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Cheneston’s is a fine dining British restaurant located inside the Milestone Hotel just moments away from the stunning Kensington Gardens. Oozing plenty of traditional British charm and serving a comforting menu of refined classics, this elegant restaurant offers a sumptuous escape from the bustling streets of the city.

The traditional but luxuriously-dressed dining room boasts rich mahogany furniture, warm wood panelling, high ceilings and large windows which flood the space with plenty of natural light. This beautiful room is bursting with period features and character that’s guaranteed to transport guests to another world while they dine.

The kitchen team is headed up by executive chef Daniel Putz who has created a menu of warming signature dishes inspired by the hotel’s founder Beatrice Tollman. All the recipes have either been passed down in the family or discovered while travelling, adding a personal element to every dish. Examples of starters on the a la carte menu include Mrs T’s chicken noodle soup which is presented in the form of a pie, as well as H Forman & Son smoked salmon with soda bread. For main course, you might like to try Mrs T’s chicken pot pie, grilled dover sole with new potatoes, creamed spinach, lemon and caper dressing, or roasted loin of highland venison with celeriac, pear, hispi cabbage and red wine jus.

While dessert includes plenty of indulgent classics – think tonka bean custard tart with pear and amaretto reduction, and Mrs T’s baked vanilla cheesecake with strawberry compote.

There is also a Night Menu which serves food from 10:30pm for late-night diners, and includes a selection of light bites and starters, mains and desserts. Children are taken care of by way of a kid’s menu if you’d like to bring the whole family along.

For dramatic London dining with a truly special feel you could do much worse than the OXO Tower Restaurant. This iconic eatery is found on the eighth floor of the oft-illuminated OXO Tower on London’s South Bank and affords diners some pretty spectacular views of the capital. Stretching out before you as you dine is the skyline of London, with the majestic St Paul’s cathedral just across the river being the centre of the scene.

The OXO Tower Restaurant is owned by Harvey Nichols and headed up by chef Jeremy Bloor who has a passion for cooking with the best of British ingredients, showcasing seasonal produce in his ever-changing menus. Starters might throw up combinations like Orkney scallops with a blood orange gel, arancini and monk’s beard or white bean soup with Beyond Meat and beetroot tortellini for guests who prefer vegetarian dishes. Mains include high-end cuts like Chateaubriand and venison haunch steaks as well as plenty of seafood options that showcase some of the UK’s finest coastal catches. Pudding brings classics like babas, panna cottas and cheese plates.

Wine at the OXO Tower Restaurant is as impressive as the food offering, having been chosen by Head Sommelier Diego Muntoni. Indeed, if you prefer you are welcome to enjoy a few drinks and snacks at the bar instead of a full three course meal. Elsewhere, the 250-foot terrace is the perfect place to watch as the skyline darkens on balmy evenings or can be braved in the winter with hot drinks, a good bottle or bubbly or a few rounds of cocktails with friends.

Throughout the year the restaurant often celebrates special occasions and holidays with carefully curated menus, marking days like Valentine’s Day, Christmas and Chinese New Year. There is also a beautifully laid out Afternoon tea each day.

Following huge success with Arbutus and the original Wild Honey, Anthony Demetre has taken his acclaimed restaurant from Mayfair to St James's, where it now resides in the Sofitel St James Hotel. The restaurant received rave reviews during its time in Mayfair, and the St James's iteration has been similarly well received, being awarded a Michelin star in 2022.

Demetre is a chef with a wealth of experience alongside luminaries like Gary Rhodes, Pierre Koffmann and Bruno Loubet, and at Wild Honey St James his menu combines classic French techniques with the finest British seasonal produce. As well as sticking with seasonal British produce whenever possible, The restaurant has a sustainable mentality - the kitchen operates in a nose to tail fashion, making sure to use every part of an ingredient to lower wastage. 

There are a number of menus available at the restaurant, catering to a variety of crowds, with menus for lunch as well as an evening tasting menu. If you make it in the early evening you'll find a very reasonable early supper menu on offer too. Dishes on the menu include grilled Hereford beef with slow cooked shin cottage pie and Roscoff onion, and Shetland halibut with mussels, Manitou potatoes, young leeks and white miso.

As per the name, Wild Honey also has its own wild honey, courtesy of a few hives on the roof of the hotel, as well as local providers Bermondsey Street Bees. Honey features in a number of dishes, including a Welsh lamb, roast sand carrot, January king cabbage and honey dish, and the wild honey ice cream with honeycomb and lemon madeleines.

As you'd expect for this sort of hotel establishment, the wine list is also extensive and varied, with a huge range of wines by bottle and by the glass.

Tucked away inside the grand Royal Lancaster London you'll find Nipa Thai, an authentic Thai restaurant run by head chef Sanguan Parr and her all-female kitchen team. Nipa translates as 'shining light' in Thai, and this restaurant has certainly been a leading light when it comes to Thai food in the capital. In fact, the restaurant holds a Thai Select Award from the Thai government, awarded to restaurants that represent authentic Thai food around the world.

No expense has been spared when it comes to the interiors either - all the teak used to craft the restaurant has been sourced direct from Thailand, and it has been used to great effect in the furniture, as well as intricate decorative carvings on the walls. Combined with the patterned carpets and textured upholstery, it all gives Nipa Thai a slightly old-fashioned, comforting feel, without the restaurant feeling too stuffy. 

Meanwhile the menu reflects a similar approach to tradition and authenticity. Thai cuisine is all about balance, and the menu here shows that finesse across a wide range of starters, soups, curries, stir fries and rice and noodle dishes. The menu is pretty familiar for the most part, including the likes of crispy spring rolls with glass noodles, Thai fish cakes with sweet chilli, and deep-fried soft shell crab. There are authentic flavours seen less commonly in the UK too, such as steamed rice wraps with sauteed chicken, shallots and crisp lettuce. 

If you find the menu a little overwhelming in terms of choice, Nipa Thai offers a range of set menus as well, so you can sit back and enjoy the food without stressing about what to order. There's also a dedicated vegetarian set menu, and in general, there's plenty of choice for vegetarians here. 

Try the new Gadira tasting menu featuring tuna prepared in various ways. Designed for a minimum of 8 guests, this menu showcases the finest Barbate bluefin tuna sourced from the renowned fishing hub in Andalusia, ensuring a fresh and flavorsome dining experience. This tuna feast features mormo stewed for a few minutes, marinated tuna ribs accompanied by chips, a giant loin tuna steak cooked a la plancha, and lemon ice cream with a touch of salted dry air tuna's heart. An experience for real foodies. £100 per person.

Pizarro in Bermondsey is José Pizarro’s second in the area with his original tapas bar one block away on Bermondsey Street. The restuarant is an homage to José's grandfather who had a bar by the same name in Talaván in the West of Spain.

The restaurant brings traditional Spanish cuisine to the heart of London with its menu of small tapas plates—perfect for sharing—or more substantial options with a choice of starters and mains. Diners can enjoy quality, seasonal Spanish produce cooked in an open kitchen that shows off José Pizarro’s passion and Spanish influence. 

Up first on the menu is the selection of tapas dishes, titled Pica Pica. This includes daily changing croquetas, padròn peppers and Jamón Ibérico. Moving onto starters, there is a range of salads on offer as well as seaafood options including clams in a spicy sauce and grilled squid in a Spanish sherry sauce. Of course, the Spanish influence continues into the main courses with a vegetarian option of wild mushroom rice, apple, fino and soft sheep cheese. Ibérico pork makes another appearance in the main options as well as a sharing dish for two that features suckling lamb served with patata al caliu, yoghurt allioli and fresh herbs. 

If you're visiting in a large group of more than eight diners, Pizarro offers different set menus that can be pre-ordered. You can opt between a £50 or £60 set menu with both featuring an array of tapas dishes, starters, main courses and desserts. Pizarro also presents a set menu perfect for meat-lovers with its £100 suckling pick option that, of course, makes a feature of Jamón Ibérico, Spanish cold cuts, Catalan sausage and marinated pork. 

Alongside the range of desserts is a fantastic list of dessert wines that are selected to match each dessert choice. With a hugely extensive drinks menu, guests are spoilt for choice with the selection of Spanish wines, brandy, whisky and liqueurs. Non-alcoholic diners are not forgotten with a little selection of classic mocktails.

Located within the luxurious South Lodge hotel in Horsham, West Sussex, The Camellia is a British restaurant headed up by chef Josh Mann that serves an ever-changing, hyper-seasonal menu. Its commitment to sourcing is second to none, with Josh and his team growing most of the restaurant's fresh fruit and vegetables in the hotel’s walled garden, while sourcing anything it can’t grow in-house from local Sussex suppliers. The restaurant is open for dinner throughout the week, and lunch on Sundays only.

Josh Mann brings a wealth of experience to The Camellia following various roles at Michelin pubs and restaurants across the UK. Now leading a young and aspiring team of chefs, including a number of apprentices and students, his aim is to nurture and inspire a new generation, working with them to create dishes which eventually end up on the menu.

The a la carte menu features a concise selection of starters, main courses and desserts. Examples of starters include lobster ravioli with charred broccoli, lobster bisque and lime, with the option to add Cornish Exmoor caviar if liked, along with a scallop scotch egg with house made black pudding, XO emulsion and sour apple. For main course, you might try roasted cod with potato rosti, housed cured ham, fermented kohlrabi, mustard caviar and Thermidor beurre blanc, or whole partridge with spiced pear, cavolo nero, Sussex honey parkin, duck liver, whisky and elderberry jus. While desserts include a rhubarb and ginger mille-feuille with poached rhubarb, stem ginger crème patisserie and rhubarb ice cream.

The wine list features over 300 bins with varieties from across the globe. An ever-changing sommelier’s selection is available by the glass, along with half size and full bottles. If you’re not sure where to start, the sommelier is on hand to offer recommendations that pair perfectly with your meal.

Nestled in the heart of the City, in the vibrant Broadgate Circle, Yauatcha is a Cantonese, dim sum tea house, the second London site from the Tao Group who had previously conquered India and Saudi Arabia, with this high-end dining experience.

Sleek and sophisticated areas are befitting of this City location, with high-top tables and chairs set against floor-to-ceiling windows that drench the space in natural lighting. An open kitchen sits at the heart of the restaurant, allowing guests to watch as a skilful brigade of chefs hurry about preparing each plate. Come Summer, Yauatcha offers an al fresco retreat for those looking to drink and dine in the sun.

When it comes to the food, Yauatcha City brings its signature Cantonese flavours, offering ever-changing menus packed full of dim sum and those straight out the wok. Start with the likes of cucumber salad, spicy sesame noodles or drunken chicken, before moving on to steamed dim sum, available as individual portions or as part of a platter. Opt for edamame truffle dumplings, blue swimmer crab siew long bao or spicy pork szechuan wontons. Mains span seafood, meat and veggie options, offering something for all dietary requirements, with kung pao chicken, crispy prawns and mapo tofu with soy mince.

Elsewhere, you’ll find three signature set menus, for those looking to get a true taste of the Yauatcha experience. For those looking to pop in for a brunch with a difference, the ‘Infinite Yum Cha’ menu offers something a bit different. Diners can expect a strawberry spiced Margarita on arrival, followed by unlimited dim sum and bao, as well as mains of sweet and spicy cod curry or stir-fried beef in a black bean sauce. Finish off with souffle pancakes, or upgrade to include one of Yauatcha’s selected wines.

Drinks span iced teas, wines, and an extensive selection of cocktails, so you're sure to find the perfect pairing for your dishes.

Located in the heart of Knightsbridge, The Rosebery at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park offers an elegant and quintessentially British setting for afternoon tea, all-day dining and champagne cocktails. With its serene atmosphere, contemporary design and views across one of London’s most fashionable neighbourhoods, it’s the perfect spot to unwind in style.

The Rosebery is best known for its award-winning Afternoon Tea – a beautifully crafted experience that blends tradition with innovation. Served from whimsical hanging cake stands, the menu features a seasonal twist on the classic British ritual. Delicate sandwiches, freshly baked raisin and plain scones, and a selection of exquisite handmade pastries are paired with your choice from a bespoke collection of 29 loose-leaf teas. For those seeking something different, pairing options also include sparkling tea, wine, sake and even beer.

This season’s Royal Afternoon Tea is inspired by the heritage and ceremony of the British monarchy. This 'History of Royal-Tea' showcases tastes and traditions of royals past, reimagining their favourite sweets and savouries from across the centuries. 

Sandwiches are elevated with British ingredients such as Aberdeen herb-marinated beef with celeriac and horseradish remoulade, Scottish smoked salmon with citrus, dill and trout caviar cream, and Clarence Court egg with black truffle. The experience continues with freshly-baked scones, and an artful pastry selection including 'The Queen’s Favorite Chocolate Biscuit Cake' - a digestive biscuit with chocolate ganache and cherry gel - or the 'Maid of Honour' tart - a nutmeg-baked custard with orange marmalade and ladyfinger sponge. 

Guests can also enjoy a slice of cake from The Mandarin Cake Shop, either as part of the Afternoon Tea or beautifully boxed to take home. With everything handmade in-house by the hotel’s award-winning pastry team, the quality is second to none.

For those looking to gift the experience, The Rosebery also offers ‘Tea & Therapy’ – a luxurious pairing of afternoon tea with spa treatments at the hotel. Whether you’re stopping by for a glass of champagne, indulging in seasonal cakes or treating someone to a memorable afternoon, The Rosebery is a refined and delightful space that captures the essence of modern British hospitality.

This understated Italian restaurant in Soho serves simple, high-quality and great-tasting fare, without the frills or fuss. It changes its menu twice a day, but always serves its staple fresh pasta plates, with each one based on a few, really good ingredients – in true Italian style. Some of its staff have been with the restaurant for over 20 years and, since opening originally in 1971 on Poland Street, has become something of a legend within London’s restaurant scene. For traditional Umbrian food and an old-school vibe, this is the place to head.  

The interiors exude the comforting vibe of a well-loved neighbourhood restaurant. All the furniture and lighting is from Umbria, while artwork from Italian artists (and occasionally guest artists) line the walls. Overall, the look and feel is modern and sleek, the simplicity of the surroundings mirroring the modest nature of the plates. For private events, guests can hire out The Glass Room, which has its own private bar and looks out across the main restaurant.  

Expect a succession of delicately rendered Umbrian dishes from the ever-rotating menu. Start with a selection of small plates, such as burrata from Puglia with cherry tomatoes and avocado, carpaccio of roast loin of pork with rucola, lemon, olive oil and pecorino and camorza (grilled smoked mozzarella wrapped in parma ham). For mains, opt for one of its fresh pasta plates, such as handmade tagliatelle with traditional Umbrian beef and pork ragu, and a hand-rolled vegetarian lasagne. While larger plates of meat and fish feature grilled fillet of swordfish with red pepper dressing, French beans and lentils, and Tuscan sausages, black truffles, pecorino, pancetta, carrots and cannellini. 

An all-Italian wine list explores the regions, while a couple of classic Italian cocktails, such as prosecco and white peach or a negroni, are also available. 

Set just off Broadwick Street, Temper Soho has steadily built a name for its British dry-aged steaks, butchered in-house and cooked over flames. The team works with North Yorkshire farmer Charles Ashbridge to source premium meats which form the backbone of a menu packed with premium steaks, tacos and more. The restaurant also serves Sunday roasts and a bottomless Saturday brunch.

The small foyer at street level gives no indication as to the proportions of the dining room below: a huge basement space focused around a central six metre long fire pit, enclosed by counter seating, with tables and chairs radiating around and private booths hugging the walls.

As for menus at Temper Soho, the a la carte kicks off with snacks like pork belly bites, aged beef nachos, and beef fat cornbread with gochujang butter, before heading on to a selection of tacos that might include fillings such as cochinita pibil, lamb, or soft-shell crab. Larger plates include a range of dishes smoked and grilled, such as beef brisket carnitas topped with mixed herbs and tajin, beef sausage with raclette and pico de gallo, or chargrilled prawns, which come served with two miniature margaritas.

Steaks, naturally, are the star of the show. All are dry-aged for 28 days to enrich their flavour, with on-the-bone cuts including rib-eye and porterhouse, along with fillet, sirloin, and picanha steaks too. Sides lean towards comfort, spanning seasonal greens with chilli oil, gravy mash potato with crispy shallots, and bone marrow with chimichurri.

