guinness block prints on the walls and tea lights flickering on farmhouse-style tables. It acts as a kind of sociable living room for the locals (the notice board was calling out for village bakers on our visit), with squidgy leather sofas taken up by blush-faced walkers escaping the cold, shaggy dogs lounging in front of the crackling fire and families wrapping their hands around mugs of hot chocolate and hot buttered rum. Check rates and availability at thewildrabbit.co.uk The Boot Inn, Repton, Derbyshire The Boot is a country pub hotel steeped in history. There has been an inn on this site, in the Derbyshire village of Repton, for several centuries, but this gastro pub has a lot more going for it than timeworn character. New owner Heidi Taylor has transformed The Boot into an ambitious bar and restaurant, where respect for tradition is confidently reconciled with contemporary design flair. There is much to see and do locally – the Peak District, Calke Abbey, sailing on Foremark reservoir – if you can tear yourself away from the inn. Doubles from £175, check rates and availability at booking.com Mr Hanbury’s Masons Arms, Artist Residence, Oxfordshire A luxury pub with rooms in the countryside. In a sleepy village in rural Oxfordshire Justin and Charlie Salisbury, the duo behind quirky Artist Residence hotel group, have restored a 16th century Cotswold-stone farmhouse and opened it as their fourth property, Mr Hanbury’s Masons Arms. A community-focused pub, with five perfectly put-together bedrooms upstairs, Mr Hanbury’s is split into two areas – a cosy bar area with a classic pub menu and a more sophisticated dining room where guests can enjoy a fine dining menu. Doubles from £155, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com The Harcourt Arms, Stanton Harcourt One of the latest pubs to undergo a refurb in the Oxford area is the 17th-century The Harcourt Arms. Head chef Olly Oakley (brother Will is GM) has peppered the menus with nods to Spain through bar snacks such as Friggitelli peppers, an enthusiastic use of rabbit as both chops and in rice dishes, and steaks cooked in a Josper charcoal oven. There’s a cosy and comfortable bar as well as a dining room, so you can eat as casually as you like. Local beers feature, there’s a splendid Sunday lunch which includes coal-fired carrots and, if you can’t make it home, book one of the ultra-comfy rooms upstairs. Doubles from £120, check availability at booking.com The Swan Inn, Esher José Pizarro's Spanish pub The Swan Inn features the greatest hits of the top chef's popular London restaurants – including his moreish croquetas, wobbly tortilla and ibérico ham – plus regional Spanish dishes, and pub classics with a José twist. The wine list nods in the direction of his homeland, and there is a selection of real ales, draught beers and Estrella Damm on tap. The pub also has an al fresco dining area, complete with an outdoor kitchen and open fire, and five bedrooms in the converted barn next door. Doubles from £122, check availability at booking.com The Bell Inn at Langford, Cotswolds There are plenty of contemporary-chic gastropubs in the Cotswolds but not all manage to retain the laid-back feel of a village boozer after their Farrow & Ball transformations. Happily The Bell, a 17th-century inn in pretty Langford, on the fringes of west Oxfordshire, does. Eight stylishly simple bedrooms mean you can settle down to sample that cooking, relaxed in the knowledge you don’t have to drive anywhere afterwards. Digest with a stroll to Langford’s pink-towered Saxon church across the fields, then enjoy an early night. Doubles from £109, check availability at booking.com The Five Bells Inn, East Brabourne, Kent The Five Bells Inn, in the quiet Kent village of East Brabourne, surely boasts one of the prettiest approaches of any gastro pub in the southern counties. Steer a bucolic route down narrow country roads, over the rolling hills of the North Downs, and you’re met with a 16th century hostelry, its monochrome paintwork embellished with rows of cheery red and pink geraniums. The bar sets a foodie tone, with its deli-style display of local cheeses and hams – and a long list of local beers, wines and spirits, with a restaurant next door offering posh pub food. Doubles from £155, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk The Montagu Arms, Hampshire The Montagu Arms is a just a short cycle ride or drive from Brockenhurst, an ideal jumping off point for a tour of the New Forest. With open fires and wood panelling inside, and a terrace bar and pretty kitchen gardens outside, it’s a characterful spot no matter which month you visit. Add in the promise of a good supper and charming bedrooms and you’ve got the perfect recipe for post-walking or cycling pampering. Head chef Matthew Whitfield has brought a seasonal approach to the menu, with an emphasis on produce from the surrounding coast and countryside. There’s a kitchen garden where head gardener Barry Daniel grows, prunes and plucks ingredients to then use in the Terrace Restaurant. Doubles from £190, check availability at booking.com Read our full review of The Montagu Arms The Inn at Whitewell, Ribble Valley, Lancashire This rambling inn, its old stonework a tangle of creepers, is cradled by rolling sheep-speckled hills above the River Hodder. Inside, fires blaze and crackle in open grates, walls are crammed with hunting prints and men in tweed prop up the bar. You’re not going to stumble on it by accident, but the effort it takes to get to this country pub hotel is worth it, as its many punters appreciate. Check availability at theinnatwhitewell.com Read our full guide to where to eat, drink and stay in the Ribble Valley The Wheatsheaf Inn, Cotswolds As glam as it is cosy, former coaching inn The Wheatsheaf Inn, set in a restored 17th-century Cotswold stone building, has three log fires, as well as a wood-burning stove in the snug. Get comfortable with some craft beer or a bottle of wine from the 300-strong list. There’s culinary clout too; chefs Anthony Ely (previously at The Square) and Humphrey Fletcher (River Café) create seasonal dishes such as Wiltshire lamb rump with white beans, peppers and salsa verde. Doubles from £135, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Lord Crewe Arms Hotel, Blanchland This is a luxury pub with rooms if ever we visited one. The bedrooms are spruce and the styling chic, but there is still a medieval feel to the Lord Crewe Arms in County Durham. This remote 12th-century abbey (later a hunting lodge and manor house) is, with its vaulted crypt bar, rugged stone walls and roaring open fires, a very dramatic setting. Even the prettified upper-floor dining room is suitably dressed with tartans and antlers. Not far from Hadrian’s Wall, this is shooting, walking and cycling country. Check rates and availability at lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk Timbrell’s Yard, Bradford on Avon In a converted Grade II-listed building, tucked away by the river near the iconic Town Bridge and Lock Up, Timbrell’s Yard provides the perfect hideout for a gastro pub style weekend getaway. With a well-stocked bar buffeted by smartly upholstered sofas and wooden tables, plus a large restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, you need only leave Timbrell’s Yard to stroll up through the town’s honey-stone houses to cafes, shops and delis, or to stride out along the banks of the River Avon into the Wiltshire countryside. Doubles from £115, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Read our full review of Timbrell's Yard The Talbot Inn, Mells, Somerset In the Somerset village of Mells, close to arty Frome, The Talbot Inn is a pretty country gastro pub that ticks so many boxes it’s in danger of getting repetitive strain injury: honey-coloured stone walls, mismatched wooden tables, brass-buttoned chairs, low-ceilinged bar, open fires, cobbled courtyard and a secret garden. And while it’s possible to drop in for just a pint and a posh sausage roll, it’s a destination retreat as much as a village boozer. Relaxed, affordable cookery classes and demos with food writer Joanna Weinberg also take place at the pub. Doubles from £85, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com Read our full review of The Talbot Inn Hurley House, Berkshire Sandwiched between Marlow and Henley, in the Berkshire countryside, is Hurley House Hotel, a luxury pub with rooms (10 bedrooms, to be exact). The pub area has been lovingly renovated with flagstone floors, a copper-topped bar and comfy armchairs next to a welcoming fireplace while the dining room is refined but cosy with dark woods, warm lighting and racing-green leather booths for two. Doubles from £215, check availability at booking.com Read our full review of Hurley House The Cary Arms, Devon Pub hotel The Cary Arms must be the most tranquil place for a pint in Devon. Happily sat inside the curve of Babbacombe bay, right next to Oddicombe beach, the view from the inn stretches to Portland Bill in Dorset and takes in the pink-soil cliffs of the English Riviera. Inside the inn is all log fire cosiness, with most tables pointing seawards and shiny brass ship paraphernalia throughout, while bedrooms (some dog-friendly) have that fresh coastal feel. Doubles from £225, Check availability at booking.com Read our full review of The Cary Arms The Old Coastguard, Mousehole, Cornwall On a hill overlooking Mousehole harbour, The Old Coastguard has one of the best sea views in Cornwall, with a bar that opens onto a huge summer terrace. The downstairs space is divided into an Upper Deck, which contains the restaurant and bar, and a Lower Deck, which is more loungy, with huge sofas and armchairs. The 14 bedrooms have been refurbished gradually. Eight have balconies with views of the harbour, and the vibe is cosy with luxurious beds, White Company toiletries and Roberts radios. At breakfast, as well as pastries, fruit, yogurts and muesli, guests can order kedgeree, Welsh rarebit mushrooms or a full Cornish breakfast. Check availability at oldcoastguardhotel.co.uk Read our full review of The Old Coastguard The Sun Inn, Kirkby, Lonsdale, Cumbria If you want to avoid the tourist hordes in the Lake District proper – and who doesn’t – head into the Lune Valley on the other side of the M6 and make for The Sun Inn, in pretty Kirkby Lonsdale. Mark and Lucy Fuller have turned this 17th-century inn into a warm, lively hub of town life. Whether you want to browse in Kirkby’s independent shops, explore the Lakes or ramble in the neighbouring Yorkshire Dales, everything is on your doorstep at this gastro pub with rooms. Doubles from £108, check availability at booking.com Read our full review of The Sun Inn here The Bridge Inn, Ratho, Scotland The 18th-century Bridge Inn, in the village of Ratho on the Union canal is just a caber’s toss from Edinburgh. The field-to-plate concept is an easy one for owners Graham and Rachel Bucknall, who breed pigs and grow vegetables and herbs in the walled kitchen garden. Each of the rooms are named: Bijoux Bonnington, Baird, Bryce and Burke are cosy rooms, all with views. Bonnington has an ornate four-poster bed. Baird has a slipper bath, Bryce a brass bed and Burke is in chic cream-and-striped country style. Doubles from £182, check availability at booking.com Read our full review of The Bridge Inn More travel inspiration Best country house hotels Best health and wellness retreats Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District 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
Best restaurants in Edinburgh 2025: where to eat and drink
Discover our favourite places to eat and drink in and around Edinburgh, from smart, seasonal restaurants to pop-up gin bars and experimental supper clubs.
