The Waterway

Come summer, bagging a table on The Waterway’s decked alfresco area will have waiting onlookers seething with envy. This lovely spot overlooking the canal draws throngs of lunching ladies in floral summer dresses & affluent men in boaters who stay put till sunset with bottles of rosé & jugs of Pimm’s for company. If solids are required, stick to the BBQs or simple Caesar salads, as some of the more ambitious food can be rather lacklustre. Inside, leather couches & neutral decor create a relaxed atmosphere & there’s a dining room to one side for more formal meals. Cocktails are a high point (prices are too) & the crowd-pleasing wine list offers bottles for all wallets & preferences. Service isn’t always on the ball, but a batch of friendly new recruits this year has alleviated some of the grumbles.