Sundays offer up a range of roast choices, including classic roast aged beef with horseradish cream, Mount Grace pork loin with smoked apple sauce, and smoked Yorkshire chicken with chimichurri. Bottomless brunch at Temper Soho, meanwhile, offers a choice of tacos, mains, and endless drinks for 90 minutes. Regardless of when you visit, you can expect a well-priced wine list covering Old and New World regions, with plenty of steak and taco friendly styles.

For over three centuries, Fortnum & Mason has been the home of indulgence in the heart of Piccadilly, and nothing embodies its legacy of elegance and tradition quite like the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. Originally an apartment for the Fortnum family, the space has seen many transformations - from an interior decorating and antiques department to a beloved restaurant. In 2012, it was formally opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, alongside the then Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge, marking its rebirth as the ultimate destination for Afternoon Tea.

Stepping into the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon feels like stepping into a world of timeless sophistication. The soft pastel hues, crisp white table linens, and impeccable service create an atmosphere that is both regal and inviting. Whether you’re here for a special occasion, a long-overdue catch-up, or simply to indulge in a beloved British ritual, Afternoon Tea at Fortnum’s is always a moment to be savoured.

The menu is a celebration of British classics, made extraordinary. Guests begin with a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, from Coronation Chicken to Cotswold Legbar Egg Mayonnaise, followed by freshly baked plain and fruit scones, served warm with Somerset Clotted Cream, Fortnum’s Strawberry Preserve, and Lemon Curd. The grand finale? An exquisite selection of pâtisseries, featuring delights like the Rose Éclair and Pear and Almond Tart, all best enjoyed with one of Fortnum’s iconic teas or a glass of Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

For those looking to add a little extra sparkle, the cocktail menu offers refined twists on the classics, including the Earl Grey Negroni - a fragrant blend of Fortnum’s Amalthea Gin, Campari, and Earl Grey-infused sweet vermouth - and the refreshing King’s Orchard, made with apple vodka, blackberry, and damson.

Rossella is a restaurant with a story, and a heartwarming one at that. Luca Meola, owner of Rossella is continuing his family’s love of food in this traditional Italian trattoria in the heart of Kentish Town. Here, he shares authentic cuisine and carefully selected ingredients in this authentic Italian dining experience. Luca first found his passion for cooking as a child when working under the tutelage of his father, Luigi. His family started the first Rossella in Benevento in 1960, before bringing this love of Italian cuisine to Ilford in 1978 when Luca’s father moved here and launched a new restaurant. Starting as a kitchen porter, Luca worked his way through to getting in on the action in the kitchen, learning the ins and outs of the business, before going it alone to open up his own space.

The restaurant is contemporary, light and filled with Italian deli products that you can buy during your visit, giving it an authentic flair. Beyond the packets of pasta and tomato sauce, you’ll see a wall of personal photos from Luca’s childhood, to remind guests that Rosella proudly remains a family run restaurant. On the menu, you'll find starters and small plates like fried pistachio and pancetta arancini, alongside cheesy aubergine parmigiana and garlic bread with indulgent extras like mozzarella, napoli sauce or caramelised onions.

Moving onto mains, we like the sound of sea bass fillet with baby prawns in garlic butter, or the Pollo Crema e Funghi which sees succulent chicken cooked in cream, mushroom and a white wine sauce. You can also expect an impressive selection of pizzas with a 'make your own' section, as well as fresh pastas like Tagliatelle alla Nonna with sautéed aubergine, courgettes and red onion in a classic Napoli sauce, topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella. Just ask the team about gluten-free and vegan options, they've gone through great efforts to find delicious alternatives that are just as enjoyable.

And, when you're not visiting Rossella yourself, you can order online for delivery - so remember that next time you're having a night in!

The signature restaurant at five-star country house Lainston Hotel, The Avenue is an elegant fine dining restaurant, named after the mile-long avenue of lime trees that guests can see from the dining room.

The Avenue is a sophisticated space, but doesn’t feel overly pompous. Wood-panelled walls and heavy drapes speak to tradition, but touches such as the soft patterned carpet and cosy fireplace help to make things a little homey too. 

At the end of 2024, The Avenue announced that MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 champion Tom Hamblet would be joining as head chef, taking the helm of the restaurant after the restaurant’s refurbishment is completed on 27 November. Tom’s victory on the show put him on the map as one of the most talented young chefs in the country, and he leads a fresh, innovative menu at Lainston House that is driven by seasonality and local produce.

His debut menu features exquisite snacks such as a laminated brioche with garden herb butter, and dishes such as scallop with anchovy, seaweed pickle and ajo blanco, and venison loin with beetroot, onion caramel and duck liver sauce.

To round off your meal, there are desserts such as whipped cheesecake tart with pear, fig leaf, blackberry and pastis sorbet, as well as ‘squeeze them in’ petit fours like a Lainston apple juice and ginger pate de fruit. Tom also squeezes in a variety of snacks and extra course between your main choices, showcasing the best of Hampshire produce.

The Dining Room is the Michelin-starred flagship restaurant at Gravetye Manor, a historic country house nestled in the heart of West Sussex. Set within a 17th-century manor surrounded by 1,000 acres of gardens and woodland, it offers an elegant environment to enjoy its exceptional fine dining menus.

Under the guidance of executive chef Martin Carabott, who joined in March 2025, The Dining Room continues to champion seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The kitchen team works closely with trusted local suppliers and draws inspiration from the estate’s walled kitchen garden, originally designed by William Robinson in the 19th century. This commitment to fresh, high-quality produce ensures menus that evolve with the seasons and constantly offer diners something new.

The menu is a set three-course affair, complemented by complimentary seasonal intermediate dishes that highlight the finest ingredients from the kitchen garden. Starters have included dishes such as Cornish blue fin tuna with bonito, perilla and garden radishes, while main courses feature options like Southwest PGI lamb with confit garlic, ewe's milk cheese and olives. Desserts are inventive and indulgent, including triple cream cheesecake with kitchen garden berries and Tahitian vanilla, before ending with coffee and petit fours.

The Dining Room’s design features floor-to-ceiling windows that provide uninterrupted views of the surrounding gardens, creating a tranquil and immersive atmosphere. A curated wine list and a dedicated sommelier team further enhance the dining experience, ensuring each dish is perfectly complemented.

With its combination of meticulous seasonal menus, exceptional produce, and polished service, The Dining Room at Gravetye Manor delivers a quintessential fine dining experience. It is an ideal destination for special occasions, celebrations, or anyone seeking an elegant and memorable culinary journey in the Sussex countryside.

Set within the picturesque grounds of Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, Paris House is a fine dining restaurant housed in an extraordinary Tudor-style manor. Originally built in 1878 for the Rue des Nations in Paris, the building was dismantled and transported piece by piece to England by the 9th Duke of Bedford, where it was lovingly rebuilt in its current countryside setting.

The interiors are elegant and timeless, blending period character with refined modern touches. Expect light-filled dining rooms with green velvet chairs, leather booth seating, dark grey walls, ornate leaded windows and chandelier-style lighting. In warmer months, guests can enjoy the spacious terrace, overlooking manicured gardens and surrounding parkland.

Executive chef Phil Fanning crafts menus rooted in seasonal British produce, designed around natural flavour pairings. The six-course tasting menu might include mackerel with compressed cucumber, burnt leek and buttermilk dressing, Waldorf salad with pickled walnut and poached grapes, sea bass with tomato and aubergine terrine, barbecue heritage beef, and Basque cheesecake. A four-course menu offers a slightly pared-down version, while a carefully considered wine pairing is available for each.

Afternoon tea here is far from ordinary, reimagined with creative, gourmet flair. Savouries might include Lincolnshire smoked poacher and ham brioche toasty or crispy blue cheese with smoked paprika, followed by inventive sweets such as carrot cake with spiced carrot gel and strawberry coconut and Thai basil macaron.

Paris House is open for lunch and dinner, catering to gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan diets. Whether you’re celebrating a special birthday, enjoying a romantic date or simply seeking an exceptional culinary experience, Paris House offers a unique combination of history, beauty and exquisite food in one of Bedfordshire’s most remarkable settings.

A true seafood institution, Bentley’s needs little introduction. Serving up the freshest seafood around for over 100 years will often have that effect. Headed up by Michelin-starred chef Richard Corrigan for more than a decade, Bentley’s shows no sign of slowing down. This is a restaurant where diners feel relaxed, but every detail has been examined before anything leaves the kitchen. Specialising in not just oysters but all seafood, this is widely considered one of the best places to enjoy the fruits of the sea in the UK.

An essential start to a meal at Bentley’s is, of course, oysters. Here there are over ten varieties to choose from, available individually or by the half dozen. Purists can enjoy theirs as nature intended, while those seeking something more flavoured can opt for theirs dressed or fried. Oscietra, Umai and Kaluga Hybrid caviar is available for those wishing to go all-out for their meal.

From the raw bar, the delights of the sea continue with options like langoustine with ponzu and pink grapefruit or cherry clam with tomato and horseradish. Classic dishes like shellfish cocktails are elevated to new heights here, featuring Cornish crab, Atlantic prawns, lobster and brown shrimp. Starters include further elevated dishes like lobster bisque with brandy and tarragon chantilly.

Those wanting something more relaxed for their main course can enjoy classic fish and chips with tartare sauce and mushy peas or fish pie. However, the decadence continues with options like pan-seared turbot with olive oil mash and langoustine sauce. Meat dishes like a herb-crusted rack of lamb are also available, but seafood is certainly the main event here.

There is an extensive list of wines by the glass as well as bottle so that the ideal accompaniment for each course can be chosen. There are plenty of sparkling options as well as larger bottles for extravagant celebrations.

TOZI is a much-loved Italian local in London's Victoria, perfect for both relaxed, long lunches with friends and yet glamorous enough for special occasions, too. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday for all day dining, serving up a selection of menus devised by Chef Maurilio, inspired by traditional Venetian fare. Of course, its location is ideal, whether you're coming from central London or further afield, thanks to its position right next to the underground and train station. 

Venetian cuisine is famous for its cicchetti dishes which are typically served with drinks before a meal in bite-sized portions. TOZI re-interprets this idea by offering cicchetti-style plates across its menu, meaning you can try even more of the menu's flavour combinations. 

Smaller dishes include seared beef carpaccio and grilled artichokes, as well as zucchini fritti and Tuscan bean soup with spelt and rosemary oil. There's also a selection of options from the deli and salad bar; get stuck into octopus with chickpea purée, alongside burrata, roasted aubergine and dry tomatoes, and Umbrian wild boar salsiccia. 

If main dishes are more your thing, we like the sound of the slow cooked pork shoulder with cannellini beans and cavolo nero, as well as roasted cod with Castelluccio lentils and chard. For a special occasion, enjoy an impressive sharing dish like lobster linguine and 500g of 31 day aged beef rib with rosemary and garlic. For dessert, it has to be a traditional Italian sweet like pistachio tiramisù, pear and yoghurt semifreddo, toffee and hazelnut crumble, and the Tozi affogato. 

In terms of the space, expect calming, minimalist decor that ticks all of the aesthetic boxes. Neutral tones are paired with natural materials for effortless chic, while mid century chairs sit next to sinkable booths, perfect for both intimate dinners for two and socialising spaces for larger groups.  

Clarette is an elegant wine bar and restaurant in Marylebone that combines a unique, carefully-curated wine list with stylish Modern European food. You’ll find the restaurant just off Marylebone High Street, right in the heart of one of London’s chicest neighbourhoods. Clarette is the passion project of Alexandra Petit-Mentzelopoulos, of the Château Margaux family, Natsuko Perromat du Marais, who united over a shared love of good food and good wine to start this endearing wine bar in the city centre.

Clarette’s unique exterior is immediately striking - the stained glass windows and painted timber frontage give the building an old fashioned charm, and inside you’ll find it’s slick and elegant with natural wood floors, plush coaches and a sleek marble bar where you can sit and enjoy a glass of wine. There are also a handful of tables on the pavement outside, where you can watch Marylebone life go by with a glass of wine in hand.

Wine really is the star of the show here - the wine list has been carefully curated and not only are there some rare and exceptional wines available by the bottle, but Clarette also carries a wide Coravin range, making a selection of fine wines available by the glass, where more bars and restaurants would only serve them by the bottle.

The restaurant matches that up with a variety of menus to suit all occasions, whether it’s lunch and dinner, canapes, or sharing and party menus for large groups and special events. On the dinner menu at the time of writing you’ll find elegant starters like Anjour pigeon with chestnut mushroom, sweetcorn and lardo, and mains such as bone in pork belly with crispy langoustine, rhubarb, sorrel, and bisque, and wild sea bass with smoked cod roe, preserved tomato and wilted lettuce.

A contemporary, spice-forward cocktail lounge tucked into the historic surrounds of Devonshire Square, sitting stylishly alongside sister restaurant Cinnamon Kitchen City. Overseen by celebrated Indian chef Vivek Singh – also the force behind The Cinnamon Club and Cinnamon Bazaar – Anise is where India’s spice routes meet London’s after-dark energy.

The space itself is a feast for the senses. A striking new interior by Alessio Nardi of A-nrd Design Studio pays homage to the building’s former life as a spice warehouse, layering rich, spice-inspired hues with raw terracotta textures and intricate Indian craft details. Elegant green drapes frame a dramatic central bar, while plush booths invite guests to linger—whether for post-work drinks, intimate late-night dates or weekend catch-ups.

Behind the bar, talent meets pedigree. Bar manager Piyush Gouchwal has collaborated closely with mixology legend Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr Lyan) to create an Indian-inspired cocktail menu designed to shine alongside Vivek Singh’s playful and flavour-packed Indian bar bites.

The pioneering drinks list gives equal billing to alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, making it as exciting for mindful drinkers as it is for cocktail purists. Drawing on Vivek’s direct spice sourcing from India and weaving in locally foraged botanicals, the menu is inventive, thoughtful and unapologetically flavour-led.

Signature serves include the jewel-toned City of Colour – a vibrant blend of Tanqueray Rangpur Gin, pomegranate liqueur, Anardana-infused vermouth and Aperol – and the fragrant Anise Sour, combining coriander-infused Ketel One Vodka with berries, lime leaf and star anise. For those seeking something bolder, the Bankura Punch layers Mount Gay Rum with Old Monk and overproof rum, oolong tea cordial, jaggery and warming spices. These are familiar cocktail styles, reimagined through an Indian lens – and they absolutely deliver.

Beyond cocktails, expect a well-curated selection of wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks, alongside a standout range of no- and low-ABV creations packed with depth and complexity. Highlights include the herbaceous Saqi Sour (Everleaf Forest and Marine aperitifs with fenugreek, coriander and elderflower) and the vibrant Keralan Sunset, blending Lyre’s Italian Orange with watermelon, curry leaf and guava.

The food offering is just as considered. Classic bar snacks are given bold Indian twists: the Mumbai chilli cheese toastie elevates a comfort-food staple with heat and attitude, while small plates such as tuna bhel tostadas, Kurkure chicken winglets and a lamb seekh kebab roll are made for sharing – or not. And if the evening calls for something more substantial, Cinnamon Kitchen next door serves approachable, well-priced regional Indian dishes to round off the night perfectly.

China Tang at The Dorchester Hotel is one of London's most recognisable Chinese restaurants, thanks to its iconic, opulent art deco dining room, and a huge menu of sumptuous Cantonese cooking. 

The huge basement dining room is inspired by pre-war Shanghai, and every inch of the room is embellished with elaborately-patterned carpets and floral upholstered seating. The walls are all dark wood, detailed with intricate carvings and illuminated by low-lit lamps, which cast moody shadows across the room.

China Tang’s menus feature a bevy of authentic Cantonese dishes - fear not if you're overwhelmed by the choice, because China Tang also offers set menus for groups. To start, try delicate tomato and egg-drop soup, barbecue honey spare ribs, or roast duck. There are platters of Cantonese roast meats, and then a host of classic dishes like lobster noodles and scallops with black bean, as well as more unusual dishes such as braised abalone with sea cucumber. As well as the a la carte, China Tang also offers vegetarian and halal menus too. The vegetarian menu is extensive, with dishes like golden crispy tofu, aubergine hotpot, and morning glory in garlic sauce making this a great restaurant choice for vegetarians. 