Looking for the best Edinburgh restaurants? We've found the best places to eat in the Scottish capital. From the top restaurants in Edinburgh to places for brunch, cafés and bars, we have all of the local favourites here... Need somewhere to stay on your trip? Check out our guide to the best Scottish hotels. For more exciting restaurants and weekend ideas for food lovers, check out our best UK city breaks and also discover our guides to the best restaurants in Dundee, best restaurants in Glasgow, best restaurants in Perthshire and best restaurants in Belfast. Best restaurants and bars in Edinburgh The Little Chartroom – for modern Scottish Chef Roberta Hall-McCarron’s Chartroom embodies Edinburgh’s new wave. Once best known for relatively traditional high-end dining, the city is now abuzz with chefs making clever, creative use of Scottish produce in hip, convivial restaurants. Chartroom dishes of mackerel, kohlrabi broth, hazelnut, apple and lovage; or cod, BBQ maitake mushroom, pea, lettuce, shrimp and nori butter, reflect that thirst for new ideas. Sister wine bar and restaurant, Eleanore, is well liked and, this summer, the Chartroom will open neighbouring café and bar, Ardfern. thelittlechartroom.com Noto – for East Asian inspired sharing plates Actually, make that hot seats, plural. For chef Stuart Ralston’s team has, at big-ticket restaurants, Aizle, and fish-focussed Lyla, been pivotal in pushing Edinburgh forward. Italian Tipo and the New York inspired Noto are the cool, casual cousins in this growing family. At each the cooking sparkles with sharpness and finesse. Noto’s eclectic sharing plates, in which East Asian flavours shine, might run from Arbroath smokie croquettes with katsuobushi to a beef tartare black garlic potato rösti. Its warm crab butter with sourdough is a contemporary classic. notoedinburgh.co.uk Heron – for Michelin-starred cooking This corner restaurant in Leith is very much a contemporary fine dining experience. Its modish styling and warm vibe create a relaxed setting for chef Sam Yorke’s technically deft one Michelin star cooking. Enigmatic menu descriptions, such as monkfish with “Squash ǀ Mussel ǀ Chipotle ǀ Juniper”, barely hint at the creativity, therein. For example, that monkfish tail is first marinated in homemade shio-koji and, amid its many thoughtful elements, is served in a mussel sauce finished with chipotle and juniper butter, also used to baste the fish as it cooks. Staff happily talk curious foodies through this culinary magic. heron.scot Mirin – for a spot loved by locals Formerly Gulp Ramen (and yes, its broth game remains strong), this compact, colourful Leith Walk venue now serves, as well as its much-loved noodles, sandos and dumplings, smartly executed, Asian-influenced small plates. Think barbecued veal sweetbreads with fermented passion fruit and togarashi, or Shetland scallop, black pudding, gochujang butter and Bei Bei pumpkin. mirin.uk Kitchen Table – for brunch Twelve Triangles bakery is renowned for its sourdoughs, croissants and specialities such as its house kimchi and cheddar swirls. Extending that talent into brunch dishes was a natural evolution. Located amid a small hub of indie food action on Easter Road, the menu at TT’s Kitchen Table ranges from ’nduja, taleggio and honey toasties or a green lentil dhal, to fried cardamom and panela cake with bramble compote, toasted buckwheat and yogurt. twelvetriangles.co.uk <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2024/06/KITCHEN-TABLE-BY-TWELVE-TRIANGLESKIMCHI-FRIED-SPRING-GREENS-WITH-HASH-BROWNS-AND-FRIED-EGGcredit-MURRAY-ORR-copy-7f57b1b.jpg" width="5880" height="3920" alt="KITCHEN TABLE BY TWELVE TRIANGLES_KIMCHI FRIED SPRING GREENS WITH HASH BROWNS AND FRIED EGG_credit_ MURRAY ORR copy" title="KITCHEN TABLE BY TWELVE TRIANGLES_KIMCHI FRIED SPRING GREENS WITH HASH BROWNS AND FRIED EGG_credit_ MURRAY ORR copy" /> Spry Wines – for a wine bar and small plates Behind its Georgian façade, Spry is every inch the modern wine bar: a serene, minimalist space specialising in natural wines, whose short produce-led menu delivers deliciousness in dishes of Tamworth pork, chicken mousse and cauliflower; or nettle ravioli, hazelnut and wasabina leaf. Local foodies also treasure Spry’s basement coffee shop, café and bakery, Ante. sprywines.co.uk Café St Honore – for a date night bistro Located down a cobbled New Town lane, this cute bistro rocks a timeless 1920s Paris look. Broadly French in inspiration, its daily menu features some British and European dishes, too. Think game terrine with celeriac remoulade and cornichons to start, then tomato and pea risotto with Corra Linn cheese. A sustainability pioneer, chef director Neil Forbes is passionate about preserving artisan kitchen skills (in butchery, for example) and uses predominantly Scottish and often organic ingredients. Café St Honore also retails ‘at home’ dishes at Edinburgh Farmers’ Market on fortnightly Saturdays. cafesthonore.com Timberyard – for cutting-edge Michelin-starred dining Opened in 2012, the Radford family’s funky warehouse bar-restaurant was a game changer. In its stripped-back aesthetic and foraged ingredients, low-intervention wines and homemade soft drinks, it was an early example of that post-Noma shift away from bells and whistles luxury, to an emphasis on seasonality, simplicity and artisan skills. Timberyard retains that cutting edge and, last year, the kitchen’s inspired use of the Scottish larder (lobster gougère and fermented tomato; aged guinea fowl and bolted greens with smoked yogurt and wild garlic) was rewarded with a Michelin star. Late in 2023, Timberyard opened sister restaurant and bar, Montrose. timberyard.co Harajuku Kitchen – for traditional Japanese recipes with Scottish produce Born into a family of restaurateurs from Fukuoka, chef-owner Kaori Simpson was naturally drawn to hospitality. At Harajuku, this Slow Food supporter applies family and traditional Japanese recipes to Scottish produce, to create winning plates of prawn gyoza, karaage fried chicken, donburi bowls (including the rafute, with slow-cooked Okinawa-style pork belly), stir-fried udon noodles and sushi. Harajuku has a second outlet at food hall, Edinburgh Street Food. harajukukitchen.co.uk The Free Company, Balerno – for farm-to table dining This regenerative farm outside Edinburgh supplies vegetables and rare-breed meats to many of the city’s best chefs. In its handsome restaurant, a former cowshed, chef Craig Turner deploys this stellar produce in an ultra-seasonal six-course menu, unusually priced on a ‘pay what you think it’s worth’ basis (guide £60-70pp including reservation fee). A spring dish of smoked beef fat jerusalem artichokes with sunflower seed emulsion, kohlrabi sauerkraut and skirlie (fried oatmeal) gives you a flavour of Craig’s work. Look out for periodic farm tour and lunch packages, too. the-free-company.com Tipo – for Italian sharing plates In Edinburgh’s Aizle and Noto, chef Stuart Ralston and front-of-house ace Jade Johnston have created some of the city’s most exciting modern restaurants – contemporary spaces with pin-sharp cooking. A soothing mixture of natural materials and neutral tones, Tipo (named after the 00 pasta flour) is their Italian excursion, in sharing plates of ricotta gnudi in shellfish bisque or pappardelle with Scottish crab, chilli and parsley. Exceptional ingredients are paired with simplicity, restraint and, at times, ingenious creativity. Tipo’s savoury zeppole (mini doughnuts) is, explains chef de partie Aaron Mosedale, “a version you can’t really find anywhere else, tossed in paprika and dusted in pecorino”. tipoedinburgh.co.uk Cardinal – for a tasting menu showcasing Scottish produce Chef Tomás Gormley has accumulated experience at some of the Scottish capital’s finest restaurants (Michelin-starred Heron and Skua) to launch his first solo venture. The 13-course tasting menu showcases Scottish produce, focusing on fermentation (think ibérico pork cheek with fermented girolles and hen-of- the-woods) and cooking on the wood-fired BBQ (such as smoked Belhaven lobster with pink fir potatoes and chives). cardinal.scot The Palmerston – for nose-to-tail dishes The Palmerston inhabits a former bank in Edinburgh’s West End, a history that is reflected in the room’s grand dimensions, although dark green painted walls, warm wooden floors and tables and paintings by local artists give the space a more casual neighbourhood bistro vibe. Owners James Snowdon and Lloyd Morse keep things ticking from 9am with a morning menu of fresh pastries and coffee but come lunch and dinnertime it moves into more serious cooking territory. The concise menu changes daily depending on what’s available from local suppliers and cooking is confident and hearty with a focus on nose-to-tail eating. A generous slab of Mangalitsa and rabbit terrine is dense, peppery, porky and mildly gamey served with cornichons and warm grilled sourdough. Courgette salad comes with a piquant lemony, herby dressing and little bursts of crunch and creaminess from toasted walnuts and goat’s curd. Fish cooking is on point – a perfectly pan-fried chunk of monkfish is served on a bed of pretty rainbow chard and charlotte potatoes, then topped with a salty, umami black olive dressing. We manage to fit in a slice of Victoria plum and hazelnut tart at the insistence of our server and it’s a delight – crisp pastry, dense warm frangipane and sweet plums – a memorable end to a faultless meal. thepalmerstonedinburgh.co.uk Ardfern – for Scottish brunch staples and more elaborate plates Husband and wife team Roberta Hall-McCarron and Shaun McCarron (The Little Chartroom and Eleanore) are opening a third restaurant in Leith with a relaxed coastal feel. The all-day service will start with Scottish brunch staples (think homemade haggis with tattie scones), then move into casual plates such as braised beef shin. Come evening, elaborate dishes include shrimp and langoustine potato rosti paired with a match from the 100-strong wine list. Opening spring/summer 2024. @ardfern_edinburgh Dulse – for Scottish seafood Chef Dean Banks puts the spotlight on Scottish seafood at his first-floor neighbourhood restaurant in Edinburgh’s West End. International twists liven up the fish that’s straight off the boats, including lobster crumpet with yuzu brown butter, seared hake with kimchi hollandaise and baked North Sea cod in Goan curry. The wine and cocktail bar downstairs is great for a pre-dinner aperitif, such as the signature pepper dulse and Lunun Gin martini. dulse.co.uk Hawksmoor – for a Sunday roast Bottomless jugs of thick, varnish-like bone marrow gravy, huge fluffy yorkies and a molassey sticky toffee pudding served with clotted cream – that’s what Sunday roast dreams are made of, and probably why this Scottish outpost serves up to 180 of them every week. Founders Will Beckett and Huw Gott say Sunday roasts are really about two things: memories and produce. “We have so many memories of meals with people we love dating right back to our childhood, and Sunday roasts were always a special occasion at our homes. A really great roast needs really great produce and Scotland is probably the best place in the world for that. One of our happiest times was travelling around the country meeting passionate farmers and eating amazingly well – the Hawksmoor Edinburgh Sunday roast is the result!” thehawksmoor.com Twelve Triangles – for pastry perfection This benchmark bakery, which has seven Edinburgh outlets, including its Kitchen Table café, is all about artisan craft. Both in its baking and the way – in homemade pickles, ricotta, cultured butters, ice creams or house condiments – it builds superior flavour into every element of its work. Baking-wise, check TT’s miche-style rye starter sourdough, its twice-baked pain au chocolat (topped with a brown sugar, ground hazelnut and toasted sourdough breadcrumb frangipane) or its croissant dough kimchi swirls. “There’s something about the funky, sour spiciness of kimchi mixed with a strong cheddar that’s truly delicious,” enthuses co-founder Emily Cuddeford. twelvetriangles.co.uk Colonnades, Signet Library – for afternoon tea The ornate creations served within the Colonnades are as dazzling as the interiors of this stunning Georgian library. Bespoke silver tea stands arrive laden with modish savouries, such as a beetroot and goat’s cheese choux or roasted courgette pesto focaccia. Scones follow, but also an array of jewel-like sweet items as varied as spiced apple frangipane tarts and blackberry and matcha bubble tea. thesignetlibrary.co.uk Considerit – for vegan desserts Plant-based, vegan, dairy free: Considerit ticks all the boxes. Grab an iced cinnamon bun or gorgeously gooey Oreo or Biscoff doughnut plus an oat milk latte or vegan ice cream milkshake at this low-key bakery and cafe (all chipboard benches and student vibe) on Edinburgh's Southside. Before you leave, stock up on their hand-crafted chocolate bars (popcorn, chai spice and smoked sea salt flavours). consideritchocolate.com Lannan Bakery – for elevated pastries Stockbridge is a rising foodie hot spot, particularly around Hamilton Place (Smith & Gertrude wine bar, restaurant Eòrna, etc). Darcie Maher’s handsome takeaway bakery, Lannan, is also big news. Expect to queue on Saturdays for its revered viennoiserie or cardamom buns. Lannan’s crème brûlée danish, an upmarket croissant pastry custard tart, is a must-eat if available. “The custard has to be just set, glossy, super-wobbly, and the sugar on top torched a deep, amber caramel,” says Darcie. Lannan’s savoury items are gorgeous, too. Merguez, braised fennel and Monte Enebro cheese sausage rolls arrive in an ornate croissant pastry lattice. Instagram @lannanbakery Kyloe – for the best Scottish steak There are other things on the menu (including spankingly fresh local seafood like scallops with café de paris butter) but steak is the star of the show at Kyloe, sourced solely from great Scottish suppliers including the award-winning Hardiesmill. The grass-fed, dry aged, pedigree Aberdeen Angus steaks are a revelation, expertly cooked and served simply with a choice of classic sauces and sides including bone marrow gravy, beef shin mac n cheese and crunchy dripping chips. kyloerestaurant.com Aizle – for a surprising tasting menu Aizle is set in the beautiful Garden Room at the Klimpton Hotel. The multi course tasting menu changes constantly depending on what is available and there is a real focus on low waste/sustainability with everything from the addictive black treacle soda bread and koji butter to the aged kombucha in the cocktails made in house. Don’t expect to read a menu online, you’ll only know what you are having when you sit down at the table but do expect delicate, refined dishes such as Cured trout, fermented daikon and tomato water dashi and Oyster and shitake mushrooms with parmesan cream and king oyster mushroom jelly. aizle.co.uk Fhior – for innovative seasonal cuisine Scott Smith wowed Edinburgh diners with his first restaurant, Norn, in Leith. Having bagged Edinburgh Restaurant of the Year, the announcement of its sudden closure sent shockwaves across the city. Fans didn’t have to wait long to taste his cooking again, however; his follow-up project, Fhior (Gaelic for true), opened on Broughton Street in summer 2018. In a string of small Scandi-chic rooms, the restaurant serves four- and seven-course tasting menus with a playful element that lets seasonal ingredients sing. Eye-poppingly creative dishes live up to the hype: ‘baby gem lettuce, hogget, pea, goats' curd', for instance, entails warm braised lettuce, tender, torn lamb, sweet peas and puree offset by a tart, tangy goat's curd. fhior.com White Horse Oyster and Seafood Bar – for a classic seafood feast You can't beat 'a buck a shuck', and Oyster Happy Hour runs from 4-6pm Monday to Thursday at the White Horse Oyster and Seafood Bar at the bottom of the Royal Mile. This sleek seafood restaurant, in what was once an 18th-century inn, has a bespoke green marble bar, custom-designed oyster tank, leather banquettes and exposed stonework, and dishes up a smorgasbord of seafood. The smattering of exquisite small plates designed for sharing includes tender octopus with pine nut, mint and basil, moreish monkfish satay, chargrilled mackerel with pickled beetroot and horseradish and crab and crayfish toast with chilli, orange and avocado, as well as traditional seafood platters. whitehorseoysterbar.co.uk Toast – for Edinburgh's first wine café Leith's vibrant waterfront has long been a foodie hub with its jostling of Michelin-starred restaurants and quirky gastropubs. Toast, a cool jazz-filled wine café in an old art gallery on The Shore is a buzzing place for brunch. Think exposed brickwork, a mix of high tables and turquoise velvet banquettes and tables spilling out onto the pavement. Tuck into a creamy bowl of porridge with roasted pistachios, coconut and honey, Mexican inspired huevos rancheros, chilli and lime-infused smashed avocado with sun-blushed tomatoes on sourdough toast or shakshuka, that rich tomato, roast pepper, chilli, onion and aubergine stew baked with two eggs. The wine list is the other draw, of course. Wines by the glass are changed weekly to keep the locals on their toes and around a third of the 100 or so wines on the list are organic, natural or biodynamic. toastleith.co.uk More places to eat and drink in Edinburgh Port of Leith Distillery – for whisky with a view Edinburgh isn’t short of spots for whisky drinking but the views from the Port of Leith Distillery’s bar are hard to beat. Perched on top of an innovative nine-storey structure (the UK’s first-ever vertical distillery), enjoy arresting views of the Firth of Forth and the city while delving into an extensive collection of new-wave whiskies. The bar’s focus is young spirits and it’s amassed a 200-plus selection of spirits all under 10 years old. Not sure where to start? Try one of the whisky flights – Barrel Roll showcases unusual cask expressions. leithdistillery.com The Bearded Baker – for bagels, doughnuts and coffee Rowan Taylor is the Bearded Baker – or bagel man. At this cute little joint in Canonmills you can choose from a range of combinations running from your classic smoked salmon, cream cheese, pickled cucumber and dill to the P.B.B – smooth peanut butter and sliced banana with an optional drizzle of honey. He also makes a mean doughnut, plump and doughy, caked in sugar and oozing fillings from white chocolate and pecan to lemon meringue. thebeardedbaker.co.uk East Coast Cured – for Scottish charcuterie Wander down to Leith to check out Scottish charcuterie producer East Coast Cured. This family business creates a range of cured meats in the store's basement; think earthy venison, pork and sloe gin salami, rare-breed smoked chorizo, Saddleback pork saucisson sec and pungent porcini and truffle salami. eastcoastcured.com Smith and Gertrude – for cheese and wine Whether you want to sink a pint or nurse a peaty dram Edinburgh has more than its share of hipster hangouts, sleek whisky bars, old-world pubs and late night drinking dens. Smith and Gertrude, in perkily pretty Stockbridge with its delis, patisseries, cheesemongers, butchers and bakeries, is a new departure, however, a retro-chic wine bar that’s all reclaimed wood flooring, vintage radiators and a simple concept: wine, cheese, company. The carefully curated wine list features natural, organic and biodynamic bottles, as well as orange wines. It serves daily changing wines by the glass, weekly wine flights and regular tastings. And then there's the cheese – from Ubriaco, an Italian cow's cheese served with aged Balsamic to an Irish Killeen with quince – along with charcuterie platters. smithandgertrude.com Summerhall Distillery – for whisky tastings From public tastings at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society to Saturday tours at craft beer aces, Pilot, Edinburgh is a dream destination for inquisitive drinkers. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, Summerhall Distillery, home of Pickering’s Gin, hosts various tastings and tours led by a dedicated visitor team. Gin lovers can explore the drink’s history, the botanical flavouring process, opt for a hidden, 1920s-style speakeasy experience or learn to make cocktails that pair with Scottish cheeses. summerhalldistillery.com Æmilia – for picking up fresh pasta Clued-up foodies adore this Portobello fresh pasta shop where you can pick up, say, tagliatelle or lemon and ricotta cappellacci to eat at home, accompanied by sauces such as an eight-hour braised beef ragu or chicken broth for tortellini. Æmilia also serves a daily take-out sandwich, such as porchetta on its house focaccia, luxuriously lubricated with a parmesan and pork drippings béchamel sauce. On Sundays, check its chicken and roasted garlic aïoli sandwich. aemilia.online Edinburgh Fermentarium – for kombucha Swing by the Saturday morning farmers market, below the castle, to give your gut a boost. At Edinburgh Fermentarium's stall you can sample tubs of sauerkraut (meadowsweet is mix of lemongrass, lime leaf, carrot, onion, chilli peppers, ginger and salt), kimchi and sauerkraut water or buy a scoby to make your own kombucha. edinburghfermentarium.co.uk Lady Libertine – for cocktails In the dimly lit basement of the Edinburgh Grand, bearded bartenders rustle up mean martinis and bespoke cocktails at hipster hangout Lady Libertine. The ground floor bar has a unique vibe (think fin de siècle European train station) and an extensive sherry menu. Sip a La Gitana manzanilla or glass of Fernando de Castilla Antique Palo Cortado and step back in time. ladylibertine.co.uk The American Bar, Gleneagles – for 1920s prohibition glamour A 45-minute drive from Edinburgh is the five-star, 100-year-old hotel Gleneagles. Tucked away within the hotel is The American Bar. It has a 1920s and 30s opulent interior with stylish touches such as Scottish heather-dyed cashmere wall panels. The bar’s latest cocktail menu, The Book of Berries, is inspired by pocket Observer Books and focusses on the botanical berry. Wanting to create deep bonds within the setting, the bar has creatively used ingredients from the hotel itself. Drinks such as the Cucumber – cucumber ends from the hotel kitchen used to create a cucumber wine which, combined with gin and a jasmine liqueur, results in a bright, refreshing and slightly savoury cocktail. Other intriguing serves include the Bell Pepper made with the cores of red pepper, a mai tai style drink using an orgeat derived from avocado pits, and the Blueberry cocktail created with surplus blueberry muffins baked at the hotel. The signature serve is the martini – using one of three gins created in partnership with South Loch Distillery in Edinburgh. gleneagles.com Lowdown – for cosy chats over coffee and cake Lowdown Coffee is a cool café in the bright basement of a grand Georgian terrace on George Street. Owner Paul Anderson sources his beans from Swedish coffee roaster Koppi, founded by champion baristas Anne Lunell and Charles Nystrand – who also occasionally hold workshops and tastings at Lowdown. The inspiration for the clean, minimalist design was Japanese not Scandinavian, however. Anderson studied furniture designer and his father was an architect and the space feels more like a friend's flat than a café with its kitchen counter-layout. The whole place is designed to encourage social interaction – yes cosy chats over coffee and cake. lowdown.coffee Cairngorm Coffee – for approachable coffee culture The capital is sprinkled, cappuccino chocolate shaker-style, with independent coffee shops and micro-roasteries and Cairngorm Coffee is one of the best. Owner Robi Lambie veered down different design routes for his two branches, setting them apart from the mainstream chains.The Frederick Street basement café with its rustic, rough-hewn wood groove is mountain hut chic. You could hole up here nursing a latte for days amongst the coffee bean sacks. Melville Place, however, is a sleeker, more contemporary option. Think high tables (a bar of wood sandwiched between copper) along with copper angled iPad holder tables and state-of-the-art equipment: the first Sanremo Opera espresso machine in Scotland. And the coffee? Roasted in the Cairngorms, of course. cairngormcoffee.com Twelve Triangles – for slow fermented sourdough and pastries From dough to doughnuts: Twelve Triangles' story began back in 2015 with a spot of experimentation - slow ferment, cold-prove doughs. Now, this tiny bakery just of Leith Walk sells a range of breads – including a dark and devilish charcoal loaf, gourmet doughnuts and pastries. It’s also since expanded to a second branch in Portobello and the Twelve Triangles Kitchen Table, a café, gathering place and the venue for regular fermentation workshops.twelvetriangles.co.uk Foraging with Wedgwood – for a foraging walk and feast Growing up in rural Lancashire, Paul Wedgwood fell in love with the flavour of nettles and has been foraging ever since. For over a decade the chef has led small groups on two-hour foraging walks around an East Lothian loop that takes in farmed, woodland and coastal habitats. It is smoothly planned – guests are given pre-picked and cleaned snack bags of foraged ingredients to eat as they explore. Later they head back to Paul’s Edinburgh restaurant for a tasting menu created using foraged produce. Dates February-August or by request. wedgwoodtherestaurant.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 York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge
Looking for places to visit in France? Check out our top French food trips and take a spin around olive groves Uzes, relax in luxury in Provence or sample patisserie in Paris
Looking for the best food trips to take in France? Check out our guide to the best places across the country to eat and drink, from hearty ski food in the French Alps to undiscovered corners of Provence. For more French inspiration, check out our picks of the best hotels in Paris and foodie guide to Lyon, then hop across the border with our guide to the best Spanish food trips or further afield with our best Morocco food trips. 15 best French food trips Uzes For chocolat-style villages Pungent truffles and gummy bears? Just two of the more unusual ingredients on the menu in Uzès, one of those achingly pretty French towns whose Chocolat-style looks make it seem like a Hollywood film set. Indeed, its plane-tree-pricked Place aux Herbes once starred in the Gérard Depardieu movie Cyrano de Bergerac. Uzès is surrounded by truffle plantations and hosts a truffle festival every January, while confectionary giant Haribo opened Le Musée du Bonbon here in 1996. The company is synonymous with the gummy bears invented by German founder Hans Riegel in 1920. Your ticket comes with a bag of sweets to suck as you wander from room to room learning about the history of sugar and the candy-making process before ‘nosing’ some of the ingredients. Pressing a button releases a puff of vanilla, cacao or liquorice into the air. This less well-known corner of France is just 40 minutes from Avignon, where you can jump off the Eurostar as it hurtles on to Marseilles. Once here the pace is far more leisurely. Uzès has its share of sites to tick off including the cathedral of Saint Théodorit with its ornate Romanesque bell tower, the Fenestrelle, the Duke’s palace and the Medieval Garden in the grounds of a ruined château which has around 450 plants, many medicinal, and is a lovely spot to unwind with a liquorice tisane after clambering up the tower’s 100 steps for a sweeping panorama. Be sure to visit Uzès on a Wednesday or Saturday when you’ll find a food market in full swing. And don't miss a visit to Boulangerie Fougasse d’Uzès where you can buy fougasse filled with anchovies and olives. Where to stay: spend the night at boutique hotel La Maison d'Uzes set in a listed building the heart of the old town. The hotel restaurant, all parquet floors and vibrant velvet chairs, serves modern French dishes and local specialities, and the hotel has a spa, Roman baths and hammam. Doubles from £255, check availability at booking.com Read our full guide to Uzes, here. Provence For luxury relaxation Head to Provence to explore pretty villages, ancient vineyards and historical cities. Hike up Mount Ventoux, head to a wine-tasting at Cheateau Pesquie (and enjoy picnic in the pretty garden) or visit the idyllic village of L'Isle Sur-La-Sorgue on market day for antiques, bountiful fresh produce and lavender souvenirs to take home. The pretty walled city of Avignon is perfect for soaking up some history. Where to stay: Hilltop village Crillon Le Brave is a vision of Provençal style; a clutch of honey-hued, pastel-shuttered houses surrounded by slopes carpeted with olive groves and vineyards. The top of the village is now the effortlessly elegant five-star Hotel Crillon Le Brave. The highlight has to be the 180-degree views of unspoilt rolling countryside, vineyards, olive groves and Mount Ventoux. Made of nine houses linked together by the village streets, the 34 rooms are stylishly decorated in soothing neutral tones with Diptyque products in every bathroom. After a day of exploring, return to the hotel for dinner on the terrace at La Table du Ventoux. Admire the panoramic views whilst dining on seasonal French cuisine – expect local asparagus in spring and strawberries in summer. Spend your time playing boules in the terraced garden, relaxing by the pool the or having a massage in the tiny spa set in atmospheric ancient vaulted stables. Should you be able to tear yourself away from the hotel, borrow e-bikes to explore through fields and tiny villages. Doubles from £408, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Lille For a gourmet city break Close to the Belgian border, Lille is but 1 hour 22 minutes on the Eurostar from London, and one of northern France’s undiscovered culinary gems. It has traditional Flemish estaminet restaurants like Estaminet La Ch’Tite Brigitte, which serves regional classics like carbonnade beef stew in beer, leek flamiche and escargot in maroilles cheese in an eclectic setting. Krevette is a stylish contemporary seafood bistrot serving the freshest local catch in dishes like breaded sardines with oyster mayonnaise and St Jacques with BBQ brown butter. Méert is a Lille institution famous for its pastel patisserie and caramel-filled waffles. Grand Scène is a colourful, neon-lit street-food market hall with 10 stands serving global specialities like tacos, bao, gyros and duck burgers. Finally, BierBuik is a trendy pink-tiled craft brew pub that also serves modern takes on Lille tavern dishes, including moules, crêpes, and some of the best frites in town. Bonnelles For a peaceful countryside escape Bonnelles is the idyllic setting to switch off, get outdoors and reset for a weekend. It’s a huge expanse of countryside just a short drive from Paris but it seems a world away from city life. Explore the protected Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Natural Park or the Bonnelles Ponds nature reserve for serene walks. Le Barn is a must-visit for horse lovers, as it shares grounds with prestigious horsemanship school Haras de la Cense and is now offering a Horse Whisperer’s Experience for guests on Sundays. The two-and-a-half-hour experience introduces you to a horse, their training and behaviours, then gives you the chance to try out what you’ve learned at the lunge ring alongside an expert trainer. The venue is a popular retreat for Parisians looking to switch off from city life and is just as easily accessible from the UK, being just a 45-minute drive from Paris Orly airport. It champions local food, with a vast kitchen garden that provides a lot of the fruit and veg for the daily changing restaurant menu, designed by the head chef according to what’s in season. Other French classics, like award-winning cheese and wine, are locally sourced, and the simple breakfast is a treat. Think freshly baked baguettes, homemade jam, and bacon and eggs. Where to stay: Le Barn offers cosy rooms with tons of activities included in the price. From yoga to archery, there’s plenty on offer to occupy you while enjoying the 500-acre estate, full of grazing horses. The grounds have a sauna, hammam and Nordic baths, and two restaurants serving seasonal, locally sourced menus. Guests can also go for a massage, play board games by the fire or borrow an e-bike to explore the grounds, and kids can enjoy pony rides and games in the garden. Rooms are separate from the main building, across two converted barns with special suites available as well. Most have a balcony that overlooks the horse fields or the hotel’s lake (which is open for wild swimming if that’s your thing). Doubles from £200 per night, check availability at lebarnhotel.com or booking.com Normandy For local produce Calvados, cream, butter, cheese, apples, cider: like many places in France, Normandy is not easy on the arteries. It is, however, a superb place to sample AOC-status booze and food made by small, unfussy family producers, many of whom have been perfecting their produce since William the Conqueror started peppering the landscape with castles. Normandy boasts no fewer than 30 Michelin-starred restaurants and a packed calendar of food festivals throughout the year celebrating its natural larder, from the Fête du Camembert in Orbec in June, July’s oyster festival in Denneville, the Foire aux Fromages in Livarot in August, the scallop festival in Ouistreham in October and an annual cider festival in picturesque Beuvron-en-Auge. With 370 miles of coastline, menus are brimming with seafood. The region’s oysters have their own AOC (appellation d’origine contrôlée) and Port-en-Bessin’s scallops are justifiably famous – this is the home of coquilles St Jacques. The countryside is lush and green, grazed by native dairy herds, the region’s cheeseboard showcases the big four: livarot, neufchâtel, pont l’évêque and camembert de Normandie. The rolling hills are also blanketed with orchards of apples and pears, used to produce cider, calvados and poiré. Where to stay: soak up the impressive surroundings of the Château de la Puisaye, a rambling 18th-century property in Verneuil-sur-Avre, now an elegant b&b. British owners, Diana and Bruno Costes, have spent years renovating the Napolean III château, and now offer a handful of rooms in the main house, a studio over the stables and a holiday cottage: the old hunting lodge. Breakfast in the wood-panelled dining room is a delicious spread of