Dim sum is another big part of China Tang's success. The dim sum menu is split into specials, meat, seafood and vegetarian items, with a range of traditional and luxury treats in each section. Dim sum is available at lunch and dinner, and includes the likes of Dover sole crab rolls with caviar, Iberico pork siu long bao, scallop dumplings, sesame prawn toast, and spring onion cakes.

In the bar, the same menus are offered, along with fashion-forward cocktails like the Plum Cobbler (plum liqueur, peppermint and eucalyptus cordial, violet, Hennessy XO, pandan syrup, fresh pear, citrus) and the Sea Spritz (Seatrus Gin Acqua Di Mare, homemade cedro soda).

Sagardi is a Basque-inspired restaurant headed up by Iñaki López de Viñaspre. Located in the trendy area of Shoreditch, the restaurant is well-positioned in one of London’s food hubs. The focus of the menu at Sagardi is simplicity, and a devotion to quality ingredients, alongside wines and hard ciders from the Basque country, and of course the roaring Basque grill, which is the true heart of the restaurant. 

Oysters are a good way to start at Sagardi, alongside some Iberian ham croquettes or grilled morcilla from Biscay for good measure. From the grill, fish options include cod with Biscay sauce, red tuna or octopus with vegetables, as well as monkfish, turbot and seabass by the 100g. Meatier options include duck breast, beef sweetbreads with artichokes or farmhouse pork ribs.

From the “Grandma’s Cooking” section, there are more traditional dishes. These include Donostia style seafood soup, “Roxario” cod omelette, brown crab “txangurro” San Sebastian style, stuffed baby squid cooked in their own ink and braised suckling lamb trotters with Espelette pepper.

Alternatively, there is a tasting menu. This features highlights from the menu including “txistorra” (Basque sausage), “Txuleton vaca” matured beef and a selection of artisan Basque cheeses. Desserts at Sagardi follow the theme of traditional cuisine with options like “Torrija”, a bread, milk, sugar and cinnamon biscuit with sheep milk ice cream. There is also a range of sweet Basque wines available, the perfect accompaniment.

Sagardi also offers a Sunday lunch, featuring dry aged boneless Txuleton beef from retired Basque dairy cows, served with home-grown vegetables, beef dripping potatoes, homemade Yorkshire puddings and gravy. The wine list showcases bottles from the Basque region, as well as cocktails like dry Martinis, bloody Marys, negronis and more. Basque hard cider is a specialty here, available in 150 and 750ml pours.

A Spanish-Italian wine, tapas and charcuterie bar, Dehesa brings a seasonally changing array of delicious things for the people of Carnaby to savour. The atmosphere is friendly, the interiors smack of Spanish charm, and it’s home to one of Soho’s largest heated corner terraces.

Chef Marcin Ciesielski heads the kitchen team, delivering a menu jammed with traditional tapas plates, classic Italian dishes, as well as more innovative plates informed by modern tastes. Inside, the dining room is softly lit, featuring hanging bulb lighting, deep green leather chairs and high-top tables for classic tapas-style dining.

Dropping in for a quick bite? The signature on the Dehesa menu is the Iberico slider, featuring chilli jam, aged Manchego, alioli and a spicy guindilla pepper. You’ll also find a range of bar snacks and sharing boards for the occasion. We’re talking classic charred padrón peppers, flatbread with garlic butter, pan con tomate, patatas bravas with alioli, and jamón and Manchego croquetas. Sharing boards, meanwhile, come in small and large sizes. There's a cheese and charcuterie board to get the best of both worlds, or a board dedicated solely to jamón Ibérico sourced from Cinco Jotas in Jabugo.

Elsewhere, tapas dishes are segregated into fish, meat and vegetable sections. Fish dishes may include Valencian arroz negro with octopus and saffron alioli, pil pil tiger prawns and deep-fried squid. Meats offer chargrilled rib-eye with piquillo peppers, grilled spicy chorizo and chickpea stew, and Ibérico pluma with bilbaína sauce. Veggie plates are no less attractive, spanning classic tortilla and Puglian burrata, and stretching to include ricotta and cavolo nero ravioli, stuffed courgette flowers, and delica pumpkin with pickled endive.

As for desserts, you’ve got churros with dark chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, and baked Manchego cheesecake. Fancy it all? Just go for Dehesa’s chef’s tasting menu for a selection of the restaurant’s best plates.

Bellanger is part of The Wolseley Hospitality Group that also includes big names like The Wolseley, The Delaunay and Brasserie Zédel. Each restaurant is known for its grand interior and impeccable service, whilst still being accessible to everyone. Bellanger follows a similar theme, with its elegant yet relaxed decor including high ceilings, dark wood panelling and ornate cornicing. A large bar takes centre stage with antique brass detailing, whilst French style red leather seating is dotted throughout the rest of the restaurant. In this space, you’ll find a lively cafe, restaurant and bar, with food being served from lunch through to dinner, and brunch available at weekends.

Described as a classic brasserie, the menu showcases southern French dishes, with a combination of bistro favourites and seasonal specials, with Head Chef Mauro Ferri leading the kitchen. Expect to see starters like steak tartare and provençal goat’s cheese salad alongside options such as candy beetroot carpaccio and dressed dorset crab. For mains, there are plenty of fresh seafood options such as the fish stew and crab linguine, as well as meaty favourites like steak frites and chicken escalope. Dessert sees a selection of classics that have been given a slight twist, like lemon meringue tart and hot chocolate mousse.

If you’re stopping by for brunch, you’ll find a small but considered menu, with options like a chicken sandwich, or crêpe complète with ham, cheese and a fried egg to start your day.

For those who are just after a light bite to have alongside some cocktails, the snack menu has been carefully curated to provide the perfect accompaniment. Plates are seasonal, and include crevettes ‘ose’ and pissaladièr. The cocktail list combines herbs and fruits of the South of France, whilst the wine list combines a selection of bottles from across Europe.

Hawksmoor Manchester is a modern and inviting bar and restaurant serving a range of fresh fish, meat and vegetarian British dishes.

Open daily, Hawksmoor Manchester is located in a late Victorian courthouse on Deansgate. The interior has been sympathetically modernised and restored, featuring a beautifully installed parquet floor, and panelling from Birmingham’s famous Sandwell College. The bar and restaurant is ideally located for those visiting Spinningfields, looking for a pre/post theatre dinner, or those stopping off for a mid-shopping break.

Hawksmoor Manchester serves lunch and dinner, alongside a bar menu, all of which are available at various times throughout the week and weekend. There is also a Sunday roast option, plus cocktails, sharing dishes, and a 2/3 course set menu available. If you’re looking for something special there is also a private dining option.

The main menu features lots of tempting-sounding dishes such as the Hawksmoor smoked salmon served with soda bread and the ash-baked beetroot salad served with pickled fennel, horseradish and hazelnut.

Main courses include dishes such as the whole native lobster served with garlic butter, and a herb-fed chicken dish served with bearnaise & lemon. There is also an impressive large-cut steak menu featuring a bone-in prime rib and a 350g ribeye, all of which are available with a choice of sauces and sides.

When it comes to dessert you will find plenty of favourites on the menu such as sticky toffee pudding and Bramley apple pie, as well as the option to go for ice creams, chocolates or Neal’s Yard cheeses.

Hawksmoor is ideally located close to all of the city’s theatres and popular venues. If you’re looking for an express-menu you can also ask for their pre/post theatre menu which features dishes such as potted beef & bacon with Yorkshires, and a 35 day aged rump steak.

With the same old world romantic feel to it as its sibling, this central London restaurant is from the team behind The Wolseley, and you can feel it in the sumptuous decor and high standard of service. The Delaunay is a grand space in the centre of theatreland that is modelled on the grand cafes of Mittel-Europe and serves up a menu packed with classics.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a visit to The Delaunay is a welcome treat no matter the time of day. For lunch there’s a selection of sandwiches ranging from an indulgent lobster-filled roll to a stunning chicken schnitzel, and if you happen in later on in the day then you can enjoy heartier fare from the all-day menu - moules, schnitzel or confit duck, say.

Tables fill up fast so booking ahead is recommended, but there are always a handful of spaces reserved for walk ins, in case you fancy a spontaneous trip to one of London’s premier dining destinations.

Don’t be fooled by the seasonal moniker: The Summerhouse is open right through the year – by popular demand. Dreamily located by the banks of Little Venice at the Grand Union Canal, just a skip from its sibling The Waterway, this breezy venue offers canal-side dining 'with a Cape Cod influence' and sunny echoes of a Long Island beach retreat.

Inside you'll find a beach lover's paradise, resplendent in beachy touches and nautical decor. The colour theme of sea blue and white really leans into the theme, as do the navy and white striped banquettes and exposed brick white walls. There's even an impressive collection of beige and blue beach themed trinkets and statement pieces in the light and airy dining room. Exiting the main room onto the terrace provides an excellent view of the charming narrow boats. 

Seafood is the name of the game here and it's available in just about every shape and size you can imagine. Fish and chips here are legendary, as is the whole baked sea bass, served with green beans, almond butter and sauteed new potatoes, and the Mediterranean king prawns, which are pan fried with chilli and coriander butter. 

Kick things off with some of the famous traditional popcorn shrimps with sweet chilli sauce, or if you're not in the mood for sea snacks, opt for chilled Spanish tomato soup with iberico ham, or some irresistible burrata. There's then the option to choose between Mediterranean sharing plates, salads, shellfish and mains, before taking your pick from Eton mess, knickerbocker glory and a cheeseboard to round things off. 

The Summerhouse is the ideal way to get that summer feeling while remaining close to home. And if you feel more at home on the water, don't despair - you'll find that the restaurant even has its own moorings. 

Nobu London Old Park Lane first opened in 1997 and at the time, was the first European site for this now-iconic, luxury chain of Japanese restaurants, founded by world-renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Its nearly 30 years of history makes it a must-visit spot for fans of the chef, or Japense cuisine in general. Housed in a contemporary, art gallery-style building on the edge of Hyde Park, guests can enjoy London views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sleek, modern feel. 

As for the menus, there are plenty of options to choose from for both lunch and dinner. For an evening sitting, for example, you might start with padron peppers with yuzu miso, alongside a caviar and avocado nori taco and umami chicken wings. Speaking of tacos, this hybrid dish is a much-loved favourite with fillings like spicy salmon, lobster and wagyu beef. 

The menu highlights both classic and contemporary dishes thanks to the restaurant's long and storied reputation. Diners are encouraged to mix cold and hot plates, with cold dishes looking like miso chips with tuna or salmon, alongside salmon skin salad and seafood ceviche. While, hot dishes might look like the must-try black cod miso, rock shrimp tempura with three sauces, as well as beef toban yaki. 

Nobu specialises in Japanese grade A5 wagyu beef and offers a choice of new style, tataki, toban yaki, steak, ishiyaki and tacos. Another must try is the kushiyaki skewers with options like chicken, scallop and beef. Be sure to load up on sides, too. We like the sound of the grilled asparagus with dry miso and warm mushroom salad. Finally, for dessert there are sweet treats like the chocolate bento box, mango cheesecake and oat crumble with Thai basil sorbet. 

Nobu London Old Park Lane also offers sushi classes which are really fun to do with friends and will give you a whole new insight into the world of Japanese cuisine. 

Rotunda brings all-round great British food and drinks to the streets of Kings Cross. The restaurant's ethos claims that London's dining scene often overcomplicates food whereas the Rotunda offering is simple but sophisticated. Sourced from a remote farm in the heart of Northumberland, their meat supplies are fresh and organic with the animals free to roam over acres of farmland. Only quality meat and the most interesting cuts go on the menu, so with its farm-to-plate concept, you'll be treated to a succulent array of meat dishes.

The actual restaurant is bright and modern with accents of gold around the restaurant elevating it to a luxurious ambience. Out on the terrace, you'll find a garden alongside Regent's Canal, providing a calming setting that is a real hidden gem on a summer's day. Sip on a fruity cocktail like the pineapple and custard cream milk punch, or stay with the trend and try a glass of orange wine; both are perfect accompaniments to nibbles of olives and grilled sourdough while you wait.

Dine al fresco or in the main restaurant and start off with a creamy burrata, balanced out by pickled tomatoes and basil crisps. For the mains, the obvious choice is one of the special Corneyside Farm steaks, traditionally hand-reared and sustainably sourced to harness the best flavours from the meat. If you're not a red meat fan, other mains include grilled chicken, torched salmon or the vegetarian option of lemon, thyme and hazlenut gnocchi. 

For dessert, the menu combines tradition with excitement, offering up the likes of chocolate brownie or a tart alongside the intriguing orange and cardamom creme brulee with a rosemary shortbread.

Rotunda ensures your experience is full of British classics and a touch of excitement and decadence. This continues with the Sunday menu where fresh, organic meat joins beef fat roast potatoes, roasted root vegetables, seasonal greens and a Yorkshire pudding; all lovingly topped off with lashings of rich gravy.

Owned and run by Nedging Hall Estate, a Suffolk based hospitality brand, The Bildeston Crown is a true country pub that sits firmly on Bildeston High Street. Surrounded by the stunning Suffolk countryside, The Bildeston Crown is absolutely everything you'd want from a countryside pub – cosy, dog friendly and charming. The menu pays particular attention to locally sourced produce, and just like the Suffolk landscape, they change often. Fortunately for you, the team works with local suppliers and businesses to source the very best ingredients and bring you an unforgettable experience.

The lunch and dinner menu kicks off with snacks, like the smoked haddock bites with lime mayo and homemade treacle soda bread. The starters sound absolutely delightful, with options of celeriac and apple soup with a Waldorf salad and soda bread, a pork and pistachio terrine with Moletrap mustard and toast, and pepper cured chalk stream trout in yoghurt, with a citrus salad. Sage gnocchi with roast squash, ricotta and a hazelnut dressing begin the selection of mains, followed by baked cod with butter beans, pancetta, Jerusalem artichokes and chard, and braised venison shoulder with kale and a date and pickled walnut salad.

Dining with a loved one? Order the sharing dish of Dedham Vale sirloin on the bone with bernaise, honey roasted carrots, peppercorn sauce, hand cut chips and seasonal greens. Finishing off, it's time for dessert. Enjoy a BBQ fig leaf crème caramel or tosier dark chocolate mousse with banana and milk ice cream. On Sundays, there are some impressive roasts to choose from. Enjoy the roast beef with carrot puree and horseradish sauce or pork with parsnip cream and applesauce, both served with roast potatoes, root vegetables, greens, braised cabbage, a Yorkshire pudding and gravy.

Theo Randall Cucina Italiana is a fine dining Italian restaurant by the chef of the same name. Inspired by his trips to Italy, Randall’s Mayfair restaurant offers a series of daily-changing menus that are dictated by the seasons in order to showcase the freshest possible produce from the market that day.

Theo Randall is a British chef and TV personality who regularly appears on BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen. He spent more than 15 years honing his craft at The River Cafe where he worked alongside cooking legends Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray MBE. It was under his guidance as head chef that the restaurant won a Michelin star in 1997. He left The River Cafe to launch Theo Randall at The InterContinental in 2006.

His eponymous restaurant is a modern, sleek operation that’s just as popular for special occasion meals as it is smart business lunches. There are both tasting and a la carte menus available, as well as set offerings and a Saturday brunch. For a flavour of what to expect, the four-course Signature menu showcases Randall’s simple, expertly executed cooking. This starts with antipasto such as cured beef carpaccio with wild rocket, shaved courgette, pine nuts, parmesan and aged balsamic vinegar. Primo follows: handmade pasta with slow-cooked duck, porcini and parmesan. Secondo might be roasted guinea fowl with parma ham, and lemon, thyme and mascarpone bruschetta, while dessert could be a light Amalfi lemon tart.

To drink, an extensive wine list comprises 90% Italian producers, although you’ll find a small section dedicated to wines from the ‘rest of the world’. English sparkling, Pet-Nats and vintage cuvees are also top choices if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

On the weekends, all attention turns to Saturday brunch, which includes an Italian ‘antipasti buffet’ with the option to wash it down with bottomless booze if you wish.

The Set in Brighton is an intimate dining experience, serving daily-changing, blind tasting menus across a 12-seat counter. 

One of Brighton's most unique restaurants, the restaurant is run by chefs Dan Kenny and Marcin Miasik. The pair have cooked together for over a decade across a series of pop-ups and residencies, before 9 Preston Road became their first permanent spot. Together they cook a distinct tasting menu each night, but there's no menu - instead, dishes for each night are decided from day-to-day, based on what produce is at its best. As a guest, all you have to do is turn up and you'll be looked after from start to finish, with the meal comprising of anywhere between 12 and 15 courses. 