home-baked bread and jams, fruit from their orchards, and local cheeses. Doubles from £115, check availability at booking.com Brittany For the home of crêpes You’re never more than a frisbee’s throw from a crêperie in Brittany. The northwest corner of France is famous for its pancakes – sweet, wafer-thin crêpes smeared with salted caramel or buckwheat galettes stuffed with artisan sausage. It’s also a popular bucket-and-spade destination. But there’s more to Brittany than beaches and pancakes. Its larder is bulging with cider, oysters and onions; that French stereotype, the beret-clad man on a bike with a string of onions round his neck, was an ‘onion Johnny,’ hopping from Brittany to Britain to sell sweet, pink onions from Roscoff. Butter is also big in Brittany – rich, creamy and seasoned with fleur de sel from the Guérande. Where to stay: Right by the water’s edge in Dinard, an elegant resort town in Brittany whose belle époque villas and grand hotels still hint at the grandeur of days gone by, Hotel Castelbrac holds its own among the surroundings. This fortress-like jumble of manicured stonework, originally built in the 1930s as a marine research station, sits on the town’s eastern shoreline overlooking St Malo across the water. Inside there’s a sophisticated, modern vibe (think art deco-inspired headboards and bathroom fittings, columns intricately tiled with mosaics and porthole-like windows illuminating velvet banquettes in the bar) while panoramic seaside views reflect the hotel’s restive, peaceful atmosphere. Splash out on one of the prestige rooms and you can enjoy panoramic windows stretching across the entire front of the room. Walk-in rain showers come as standard but some rooms also have elegant bathtubs at the foot of the beds Pampering is very much the order of the day here. Guests have access to private boat trips, bespoke treatments by Parisian spa brand Thémaéand a stunning sliver of a pool – a heated outdoor lap pool that lies just above the shore (bob your head up between strokes and you can look out at the sea below). Doubles from £349, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Dordogne For rural idyll There’s a reason why the Dordogne river has long been a magnet for those of us in search of classic beauty: it undulates through some of the loveliest parts of France, curling round towns and villages of gasp-inducing gorgeousness and, despite the odd sighting of jet-skis, gives the impression that nothing much ever changes. Head to Souillac (not for food, but for the slightly creepy Automaton museum; unmissable if you love the bizarre). And Sarlat, whose Saturday market is almost impossibly over-subscribed at the height of the summer season. As with many tourist destinations, the restaurants haven’t the greatest reputation, buy fat, vac-packed sausages and figs from the covered market in the Église Sainte Marie. For a blissful bout of people-watching at the heart of the market square, visit hilarious Jimmy’s Bar, a rockabilly French fantasy of a US diner, to eat oysters from one of the nearby market stalls and quantities of chilled Bergerac rosé. Where to stay: Chateau de la Treyne, clinging to the steep banks of the river, has baronial, wood-panelled rooms, vast open fireplaces and sense of serenity. Breakfast includes tiny, freshly made omelettes, cured ham, just-baked baguette and pastries, homemade jams and butter so luscious you could eat it by the spoonful. Dinner at the Chateau's Michelin-starred restaurant is quite the event, course after course of inventive cuisine making full use of the area’s native bounty – Quércy lamb, Aubrac beef and truffles (of course), in a tapestried room breathing stories of the past. Check rates and availability at chateaudelatreyne.com Read more about edible delights of the Dordogne here Sète For seaside fun Sète’s sandy beaches are thronged with visitors during summer, but the peninsula has bigger fish to fry than tourism – it’s the largest fishing port on the French Mediterranean coast, and behind it is the oyster-filled Thau lagoon. It’s picturesque, too – from the hillside ‘Little Naples’ district to its boat-lined canals, the 19th-century facades are an attractive reminder of the town’s prosperous wine-trading heritage. Local recipes – such as octopus-stuffed tielle pie – have stood the test of time, many brought by the Italian immigrants that settled here in the last century. The best seafood restaurants are along Quai Maximin Lucciardi near the harbour, where you’re likely to spot fishermen unloading still-writhing stock. Where to stay: Le Grand Hotel retains much of its belle époque charm. Velvet curtains and chandeliers set the scene for market-fresh ingredients at Quai 17, the hotel’s opulent restaurant; try the signature lobster risotto with bisque sauce, or local speciality bourride, a monkfish stew with aïoli. The bright bedrooms are spread across three elegant floors – go for one that overlooks the canal and gaze at the shimmering image of buildings and boats reflected in the water. Doubles from £149, check availability at booking.com Languedoc Roussillon For less crowded South of France West of the glitz and glamour of the Côte d’Azur is a quieter, less crowded corner of the South of France: the Languedoc Roussillon. Sweeping from Provence to the Pyrénées via a scenic string of historic towns and villages, shimmering coastline and wild, untamed countryside, the region is also one of the oldest and largest wine growing areas of the world. Inland you can take to the lazy waters of the Canal du Midi or the rugged surroundings of the Cévennes National Park or visit one of the many vineyards of the region. Historic local towns with their bustling produce markets like Pézanas, Béziers and Narbonne provide plenty of scope for picking up ingredients if you want to self-cater. Where to stay: wine forms the central theme of Château St. Pierre de Serjac, a 200-acre hotel-cum-vineyard outside Puissalicon. At its heart is a turreted, 19th century chateau surrounded by fragrant gardens, olive trees and palms. From its windows guests can gaze out over a huge, heated infinity pool onto regimented rows of vines and, beyond it, the fertile Langeudocienne landscape. The ground floor is home to the reception area, bar and a fine dining restaurant, and is decorated in a sophisticated palette of peacock and teal with Art Deco-style chandeliers picked up in the antiques market in nearby Béziers. A Cinq Mondes spa, with tranquil indoor pool, completes the picture. Upstairs in the château are eight, luxurious suites, fittingly decked out with chandeliers, antiques, roll-top baths and singular touches such as (in an eaves room) the hand-painted walls of a former chapel. An extensive renovation has also seen the repurposing of the estates’ many outbuildings, resulting in 36-self catering apartments and houses. These are the real appeal for families. Sleeping two to eight, each one has been tastefully decorated in 50 shades of Elephant’s Breath with lots of linen, oak and wrought iron. They also come with high spec kitchens and all the latest tech – some of the larger properties also have fenced off pools. Amble over to the château for breakfast in the main restaurant – a spread of freshly baked croissants and pastries, fruit, yoghurt, cereals and hot dishes cooked to order. Doubles from £238, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrsssmith.com South Pigalle, Paris For Parisian patisserie The once overlooked SoPi neighbourhood is now a must-visit for its artisan patisseries, hip bistros and stellar cheese shops. If you're travelling to Paris for the patisserie alone, check out Sébastien Gaudard’s Rue des Martyrs boutique. Whether you want a choux bun, or a jar of crème de marrons (chestnut cream), you'll feel like a child in a sweet shop. They look almost too good to eat, but don't let that stop you. After all those cakes, a coffee might be in order, so stop off at KB Café Shop. After spending time in Sydney, the French owner wanted to bring some Australian influence back to France. It's got a relaxed vibe and the beans are roasted on site so they're as fresh as can be. Flaine For a foodie ski trip Looking for the best French ski trip? Set in the French Alps, Flaine is the ideal base for a weekend spent skiing and indulging in vin chaud and crepes. Restaurant Le Michet is set at a handy spot where many of the runs converge. It’s a place to wallow inside on a cold evening, protected by timber rafters, thick stone walls and central fireplace. If you’re after Savoyard specialities you’ll find everything from tartiflette to home-smoked trout and salmon on the menu but it’s worth experimenting with some of the more unusual dishes; the subtly spiced lentils with coconut milk and black rice (essentially a creamy dhal) is great post-ski fuel. Make sure you take a big enough suitcase to squirrel away some gourmet souvenirs from artisan food store Chez Bolzi on your way home. In the centre of Flaine Forum, close to the tourist office, almost everything it sells comes from within a 50km radius of Flaine; take your pick from reblochon and tome cheeses, Savoie salamis, beer from Brasserie Mont Blanc and Savoie-produced Pinot Noir and Cremant. Where to stay: Make Terminal Neige Totem your base, with its views out on the slopes and outdoor hot tub. The buffet food they offer is much more than your average spread, think plates of charcuterie and cheese, pan-fried seabass as well as fondue. Don’t miss out on the dessert bar – a place to indulge in Nutella mug cakes, made-to-order waffles and homemade bluberry marshmallows. If you need a break from all the skiing, head to one of the street food stalls in Flaine Forum and warm yourself up with hot crepes. Read our full guide to Flaine, here. Bordeaux For a winter getaway This city’s robust signature dishes, rib-sticking entrecôte cooked in red wine, butter, shallots, herbs and bone marrow sauce, confit duck and lamprey, come into their own in winter, and it’s an excellent place to shop for foodie stocking fillers. Each year, Bordeaux’s Allées de Tourny is transformed into a Christmas market with wooden huts and stalls selling local gifts, many of them food-related. Stock up on canelés from Baillardran and don’t miss Maison Darricau for handmade chocolates peppered with honey and spices. Where to stay: Twenty minutes’ drive from Bordeaux, Les Sources de Caudalie is the epitome of French country chic. There’s a stone manor house at its heart, a small lake, and a hard-working kitchen garden, plus a hamlet-like extension of suites. Great food and wine are the focus at this gastronomic getaway, but even the finest dining (the hotel’s main restaurant, La Grand’Vigne, holds two Michelin stars) is done without fuss. The newer, cabin-like suites (designed to reflect the oyster fishermen’s huts of Cap Ferret, in the nearby Arcachon Basin), with their whitewashed timber walls, retro-influenced furniture and spa-like bathrooms, are the ones to splash out on; in the evenings you’ll be serenaded by frogs as you return to your room along flower- and water-lined pathways. In the mornings, step onto your private terrace and watch carthorses ploughing the vines just outside. The three restaurants at Les Sources have most tastes covered. Celebrate a special occasion with dinner in La Grand’Vigne and enjoy a meal where even the table salts stick in the memory (one of ours, blended with Bordeaux pimento, was the colour of roast peppers). The cheeseboard comes with fresh cottage cheese, from a local dairy, served with a dot of cherry jam. Doubles from £272, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk Biarritz For a foodie French seaside trip If you’re looking for a French spring getaway, head to Biarritz – a glitzy seaside resort which is the perfect place for cheese lovers. Start off with a visit to Crampotte 30, an old fisherman's hut turned restaurant serving a selection of pintxos. Head to halles-biarritz for a selection of regional produce including dry-cured bayonne ham. Don’t leave before visiting Patisserie Miremont, a confectionary shop that dates back to the 19th century. Order the speciality which is a chocolate mousse cake called Le Beret Basque. Bayonne For a visit to the French capital of chocolate The tranquil city of Bayonne embodies the gastronomic energy of the Basque region, historically famed for its artisanal hams, and as the French capital of chocolate. The legendary Chocolat Cazenave serves up intense bubble-topped ‘sparkling’ hot chocolates in porcelain cups. Chocolaterie Xokola Etxetera specialises in chocolate spreads infused with spicy Espelette pepper, and L’Atelier du Chocolat Bayonne has its iconic Bayonne chocolate shard bouquets. Eat pintxos including jamon croquettes, truffled croque monsieur and Pyrenees milk-fed lamb kebabs at Les Basses Pyrénées bar. Then, for dinner, head to La Brasserie Basa for fish dishes with daily catch from the local village of Saint-Jean-De-Luz, and sweet creations such as buckwheat almond praline choux to finish. Europcamp Domaine de Massereau For a foodie family camping trip Eurocamping is an affordable way to have a family holiday, but Domaine de Massereau promises so much more than just a campsite. The on-site vineyard produces 30,000 bottles a year, and you can sample of few of them on the free one hour-tour and tasting each evening. If you find one you like, stock up as they’re rarely exported. If you want to eat on-site, you can order pizzas fresh from the wood-fired oven or seafood platters piled high with crabs, razor clams and langoustines. Should you wish to explore the local area, head into Sommières – a beautiful French town with shuttered buildings and market squares. Read our full guide to Eurocamp Domaine de Massereau, here. 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Check out our top picks for the best ski resorts for food lovers, from Val Thorens to Lake Tahoe. Expect panoramic views of the ski slopes, outdoor swimming pools and log fires
Looking for ski resort ideas? Read our guide on the best ski hotels for foodies. Everything from trendy hotels in Val Thorens to modern hostels in Lake Tahoe, California. We've visited ski hotels across Europe, trying pasta in Italy, under-the-radar resorts in Scandinavia and classic Swiss chalet style. If you want to go further afield, we've got picks for all-American ski breaks in Lake Tahoe, Aspen and more, plus a far-flung option in North Eastern Japan. Expect outdoor swimming pools with panoramic views of the slopes, lounges with open log fires and Scandinavian style spas with steam rooms. If you need inspiration for where to head, check out our picks of the best ski destinations in Europe. For even more foodie ski resorts, explore our picks of the best of Scotland's ski resorts, then discover our top European city breaks. Best ski resorts and hotels for food lovers My Arbor, South Tyrol, Italy Rooms from €245 per person, per night on a half-board basis. Check rates and availability at my-arbor.com, mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com Expect to be whisked high above the clouds at this architectural hideout in the Dolomites. Conveniently situated only 50 minutes from Bolzano airport, My Arbor stands proud on stilts against the snow-capped South Tyrolean mountains, making this the perfect spot for guests to experience treetop seclusion. Guests are greeted with the signature cocktail, The Arborene, with its warming blend of sweet vermouth and homemade orange cinnamon liquor, best enjoyed on the sun-kissed patio. The hotel has over 100 south-facing suites, each adorned with reclaimed wood from sunburnt larches and firs from the Eisack Valley. Each room features large panoramic windows and a cosy nook for hunkering down with a book. With most of the produce for the restaurant sourced directly from Lake Garda and harvested by owner Markus Huber, sustainability is more than just a concept here. The tasting menu changes daily and is often centred around a theme. Guests can expect bold flavours, from swordfish tagliata with saffron risotto to onsen eggs with potato truffle espuma. Rooms from €245 per person, per night on a half-board basis. Check rates and availability at my-arbor.com, mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com Schloss Elmau, Bavarian Alps, Germany Rooms from £580 per night based on two people sharing; check availability at booking.com Set against the backdrop of the Wetterstein mountains and framed by an abundant pine forest and the icy blue Ferchenbach river, it’s hard not to lose yourself in the scenery and facilities at Schloss Elmau. While staying here, guests can enjoy access to six spas, eight restaurants, a concert hall and two hotels (The Retreat and The Hideaway). The lofty presidential suites at The Retreat are softened with plush furnishings, with an Indian elephant motif woven into the textiles, and are designed to show off panoramic mountain views – take your pick between a luxurious free-standing bath or regal chaise longue to soak up the snowscapes. Restaurant Tutto Mondo offers twists on comforting Alpine cuisine, including homemade tagliolini blanketed in Piedmont truffles. At the neighbouring pan-Asian restaurant Fidelio, expect succulent meats grilled over binchōtan charcoal and paired with foamed nori butter. For those wanting a touch more luxury, opt for the two Michelin starred Ikigai. Breakfast is equally bountiful, with a selection of smoothies and health shots, creamy bircher muesli and homemade breads – including the well-loved German pumpernickel that’s ready to be topped with honey from Schloss Elmau’s bees. Start the day with a soothing golden milk – a silky, fragrant hot drink infused with turmeric, cinnamon and maple syrup. As well as its next-level food and drink options, Schloss Elmau boasts a programme of activities for guests, including yoga, qigong, curling, concerts and cross-country skiing. Ideal for switching off and hunkering down. schloss-elmau.de Rooms from £580 per night based on two people sharing; check availability at booking.com. Priesteregg, Leogang, Austria Berg chalet from £280 per person per night based on two people sharing, including breakfast and spa access. Check rates and availability at priesteregg.at Surrounded by the snow-dusted Alps, this collection of 15 wooden chalets is reminiscent of a mountain village. Sitting at a height of 1,100 metres there are panoramic views with fresh Alpine air and the aroma of woodsmoke to greet you on arrival. The focus is on traditional local food using highquality ingredients – bread is freshly baked in a stone oven, bacon is smoked in a smoking chamber and the local cows provide the creamiest milk and butter. Each chalet is generously stocked with local treats and every morning guests are delivered breakfast bundles of cured meats, salmon, cheeses, fresh fruits and baked goods. In the evening you can request to dine in your chalet or bundle up and walk to Huwi’s Alm, the on-site restaurant. The signature dish is an event in itself, served on an iron hat that’s heated by small burners. Diners are given a selection of marinated organic steaks and pork loin to cook, with the brim of the hat filled with a rich beef and vegetable soup that gets more intense as the cooking continues. It’s served with crisp baked potatoes, salad and a selection of sauces. Chalets are a combination of beautiful natural materials and modern luxuries. Glass-fronted bedrooms, mountain views, freestanding outdoor baths, suspended fireplaces, private saunas and snow-clad rooftop hot tubs are just some of the unique features. Sheepskin rugs, cosy sofas and the softest bedding make it hard to leave the comfort of your chalet, despite the ski slopes across the valley being in sight of the sun decks. Wellness is taken very seriously here, too – guests can swim in the heated infinity pool next to an open fireplace, relax in Swiss pine saunas or take an invigorating guided dip in the unheated outdoor nature pool. The expansive open-air terrace has luxurious loungers, pillows and blankets to make the most of the winter sun. Berg chalet from £280 per person per night based on two people sharing, including breakfast and spa access. Check rates and availability at priesteregg.at <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2024/04/AussenansichtPRIESTEREGG-Premium-ECO-Resortguenterstandl.de-2-1-copy-4998b36.jpg" width="2381" height="1588" alt="Oesterreich, Salzburger Land, Leogang: Bergdorf Priesteregg, Bogner Chalet, Infinity Pool, Almhuetten, Chalets, Almhuette, Chalet, Leoganger Steinberge, Alpen, Tourismus, Urlaub, Luxus, Hideaway, Natur, Berge, Wandern, Mountainbike, Freizeit, Wandern, Wellness, Europa, 2013" title="Oesterreich, Salzburger Land, Leogang: Bergdorf Priesteregg, Bog" /> Valsana Hotel Arosa, Switzerland Doubles from £384, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com With a favourable altitude of 1800m, there’s no shortage of snow in Switzerland’s Alpine resort Arosa during the colder months. The family-friendly destination, centred around a lake and surrounded by snow-capped woodland, goes beyond skiing and snowboarding. Activities include tobogganing and ice-skating, soundtracked by horse-drawn sleighs, plus there’s an impressive network of hiking trails for all abilities. A short stroll from Arosa train station, 4-star Valsana Hotel was rebuilt in 2016 to incorporate a state-of-the-art ‘ice battery’ to recycle energy back into the hotel and make it entirely carbon neutral. Sustainability is at the core of Valsana’s ‘Moving Mountains’ philosophy, inviting guests to reconnect with nature through curated adventures including snow shoeing through the mountains with a pit-stop for an alfresco fondue. In the restaurant, thoughtfully selected dishes celebrate local Swiss ingredients with a twist. Plant-based is standard, including beetroot carpaccio and a caramelised pumpkin salad bowl, however guests have the option to incorporate meat, fish and cheese. After a busy day of rejuvenating activities (the hotel conveniently houses its own ski rental shop), guests can kick back in one of the three saunas and swimming pool or get cosy by the roaring log fire with one of the daily changing cocktails – we loved the wintery cranberry margarita. Doubles from £384, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Terminal Neige Totem, France Doubles from £279, check availability at terminalneigetotem.com, booking.com or expedia.co.uk As well as some of the resort’s best ski food, Hotel Terminal Neige Totem has the best position in calm, car-free Flaine. Part of this purpose-built resort – famously designed in ‘brutalist’ Bauhaus style by architect Marcel Breuer in the late 1960s – its picture windows frame wide-angle views of Flaine’s northwest-facing slopes. Slopes that are so close it truly is ski-in, ski-out. Owned by France’s upmarket Sibuet hotels group, this was the first venture in a new, more affordable spin-off hotel brand called Terminal Neige (a second property has recently opened above Chamonix) – and is a return to form for Flaine, where the vision for Wallpaper-style interiors to bring out the best of Breuer’s bold concrete buildings (actually a beautifully graphic reflection of the limestone-lined bowl in which the resort sits) went dramatically off-piste in the 1980s and ‘90s as mass-market operators moved in. The hotel is bookable on a b&b basis by the night as well as by the week, half-board (being under 90 minutes’ drive from Geneva airport also helps make it easily weekend-able). In an effort to keep prices down, there are few frills: no minibars, no fluffy bathrobes but decent bathrooms, plenty of storage space for bulky ski gear and great beds. On the ground floor is a bar and lounge area (complete with original Breuer fireplace) that caters to the cocktails, craft beer and charcuterie crowd rather than the fine dining set. The restaurant food reflects the same philosophy, pairing carefully sourced ingredients with playful touches to suit for hungry skiers, couples and families alike. Hang out by the fire with a glass of wine from the owners’ Luberon vineyard, the Domaine de Marie, or a jam jar cocktail (we recommend the Ruby, made with gin, lime juice, raspberry liqueur and cranberry juice). Then take a seat in the restaurant for plates of charcuterie, slices of beef served with a nutmeg-spiked root vegetable gratin or pan-fried seabass with a rich ratatouille and green beans. Home-cooked pizzas, quiches and chips are usually on offer, too, as is fondue. Doubles from £279, check availability at terminalneigetotem.com, booking.com or expedia.co.uk The Green Leaf Niseko Village, Japan Doubles from £115, check availability at niseko-village.com or booking.com A far flung winter option, Niseko Village, which huddles on the slopes of the soaring Mount Niseko on Hokkaido, in North Eastern Japan, is one of Asia’s most acclaimed winter playgrounds. At its heart is this traditional-style village, now also a focal point for an array of hotels, shops and restaurants. Among the latter you can sample various strands of Japanese food including traditional kaizuko-yaki steamed crab. Stay at the resort’s ski-in, ski-out Green Leaf hotel and enjoy its Alpine/Japanese décor and the soothing waters of its own onsen, a time-honoured Japanese tradition for après ski winding down. Doubles from £115, check availability at niseko-village.com or booking.com Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, Georgia Doubles from £114, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com Anyone who has visited Georgia will attest that sampling the local cuisine is one of the highlights of this trending destination at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. At Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, high in the Caucasus Mountains, you can sample traditional Georgian food after hitting the slopes of the country’s most popular ski resorts. Housed in the remnants of a guesthouse formerly reserved for government officials, the style across the hotel’s 156 guestrooms is old-meets-new and most have panoramic views of the snow-shrouded peaks of Mount Kazbek. Georgian cooks are fanatical about local produce and, as well as showcasing ingredients plucked from the surrounding mountains, river and pastures, chefs here also give impromptu workshops and cookery classes at communal tables. Don’t miss the chance to sample dumplings (khinkali), the ratatouille-like ajapsandali and a glass of local Qvervi wine. Doubles from £114, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com or booking.com The Experimental Chalet, Verbier Doubles from £289 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com If you’re a fan of the Experimental Group’s London properties (among them the Henrietta Hotel and ECC Chinatown), don’t book a ski trip this winter before checking out The Experimental Chalet. A collaboration with Parisian chef Greg Marchand (also of Frenchie in Covent Garden), the chalet sits in the Swiss resort of Verbier with 39 bedrooms, a spa, cocktail bar and restaurant (expect a modern twist on traditional Alpine dishes including rösti and tartiflette). For guests looking to tap into Verbier’s infamous après-ski scene, the group has also acquired the long-standing Farm Club nightclub, conveniently located in the hotel’s basement. Doubles from £289 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Tschuggen Grand Hotel Doubles from £397 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk High, sunny and surrounded by scenic wooded valleys, the Swiss resort of Arosa is home to one of the country’s glitziest ski hotels. Like many other buildings in Arosa, the Tschuggen Grand was built in the 1970s. Beyond its brutalist exterior, however, is a cocoon of contemporary elegance and luxury, complete with a sleek hotel spa, access to a private mountain railway and panoramic views of the Alps. Even the most modest bedrooms come with granite bathrooms, rainforest showers and Swiss-made beds, but the suites are extravagant in the extreme: hand-painted wallpaper, designer furniture, sun loggias, two bathrooms and as many televisions. The hotel spa is striking, with coloured glass sails on the roof that soak up the sunshine and bathe its four-storey space in light. Built into the mountainside, it’s lined with Alpine granite and Canadian maple, and there’s a long glass bridge connecting it to the hotel – walk across it, cosy in your robe, while snow falls outside. The hotel has five restaurants, from Michelin-starred La Vetta to the more casual The Basement, where a post-burger match at the on-site bowling alley is encouraged. By far the most exciting place to eat is Igloo Village – literally an igloo built just outside the hotel’s main entrance, with tables, chairs, red-nosed waiters and plenty of rugs. You’ll need to wear everything you own to eat there, but it’s a wonderfully surreal experience and the food is good. Doubles from £397 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Milk Hotel, France Doubles from €150 per night, check availability at milkhotel.fr Milkhotel is one of a new breed of more affordable hotels popping up all over the Alps, where the ambience and gourmet offering are every bit as important as the white stuff outside. Set in the quiet village of Les Carroz, in France’s Grand Massif, there is an intimate, chalet-style atmosphere and pared-back Alpine aesthetic here. Don’t check in if you’re looking for a thrumming après-ski scene but do come for relaxing afternoons spent on the hotel’s sunny terrace watching the sun’s rays fade. Come nightfall there are simple Haute Savoie classics on offer at the restaurant; well executed renditions of tartiflette, raclette and fondue. Doubles from €150 per night, check availability at milkhotel.fr The Chandolin Boutique Hotel, Switzerland Doubles from £177, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk You won’t find too many other tourists in Chandolin, a tiny, under-the-radar village in the Swiss Alps. Set at an altitude of over 2,000m it is one of Europe’s highest year-round inhabited villages, so the views from The Chandolin Boutique Hotel are pretty special, surveying a pine and larch dotted valley in the Valais canton. The hotel’s design takes its cues from the natural surroundings, albeit with a modern mix – exposed larch and pine on the outside with natural materials like stone and aged oak parquet and warm tones on the inside. The St. Luc Chandolin and Val d’Anniviers ski areas are right on the hotel’s doorstop. Breakfast is an impressive spread of local produce, cured meats, cheese and dairy products, while at night, Le Restaurant serves Swiss classics and Val d’Hérens beef accompanied by a serious wine list of over 400 wines. Doubles from £177, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Basecamp Tahoe South, Lake Tahoe Doubles from £166, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk After a day on the slopes around Lake Tahoe you can return to Basecamp and join in that quintessential American campfire tradition – roasting s’mores around one of its two outdoor fire pits. This is a mountain basecamp reimagined for a more comfort-conscious traveller. The vibe is young and adventurous, somewhere between a stylish hostel and a hotel. Its 76 rooms are done out with a nod to the Great Outdoors with reclaimed wood, plaid blankets and bright orange kerosene lamps. The restaurant, meanwhile, serves global mountain fare, which runs the whole gamut from Lake Tahoe chilli to Swiss fondue. Beer fans are in for a treat as the hotel’s Beer Garden has its own Desolation Brewery and the hotel also conducts a Lake Tahoe Brewery Tour. Lake Tahoe is one of California’s great gateways to the wilderness and the Heavenly Ski Resort gondola is only four minutes’ walk from the hotel. Doubles from £166, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Grossarler Hof, Austria Doubles from £295, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Only an hour south of Salzburg – no winding round a mountainside for half a day, bus clinging perilously to narrow, snow-dusted roads – Grossarl is ideally placed for a weekend ski break. Famous for its high alpine pastures and mountain huts this Austrian village is in the middle of a valley, also home to the Alps’ largest national park, Hohe Tauern. Stay at Grossarler Hof, a more-than-comfortable base minutes from a lift, with striking views. Luxurious facilities include a steaming outdoor whirlpool and Finnish-style spa, but the hotel retains the charm of a family-run chalet. Staff wear traditional Austrian dress, and the breakfast table is piled high with alpine cheeses and traditional jams, including feigensenf sauce (an addictive combo of mustard and figs) that’s so good we bought a jar from the market across the road. Start as you mean to go on at Grossarler Hof with food to challenge the buttons of your salopettes. Heavy, paprika-rich meat stews are topped with fried eggs and sharp pickles. Buttered späetzle (soft egg noodles) are so comforting and warming they’re like another layer of thermals but are countered with bottomless glasses of floral grüner veltliner. Book a horse-drawn carriage ride under the stars, tucked up in blankets, to the Aschaustüberlrestaurant in Hüttschlag. Warm up with mulled wine round an open fire, then order the bauernbratl, traditional local dumplings and kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) with apple purée for pud. Doubles from £295, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Fahrenheit Seven, France Doubles from £174, check availability at booking.com If you’re looking for an affordable yet stylish hotel to lounge in post-ski, then Fahrenheit Seven is a good option for anyone looking for a hip ‘home from home’. The brand operates in two locations in France, Courchevel and Val Thorens; the latter has been nominated as the world’s best new ski hotel thanks to its modern design and cosy feel. Inside you'll find most guests are comfortably accommodated, whether you’re skiing alone, as a couple or as a family of four: try to bag the top-floor suite for the most idyllic views over Val Thorens. Away from the slopes, take some time out to relax with a hot chocolate by the hotel's open fire, or visit the Scandinavian-style spa to soothe tired muscles in its saunas and hammam. Spend the evenings, meanwhile, indulging in fondues and listening to jazz. There's a choice of two restaurants –lively Le Zinc offers local specialties such as tartare de Boeuf and frites, whereas La Rôtisserie serves classic roast meats, fish