As a result, there's not much we can tell you about the menu. Our experience of The Set from previous pop-ups is that Dan and Marcin cook with a bold, globe-trotting style, with dishes that flit from crispy oyster katsu and scallop tikka masala to beef and bearnaise croquette. There's a distinct Asian influence across many dishes, but the beauty of The Set is in the freedom that Dan and Marcin give themselves to take great produce, and deliver delicious cooking without boundaries. As well as the signature £99 tasting menu, The Set also offers a 6-8 course midweek affordable dining (MAD) menu for just £45 on a Wednesday. 

The interiors are sleek and cosy. The restaurant comprises of a single 12-seat wood counter, from behind which Dan, Marcin and restaurant manager Georgie cook and serve all the courses. Not only is The Set a unique food experience, it's also intimate, with guests able to see the chefs cooking up close and personal. The set also has a no-phone policy, where guests are asked to put their phones away for the entirety of the meal. 

Located just off Regent Street, in Soho’s Golden Square, the iconic Bob Bob Ricard Soho serves a classic British and French menu in one of London’s most glamorous dining rooms. Here, French and British classics are reinvented with the finest ingredients to produce comfort food fit for a special occasion.

With interiors taking inspiration from the Orient Express and the Golden Age of travel, every table is a booth and each one is fitted with a ‘press for Champagne’ button. In fact, the restaurant is famous for pouring more Champagne than any other restaurant in Great Britain. The elegant restaurant is dressed in a rich palette of colours - royal blue, gold, and ivory. It’s majestic and elaborate with blue and white painted walls and pretty chandeliers sprinkling light all over the restaurant.

The Bob Bob Ricard Soho menu reads like an extensive list of luxury foodstuffs starting with small bach and reserve vodka shots to get you buzzing for rounds of Siberian caviar and Jersey rock oysters. The starters continue with all types of tartare from salmon to steak, and specialties of truffled potato vareniki and lobster pelmeni dumplings.

Once your taste buds have been thoroughly excited, you can move on to mains of chicken Kyiv, beef Wellington, and 28-day aged Aberdeenshire beef chateaubriand. The fish menu is equally decadent with lobster macaroni and cheese thermidor, and Loch Duart salmon en crute with a Champagne beurre blanc.

For afters, a shot of Limonnaya Vodka served at minus 18 degrees, a stunning strawberry and cream soufflé, and the signature Bob Bob Ricard chocolate glory all await your attention. Bob Bob Ricard might be about opulence, but over a decade ago, Bob Bob Ricard caused a sensation, famously capping the markup on fine wine at £75. The policy remains in place today. 

Richard Corrigan is synonymous with friendly service and comforting, modern British cooking in the capital. Corrigan's Mayfair is his eponymous restaurant in glitzy Mayfair, alongside Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill in Piccadilly and Daffodil Mulligan in Old Street. 

Whilst Bentley's is famous for the thousands of oysters shucked and served on its premises every day, Corrigan's has a reputation as one of the finest game restaurants in the capital. Broadly speaking, Corrigan's is a celebration of seasonal British and Irish produce, but the restaurant is particularly proud to showcase game from across the British Isles, 'coastal and wild, furred and feathered,' as they say. The Glorious Twelfth (the name given to the start of the grouse hunting season) is an auspicious date in the Corrigan's calendar for that very reason, and the restaurant remains busy throughout the hunting season and beyond. 

Bookended by snacks and petit fours, the menu is packed with dishes that showcase classic French techniques and modern British flavour combinations with interesting twists. A salad of lobster is livened with taramasalata and yuzu, and a foie gras bavarois comes with gingerbread and pear. Mains include the likes of Hampshire fallow deer with cocoa, fig and crapaudine beetroot, and wild Shetland halibut with chervil root, autumn truffle and cavolo nero. If you still have room for dessert, try the apple tarte fine with hazelnut and vanilla ice cream, or a signature Corrigan's Paris-brest.

Corrigan's sommelier team hand-picks wine recommendations every season, but if you want to delve into the wine list you'll find an extensive collection by the glass and bottle from all over the world. Guests can also head to Dickie's Bar by the restaurant entrance for a cocktail whilst they wait for their table.

The Mount Street Dining Room and Bar is located inside the Midland Hotel, right in the heart of Manchester. Inside, guests will find a light and modern space, serving a menu of British classic dishes with a contemporary twist. The Mount Street Dining Room and Bar is open Wednesday to Saturday for light bites and cocktails, as well as serving their a la carte menu each evening.

The interiors keep in line with the rest of the Midland Hotel’s grandeur. Expect a neutral colour palette with plenty of potted greenery that helps to bring the space to life. Sink into leather banquet seating, surrounded by abstract artwork, and enjoy a sleek backdrop whether you’re popping in for drinks in the Mount St bar, or a celebratory evening meal.

Nestled within the legendary Midland Hotel and positioned in the very heart of Manchester city centre, Mount Street brings together timeless brasserie classics and confident modern cooking.

While dishes are ever-changing, guests can expect the likes of lobster crumpets served with sesame and hollandaise, or a traditional pork pie served with mustard, piccalilli and carrot. Main courses might include a selection of grilled meats such as ribeye and fillet steak, as well as a roast chicken served with green beans and toasted almonds. You’ll also find a selection of fish dishes on the menu, plus vegetarian options meaning there’s something for everyone. Desserts are classic and tempting, and have included options such as hot chocolate fondant or Yorkshire rhubarb and custard tart.

There is a large and varied drinks menu which includes a selection of good wines, beers and spirits, as well as a good range of soft drinks.

Just moments from Manchester’s theatres, shopping and transport links, Mount Street is where the city comes to dine, drink and linger a little longer.

Hawksmoor Spitalfields was ground zero for the now legendary, far-reaching steakhouse, and to many it remains the best embodiment of Hawksmoor's indulgent spirit. This original branch opened back in 2006 and it retains the same moody charm today, thanks to signature forest green leather banquettes, exposed brickwork and herringbone natural wood floors. Stained glass panels in the windows create dappled light on one side of the room, whilst a well-stocked bar props up the other corner. 

Truthfully though, no-one goes to Hawksmoor to admire the interiors - this is the epitomy of a restaurant where the food speaks for itself. Hawksmoor offers a wide variety of menu options to suit all comers these days, but the authentic Hawksmoor experience is still all about the steaks. Scan the blackboard as soon as you walk in to see what steaks are available - everything is priced per 100 grams, but each steak is weighed and then written up on the board, so you can pick the perfect one for you, whether it's a hefty slab of bone-in prime rib or a dainty fillet steak. All your favourite sauces are available too, alongside extras like grilled bone marrow, triple-cooked chips, creamed spinach and buttered greens. 

If you're not a big steak eater or you're just not feeling it, there's plenty on the menu besides. Hawksmoor's handy Spitalfields location attracts all comers, and the menu reflects that with plenty of other options, from sea bream with chilli, lemon and garlic, to ricotta dumplings with peas, broad beans and asparagus. Hawksmoor's puddings are also worth saving room for, not least the famous sticky toffee pudding, or the salted caramel rolos, which you can take away for later snacking. 

There are also Sunday roasts and set menus available at certain times, as well as an enormous wine and cocktail list. 

Hinds Head is a destination dining experience curated and led by world-renown chef Heston Blumenthal, housed within a historic, 15th-century pub. Indeed, the building has acted as a place to gather and eat since the 1400s, and over the years has been featured in folklore songs, books and visited by royalty. The team are keen to preserve its storied past, with the pub's logo proudly featuring a female deer circled by a royal garter and their location, close to Windsor Castle. 

Blumenthal bought the property in 2004 and since then it has been recognised with a Michelin star for its traditional British cuisine. There are a few menus to choose from including an a la carte, set lunch and Sunday lunch. To get a feel for what you can expect, take a look at the example menus online, kicking off with some of the restaurant's now legendary snacks, including Devils on Horseback and Scotch Egg.

Starters look like pickled beetroot tart with smoked goat's curd and cider poached pears, alongside classic dishes like pea and ham soup, and crab soup and sandwich with tomato and fennel. For mains, take your pick from the big plates such as oxtail and kidney pudding with oxtail sauce, as well as market fish with samphire, brown shrimps and mustard sauce, plus pork belly with pearl barley, pickled onions, fennel and wheat beer. Then, there's the grill. Here, you can enjoy a selection of cuts sourced locally from Aubrey Allen Butchers, who have a particular fondness for Irish Hereford Prime, aged for a minimum of 28 days, cooked to your liking. 

The team are keen for you to enjoy the breadth of their unique beverage offering alongside the food, with signature cocktails such as the Apple Orchard with Broken Clock Vodka, Aker English Dry Aperitif, apple and orange blossom shrub and soda. There's also a selection of non-alcoholic options, beers and a curated wine list. 

A fixture of the Chelsea area since its opening in 2011, Medlar champions seasonal ingredients executed with accuracy and simplicity. Headed by Chez Bruce alumni chef Joe Mercer Nairne and front-of-house manager David O’Connor, this neighbourhood restaurant delivers satisfying food in a comfortable style. Executed according to French techniques, but with international influences, the menus feature dishes with a European tilt crafted with the very best produce from the British Isles and the continent.

Split over two floors, seating includes a small ground-floor terrace, main dining area, an upstairs bar and tables, and a private dining room. With French doors on the ground floor, and a skylight on the first, the building is light and airy, decorated in a parakeet-green colour scheme with leather banquettes and white-clad tables. From the ceilings hang floral arrangements and foliage interspersed with string lights.

Organised by set-menu courses dependent on lunch and dinner sittings, which are staggeringly reasonable for the King's Road, guests can expect a varied choice. Start with the signature crab raviolo served with samphire, brown shrimp, leek fondue, and bisque sauce; foie gras with Armagnac prune terrine, rabbit rillettes, chicken skin, and brioche; or push the boat out with crisped calf’s brains, merinda tomatoes, sauce ravigote, confit potato, and dandelion.

As for mains, look out for a rump of belted Galloway with cafe de Paris snails, portobello mushroom, shallot puree, and bearnaise; or sample an Asian-inspired chargrilled monkfish with ginger, shitake, salsify, shiso, and tiger prawn. If you can manage to save room for dessert, a warm chocolate mousse and salted caramel tartlet with milk ice cream and candied pecans or a poached pear financier with vanilla and cinnamon ice cream, pine nut brittle, and pear puree could be just the ticket. If not, a selection of cheeses is also available.

On Notting Hill's Portobello Road, UKAI delivers a creative combination of modern Robata Japanese cuisine with a spectacular cocktail list and colourful design. The menu draws influence from Mediterranean and South American flavours, which you may not typically pair with Japanese food. The restaurant is open seven days a week, whether you're popping in for drinks or dinner.

Spicy seafood soup, lobster and shrimp gyozas and wagyu beef sliders all feature on the hot japas selection, followed by several ceviche and tataki options. White tuna tataki with truffle is topped with peanuts, then there's a lobster carpaccio with yuzu granite, citrus granita and sauce, and salmon ceviche tacos with a spicy sauce. Following those selections it’s straight into mains, with seafood and meat robata and hot dishes. Choose from roasted black cod with miso sauce and lime, which is a restaurant favourite, to beef toban-yaki with enoki mushrooms and chicken breast in a creamy mushroom sauce.

There are plenty of side dishes to choose from, including baked aubergine with a miso sauce and parmesan, UKAI salad with lettuce, radicchio, seaweed, soybeans and house dressing, and brown rice cooked in an iron pot with Japanese mushrooms, truffle and parmesan. Tempura and fried dishes that can be enjoyed as sides, or as mains when ordering a few, include prawn tempura with orange ponzu, baby squid with a jalapeno mayo and lobster tempura with yuzu mayo and lime.

Some of the house special rolls include spider maki with soft shell crab, hamachi and jalapeno rolls, California with premium blue crab meat, dragon rolls with marinated eel and salmon tempura with a spicy sauce. To try a bit of everything, order the UKAI deluxe with a mix of volcano, smoked salmon, cucumber avocado, prawn maki and butterfish sashimi.

Hawksmoor is a high-quality British steakhouse serving sustainable beef and seafood, with multiple venues across the UK including eight locations in London. This particular venue on Air Street is located in the West End, between Piccadilly and Regent Street, making it a prime spot for diners to enjoy some pre- and post-theatre dining.  

The large, art-deco dining room offers views over London’s iconic Regent Street, and is decked out in a typically old-school style synonymous with the brand. Expect green banquet seating, parquet wooden flooring, a backlit bar and warm, glowy lighting throughout.

Discover a menu for nearly every occasion, from set options to sharing, pre and post-theatre and of course its legendary Sunday roast. Although Hawksmoor is first and foremost a steakhouse, it's also teamed up with restaurateur, chef and author Mitch Tonks of seafood restaurant Seahorse, to manage the fish side of things, focusing on sourcing the freshest possible produce and cooking it simply over real charcoal.  

The a la carte menu kicks off with starters, such as Devon crab on toast, roasted scallops with white port and garlic and langoustine scampi, before moving onto the main event: steak! Guests are invited to choose their cut of choice (chateaubriand, fillet, rib-eye, sirloin, rump) along with their preferred sauce (highlights include anchovy hollandaise and bone marrow gravy). The sides are almost as important as the steak at Hawksmoor, with well over 10 options available including macaroni cheese, creamed spinach, beef dripping fries and buttered English greens. Of course, seafood dishes are also on offer including the likes of royal sea bream baked in garlic, rosemary and chilli, and monkfish cooked over charcoal. 

There’s a huge focus on drinks as well, with the wine list boasting reserve and fine wines, port and sherry, dessert wines and magnums. While an extensive cocktail offering includes multiple twists on highballs, martinis and Manhattans, along with plenty of signature and classic options.

A plush bar, complete with open air terrace and lofty views across the rooftops of London? There aren’t many of those around, especially in the vicinity of Oxford Circus. Aqua Spirit is certainly one of the most impressive cocktail bars in the city, and that’s before you even get around to ordering a cocktail. 

You’ll find Aqua Spirit immediately to your right as you step out of the elevators - quite frankly, it’s hard to miss. The central bar is a monolith of golden tessellated fleur de lys tiling and smooth obsidian. Sliding doors hide the way to a private dining room for 10, and nearby Aqua Nueva - a Spanish restaurant and cocktail bar that has its own terrace and tapas bar. Step on through to Aqua Kyoto and you’ll find silk-lined booths and a stunning marble sushi bar, with chefs busily preparing sushi and sashimi platters. And further still, the Kyoto Terrace - which is both heated and covered for use all year-round.

Aqua Spirit is a cocktail bar at heart, but there are bar snacks available, like rock shrimp with chilli garlic sauce, or squid and vegetable gyoza, and you can always head next door if you want a sit down meal. 

Meanwhile, the cocktail bar is where the action is. Try Aqua Spirit signatures like the Pink Panther (Tapatio reposado, peach, Campari, Supasawa and Fever-Tree tonic) or the Negroni Royal (Tanqueray Royal, Roots mastic, dry vermouth and citrus), then head out onto the terrace and soak up the buzz of the city from five floors up. 

Noble Rot is an award-winning restaurant and wine bar housed inside a townhouse on Bloomsbury’s Lamb’s Conduit Street. Opening its doors in 2015 and becoming a hit with Londoners pretty much instantaneously, this Parisienne-inspired spot is both comforting and timeless.  

At the front is the wine bar which offers relaxed seating where guests can drink as cheaply or expensively as they please. The wine list boasts a wealth of good-value and rare gems from leading producers all over the world and we don’t blame you if you need a helping hand to decide (simply ask a member of the team). There is also a bar menu available for guests who are really only visiting for the wine but want something tasty to nibble on while they drink. There are dessert and fortified wines too, for those who like bottles at the sweeter end of the scale. 

The a la carte menu is made up of a selection of French-British dishes. An excellent value set lunch menu comprises two or three courses and changes with the seasons, while the main menu features nibbles, starters, mains and desserts. Start with rock oysters or comte beignets with pickled walnut ketchup while you mull over what to order, followed by things like smoked duck and confit salad, burrata, peas and mint, roast hake with caper and brown butter or roast Landes guinea fowl with white beans and wild garlic pesto. Desserts are a similar mish-mash of Franglaise-inspired creations, from creme caramel with golden raisins and sauternes to rhubarb and custard. 