and a dedicated children’s menu. Doubles from £174, check availability at booking.com Rosa Alpina, Italy Doubles from £119, check availability at booking.com or aman.com You’ll need to pack dinner jackets and heels if you’re planning a visit to Alta Badia in Italy’s Dolomite mountains. No other valley in the Alps boasts a higher concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants. Hats, gloves and ski boots are essential too, of course; there are 130km of UNESCO World Heritage slopes to explore on skis and another 80 for Nordic walking, snowshoeing and tobogganing. The illustrious Rosa Alpina hotel, in San Cassiano, is both calming and elegant. Soothe tired muscles in the steamy basement spa, before heading back up to your luxurious room to get ready for dinner. Influences from Italy and Germany, and traditional Ladin delicacies feature extensively on menus in Alta Badia. Rosa Alpina’s main restaurant, St Hubertus, La Siriola (ciasasalares.it) and La Stüa de Michil (hotel-laperla.it) all have Michelin stars (if not to eat, visit the latter for its wine cellar and unique immersive tour). Alta Badia also plays host to a season-long culinary festival, A Taste for Skiing, that combines haute cuisine with local wine and head-in-the-cloud views. Dishes created by Michelin-starred chefs from across the region, marrying South Tyrolean and southern Italian cuisine, are served across the region’s mountain huts for as little as €5 each. Forget the heavy cheese- and potato-laden slope food you know; you’ll find the lightest, silkiest folds of handmade pasta, creamy barley with local suckling pig and earthy marjoram, and fine seafood in delicate sauces. Doubles from £119, check availability at booking.com or aman.com Le Lion d’Or, France Doubles from £98, check availability at booking.com At Hôtel Le Lion d’Or, in Cauterets in the French Pyrenees, you’re treated to pillow-shaped donuts (made by grand-mère Lasserre) every morning. Known as merveilles or marvels, they’re made to a recipe that has been handed down through the generations – it is the fourth generation of the Lasserre family that currently runs this cosy, welcoming hotel. It’s an especially good option for families, particularly the two-bedroomed, self-catering apartment across the street from the blue-shuttered hotel. You can stroll across to the hotel restaurant for French mountain classics such as tartiflette and myrtille berry cake, as well as a fortifying breakfast buffet to set you up nicely for a day on the slopes. Doubles from £98, check availability at booking.com Shirouma-so, Japan Doubles from £146, check availability at booking.com Skiers are turning to Japan as a winter destination, hoping to combine its snow-sure slopes with local cuisine and the chance to soothe weary muscles with a post-piste dip in an onsen, Japan’s famous hot springs. Stick with tradition and book a stay at Shirouma-so ryokan, a Japanese inn that skirts the slopes of the Happo-one ski resort at Hakuba in Nagano. Stay in an authentic tatami bedroom and sample the owner’s traditional home-cooking (called okami-san), which draws on Hakuba’s regional specialties. Try traditional purple rice, tempura with wild vegetables and homemade pickles. The on-site hot bath is fed from the Hakuba Happo hot springs. Doubles from £146, check availability at booking.com Lysebu, Norway Doubles from £202, check availability at booking.com At this city hotel, in the Norwegian capital, you can ski by day and dip into Oslo’s burgeoning foodie scene by night, including the likes of three-Michelin-starred Maaemo. The city’s most accessible ski resort, Vinterpark, is just 30 minutes outside the city centre and is accessible by metro – you can even see Oslo and its fjords from the ski lifts. There are 10km of downhill pistes here and even more cross-country skiing trails (the latter is big in Norway). Lysebu Hotel is in Oslo’s Holmenkollen neighbourhood and is one of Norway’s most historic hotels – it was created from a clutch of traditional buildings designed by Norwegian architect, Magnus Poulsson, in 1916. Now owned by The Foundation for Danish-Norwegian Cooperation, Lysebu and its restaurant garner plenty of praise among regulars. The restaurant’s seasonal, Scandi-inspired menus are one reason for a night in. Try cured Arctic char, or veal and porcini mushrooms in a roasted garlic sauce. And, if you fancy an afternoon away from the slopes, you can head to the hotel’s cookery school to polish your Scandi-cooking skills. Doubles from £202, check availability at booking.com Limelight Hotel, Aspen Doubles from £410 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk High in the Colorado Rockies, with access to four different ski areas, Aspen promises plenty of powder and a picturesque centre. America’s fanciest ski town has long been a destination for celebrities and Aspen is now earning a reputation for seriously good food. Check into the smart Limelight Hotel where spacious rooms and family-friendly suites offer mountain views and there’s an outdoor pool with hottubs for soothing ski-sore muscles. Free shuttles to the lifts and breakfasts of Greek yogurt, steel-cut oatmeal or veggie frittatas are other benefits. For ultimate bragging rights, expert skiers can hike 45 minutes to the top of the Highland Bowl to enjoy steep turns and plentiful powder. Toast to conquering the Bowl at the on-piste Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro (76 Boomerang road; 00 1 970 923 8751), a cabin-style restaurant serving steaming bowls of fondue and raclette. Doubles from £410 per night, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Buustamons Fjallgard, Sweden Doubles from £96, check availability at booking.com Åre is one of Sweden’s most well-known ski resorts, and was for a long time the closest town to foodie bucket list destination restaurant, Fäviken Magasinet (which, unfortunately, chef Magnus Nilsson closed permanently in December 2019). There are, however, plenty of other great places to eat in the area, including Lillåstugan's Waffle Mill (accessible only by skis) for sauerkraut stew and flower-shaped waffles topped with homemade cream and berries. Buustamons Fjällgård is a small, 12-bedroom inn with two self-catering cabins, set in the middle of the snow-dusted slopes. The kitchen likes to keep things local, using as many raw materials from Jämtland as possible. Finish dinner with a glass of schnapps from the inn’s own on-site distillery. Doubles from £96, check availability at booking.com Hotel Casa Irene, Spain Doubles from £259, check availability at booking.com The Val d’Aran is an impossibly picturesque valley, sliced through the steep peaks of the Spanish Pyrenees in the northernmost reaches of Catalonia. Arties is one of the valley’s medieval villages, tucked close to some of Spain’s best skiing on the slopes of Baqueira-Beret. Hotel Casa Irene has 22 antique-scattered bedrooms and a dining room, Casa Irene, where the menu reflects the bounties of the surrounding valleys and peaks. Try organic Pyrenean lamb from Xisquet and dishes studded with mushrooms and truffles gathered from nearby forests. When you’re not eating at the hotel, you can explore Arties’ cobbled alleyways and eat other rustic, local specialties such as olha Aranese, a local soup made from chicken, beef and rice. Doubles from £259, check availability at booking.com Chalet Nid Alpin, France Check availability and rates at igluski.com Tucked between chic Meribel and heaving Courchevel, La Tania is something of a smug secret between skiers on a budget. Stay at the recently renovated Chalet Nid Alpin for a full-board package that foodies would approve of (breakfast, afternoon tea and three-course dinners with French wine). Expect addictive, melt-in-the-mouth peanut butter cookies, giant tartiflette baked with whole reblochon cheese, and ski-pant-busting sticky toffee pudding. There’s even a cheese and port night. Make friends with the ski school, too, and you might be lucky enough to taste homemade génépi liqueur, infused with local artemisia flowers that are plucked from the slopes during the summer months. And when it’s the chalet hosts’ night off, head into La Tania for everything from Michelin-starred plates at Le Farçon to burgers at Le Chrome Bar. Check availability and rates at igluski.com Apartment Marguerite, France Check availability at selfcatered-saintmartin.com For ultimate Alpine cosiness, with access to the vast Three Valleys ski area, base yourself in the heart of the charming jumble of old stone buildings that make up the centre of St Martin de Belleville. Apartment Marguerite (within a larger building called Chalet Alice Velut) is a two-bedroom, first-floor apartment that comes decorated with lots of timber and vintage ski posters. It’s perfect for a small family – you can walk to local shops and traiteurs (delicatessens), where you can stock up on Savoyard classics such as tomme and comté cheese. Plus you can dip into St Martin’s dining scene, which runs the gamut of rustic to refined. Splash out with a night at La Bouitte, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in neighbouring St Marcel that takes the traditional cheese trolley and reimagines it as a veritable cheese chariot, laden with 40 varieties all from the Savoie or Haut Savoie region. Check availability at selfcatered-saintmartin.com Rocky Pop, France Doubles from £59, check availability at booking.com Rocky Pop is a fun and affordable hotel in the Mont Blanc valley, with an emphasis on attracting the lower-budget traveller - think vibrant lamps, exposed wooden tables and video game machines. There’s an open-plan area on the ground floor where you’ll find live music, movies and a photo booth to snap some post ski shots on, too. When it’s time for après ski, grab a bite to eat from one of the food court-style counters serving up gourmet burgers, pizzas topped with rocket, ceps and Parmesan and traditional French mountain cuisine such as tartiflette and beef with pommes Lyonnaises. If you’re going off-piste, make a beeline for the bar and order a pisco sour or a post dinner espresso martini. Doubles from £59, check availability at booking.com Trysil Panorama, Norway Check rates and availability at skistar.com Just over two hours’ drive from Oslo, Trysil is Norway’s largest ski resort. Its gentle tree-lined slopes are well known to Scandinavians but only just appearing on the radars of savvy British travellers seeking family-friendly pistes and interesting eats. There’s no doubt that Norway is a pricey place to dine but, for a ski resort, Trysil is reasonable. Portions are generous and food hearty, with a recent renaissance of locally grown, raised and produced ingredients: rich creamy smor (butter) and delicate goat’s cheese from local producers, gamey moose and lamb served with mountain berries and more ryes, sourdoughs and cinnamon buns than you can shake a ski pole at. There’s a scattering of ski in/ski out hotels but choose one of the self-catering grass-roofed wooden cabins on Trysil Panorama mountainside and you get wrap-around terraces with superb piste and peak views. Inside, décor is on the cosy side of chintzy, with kitchens decent enough to prepare cost-saving meals. Each sleeps between four and 18, and most have a sauna; a godsend for chilled bones. Beyond skiing there are plenty of family activities: ice fishing, husky sledding and winter picnics, easy cross-country routes and piste-side games for tots. For sit-down meals, Trysil has some 30 ski-accessible mountain venues. At Knettsetra, a lovely old wood cabin surrounded by snowy pines, order the moose burger with Cajun fries. Skihytta is the other cosy cabin spot, renowned for its wild planks – foot-long wooden boards laden with house-smoked elk, duck, gravadlax, cumin crispbreads and lingonberries; and suppegjok – goulash soup served in a half-loaf bowl of bread. You’ll find it near the chairlift of the same name. Check rates and availability at skistar.com Hotel Miramonte, Austria Doubles from £210, check availability at booking.com Hotel Miramonte is a traditional chalet shaken-up for a more contemporary audience. The 1960s building clings to the foot of Graukogel Mountain in the Austrian resort of Bad Gastein, and owner Ike Ikrath has given it a thoroughly modern makeover. It’s a simple yet smart aesthetic, with a dash of glamour, and guests can make the most of daily yoga classes and a thermal spa fed straight from Bad Gastein’s healing waters. Dinner is a four-course affair of adapted mountain classics, including light dishes of smoked trout and horseradish, and goulash and dumplings. Unusually for the meat-heavy mountains, vegetarians and vegans are also well-catered for. A family outfit, Ikrath’s wife owns the equally stylish Haus Hirt hotel down the hill. Doubles from £210, check availability at booking.com More hotel guides Best Scottish hotels Best spa 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 hotels in the Lake District 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 Words | Aoife O’Riordain, Rhiannon Batten, Ellie Edwards and Laura Rowe Images | YTL Hotels, Design Hotels, Eva Kolenko, Tommy Andresen
Feeling overwhelmed? Here are 10 stress-busting foods to keep your chill
Add these everyday ingredients to your meals to harness their calming benefits
Some amount of stress now seems an inevitable part of life, but everyday levels can be managed effectively, which is key to maintaining both your mental and physical health. While exercise, mindfulness and good sleep are vital tools in tackling stress, the foods we eat can also play a critical role. A balanced diet filled with nutrient-dense ingredients can help stabilise your mood, reduce cortisol levels and support overall wellbeing. Here are 10 foods to help keep you calm and combat stress. Find out more about how your gut health can effect stress levels, if stress is killing your sex drive and how to stop stress eating. 10 foods to help keep you calm and combat stress 1. Wholegrains Wholegrains like oats, quinoa and brown rice provide a steady release of energy, helping stabilise blood sugar levels, which are often impacted during stressful episodes. Their complex carbohydrates also boost serotonin production, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and happiness. 2. Leafy greens Packed with magnesium and B vitamins, leafy greens such as spinach, kale and swiss chard help regulate cortisol levels and support the nervous system, making them a great choice for stress management. 3. Fatty fish Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon, mackerel and sardines are known to reduce inflammation and improve brain function. These essential fats can also lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol. 4. Avocados Avocados are a source of healthy fats and potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure during stressful times. They also contain B vitamins that play a role in reducing stress and anxiety. 5. Nuts and seeds Almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds are excellent sources of magnesium, a mineral that helps calm the nervous system. They also provide healthy fats and protein to keep you energised and focused. 6. Dark chocolate In moderation, dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids) can help reduce cortisol levels and improve mood. Its flavonoids and magnesium content contribute to a sense of calmness and relaxation. 7. Fermented foods Foods like yogurt, kimchi, kefir and sauerkraut are rich in probiotics, which support gut health. A healthy gut-brain axis is crucial for regulating stress and promoting emotional stability. 8. Berries Blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are antioxidant powerhouses. They help fight oxidative stress in the body, which can be triggered by chronic stress and contribute to overall mental wellbeing. 9. Chamomile tea This calming herbal tea is widely recognised for its ability to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Packed with antioxidants, chamomile can help soothe the mind and body, making it a perfect bedtime drink. 10. Bananas High in potassium and vitamin B6, bananas help regulate blood pressure and serotonin production. This makes them an excellent snack to combat stress-induced fatigue and improve mood. Incorporating stress-busting foods into your diet is a simple yet effective way to support your mental health and keep calm under pressure. From leafy greens to dark chocolate, each of these foods offers unique nutritional benefits to help you feel more balanced and resilient. Combine these dietary changes with other healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise and mindfulness, for a comprehensive approach to stress management. More wellbeing guides The gut-hormone connection: how food affects every area of your health Expert explains: what is the dopamine diet Expert explains: what is the Mediterranean diet Expert explains: what is serotonin Expert explains: how to have a better night's sleep 10 ways to boost energy when tired 10 natural remedies for hayfever to try 10 foods to improve your mood 5 Mediterranean foods for better health Healthiest diets from around the world How to follow a gluten-free diet How to follow a plant-based diet Can you cure your cold through diet?