The restaurant and wine bar is from the duo behind Noble Rot wine magazine - Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew - which features an ever-rotating portfolio of edgy, fresh and exciting wine writing.

Whether you're a born-and-raised Londoner or you've been living in the city for years, there are certain views that still make you say 'wow'. And, looking out from the third floor of the Royal Festival Hall, across the Thames and over to some of the capital's most recognisable buildings is one of them. 

This is where you'll find Skylon, the Royal Festival Hall's in-house restaurant which takes its name from the original, iconic structure which was built for the 1951 Festival of Britain. Today, it's a stylish and well-to-do eatery, boasting huge, floor-to-ceiling windows and mid-century design details that nod back to that time, mixed with contemporary touches, too. 

In the heart of the restaurant there's a stunning central bar, often flanked by large vases filled with flamboyant floral schemes. Here is a wonderful place to enjoy a drink and soak up the buzzy atmosphere. It would be rude not to try one of the signature cocktails, such as the Southbank's Martini which mixes Cambridge Gin, elderflower, lime juice, fresh cucumber and lychee juice. There's also a lengthy selection of sparkling cocktails, as well as all the classics. Plus, if a bite at the bar is what you're after, there's a selected menu with nibbles such as an English cheese board, Nocellara olives and truffle parmesan fries. 

When it comes to food there are several menus available, beginning with a la carte which focuses on traditional British fare with some European influences, too. Here, you'll find mains such as crab and prawn linguine, Barnsley lamb chop and ale battered haddock. To be followed by puddings such as date and molasses sticky toffee pudding and English trifle. 

Other menus to try include the weekend brunch with prawn cocktail, smashed avocado toast and plenty of egg dishes, while the set and pre-and-post theatre menus offer deals on two or three courses. 

The Rectory is a hotel and restaurant in Crudwell that works on blending timeless flavours with a modern touch. Enjoy classic dishes served with a contemporary edge, all within the refined ambiance of the elegant dining room and the stunning glasshouse. The team has a commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere, which means that jackets are by no means required – in this warm and welcoming setting, the team encourages you to relax and make yourself at home.

Explore the diverse offerings on the menu, which includes a distinct lunch selection available Monday to Saturday. Additionally, the à la carte dinner menu is crafted to cater to your tastes throughout the week, whether you're seeking a casual midday meal or an evening of fancy dining, you’ll enjoy every moment at The Rectory. Begin your dining experience with delicious starters like the skate and smoked eel terrine accompanied by salt and pepper squid or the warm salad of artichokes featuring celeriac and smoked ricotta.

Dive into the barbequed Cornish squid with winter tomatoes, anchovy, and fennel, or enjoy the cured chalk trout with blood orange, English wasabi, and crème fraiche. For the main course, enjoy the rare roast muntjac with a potato galette, purple spring broccoli, and rhubarb, or opt for the agnolotti of nettles complemented by garden chard, asparagus, and pecorino. Don’t miss out on trying the rump and short rib of beef, served with hen of the woods and smoked potatoes.

Conclude your culinary adventure with delightful desserts, including the bitter chocolate delice with hazelnuts and candied orange or the refreshing Amalfi lemon sgroppino. The a la carte menu is served between 6.30 and 9.30pm, so be sure to make a booking if you want to try out these delicious dishes.

Fun fact: Libare Bar at Italian restaurant Sartoria is the only bar on Savile Row, so you don’t have to think twice if you’re in the area for a drink. Combining the charm of Mayfair with plenty of Italian style, this somewhat undiscovered spot is a best-kept-secret for those in the know. The interiors are beguilingly chic, as is the nature of any D&D venture, and offers comfortable seating, lots of natural light in the day, a glamourous bar area and table lamps dotted around the place to bring a sense of homeliness.  

Obviously, there are cocktails. Take your pick from four different types of Negroni as well as a selection of bespoke drinks inspired by Italian favourites. One named Little Venice, for example, combines lavender-infused Aperol, Amaro Montenegro, lavender bitter and prosecco, while Show Me The Way mixes Tanqueray gin, limoncello, fresh cucumber and mint. Refreshing! 

In fact, the word “Libare” in Italian means “to make a toast” and you can find plenty of drinks to do just that on the menu. There’s a full selection of wines available by the glass including bubbles, red, white and rose. While a range of spirits range from the familiar to the intriguing. There’s a bounteous selection of whisky, from Japanese to Irish and Canadian, or take your pick from a digestif at the end of the night that goes way beyond Limoncello.  

If you’re feeling peckish, guests can order from a relaxed menu of Italian favourites and regional cheeses, which are sliced to order at the cheese counter, to keep hunger pangs at bay. It’s also a great spot to enjoy your morning cappuccino, a light lunch from the daily changing bar menu or a freshly prepared salad from the cicchetti counter. 

Located right next to Tower Bridge, Le Pont De La Tour is not just a restaurant, but also a bar, shop, wine merchant and bakery. Occupying the spacious ground floor of a warehouse building right by the edge of the Thames, this stylish venue is unsurprisingly home to some seriously stylish cuisine. 

Starters here tease what is to come with the likes of velouté, Devon crab with brown shrimp cocktail or foie gras with ceps, spiced plum preserve and toasted brioche. These dishes send a clear message: unpretentious French fine dining. For seafood lovers there are oysters from Mersea, Porthilly or Colchester, served with the traditional mignonette, as well as lobster, crevettes or cherrystone clams. Increasing in decadence still, we see four choices of caviar, served with sour cream and blinis. 

Main courses at Le Pont De La Tour's restaurant are again simple and elegant. Choose from lobster, sea bass, Dover sole, chicken, duck, pork, beef or cauliflower, each prepared in a traditional French manner but with modern updates. The Lake District pork cutlet, for example, comes with plum compote, seared lardo and red wine sauce, while the roasted lobster comes with garlic butter and sauce choron. For a romantic evening, or simply two guests who agree to share, there is a whole flame-grilled Cornish Turbot with hollandaise, or a 750g dry-aged Cumbrian fillet of beef with fries and béarnaise sauce.

Guests can round off their riverside revelry with French classics like crêpes Suzette, a selection of cheeses or, for a more simple dessert, house sorbet. There are extremely reasonably priced two and three course set menus for those not wanting to break the bank, and a children's menu too. The wine list doesn't focus entirely on France, although it is the epicentre, with plenty of red, white, rosé, sparkling and fortified options to accompany the food. 

Sartoria is a swanky Italian restaurant in the heart of Mayfair, brought to London by the D&D restaurant collection. It serves an all-day dining menu inspired by Sicily and the surrounding areas of Italy, bringing a slice of the Mediterranean to this elegant part of the city.  

Inside, the restaurant reflects the Italian heritage of the food. Sartoria heralds cutting design by acclaimed designer David d’Almada who wanted to evoke the romance and the glamour of 20th century Italy. Circular leather booth seats create cosy corners within the restaurant to evoke a sense of privacy, while neutral tones, comfortable seating and white tablecloths bring a sense of plush luxury to the room. The restaurant also boasts a heated terrace, destination bar, cicchetti counter, two private dining rooms and wine cellar. 

Looking at the menu shows that it isn’t afraid of simplicity with guests able to start with antipasti such as burrata, fennel and oranges or salami with buffalo mozzarella and nduja bruschetta. For the ‘primi’ course, there’s saffron risotto with roasted pigeon and spaghetti carbonara – because everyone loves a classic. For ‘secondi’, try home-cured black cod with liquorice, veal Milanese and wild turbot with clams, capers and tomato confit. To finish, insist on zabaglione.  

This is an all-day affair remember, so swing by for brunch served every Saturday from 12pm, where you can feast on the likes of smoked salmon with burrata and salsa verde or eggs with nduja and roasted peppers. There is also a four-course set menu that includes homemade tortellini and lemon basil panna cotta if you're feeling indecisive.   

A seriously impressive wine list from regions all over Italy will have you spoilt for choice, as will the series of Disaronno cocktails, perfect for a pre or post-dinner tipple.  

Boisdale, in the heart of elegant Belgravia, is a celebration of Scotland’s heritage, with its decor, its drinks, and especially, its food. Paired with live music every night, a whisky bar, and a cigar terrace, Boisdale promises a lively and authentic dining experience.

Inside a grand Georgian townhouse, Boisdale boasts plush velvet turquoise seating, luxurious red walls adorned with old framed photographs, mahogany wood, and tartan carpets, which work together to create an old-school, intimate atmosphere that transports diners from bustling London to an exclusive Scottish club. With a commitment to only using the freshest and highest-quality ingredients, the restaurant offers up classic Scottish fare with some innovative twists.

On the extensive menus (choose from a la carte, all-day dining, Sunday jazz lunch, a two-course pre-theatre menu, or a two-course set lunch), expect to find traditional dishes such as Dumfriesshire blackface haggis with neeps and tatties, creamy and heartwarming cullen skink, or steamed Shetland mussels. Top-quality dry-aged Scottish beef is also on offer, from sirloin and ribeye, to the sharing chateaubriand, all served with triple-cooked chips and hand-picked vegetables. Boisdale even recommends its own label claret as a wine pairing with the succulent steaks. Other dishes include oysters, cured fish, wild Scottish venison, and lobster in various forms.

Desserts are just as authentic, and indulgent, with the likes of sticky toffee pudding with a toffee and rum sauce, and Boisdale fruit crumble with English custard. If you would prefer a digestif, Boisdale has you covered, with an ample selection of Scottish malt whiskies, after dinner cocktails, such as a smoky old fashioned, wines, and spirits. You can also discover the secret terrace, where the finest Cuban cigars can be smoked with unique views of Belgravia. Stick around till the evening for live jazz, blues, and soul music, to complete the vibrant and sophisticated dining experience.

Hartnett Holder & Co in Hampshire is the result of two world renowned chefs joining forces to create an experience that is more ‘fun dining’ than fine dining. The duo is made up of Angela Hartnett, the Michelin star chef famed for her successful restaurants Cafe Murano as well as appearing as a judge on Great British Menu, and Luke Holder, who has worked in some London’s most exclusive restaurants and 3 Michelin Tuscan restaurant Enoteca Pinchiorri.

Together, and with the rest of the team at Hartnett Holder & Co, they have curated a relaxed setting where Italian inspired dishes are served using local and seasonal ingredients.

Set within the Limewood Hotel, the interior is informal with wooden tables and mismatched crockery, whilst still injecting some Mediterranean elegance through a marble countertop bar and red leather stools.

On the menu, you can expect to find a variety of sharing plates and larger portions, each giving a nod to Italian traditions and flavours.

Expect to see dishes like Lake District rose veal tartare with crispy onion and truffle aioli, or roasted celeriac salad with pickled walnut ketchup, dandelion and crispy sage for anti pasti options. Then for larger dishes, think Mylor prawn risotto with spiced shellfish butter or West country venison loin with beetroot, gorgonzola picante and spiced plum. There are also a couple of sharing options available perfect for date night dinners.
On the dessert menu, you can find Italian classics like tiramisu, hazelnut praline cream puff and vegan meringue with New Forest plums and blueberries.

The wine list consists of a variety of options from around the world, including some Italian whites, reds and rosé. For those after a bit of fizz, you can find champagne, prosecco and even English sparkling options from Hambledon Vineyard that’s just a short drive away.

From the team behind Quality Chop House, Portland and 64 Goodge Street comes Clipstone in Fitzrovia which offers guests produce-focused food with a seasonal menu that rotates daily. Bringing dishes that are characterized by their relaxed excellence and surprising and inventive flavours Clipstone is both a neighbourhood favourite and destination venue.

Located on a quiet corner of Fitzrovia, the restaurant treats the passer-by to its stylish and understated exterior. The space showcases an open kitchen that gives guests the chance to see the all-female chef team at work as well as featuring a stylish separate bar area. The interiors feature a dark wood colour palette, sleekly designed furniture complemented by the tile detailing that lines the walls. The tables on the outside terrace are covered and heated allowing Al Fresco dining among their charming potted greenery all year round.

Clipstone’s menu prioritizes great produce and doesn’t tend to follow any set geographical theme. Instead, an a la carte menu featuring local British produce like London honey and Cornish mussels is served alongside a set lunch menu comprised of all three courses with option to add appetizers and sides. There is also a Sunday menu which features the dishes from the week’s daily menus alongside a more traditional roast offering. This features half a herb fed chicken, stuffed Tamworth porchetta and half a Cornish Plaice all intended to be shared among two to three guests alongside sides of braised fennel, Cornish new potatoes with aioli and Bull’s heart tomatoes garnished with balsamic and chives.

The wines on offer at Clipstone is overseen by Georgia Bronner and is at the heart of Clipstone’s operations. The list is under constant review and focuses on innovative, high quality and most importantly drinkable bottles. These originate not only from more conventional regions but also from some of the less renowned wine-producing parts of the world.

Chapter One is committed to serving diners award winning food with impeccable service, all in the heart of Kent. Regarded on many lists as one of the country's top restaurants, and led by chef and managing partner Andrew McLeish and his team, Chapter One is truly what it means to enjoy first class dining. You'll have options to dine in the brasserie, enjoy cocktails at the bar, or enjoy a romantic evening on the terrace.

The menu at Chapter One does change depending on the seasons and what is most readily available, but there are always delicious dishes to choose from. Your starters may include the veloute of Jerusalem artichoke with poached hen's egg, the roe deer tartare with confit egg yolk, honey mustard dressing, crispy venison belly and smoked mayonnaise, and the carpaccio of Galician octopus with avocado puree, harissa mayonnaise, chorizo oil and lemon dressing.

Next up are the mains, which include a roast confit Sladesdown duck leg with roscoff onion tatin, English pickled walnut and prune puree, hispi cabbage, malt vinegar pearls and duck sauce, along with steamed wild halibut with crushed Jersey royals and poached grapes, and a cauliflower cheese crostilliant with pickled cauliflower, buttered wild asparagus and Twineham Grange veloute.

The sides sound especially delicious, and we'd struggle not to order them all. Choose from green beans with shallot butter, grilled hispi cabbage with miso and harissa dressing, potato and olive oil puree, crispy Anna potatoes with aged parmesan and buttered Jersey royal potatoes. Desserts are special, too, with choices of manjari chocolate marquise with carmelia ganache, coffee cannelloni and calamansi sorbet, along with a mille-feuille of raspberries with sable breton, ginger beer jelly, vanilla cremeux and rhubarb sorbet.

Once named Michelin Pub of the Year, the Marksman Public House made a name for itself in an instant and has secured itself as many a Londoner’s favourite ‘local’ since.

This east London bolthole is less of a boozer and more of a classy gastropub, but all the same retains much of the charm of a nice neighbourhood spot. You can expect a dark wooden bar lined with all kinds of carefully chosen wines, spirits, and soft drinks. On tap you’ll find some lesser-known brews, like ale from Five Points – a local London brewery.

Chances are you’re interested in the Marksman Public House for its food as much as its drink. The a la carte is packed with crowd pleasing classics for starters like Scottish langoustine with homemade mayonnaise or a generous British seafood platter. Come mains there are incredible pies, sharing joints of meat like a succulent wing rib with wild mushrooms, and veggie favourites such as the Roscoff onion tart with goat’s curd and herb salad.

Aside from the main billing, there are also brunch, Sunday and feasting menus which complete the line-up. The weekend brunch menu pays the same attention to ingredient sourcing, seasonality, and providence as the main menu, but comes with the added benefit of a fantastic ‘hair of the dog’ offering. Think Black Velvet cocktails, Bloody Marys, and Mimosas. This time the wing rib of beef is served with onion rings, anchovies, and fried eggs, while sides like hash browns and ketchup keep things firmly in the familiar comfort food camp.

Come Sundays there’s also a three-course roast dinner for £40 per person. Starters might include crab soup with aioli while mains span from roast chicken with a roast tomato salad through to a whole plaice. Traditionalists are also catered for by way of the roast rump with Yorkshires and horseradish.

JoJo’s is a family run establishment, and is your go-to spot for a delicious, informal dining experience in Whitstable. As an independently owned and fully licensed restaurant, the team takes pride in serving freshly prepared, homemade dishes with a Mediterranean flair. From mouthwatering mutton and feta koftas to grilled sardines with lemon and black pepper, this menu is a celebration of delicious Mediterranean influences.