Ready-made pancakes are used as an alternative to pasta in this delicious Italian-inspired dish with creamy spinach and ricotta in tomato sauce
Try these spinach and ricotta pancakes, then check out our baked pancakes, cottage cheese pancakes, American pancakes, savoury pancakes, sourdough pancakes and protein pancakes.
Best cheese delivery boxes and subscriptions
Looking to try out the finest artisan cheeses from the UK and abroad? Browse our list of curated cheese delivery boxes and subscriptions
If you know a cheese fan, a delivery box filled with high-quality, carefully produced and lovingly curated boxes could be the most special gift. A delivery box of cheese cuts all the faff out of going to a cheese counter, finding suitable pairings (like chutneys and crackers) and doing research into which cheeses match or contrast well with one another. In our selection, we've included cheese delivery boxes for those who prefer classic cheddar and want to try variations, super-fans of pungent cheeses, those who like European hard and soft cheeses, and those who want to explore the work of British cheesemongers. We've also sourced the best cheese gifts if you're after extra-special presents for a birthday, Christmas or a surprise gift. We've also got plenty more foodie inspiration to enjoy at home, including the best chocolate gifts, best gift delivery for foodies, best online cake delivery and best afternoon tea delivery. Best cheese delivery boxes and subscriptions at a glance Best overall cheese subscription: Paxton & Whitfield’s cheese club, from £120 Best cheese delivery for strong cheese fans: Pong Cheese Ultimate Pong Box, £38 Best adventurous cheese box: cheesegeek The Lionel, £38 Best subscription for British farmhouse cheeses: Neal’s Yard Dairy Cheese of the Month, £138 for 3 months Best cheese delivery for accompaniments: The Ethical Cheese Company, £39.6o Best cheese delivery for cheddar lovers: Quicke’s, £35 Best delivery box with European cheeses: Provisions London Cheese Canteen, £32 Best cheese delivery boxes and subscriptions to try in 2024 Paxton & Whitfield’s cheese club Available from Paxton & Whitfield (from £120) Best overall cheese subscription Paxton & Whitfield cheese club is a monthly subscription that starts at £120 for three months of cheese deliveries. In this subscription, you'll receive four carefully selected, seasonal cheeses. When you start, you'll be able to choose when you'll receive your first box and the frequency (monthly, bimonthly or quarterly), so your subscription will suit your household and upcoming plans. You can also specify if you don't want to receive blue or goat's cheeses. On the website, you can find detailed, clear information on how to care for your cheeses, as well as how to cut your selection – all of which is particularly handy if you're just starting to get more serious about cheese tasting. In your box, you'll also find detailed tasting notes for each of the cheeses. Members of the cheese club can also request that these fact sheets are emailed to save paper. Overall, this subscription is a great way to try a selection of cheeses you wouldn't easily find in supermarkets. Available from: Paxton & Whitfield (from £120) Pong Cheese Ultimate Pong box Available from Pong Cheese (£38) Best cheese delivery for strong cheese fans This box not only features Pong Cheese's best-sellers, but those that have a particularly strong aroma – giving it its ‘ultimate pong’ title. This box of cheese ‘superstars of smell’ makes a great gift, especially for fans of soft cheeses. In the box, you'll find a selection of four British and French cheeses, including Bix, a luxurious triple-cream cheese made in Oxfordshire with pasteurised organic cow’s milk and added double cream; and Epoisses de Bourgogne AOC, a semi-soft cheese encased in a wooden box and washed in Marc de Bourgogne brandy for a powerfully spicy and almost meaty flavour. The latter is the star of the box, as it has a very strong scent. Pong Cheese includes flavour profiles for each of the cheeses, plus general advice about caring for, serving and eating your cheeses. There's also advice on garnishes and food pairings. Available from: Pong Cheese (£38) cheesegeek – The Lionel Available from cheesegeek (£38) Best adventurous cheese box Cheese gourmands will love getting stuck into this adventurous cheese box. The numbered cheeses come with notes for scoring individual cheeses out of 10, so it's a fun addition to larger gatherings with friends or family. In each box, you'll receive around 600g of cheese, making it enough for up to eight adults to enjoy. Cheesemonger and founder Edward Hancock describes himself as a "geek on a journey, a cheese escapade or pilgrimage." The company’s mission is "to make eating and exploring cheese easier and more fun. We are stripping away the intimidating cheese experts and overwhelmingly massive choices, so you can just be carefree and enjoy great cheeses." Our cheesegeek box includes a Lancashire cheese that's buttery and crumbly, a British take on an Italian Pecorino in the form of Spenwood, and a blue cheese, West Country cheddar, an Alpine cheese hybrid and herby soft cheese. You can specify if you don't want blue or goat's cheeses in the box, or if you need the box to be vegetarian-friendly. Also in the box are detailed tasting notes covering the origins, age, strength, hardness, milk type, dietary info, flavour profile and food matches for each cheese, plus the scoring cards to rate your own experience. In ours, there was also a quiz to test your cheesy knowledge. Available from: cheesegeek (£38) Neal’s Yard Dairy Cheese of the Month Subscription Available from Neal's Yard Dairy (£138 for 3 months) Best for British farmhouse cheeses In this three-month cheese subscription from London’s Neal’s Yard Dairy, the recipient will get four chunks of intriguing, sometimes lesser-known British farmhouse cheeses each month, weighing at least 1.1kg in total – ideal for a dinner party cheeseboard. Unique to this cheese subscription is a live virtual tasting that goes along with it, so you can listen alongside your own tasting, or watch afterwards and compare notes. Included in our box was a deeply nutty St Cera cheese, semi-soft Gubbeen cheese, raw-milk Appleby's Cheshire and buttery Cashel blue. Available from: Neal's Yard Dairy (£138 for 3 months) The Ethical Cheese Company – A Cheesy Night In Available from The Ethical Cheese Company (£39.60) Best cheese delivery for accompaniments Cheesemakers David and Wilma Finlay make traditional cheeses and ice creams using organic milk from their own dairy herd. They keep the calves with their mothers to suckle – the first commercial dairy in the UK to do so. An all-vegetarian cheese box, this selection contains four raw-milk cheeses: one blue, one nutty cheese, a hard cheese and tangy, crumbly cheese. With the delivery box, you'll get a leaflet about the ethos of The Ethical Dairy and how the milk is produced. (Tasting notes for each individual cheese are on the website.) You'll also receive Poacher’s pickle chutney, Bramley apple chutney and locally made artisan oatcakes. Available from: The Ethical Cheese Company (£39.60) Quicke’s cheddar tasting box Available from Quicke's (£35) Best cheese delivery for cheddar lovers Whether you like strong, mild or smoked cheddars, this box has one for you. Quicke’s uses traditional recipes, time-honoured techniques and heritage starters passed down through the generations to create outstanding clothbound cheddar. All five cheeses are matured for at least three months, creating rich, buttery cheddars with a variety of smokiness and complex flavour notes. All of the cheddars come with tasting notes, plus a useful and fun flavour wheel to help you identify the individual characteristics in each cheese, ranging from freshly cut grass to animal sweat. Available from: Quicke's (£35) Cheese Canteen, Provisions London Available from Provisions (£32) Best delivery box with European cheeses North London-based Provisions imports cheese and wine from small natural and organic producers based mainly in France and Italy, but also from across Europe. It works with organic, biodynamic and natural winemakers, raw-milk cheesemakers and other artisan producers. Cheese Canteen will deliver a selection of five imported farmhouse cheeses matching the season in which they are sent. As Cheese Canteen focuses on European cheeses, it also wants you to share the European practice of communal eating, encouraging you to enjoy your cheese with others to discuss its characteristics and origin, based on the information it provides you on the cheeses' history and flavour profiles. Plus, each box contains 1kg cheese in total, meaning there's plenty to go around. Uniquely, this subscription also lets you adjust your box, so you can make special requests, such as no blue or goat's cheeses. You can also purchase a one-off box for £28 – ideal for events or special occasions. Available from: Provisions (£32) Related reviews Best cheese gifts Best baking gifts Best coffee gifts for a coffee lover Best gin gifts Best wedding gifts for foodies Best cheese gifts Best chocolate gifts Best Mother's Day gifts Best Easter gifts Best Father's Day gifts Best vegan hampers and gifts Best letterbox delivery for foodies Best BBQ gifts Best champagne gifts
Discover the best restaurants and places to eat in Kent, from no-frills seafood to Michelin-starred fine dining, homemade pasta and unbeatable ice cream
Looking for the best restaurants in Kent and must-visit foodie spots? Here's our expert guide to the best places to eat and drink in Kent, England. From Whitstable to Margate and Broadstairs, Kent's north-east coast hosts a range of restaurants, cafés, bars and even vineyards for foodies to enjoy, celebrating local produce. From a Michelin-starred gastropub for special occasions to the freshest seafood and unmissable gelato, there is plenty to keep foodies happy. For more UK restaurant inspiration, check out our guides to the best restaurants in the Cotswolds, best restaurants in Cornwall, best restaurants in Nottingham or the best restaurants in the Lake District and the best restaurants in York. Best restaurants in Kent Angela’s, Margate – for seafood Two small dining rooms separated by a central kitchen, Angela’s is as no-frills as the menu, which prides itself on simplicity and minimal waste (even the tabletops have been fashioned out of recycled plastic bags). Plump Whitstable rock oysters, mussels with cider and garlic, whole roasted plaice and thornback ray with brown butter are just some of the reasons why Angela’s is still in rude health after more than half a century. angelasofmargate.com The Sportsman, Seasalter – for fine 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. If you're visiting Whitstable, take a taxi out to The Sportsman 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. Treading a clever line between casual and classy, the pub’s wooden floors, scrubbed pine tables and pumps of Shepherd Neame beer (brewed in nearby Faversham) maintain the feel of a rural pub (just). Likewise, when it comes to the food, there’s no pretension, just locally sourced seasonal ingredients cooked simply but with an expert understanding of flavour combinations. There are currently two menus across the week – the five course tasting menu or the three course midweek menu. The dishes on 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 Samphire, Whitstable – 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 Bottega Caruso, Margate – for Italian This small Italian kitchen and shop started out as a pop-up stall at The Goods Shed in Canterbury, selling fresh pasta and Simona’s family sauces. Popular dishes on the menu include verdura e fagioli – a slow-cooked stew of greens, organic beans and smoked chilli – and handmade cavatelli pasta with a meaty Neapolitan ragu comprising slow-cooked beef shin, top rib, pork belly, pork rump, fennel sausages, meatballs and Simona’s family tomato sauce. bottegacaruso.com Melt, Margate – for gelato No trip to the coast is complete without an ice cream. And in Margate the freshly churned gelato from Melt is the best in town. Flavours range from peaches and cream to rhubarb and custard, peanut butter jelly and Turkish delight but they change all the time so no two days’ offering is the same. Find their parlour under the Sands Hotel, right on the seafront. facebook.com/MeltMargate Wheelers, Whitstable – for oysters 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 Twenty Seven Harbour Street, Broadstairs – for sea views The sea views and food are equally stunning at this smart bay-side restaurant serving small plates cooked over fire. The restaurant, formerly known as Wyatt and Jones and still under the same ownership, has an upmarket but inviting feel with dark grey painted wood panelling and an open kitchen. Dishes from the charcoal oven might include cod loin served with a smoked cream veloute, trout and herring or roe or Kentish lamb rump with aubergine puree. The restaurant also opens for breakfast. The owners reckon the best seat in the house is table 11 at the bar with it’s own ‘cute nook’ and great views. twentysevenharbourstreet.co.uk Morelli's, Broadstairs – for ice cream Morelli's is a must-visit for ice cream lovers along the North Kent Coast. This branch has been here since 1932 and sells gelato in myriad flavours, from a vanilla to pistachio to nocciola. morellisgelato.com Bar Ingo, Broadstairs – for small plates This San Sebastian-inspired chef-led small plates bar, set on a double-fronted corner site yards from Broadstair’s sandy Viking Bay, is the latest addition to the town’s dining scene. Accepting walk-ins only, the intimate bar’s casually stylish interior features whitewashed brickwork and a tiled bar with counter dining where you can enjoy a regularly-changing blackboard menu of Spanish classics including chilled gazpacho soup, padron peppers with romesco and crema Catalan with cherries as well as a carefully chosen list of wines and craft beers. @‌bar_ingo_broadstairs Chapel Down, Tenterden – for a vineyard lunch One of the best-known English vineyards, Chapel Down covers a huge 325 acres of prime Kentish wine country. It’s open all year to visitors, and offers packages and gift experiences with tutored tastings. Alternatively, just go and have a look and pick up a treat from the terrific wine and fine food shop. Stop at Chapel Down’s smart restaurant, the Swan for lunch. chapeldown.com Click here to read about more of our favourite English vineyards 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 Best restaurants in Manchester
Sticky and sweet, cinnamon rolls are a Scandinavian favourite, served for breakfast or as a satisfying snack. Our step-by-step guide will help you make perfect treats for friends and family.