At JoJo’s, the team are proud to embrace the joy of sharing, with most of their dishes crafted for a communal dining experience. Every item is made to order, using only the finest ingredients sourced from trusted local suppliers - they are committed to quality, ensuring that their meat and eggs are free-range, and their fish is sourced from sustainable stocks. Furthermore, the garden at JoJo’s is not just for show, it actively contributes to the kitchen, providing seasonal organic vegetables and leaves. The beautiful flowers adorning the restaurant? They often come straight from JoJo's garden, adding a touch of freshness and beauty to your experience.

The vegetarian mezze board includes hummus, tzatziki, crostini, Gorgonzola, Ashmore, olives, pitta bread, Moroccan bulgur wheat salad, puy lentil shallot and herb salad, and an Indian spiced chickpea salad with Greek yoghurt, and is a great way to start your meal. The meat board typically contains free range artisan meats typically including chorizo, lomo, fiocco di spalla, serrano bodega ham and cecina smoked cured beef. There are plenty of individual portions of meat on the menu, along with cooked meat koftas and marinated bavette steak. Haddock and cod goujons are also on the menu, along with mackerel and plaice fillets and calamari. There are a selection of salads and vegetables, and the menu concludes with desserts such as cheese options and homemade puddings.

An award-winning seafood restaurant from the mind of Mitch Tonks, you’ll find The Seahorse Restaurant sitting pretty on the South Embankment in Dartmouth. The menu here draws heavily on fire cooking and Italian cuisine, allowing the fish and seafood, which arrives fresh every day from small boats that dock just a few miles away, to really shine. It’s also driven by the tides, created on the day depending on the best produce and proteins available from local suppliers.

Though always subject to change, previous dishes on The Seahorse Restaurant menu have included charcoal-roasted Torbay scallops with garlic and white port, sea bass crudo with blood orange and hazelnuts, and tagliatelle with langoustine scampi and datterini tomatoes. And that’s just the starters. For the main course, The Seahorse offers options, ‘Today’s Seafood’ and ‘Today’s Meat’. From the former, expect the likes of Dover sole cooked on the bone, monkfish with romesco and a garlic cava dressing, and Spanish tina collar roasted with rosemary.

From the meat selection, all of it sources locally, think prime rib with a barolo wine sauce available for one or two people, and a duck breast dish with perea, roasted endive and porto sauce. Tonks is perhaps best known for his series of fish restaurants in Dartmouth and further afield, Rockfish. As a chef, he’s dedicated to changing the ways in which people experience seafood in the UK.

One way The Seahorse Restaurant contributes to this aim is by offering a reduced price ‘locals menu’ at lunchtimes so that great seafood can be accessed by all. Dishes on this menu are also available a la carte, and have previously included sardines prepared according to traditional Venetian techniques, brown shrimps with soft polenta, and main courses of middle white pork chop with sage and crisp fried whiting with tartare sauce.

Perched high in the sky on the 52nd floor of the Shard, GONG by Shangri-La remains the highest bar in Western Europe. As a result it boasts absolutely jaw-dropping views of London - you can see the River Thames winding its way through London from up here, as well as making out iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, and the shimmering lights of Canary Wharf in the east. 

London's dramatic skyline makes the perfect backdrop for GONG by Shangri La's frequently changing cocktail menus. Previous themes have championed the great moments of London and The Shard's history, while others follow more natural themes. At the time of writing, the GONG Bar menu is an ode to 'Nature & Earth', offering up inspired tipples based around significant Asiann ingredients, often with references to spice markets, landscapes, and heritage. The 'Buckwheat' for instance, combines Japanese Toki whisky, buckwheat, shochu, peach and jasmine, while an intriguing 'Mango' is a twist on a Margarita in savoury form, complete with tequila, mezcal, citrus, sesame and oriental spices.

GONG's food menu follows similar Asian themes, delivering platters with California rolls, edamame, tempura prawns, and more, alongside bowls of crispy karaage chicken, sashimi and nigiri. Naturally, this is also the highest pool bar in Western Europe too.

The interiors are suitably glamorous - this is certainly a place to impress a guest or a date. The sleek marble bar provides a focus for the room, whilst bar stools and lounge chairs are upholstered in striking scarlet fabrics, and mood lights shimmer off the smooth surfaces. 

Plus, if you're not feeling cocktails. There's a great Champagne and sparkling menu available here too. And with drinks priced roughly the same as a ticket to the viewing platform, sundown cocktails at GONG are the way to go (in our opinion at least). 

Kitchen W8 is a Michelin-starred neighbourhood gem in the heart of Kensington, opened by co-owners Philip Howard (Elystan Street and The Square) and Rebecca Mascarenhas in 2009. Their intention was to provide lucky local W8 residents with a ‘home away from home’, somewhere to enjoy great food in a warm and welcoming setting. Over a decade later and Kitchen W8 is still a vital part of Kensington’s restaurant scene, serving exceptional food in a genuinely relaxed and friendly environment.

Integral to Kitchen W8’s success is its incredibly talented head chef Mark Kempson, who’s been with the restaurant since launch. His skilled cooking helped to win it a Michelin star just two years after opening in 2011, an achievement it’s held on to ever since. Kempson has devised a range of menus for multiple dining styles, including a la carte and tasting menus, as well as an excellent-value set menu available for lunch and early evening.

The style of food is modern British with a French spin, where ultra-fresh ingredients are placed centre stage and treated simply. Examples of dishes you might find include scorched Cornish mackerel with smoked eels, golden beets, sweet mustard and oyster leaf as a starter, and halibut fillet with Delicia pumpkin, chestnut gnocchi, sage and pepper emulsion for main course. While dessert keeps things classic with the likes of muscovado and Madagascan vanilla crème caramel, and clementine and ginger sorbet with warm vanilla beignets.

There is also a carefully-chosen and varied wine list which features a selection of great-value and premium bottles. If you’d like to bring your own preferred wine with you, you can do so for a corkage fee (with free corkage on Sunday evenings).

Diners can experience an authentic Spanish atmosphere at José Pizarro's Bermondsey Tapas Bar. Pizarro has two resturants in the area but the Tapas Bar is unique in its no booking policy and counter-dining experience. As a relatively small space, its popularity makes it a busy, cosy dining experience with mostly standing room. 

The bar has a wooden, rustic and authentic atmosphere with a daily changing menu simply written on a black board in the restaurant. Pizarro prides himself on the use of quality Spanish produce and this is reflected in the daily changes to the menu. Diners are likely to find a selection of Spanish meats, cheeses and croquetas as well as some seafood and vegetarian options. The fact that the menu changes daily means that each experience is different which only adds to the lively, authentic tapas bar atmosphere. 

Alongside this authentic display of fine Spanish cuisine is a great range of drinks, from a huge selection of Spanish wines to both dry and sweet sherries. The drinks menu also includes a selection of beers and gins as well as some cocktails. The Spanish influence continues into the cocktail list with wine-based drinks and a Negroni; of course, the cocktail list finishes with an espresso martini for diners to enjoy alongside their desserts of the day. 

With an open kitchen, counter-dining and high-level seating, the overall atmosphere is lively and bustling however most diners are happy to squeeze into José's Tapas Bar for a vibrant taste of Spain on this little London corner. 

As one of the only Michelin-starred Indian restaurants in London, Trishna’s reputation precedes it. This refined restaurant on Blandford Street in Marylebone Village turns out beautiful dishes, to be enjoyed in the form of a tasting menu or a la carte. There are also extremely reasonably priced lunch menus for those wanting to enjoy the excellent food on a budget.

Start off with an elegant pre-dinner cocktail such as a Himalayan gimlet composed of Tanqueray 10, Himalayan cordial and Timur peppercorn. There is also a selection of gin and tonics, soft like lassis and sodas and beers, including the king cobra premium lager.

Those who have opted for a la carte can commence the meal with a quail pepper fry, soft shell crab varuval or telicherry squid and shrimps, among others. The blazing hot tandoor turns out grilled delights like bream, salmon, scallops, duck, lamb chops and poussin, with a mixed grill also available for those who can’t decide. Mains at Trishna include cashew and pepper chicken, mango prawn curry and Welsh lamb with pickled sorrel leaves, poppy seeds and Guntur teja chilli.

Biryani is also available here, with chicken, seafood and wild mushrooms as the respective core ingredients. Classic Indian sides here are elevated to new heights, such as lemon rice with cashew, mustard seeds and curry leaves or duck keema naan with pink peppercorn raita. Diners can end their meal with a truly lavish Indian dessert, with options like pear and saffron mousse, chocolate chikki and fig and cardamom kheer.

Every starter, main and dessert at Trishna denoted with a suggested wine pairing, while the tasting menu offers pairings too. The wine list offers a wide selection of bottles from all over the world, carefully chosen to match the food. There is also an extensive list of spirits from similarly global origins.

Set within the dramatic surrounds of a listed Victorian railway shed, The Goods Shed is a long-standing farmer’s market, food hall and restaurant in Canterbury, which first opened its doors back in 2002 and has gone from strength to strength.

The dining room of The Goods Shed in-house restaurant is a striking space, oozing rustic charm. Large arched windows flood the space with natural daylight, while fresh flowers and silver candelabras are placed atop sanded down wooden tables, adding a sense of romance and whimsy. Unsurprisingly, the all-day menu is dictated by what is available from the market and thus changes frequently, evolving with the seasons.

The menu kicks off with a selection of classic breakfast dishes, while later in the day at lunch and dinner guests can choose to follow the traditional three-course format or can instead order a small selection of starters to share between the table. Begin with snacks such as a portion of focaccia or duck liver parfait with pickled rhubarb, before moving on to starters proper, including oak smoked trout, with hung yoghurt and cucumber or chargrilled carrots with creme fraiche and spice crumb. For your main course, try wild sea bass served in a crab and tarragon broth or a leg of lamb paired with courgettes, lemon and mint. Puddings meanwhile, are plundered from the very best of the market stalls - think sweet treats such as fresh doughnuts and custard tarts.

Aside from the ingredient-led dishes, The Goods Shed is also notable for its diverse drinks list, which encompasses red and white wine, locally made gins, ales and ciders. The selection of softs is not to be sniffed at either, with the standard likes of Coca Cola and 7Up trumped by the likes of homemade lemonades or a blend of raspberry tonic, mint and soda.

Based on the King’s Road, the Chelsea offshoot of Thy Ivy is suitably decadent for its smart location. Housed in an impressive Georgian townhouse with a façade featuring three ornate bay windows, The Ivy Chelsea Gardens offers a sense of real occasion when it comes to both the ambience and the food offering.

The interior is made up of various different areas including a bar, a lounge, an orangery, and a huge garden out the back. The lounge is typical of all Ivy restaurants with its colourful décor, large booths and art hanging on all the walls – a great spot to enjoy a special meal or celebration. The garden however offers a real escape from the busy streets of Chelsea with greenery as far as the eye can see; the cushion-topped benches and chairs make it an idyllic al fresco dining destination during the summer.

The classic food offering begins in the morning with a breakfast menu which features dishes varying from pastries, to scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, to a full English breakfast depending on whether you want to start your day with a big meal or not. For the remainder of the day, the all-day menu provides well-cooked European comfort food.

For starters you might opt for a shellfish cocktail or perhaps a steak tartare. Main courses vary from a chicken Milanese to the signature Ivy shepherd’s pie. Options also include a selection of steaks as well as a short sandwich menu for a slightly lighter bite. If you still have room for something sweet, the dessert menu includes everything from crème brûlée to a blackberry ice cream sundae. There are vegan and vegetarian options available for every course too.

The drinks menu features a large list of wines by the glass and bottle as well as an impressive selection of cocktails.

With a refreshed Latin American-inspired menu and the return of its iconic cocktails, former Clerkenwell stalwart Oriole is back, this time in Covent Garden.

After the original Oriole was forced to close down in 2022 due to the redevelopment of Smithfield Market, the cult favourite speakeasy finds a new home in The Yards, following its successful pop-up Prelude by Oriole a few doors down. 

The new Oriole offers ‘the same, but different’, with memorable cocktails from the original bar making a reappearance, such as the PBJ sandwich-inspired ‘Acadia’ whisky sour, but in an environment of elevated cuisine. Unlike in its former location, this time Oriole will have two distinct spaces: the Bamboo Bar, which offers artisanal cocktails on draught and small plates, and the Restaurant, serving Oriole signature cocktails alongside a new food menu developed by Argentine head chef Gustavo Giallionardo. 

The revamped menu focuses on nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian), Argentine-Italian, and other Latin American fusion cuisines - look out for beef tartare sando, tiradito (a fusion variant on traditional Peruvian ceviche) served with kimchi and aguachile, or delica pumpkin cooked in green curry ice cream. This approach is reflected in the cocktail menu, which bills itself as 'the fruits of exile, empire and exploration', and includes the Mizuwari (which boasts chocolate miso as a key flavour) and an Old Fashioned made with Sri Lankan arrack.

Aptly for its West End location, Oriole also offers a varied pre- and post-theatre menu, priced competitively at £30 a head. Like its original iteration, it will also play host to a range of jazz, world music, and cabaret, and offers an elevated ‘dinner and a show’ booking option during peak hours. 

Oriole has made a welcome return to form, and promises that its customarily innovative approach to fusion cuisine and experimental cocktails will continue.

One of London's original boutique hotels, The Capital has been delighting guests with its quirky interiors and quintessential British style. This five star hotel is understandably still red hot, not only thanks to an outstanding reputation for service and comfort, but also its proximity to Belgravia, Knightsbridge and all that entails (we dare say that many guests at The Capital also make the short walk to Harrods at some point during their stay). 

As well as the well-regarded Restaurant at The Capital, the hotel also boasts The Capital Bar - a striking space that serves as a place for hotel guests to relax and have a drink, as well as a destination bar for the city. The centrepiece of the room is undoubtedly the shimmering metal bar, which has an almost pearlescent quality to it. Whether it's the patterned blue carpets and upholstery or the modern artwork on the walls, The Capital Bar is a unique space that's perfect if you're looking for a bar to impress your guests. 

As you'd expect from The Capital, the drinks menu is extensive and features everything from a well-stocked spirits cupboard to bottled beers, soft drinks and a range of classic and signature cocktails. The Capital Bar's mixologists can whip up any classic cocktail you request, but there are also some house mixes worth trying, including the Smoked Negroni (Tanqueray 10, Antica Formula, Campari smoked with rosemary and coffee beans) and the Capital (Grey Goose, Cocchi Torino Vermouth, lemon, blanc de blanc). The Capital Bar also offers a sizeable, global wine list. 

If you get peckish, there's also a menu of bar snacks and nibbles that includes padron peppers with sherry vinegar and smoked salt, a charcuterie board and a selection of arancini. Or you can book yourself into the restaurant next door.

Another stalwart of Brighton’s Lanes, Riddle and Finns has been a fixture of the Jewellery Quarter since 2006, welcoming seafood lovers of all ages. In a city that boasts lots of great seafood and restaurants, Riddle and Finns has always been a busy favourite, combining outstanding locally sourced shellfish, fruit de mers platters and oysters with a great location just minutes from the seafront.

The restaurant operates a no bookings policy, holding all tables for walk-ins and running a first come first serve list when busy. You can join an online waitlist as well, so you don’t have to queue in person.

Gleaming white butchers tiles and terracotta floor greet you as you walk in, and marble table tops give Riddle and Finns a real Champagne and oyster house vibe. Over the bar you’ll find a blackboard with daily specials, as well as a handful of Champagne cocktails and fruits de mer for the day.

Oysters are a particular speciality here - the restaurant offers a choice of at least four at any one time, as well as a variety of hot and cold toppings, including ponzu and chilli, pomegranate mignonette granita, and a tempura oyster with wasabi mayonnaise.

After that, dive into some fresh sashimi, tuna tartare tostada, or a New England-style clam chowder, before choosing between a range of crustacean and fish dishes, including the likes of potted shrimp with toast, roasted halibut with lobster dumpling, or a whole grilled lobster with garlic butter.

Naturally, the Champagne list is extensive too, with classic and vintage choices from a range of respected Champagne houses such as Bollinger, Tattinger and Dom Perignon, as well as English sparkling from Nyetimber.

Founded in 1991, Pied à Terre in Fitzrovia is the longest standing independent Michelin restaurant in the UK, serving innovative and creative tasting menus.

Pied à Terre is owned and run by David Moore, who previously worked at Le Manoir Quat’Saisons with Raymond Blanc for six years before opening his own restaurant. Head chef Alberto Cavaliere blends modern British cuisine with the use of classical French techniques to create his innovative menus. Ingredients here are uncompromising in their seasonality, ensuring everything is as high-quality as possible.

The dining room itself is decorated in dark colours, from charcoal walls to black leather booth seating, to create a unique and moody feel. The intimate restaurant is a cosy affair, so as to ensure every diner receives the best experience possible.

Guests can choose between lunch and dinner tasting menus, with plant-based equivalents available for both, as well as a shorter set lunch menu. The regular lunch tasting menu is £100 per person, while the dinner tasting menu is £155 per person. Pied à Terre has also launched a shorter three-course lunch menu for £69 per person, perfect for speedy lunches or work meetings. 

The plates are elegant and expertly fuse French and British influences and cuisines. Examples of dishes include Cornish wild turbot with smoked eel, Champagne and N25 Oscietra Caviar, and Anjou pigeon with Lautrec garlic, blackberry and morels. Vegan dishes include the likes of roasted celeriac with salt baked kohlrabi, pistachio, parsley and grapes, or courgette flowers with piquillo peppers and Roscoff onion.

Meanwhile, a word for the wines, of which there are a staggering 800 varieties available and all are sourced from the finest producers. If an 800-strong list is a little too daunting to choose from, you will find expert sommeliers on hand to answer any questions and offer advice when it comes to the perfect pairing with your meal. There is also a wine pairing available with each of the tasting menus or, if preferred, guests are able to opt for the cocktail or alcohol-free flights to accompany their meals.

Serving hungry tourists and residents for more than 25 years, Porthminster Beach Cafe is the sort of restaurant that wouldn’t look out of place on a postcard. Its enviable beachside location allows guests to take in stunning panoramic views of St Ives Bay, as well as local landmarks such as the Godrevy Lighthouse. Porthminster Beach Cafe is also unique in that unlike many of Cornwall’s star attractions, it stays open all year round - on cooler or rainy nights, simply cosy up on the glass-covered heated terrace.

The dining room here is a simple and breezy whitewashed affair, featuring sanded down wooden floors and large floor-to-ceiling windows which guarantee all tables can take advantage of the view. The menu at Porthminster Beach Cafe takes diners through from breakfast to dinner and is made up of dishes influenced by the flavours of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, although everything on the menu is underpinned by a commitment to local produce, fresh seafood and foraged coastal ingredients.

The Beach Cafe is not exclusively a fish restaurant, although the setting naturally lends itself to including seafood dishes on the menu. Vegetarians and vegans shouldn’t be put off though, as they are well catered to here, with always a least a few options free of meat and fish available. You might start your meal with a Cornish fish taco or a spiced onion bhaji, before following it up with the likes of a mild Indonesian monkfish curry or butter poached brill fillets topped with Porcini mushroom and fresh truffle shavings.

End your meal on an indulgent note with a deep-fried banoffee pie or helping of sticky toffee pudding, or opt for liquid afters instead with the short but considered list of European wines. Have the little ones in tow? Choose from the dedicated children’s menu of fish and chips and pasta.

Owned by the Harts Group, Barrafina is from the same stable as London’s iconic Quo Vadis as well as counting El Pastor and The Drop amongst its sibling sites. It’s no wonder then that the concept has been a popular one, with a team at the helm who are well used to creating successful hospitality ventures.

Sam, James and Eddie Hart oversee operations at Barrafina – a family trio with significant foodie credentials. The brothers turned business partners were born into the hospitality industry. Their father – Tim Hart – owned and operated Hambleton Hall, a Michelin starred restaurant in Rutland.

The concept at Barrafina is a fairly simple one, with the team dealing in modern tapas plates. Stripping things back and building up dishes of big flavours from a few key ingredients is the modus operandi. Executive head chef Angel Zapata-Martin joined the group in 2017 and has become as much a part of the brand as the Hart brothers. It’s his celebration of humble ingredients that has helped propel the group into many a list of the best restaurants in London. Angel’s experience spans time at three Michelin-starred Catalan restaurant, Can Fabes as well as a stint spent as a private chef in Ibiza.

While there are now four Barrafina restaurants, the Drury Lane site remains a favourite for many with its cosy ambiance and menu of cult classics. The tortilla comes oozing and soft in the centre, while the patatas bravas are crisp and golden with well-balanced spice through the sauce. Familiar favourites like pan con tomate and arroz negro sit alongside some more inventive small plates that range from charred leeks with romesco through to quail escabeche.

The Drury Lane site is compact, with counter dining allowing guests full view of the busy kitchen. Because of the seating setup we think Barrafina is best suited to dates, and we’d recommend booking where possible to guarantee a table.

Led by husband and wife team Jon and Helen Howe, Lumiere is an elegant fine dining experience in the heart of Cheltenham, with a reputation for innovative food. Since opening in January 2009, the restaurant has received numerous local and national awards including a Michelin star along with a Michelin Green Star for sustainability.

Part of the reason is the restaurant's 15-acre smallholding, which produces a huge range of fruits and vegetables, as well as micro herbs and edible flowers that go straight onto the Lumiere menu. The farm employs a 'no dig' cultivation method to preserve soil structure and organism, and is run completely organically. There are no chemicals used - instead, the farm opts for physical and biological solutions to combat pests and diseases.

All that homegrown produce - alongside meat, fish and seafood sourced from local fishermen and farmers - makes up the backbone of the menu at the restaurant, so you can be assured that everything you eat in the restaurant is as fresh as possible. Lumiere offers four, six and eight-course tasting menus, as well as a vegetarian menu. At the time of writing, the eight-course menu opens up with Kestral potato, smoked eel from the River Severn, apple, caviar, and smoked pepper dulse - a type of seaweed found in the nearby Severn estuary. Line-caught sea bass comes with St Austell Bay mussels, wild garlic capers and coco beans. Pastry chef Anna Wise takes over on desserts with stunning creations like Valrhona Caramelia milk chocolate with passionfruit, mango and sesame, and damson soufflé with yoghurt and almond milk. 

Meat-free dishes are equally innovative and interesting, making Lumiere one of the most exciting restaurants in the country for vegetarians. 

Trinity is a Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Clapham, headed up by chef-patron Adam Byatt. This elegant and highly respected restaurant also boasts a more relaxed space upstairs (Trinity Upstairs, which has a Michelin Bib Gourmand award) and Trinity Outside, a social impact pop-up located at Nova Coffee and Bakery in Farringdon. Adam also teaches at culinary schools and is currently chef director of Brown's Hotel in Mayfair, where he oversees flagship restaurant Charlie's. 

Trinity is a broadly modern European restaurant, but dishes particularly showcase Adam's background in classical French cooking as well as his love of Italy and the Mediterranean. Meals at Trinity are four courses, with a pre-starter, starter, main and dessert. Inside Trinity is a balance between relaxed service and smart decor.

Your first course at Trinity might be a dressed globe artichoke, beef tartare with pickled mushrooms and caviar or cured halibut with salt-baked white beetroot, ginger and lime. With whetted appetites, you will then be served up something a little heartier for your second course. This might be a ricotta raviolo with egg yolk, wild garlic and buttered leeks or strozzapreti with new season morels and aged parmesan. A non-pasta option might be warm semi-smoked salmon with beurre blanc, capers and dill or quail pissaladiere with oyster mushroom bolognese and truffle sabayon. 

Mains at Trinity are often lavish, celebrating meat, seafood or vegetables with perfectly-matched accompaniments. Meat options include pot roast chicken with leek hearts, morels and salt-baked turnip, veal loin with Jerusalem artichokes, hazelnuts and truffle celeriac or spiced Anjou pigeon with preserved lemon, dates and green olive. In terms of seafood, you might see fresh Cornish cod, paired with white sprouting broccoli, mussels and lemon. 

Finally, finish with a decadent dessert like a salted caramel custard tart, a selection of artisanal cheeses, or an amalfi lemon souffle with beeswax ice cream.

Spring is a sustainable, modern European restaurant in the New Wing of Somerset House, founded by celebrated Australian chef Skye Gyngell in 2014. Gyngell's culinary experience spanned London institutions like The French House and Petersham Nurseries, but it was at the latter where she developed her reputation for creating hyper-seasonal dishes using the best of British produce. Her environmentally-conscious ethos made Spring a true trailblazer, before she sadly passed away in 2025.

The main a la carte menu features a curated range of Modern European dishes including the likes of fern verrow broccoli with white bean purèe, black olives and chilli oil to start, guinea fowl with broad beans, peas, poached radishes and aïoli for mains and blood orange brûlèe custard tart to finish. There is also a set lunch menu available Wednesday-Friday, which constantly changes in line with what’s in season. On that note, Spring also offers its famous Scratch menu, which is available early evening from Wednesday to Saturday and is designed with the aim of using up surplus ingredients that would otherwise go to waste. For that reason, it always changes depending on what the restaurant has in that day. 

To drink, there is an extensive wine list with bottles from all over the world, including wines available specifically by the glass or the bottle. Seasonal soft drinks include clementine soda and apple and ginger juice, while house cocktails feature fruity concoctions such as a winter citrus vesper (housemade blood orange liqueur, Sapling gin, Sapling vodka, clementine bitters).  

Further examples of the restaurant’s sustainable initiatives include its Plastic Campaign, with the aim of eliminating single-use plastic from Spring entirely. From removing plastic straws and introducing bio-degradable cling film alternatives, to eradicating the use of plastic containers, all the above helped Spring to become the first single-use plastic free restaurant in London in 2019. 

Caldesi in Campagna is a charming Italian restaurant nestled in the picturesque village of Bray, near Maidenhead. Situated in a serene countryside setting, the restaurant occupies a beautifully restored building that exudes warmth and character, making it an inviting destination for both locals and visitors alike. Its tranquil location provides a perfect escape from the bustle of city life, offering a relaxed yet refined dining experience.

The restaurant specialises in authentic Italian cuisine, with a menu that celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Italy. Diners can expect a range of expertly crafted dishes, from fresh handmade pasta to seasonal seafood and meat options, all prepared with high-quality ingredients. The menu changes regularly to reflect the best of each season, ensuring a fresh and dynamic dining experience. Vegetarian options are thoughtfully included, catering to diverse dietary preferences.

Inside, the dining room combines rustic charm with elegant touches, creating an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and welcoming. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, a family gathering, or a special celebration, Caldesi in Campagna provides a versatile setting that suits various occasions. The attentive service further enhances the experience, ensuring guests feel well cared for throughout their visit.

For those seeking a taste of Italy in the heart of the English countryside, Caldesi in Campagna offers an authentic and memorable culinary journey. Its commitment to quality ingredients, traditional recipes, and a warm, inviting ambiance makes it a standout choice for anyone looking to enjoy a leisurely meal in a beautiful setting. The restaurant’s dedication to catering to dietary needs ensures that all diners can savour the experience, making it a destination worth visiting.

The Potted Pig, which first opened its doors in 2011, is a cosy gastropub nestled in the heart of Cardiff. The cuisine at The Potted Pig is inspired by not only Welsh and British food, but also French and New York grill-style food. The wine and drinks menu matches the food, with carefully selected lagers, ales, ciders, wines and spirits (especially gin). Those looking for a more playful sip can opt for one of the excellent cocktails.

The a la carte menu takes centre stage at The Potted Pig, offering comforting yet refined dishes. Starters feature classics like French onion soup with a rarebit crouton or cured mackerel with beetroot and apple. Don't miss the signature potted pig, which comes with pickles and sourdough. There are indulgent meaty mains such as rabbit linguine with mushroom, porchetta with cavolo nero or a 100oz ribeye with heritage carrots and an ox cheek croquette. Those looking for a fish option will find the likes of pollock with samphire, caper butter and new potatoes. And, for vegetarians, there is roasted cauliflower with polenta and salsa verde. 

Dessert options consist primarily of pub classics such as sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, rhubarb sponge with creme fraiche ice cream and a selection of Welsh cheeses with crackers and chutney for a more savoury option. Sunday lunch is also available, when hungry diners can feat on roasted pork belly, lamb shoulder, braised beef brisket or vegetarian Glamorgan sausages. Going larger still, there is also a 'feasting menu' for a minimum group size of eight. This features a lamb tasting platter, a roast rib of beef with ox cheek gravy or a whole rare breed suckling pig with bacon cake and pork gravy. Due to The Potted Pig's popularity, booking is essential. This can be done using the form on the right. 

1921 Angel Hill is situated in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, with Zack Deakins as chef patron, it operates with a more relaxed approach to service,  greater emphasis on the food. The menu is classic fine dining, with a menu that elevated British classics and champions local produce and seasonal ingredients to reflect the surrounding farmland.

Forget bland nibbles, 1921 Angel Hill starts off with a fantastic canape selection, including roasted garlic dhal with spiced mango, and vodka cured cod mixed in avocado and wasabi. Other canape options include mushroom croquettes with quails eggs, smoked halibut in carrot and pistachio, and haggis with neeps and tatties. You can choose to order individual canapes, or one of everything from the menu.

The tasting menu, which is available for lunch and dinner, is to be taken by the whole table. It begins with leek veloute with smoked egg yolk and pickled potato, and your choice of adding Cornish salted caviar. Following that, there's Mersea crab with pickled wasabi mooli, apple and black sesame, and venison tartare with beer battered oyster, beetroot and truffle. There are two more savoury courses following that, including monkfish with blackened spices, mussels and butternut squash, and miso glazed Aylesbury duck breast with morels, celeriac and white bean cassoulet.

Your sweet treats to finish will be an ever loved pairing of rhubarb with custard, and then lastly, chocolate with mascarpone and coffee. If you wish to enhance your meal further, you can add a selection of British cheese, and a pairing wine flight. The lunch specific menu includes elevated takes on classics, like a leek veloute, smoked lamb shoulder, salt and vinegar potatoes and a dark chocolate bavarois.

At an incredible height of 300 feet on the 34th floor of the West Tower, Panoramic 34 is one of the most impressive restaurants in Liverpool. This renowned fine dining venue is lit by floor to ceiling windows that unveil beautiful 360° views, showing the river, cityscape, and the surrounding region. Once you step inside the doors of Panoramic 34, you will be greeted by a friendly and warm bar area — a great spot far removed from the hustle of city streets. In this space, you can unwind in style, either sampling the well stocked bar offerings or exploring the extensive wine list, in the most gorgeous setting.

The delicious menus have been created by head chef Nathan Booth and his expert team, and the cocktail lounge is the perfect place to enjoy some delicious cocktails or a bottle of Champagne with loved ones. Starters include the venison croquette with blackberry and a kale salad, along with a celeriac veloute with Garstang Blue dumplings, pickled celery flower and puffed wild rice. Main courses include the guinea fowl with caramelised cauliflower and potato rostis, along with stone bass with squash gulai, sea lettuce and grape, and a Jerusalem artichoke vol au vent with Roscoff onion and pickled walnut. For your sides, try the thick cut chips with grana padano and truffle, the chicken fat hash browns with pickled shallots, and the watercress salad with apple, celery and roquefort dressing and deliciously spicy tandoori carrots with toasted wild rice.

Desserts include the assiette of desserts with Earl Grey macarons, a chocolate orange slice, espresso choux and salted caramel ice cream. Other desserts include the apple and caramel tart and a selection of British cheeses.

Sitting right in the heart of Bloomsbury, Roka Charlotte Street was the group’s first ever London site, and it remains one of the most beloved thanks to a combination of delicious Japanese cooking and sleek modern interiors. London is a city now obsessed with Japanese food, but Roka was part of the wave that really started it all, winning legions of fans with precise, delicious sushi platters and flavour-bomb dishes from the signature robata grill.

Inside, Roka’s contemporary styling has also won it many fans. The roaring robata grill (from which Roka borrows the first syllable of its name) sits at the heart of the restaurant, surrounded by counter dining spots on a gorgeous piece of carved wood. Floor-to-ceiling windows help to fill the whole space with natural light, which also lends the restaurant a rather glamorous evening atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Roka is beloved for its easy-going Japanese menu which has something for everyone. Sushi fans have long been coming to Roka for the excellent sushi and sashimi selection, that includes soft shell crab, cucumber and kimchi maki rolls with chilli mayonnaise, Wagyu tempura maki with karashi ponzu, and a spicy sashimi fish platter with cucumber shiso. You can also order sashimi and nigiri per piece, from a wide selection that includes shrimp, yellowfin, octopus and fatty tuna.