Make these cinnamon rolls then check out our cheat's cinnamon buns, vegan cinnamon rolls, cinnamon biscuits and chocolate-drizzled cinnamon swirls. How to make cinnamon rolls
This easy chicken and leek pot pie makes the most of ready-made puff pastry and is on the table in just 1 hour. It's the perfect comforting family meal for chilly evenings
Make this classic chicken pie with puff pastry, then check out our leftover roast chicken pie, chicken and chorizo pie, spring chicken pie and more pie recipes. This easy chicken pie is perfect for Sunday lunch, served alongside roasted veg, salad or even chips. Discover this Christmas our puff pastry recipes. How to make chicken and leek pie... step-by-step video View Green Video on the source website Chicken and leek pie recipe
Are you finding it particularly difficult to get out of bed at the moment? Try our top tips to make waking up easier
Are you finding it difficult to get out of bed? If you're not naturally an early riser, you might struggle to get up in the morning. Perhaps you're more of an 'evening person' than an early bird. Just a few changes to your morning habits can make it easier to get up in the morning – no more oversleep or missed alarms. Read on for our top tips and tricks for an easier morning routine. For more like this, check out our guide to the best greens powders to buy, 20 foods that can give you energy and an expert's guide to the top health and wellness trends for the year. Now try our five tips for a mindful evening routine and natural hay fever remedies. How to get up more easily in the morning 1. Don’t put your alarm clock next to your bed If the alarm clock is not placed directly on the bedside table, you first have to get up to turn it off. Once you get out of bed, your circulation slowly gets going and it becomes easier for you to get ready in the bathroom or make a coffee in the kitchen. We've got plenty of coffee recipes to help you master the perfect flat white, cappuccino or more first thing in the morning. 2. Deactivate snooze function The popular snooze function on your alarm lets you sleep for a few minutes before waking you up again. However, if you dismiss the actual alarm, your body thinks it was a false alarm and you go back into the deep sleep phase. Each snooze alarm jolts you out of a new sleep cycle, making it even harder to get out of bed. Try getting up at the first alarm, so you only have to be woken up once. 3. Get natural light It is best to combine this with tip number one: after you get up to turn off the alarm, let natural light into the room. Natural light inhibits the production of the body's own sleep hormone melatonin. This means you wake up quicker by opening your blinds or curtains than if you were to switch on a normal room light or a bedside lamp. 4. Drink water While you sleep, your body loses up to half a litre of fluid. If you drink a glass of lukewarm water when you wake up, you can compensate for the lack of fluid. This not only activates your brain, but also ensures that your metabolism, digestion and kidney activity get going. 5. Get up at the same time each day Maintain your sleep rhythm: if you go to sleep at different times every day, your internal clock will be disrupted and it will be harder to wake up. It helps to try to get up at the same time, even on weekends. This way your body gets used to it and you get out of bed quicker and easier. If you want to start waking up earlier, get your body used to the new start time by approaching it gradually. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier in the evening and get up 15 minutes earlier the next day. Maintain this rhythm for three days before moving your wake-up time forward by 15 minutes again. This will allow your body to slowly get used to the change and make it easier for you to stick to the new times. More wellbeing guides Expert explains: how to have a better night's sleep 10 ways to boost energy when tired Expert explains: what is the dopamine diet 10 natural remedies for hayfever to try 10 foods to improve your mood Expert explains: the Mediterranean diet
Follow our top tips for a mindful evening routine to help your body slow down, relax and feel ready for a good night's sleep
It's not just the start of the day that lays the foundation for a good day – the evening before is also important. Creating a mindful evening routine for yourself will help you end the day feeling calm and relaxed and ultimately improve the quality of your sleep. A regular evening routine can also increase your sense of well-being and help you to be more balanced and less stressed throughout the day. Make it a habit to take care of yourself and give your body and mind the time it needs to regenerate. Read on for our top tips for establishing a mindful evening routine. For more wellbeing advice like this, explore our mindful kitchen therapy projects and 10 ways to boost your energy if you're feeling tired. Now try our five tips for your morning routine and natural hay fever remedies. 1. Reflect on the day In the rush of daily life, it can be easy for days and even weeks to become a blur, without time to stop and reflect and process everything we are achieving, or simply feeling, each day. Before you end the evening, take a moment to reflect on the past day. What went well? What could have been better? This short exercise will help you learn more about yourself, plus let go of any worries or negative thoughts that may keep you from sleeping. Be kind to yourself and celebrate even the small successes. 2. Turn off your phone The constant availability of smartphones can cause us to stay online late into the night and become distracted by screens. It's easy to stay up late mindlessly scrolling, but instead, turn off your phone or activate airplane mode at least an hour before going to bed. This gives your brain a chance to prepare for the upcoming rest period rather than becoming overstimulated. 3. No screens for at least an hour before going to sleep It's not just staying away from your phone that can help you have a more mindful evening routine. To ensure a quiet and dark sleeping environment, turn off all other electronic devices at least an hour before going to bed, such as televisions, computers and tablets. The blue light from screens can impair the production of the sleep hormone melatonin and disrupt the sleep-wake rhythm. Instead, try to incorporate relaxing activities such as reading, listening to music or meditation into your evening. 4. Plan the next day If you find yourself mentally running through your to-do list when you go to bed, use the time in your evening to plan out the next day. This could be as small as choosing your outfit, knowing what you'll have for breakfast or lunch, or planning a schedule for the day. Writing down your thoughts can help calm your mind and prepare you for a restful sleep. If your to-do list feels daunting, make a list of the most important tasks and priorities and consider how you can address them most effectively. Consider what needs to be done the next day, and what can be spread out further to make you feel less stressed. 5. Simple breathing exercises to help you fall asleep Breathing exercises are a simple and effective way to relax and calm your mind. Before you go to sleep, spend a few minutes breathing consciously and deeply. A popular technique is the 4-7-11 method, where you breathe in for four seconds and breathe out for seven seconds. Repeat this exercise for 11 minutes. 6. Take time for yourself Take time for yourself in the evening and treat yourself to something that brings you joy and relaxation. A warm bath, a relaxing cup of tea (try our sleepy valerian tea recipe) or reading a good book can do wonders to relieve the stress of the day and prepare your body and mind for a restful night. More wellbeing guides Expert explains: how to have a better night's sleep 10 ways to boost energy when tired Expert explains: what is the dopamine diet 10 natural remedies for hayfever to try 10 foods to improve your mood Expert explains: the Mediterranean diet
Ultra precise decoration is made easier with a cake turntable – check out our favourite models...
When it comes to baking tools, an icing turntable can help make putting the finishing touches on your cakes a whole lot simpler, whether you want precise dainty decorations running along the edge of your cake or want to pipe some colour onto your bakes with ease. In our selection we have looked out for sturdy and generally heavy turntables as they tend to have more stability, especially if you are icing larger or tiered cakes. How easily these icing turntables spin was crucial, as well as the height, as some bakers prefer to be able to easily see the whole cake, while others, who like to ice their cakes with more detail, prefer a shorter stand to prevent their wrist from stretching. Some of the models have extra features such as a tilting stand to make decoration as easy as possible. Read on to discover our favourites, from Lakeland, Dunelm, John Lewis and more. For even more of baking reviews, check out our best online cake delivery services, best piping bags, best springform cake tins, best loaf tins, best tart tins and best bundt tins reviews. For the very best cakes, breads and meringues, the best stand mixer reviews showcase all the must-have kit. Best cake turntables at a glance Best all-round cake turntable: PME Tilting Cake Decorating Icing Turntable, £23.19 Best non-slip cake turntable: Ohuhu Rotating Cake Stand, £36.99 Best low-rise cake turntable: Lakeland icing turntable, £12.99 Best high street cake turntable: Sainsbury's cake decorating turntable, £6 Best for easy cleaning: Tala Tilting Icing Turntable, £30 Most affordable cake turntable: Jazooli cake turntable, £7.49 Best turntable for amateur bakers: Sweetly Does It – Revolving Cake Decorating Turntable, £17.95 Best for precision decorating: PME Professional Cake Turntable, £38.21 Best icing turntables to buy 2024 PME Tilting Cake Decorating Icing Turntable Available from Amazon (£23.19) Best all-round icing turntable With a suitable non-slip base, this icing turntable lets you have complete control when decorating. Holding a cake up to a whopping 50kg, this would suit anyone from a more novice baker to an almost professional making wedding cakes. You do need a cake board or similar though if you want to avoid your cake sticking to the base. Available from: Amazon (£23.19) Ohuhu Rotating Cake Stand Available from Amazon (£33.99) This heavy-duty aluminium cake stand will last through countless events. There is an anti-slip surface on top that makes sure the cake stays in place when you’re decorating, carrying or cutting it. Plus this price includes extras such as piping nozzles and pastry bags. Available from: Amazon (£33.99) Lakeland icing turntable Available from Lakeland (£12.99) Best low-rise icing turntable With a scalloped edge, this turntable has a non-slip base but smooth spinning potential to easily and evenly spread icing without any cakes toppling off your work table. While this turntable is short, it is great if you tend to focus on decorating the top of the cake, plus it can fit in the fridge more easily than some of the taller stands. Available from: Lakeland (£12.99) Sainsbury's cake decorating turntable Available from Sainsbury's (£6) When you need a cake turntable quickly, pick up this bargain Sainsbury's offering for under £10. The simple plastic design has no lip, so it's easy to slide cakes on and off, plus a slight ridge on the top to hold your cake securely. It might not have the longevity of other models but it's practical and budget-friendly. Available from: Sainsbury's (£6) Tala Tilting Icing Turntable Available from Amazon (£22.14), John Lewis (£30) Best for easy cleaning Fitting up to a 22cm cake, this turntable makes it easier to decorate the sides, plus with the tilting feature it is good for getting up close when decorating any awkward points on your cake. Plus the top comes away from the base, making it easy and less awkward to clean. Available from: John Lewis (£30) Amazon (£22.14) Jazooli cake turntable Available from B&Q (£7.49) Measuring 28cm, this icing turntable is in a glossy white that would let any cake shine. Like the rest of our icing turntables, it allows 360 degrees of rotation, plus the whole turntable is dishwasher-safe. Available from: B&Q (£7.49) Sweetly Does It – Revolving Cake Decorating Turntable Available from Harts of Stur (£17.95) Best turntable for amateur bakers This cake stand helpfully features engraved circles on the turntable to not only help place your cake perfectly in the middle but also guide you if you are doing any piping round the base. Overall this turntable is minimalist and sturdy, as the stand is almost the same width as the base. Available from: Harts of Stur (£17.95) PME Professional Cake Turntable Available from Amazon (£36.32) Best for precision decorating Bring your cakes to eye level for precision decorating with this turntable. As it is made from metal it is very sturdy but its white coating makes it elegant enough to use it as a cake stand, too. Available from: Amazon (£36.32) Related reviews Best piping bags Best tart tins Best baking turntable Best measuring spoons Best kitchen scales Best dough scrapers Best springform cake tins Best loaf tins Best bundt tins Best stand mixers Best cookie cutters Best spatulas Best baking gifts 11 best cake stands 22 best coffee subscriptions Best coffee machines Best bean to cup coffee machines Best espresso coffee machines Best ice cream makers Best Ninja air fryers