All that before you get to the robata grill section, which forms the heart of the Roka experience. Dishes like chicken skewers with spring onion, baby back pork ribs with sansho pepper, lamb cutlets with Korean spices and beef fillet with chilli and ginger are all cooked over the coals and flames. There are great seafood dishes too, including scallop skewers and Roka’s famous black cod marinated in yuzu miso.

Chewton Glen is known as a luxurious escape in the heart of the New Forest, that takes food very seriously, and if you’re looking for somewhere to really impress your nearest and dearest when heading here, then The Dining Room is a no brainer. Here, Executive Head Chef Luke Matthews and Head Chef Simon Addison along with the rest of the talented team, create dishes that range from typically British to totally cosmopolitan. With a focus on reduced food miles, many of the ingredients can be found in the kitchen garden, less than 100 miles from the restaurant itself. Whatever doesn’t come from here, is sourced from local and sustainable suppliers, with seasonality in mind.

Guests can choose from an a la carte menu, six course tasting, afternoon tea, and there’s even a special menu for children and under 5’s, the latter of which is served free of charge. For the a la carte, you can find dishes like dressed Devon crab and twice baked Emmental souffle for starters, Thai lobster curry and Butternut dhal for mains, as well as salads, carveries, and grill options such as Dover Sole, rib-eye on the bone, and spatchock poussin. The desserts offer a mixture of chocolate and fruit options, like a chocolate and orange crémeux, or a pineapple carpaccio with coconut sorbet. The tasting menu combines a selection of dishes from the a la carte, that will also change with the seasons.

For wine, you’ll find a mixture of bottles from around the world, as well as some more local English options. Think reds from Burgundy, whites from Sardinia, and rosés from Provence. Then for sparkling wines, there’s a choice of rosé and white options from vineyards in West Sussex and Kent.

Housed in a stunning 15th century building in the North Bedfordshire Wolds, The Plough was taken over by Martin, Jayne and Michael back in 2005. The kitchen team is made up of skilled professionals, who deliver seasonal menus with skills that they have mastered over many years.

The Furrow menu offers you the chance to enjoy two or three courses, from a seasonally curated menu. Begin with some snacks of Moorish chicken skewers, devils on horseback or Josper roast chorizo, and enjoy a Blood Orange Bellini from the bar. No drinking for you? Order the Wild Idol non-alcoholic sparkling rose hand-crafted with wine-making techniques, using Müller Thurgau and Merlot grapes, floral aromas, red fruit, zesty hints of gooseberry, rhubarb and grapefruit.

When it comes to starters you'll have a choice of Iberia bellota palleta ham with Josper grilled William's pear, walnuts, bevistan tomme and rocket, and hand dived Orkney scallops with roast crown prince squash Romeo sauce and marcona almonds. Your main meal could be a fillet of brill with slow roast fennel and red onion, black olive and red onion blouse, and pink fir apple potatoes, or the Jacob's Ladder slow cooked in beef stock and red wine with truffle, fried Brussel sprouts with olive oil and parmesan, and creamy mashed potatoes. A fantastic veggie option is the confit red onion and potato layers with ember roast celeriac and carrot, topped with a wild mushroom and truffle fricassee.

There are a whole bunch of desserts to choose from, and we want them all. Enjoy a tart black cherry soufflé with almond ice cream and Kirsch anglaise, a chocolate orange ganache with honeycomb ice cream and confit orange compote, or the caramelised pineapple tart with coconut ice cream and rum sauce. See? They all sound exceptional.

Tom Adams made a huge name for himself at Pitt Cue in London in the early 2010s, where his waste-free meat-lovers paradise was always full, and won him a string of accolades. But Tom was one of the first to buck the trend of moving to the capital - instead of doubling down on his London success, he upped and left, taking his talents to Cornwall where he opened the restaurant in 2016. 

Coombeshead is a farm-to-fork guest house, somewhat along the lines of an Italian agriturismo, deep in the depths of rural Cornwall. You can visit for dinner but it's often advised to stay given how remote Coombeshead Farm is and, who wouldn't want to stay here? Guest rooms are rustic but cosy and thoughtful, with a variety of homemade snacks and drinks in the rooms. The house itself is surrounded by 66 acres of farm and woodland, home to chickens, ducks, sheep and rare-breed curly-haired Mangalitza pigs, as well as beehives, a fully-functioning bakery and the varied wild bounties of Cornwall, which also feature heavily on the menu.

The lunch and dinner offering changes regularly depending on the season and what the farm is producing. The farm produces as much of the menu as possible - almost all of the protein, vegetables and fruit that come into the kitchen comes from the farm (as a result, fish and seafood is rare on the menu here). Menus in the winter also feature a variety of game, shot by local hunters. 

As well as fresh, seasonal ingredients, pickles and ferments also feature heavily as a way to preserve flavours from other seasons. Freshly-baked sourdough comes out of the on-site bakery everyday (and many of these loaves head off to restaurants around the country, such is Coombeshead's quality and reputation). The multi-course tasting menu is simple and rustic, but incredibly varied - the range of what the restaurant can do within this space is mighty impressive. 

Primeur is a modern European neighbourhood restaurant in Highbury, set within a converted 1930s garage. Known for its seasonal menus and produce-led cooking, it works for everything from relaxed lunches to intimate dinners and food-led celebrations with friends, family or colleagues.

The former industrial space has been reworked into an elegant dining room. Neutral walls and simple wooden tables are offset by a striking line of mustard-yellow velvet seating along a central communal table, with matching vases adding subtle pops of colour throughout. A large blackboard lists the regularly changing dishes, reflecting the kitchen’s flexible, seasonal approach. Outdoor tables provide additional seating in warmer months for those looking to enjoy a spot of al fresco dining.

The menu centres on small and larger plates designed for sharing, drawing on French technique and wider European influences. Snacks include offerings like olives and bread with butter, alongside duck rillettes with cornichon and mustard or pig’s trotter nuggets with hot sauce. Dishes such as raw scallops, snail and celeriac mille-feuille with wild garlic sauce, black pudding with fried egg and pear mustard, chalk stream trout with Jerusalem artichoke, and pork belly with lentils, broccoli and salsa verde showcase a confident balance of flavour and texture. Desserts range from chocolate ganache with creme fraiche to creme caramel and sticky toffee pudding as well as a rotating selection of cheeses.

Wine plays a central role, with a curated list spanning sparkling wines and Champagne, alongside bottles from Burgundy, the Loire, Italy and other European regions. Whites, oranges, roses and reds are chosen to complement the evolving menu. Beer, non-alcoholic ale, soft drinks and after-dinner options such as dessert wine are also available.

Located within walking distance of the Emirates Stadium and close to Stoke Newington, the restaurant is also well placed for both relaxed post-match catchups as well as longer, celebratory evenings gathered around the table.

Lan y Môr is a striking modern restaurant set on the golden sands of Coppet Hall Beach in Saundersfoot, where panoramic views of the Pembrokeshire coast meet a menu inspired by the land and sea. The building itself curves with the bay, blending contemporary design with the natural rhythm of the landscape. Inside, the atmosphere is relaxed yet polished, making it a perfect setting for both leisurely lunches and memorable evening meals.

The restaurant brings together a team of passionate Welsh chefs led by Chef Director Hywel Griffith, best known for his Michelin-starred Beach House in Oxwich, and Head Chef Gerwyn John Jones, affectionately known as "Gez." With a deep respect for provenance and sustainability, they create dishes that showcase the very best of Welsh produce. Whether foraging along the coast or sourcing ingredients from trusted local suppliers, the focus is always on quality and connection to place.

The menu is made for sharing and savouring. It offers an array of small plates, starters and mains, all crafted to reflect the richness of Wales’s culinary landscape. Dishes might include fresh oysters, ‘frockles’ (crispy fried cockles), or a beautifully cooked catch of the day. There’s a thoughtful balance between comforting and refined – dishes that are rooted in tradition but executed with precision and flair.

The drinks list complements the food with a curated selection of Welsh craft beers, sparkling wines, and bottles from further afield, allowing diners to enjoy a taste of local character alongside globally recognised labels.

With its sweeping sea views and thoughtfully designed space, Lan y Môr is as much about atmosphere as it is about food. It’s a place where guests can gather, relax, and enjoy generous hospitality, whether popping in for a casual bite after a beach walk or settling in for a long dinner with friends.

Lan y Môr embodies the Welsh spirit of "hwyl a bwyd" – joy and food – and delivers a dining experience that’s as fresh and invigorating as the coastal air outside. It’s a celebration of Wales’s natural beauty and culinary depth, served up with warmth, pride and a true sense of place.

The Gurnard’s Head is a gastropub located near the stunning harbour town of St. Ives. Serving a simple menu of fresh dishes which changes daily according to what’s available, the pub is open for both lunch and dinner every day and is also a cosy spot to just come for a drink or two. Boasting a warm and relaxed ambience, The Gurnard’s Head is also surrounded by stunning landscape and situated moments away from the coast, meaning that it’s a wonderful spot to unwind after a day spent walking or lying on the beach.

It’s difficult to miss The Gurnard’s Head as you approach thanks to its bright yellow exterior, while the name of the pub is painted in bold white letters on its roof. The décor inside is slick while still maintaining a rustic charm; pale green walls contrast with flashes of exposed stone, and one room has a small wood burning stove, which crackles away in the evenings. A mish-mash of mismatching stools sit up by the wooden bar, and chairs and tables are dotted around the rest of the space. There is also a large beer garden out the back of the pub meaning that there’s plenty of outdoor space during the summer.

The regularly changing food menu is kept short and varies depending on what time of day you decide to visit The Gurnard’s Head. Expect light dishes such as crab with sourdough and aioli for lunch and on Sundays various roasts are also available. Heftier plates for dinner range from starters such as St Austell Bay mussels, in a white wine, garlic and parsley sauce, to main courses like duck leg with mashed potato and gooseberry chutney.

Beer and wine dominate proceedings when it comes to drinks at the Gurnards Head with over 20 wines available by the carafe, and a wide selection of beers on tap including three Cornish ales.

Winteringham Fields is an ingredient-led dining concept in North Lincolnshire; proudly the area's only restaurant with a Michelin Star. Located out in the grassy flatlands, the concept hinges heavily on nature, using seasonal ingredients sourced from local fisherman and growers, as well as produce reared on the on-site farm. 

The team say that from the moment you walk through the door, until your final sip of wine, visiting Winteringham Fields should be experiential. You can expect top-class service and innovative, intriguing dishes that inform as well as delight. 

The restaurant offers a range of tasting menus which are staggered throughout the day. While dishes change with the seasons, the website offers a flavour of what you might expect. For example, within the 18-course lunch menu, guests can enjoy aged wild turbot, Thirkleby duck, a BBQ chicken taco and a selection of desserts like Robert's rhubarb and chocolate delice. 

During the evening sitting, many of these dishes reappear joined by the likes of hand dived scallops, laksa and fennel salad and smoked eel with herring roe, chives and cucumber. Each menu comes with a suggested wine pairing and guests are encouraged to ask the sommelier’s advice if ordering by the glass. 

Winteringham Fields recently unveiled a new immersive experience as part of its offering, an additional space built around an open kitchen. Here, diners can be part of the chef's process and witness what goes on behind closed doors, an exciting event especially when celebrating a birthday or anniversary. 

And, for those who live further afield or simply desire to make a night out of their visit to Winteringham Fields, consider booking into one of the boutique hotel's charming rooms. Choose between the 16th century Main House with period features, the peaceful courtyard with individual balconies, and the quaint Dovecoats, just a few minutes away in the sleepy village.

The original Balthazar was opened in the spring of 1997 by Keith McNally in New York City. This London-based sister site can be found on the corner of Russell Street and Wellington Street, right in the heart of Covent Garden. 

The French-inspired menu offers all-day brasserie dining and menus are available for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. The weekend brunch menu takes influence from American-style breakfast, with steak and eggs, New York pancakes served with fresh banana and maple syrup, alongside your choice of Mimosa or Balthazar Bloody Mary.

No matter the time of your visit, there will be a menu for you, the late evening bar menu served from 9.30pm offers savoury bites to satisfy any late night hunger, including a Croque Monsieur on sourdough, smoked salmon tartine and marinated vegetables served with avocado and hummus in a brioche bun. A children's menu shows off the restaurant’s family-friendly credentials, while the dinner menu is where you see the French-inspired dishes at their best, highlights include lobster spaghetti and the classic steak frites.

Balthazar in Covent Garden is open all day, seven days a week. Read our review and browse photos to learn more.

In the heart of Petts Wood, Kent, you'll find Indian Essence, a fine dining Indian cuisine restaurant from twice awarded Michelin-starred chef, Atul Kochhar. The restaurant's award-winning concept is based on highlighting traditional flavours from across India but in Kochhar's signature, contemporary style. 

Ideal for a special occasion, the restaurant's cream colour palette gives off a sophisticated vibe and smart tables are topped with white tablecloths, while large artworks adorn the walls. Indian Essence is known for its tasting menus (which is another reason to choose this restaurant for a celebration meal), and has options for pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan diners. 

The tasting menus span seven courses, starting with the likes of ratte and sweet potato chaat served with a 'splash of chutneys', followed by tandoori Cornish lobster tail with lobster malai curry and dakshin chicken with southern spiced chargrilled chicken supreme, Mangalorean sauce, cauliflower kempu bezule and lemon rice. 

If tasting menus aren't your thing, there are plenty of others to choose from including the set weekend lunch menu which gets you a starter, main, side and dessert. Highlights include the spiced prawns pepper fry with garlic chilli chutney, and lamb sukka with onions, crushed peppers and curry leaves.

No party is, of course, complete without good drinks and so whether you're dining in a small group or a large one, check out the expertly curated cocktail menu which boasts a long list of concoctions. We like the sound of the Spiced Kir Royale which offers an Indian-inspired take on the original with Chambord, Crème de Cassis, chilli chutney and champagne.

Gaucho’s Richmond location is arguably one of the most tranquil and charming restaurants of the luxurious Argentinian franchise, set right on the banks of the River Thames. Centrally located in the quaint borough of Richmond, close to the lovely Deer Park, theatre, and Kew gardens, Gaucho could not be better situated. Transport links from the nearby underground station and local taxis are readily available too.

The restaurant features a striking riverside terrace, ideal for alfresco dining with views of one of London’s oldest Plane trees. Inside, the glass-panelled dining room provides panoramic vistas of Richmond Bridge and Petersham Meadows, creating a tranquil backdrop for lunch or dinner. The interiors reflect the elegance of modern Argentina, with a stylish and comfortable design that complements the natural beauty of the surroundings.

The Gaucho Richmond menu combines the two best things from Argentina: quality grass-fed beef from the vast Pampas region and brilliant wine. Just order a superb bottle of Argentinian Barbera red while you watch the sun go down, and tuck into fantastic free-range cuts of beef with a choice of sauces. You’ll also spot a selection of marinated steaks, spiced with the likes of mustard seed, black pepper, chimichurri, and chipotle. Aside from beef, the menu also offers the likes of aubergine Milanese, grilled chicken salad, and pumpkin ricotta ravioli.

Gaucho Richmond is also great if you’re dining on a budget, thanks to a very affordable set menu available as two or three courses, offering starters like prawn chicharron and a three cheese empanada, with mains like rump and chips, fried haddock, and dulce de leche to finish. There’s an evening set menu too, so you can get your hands on a great deal for dinner time reservations as well.

Feeding Brighton locals since 2008, The Chilli Pickle has become a bit of an institution in this south coast city thanks to a huge array of dishes that showcases Indian food from coast to coast. The restaurant itself is in the heart of Brighton’s Lanes, making it easy to get to from practically anywhere in the city. For those living a bit further out (or just not wanting to leave the house), The Chilli Pickle also offers delivery, bringing those delicious Indian flavours to your door.

The Chilli Pickle’s interiors are clean and tidy, with a colourful assortment of chairs brightening the space alongside natural wood and cutesy star-shaped fairy lighting. Don’t be fooled by the easy-going interiors though - the kitchen is dedicated to proper Indian cooking, and features a huge open fire grill as well as a raging hot clay oven to produce naans, grilled meats and more.

There are lots of different menus to choose from - The Chilli Pickle offers separate lunch menus for weekdays and weekends, as well as a full dinner menu and a takeaway menu. Unlike classic curry house menus, the menu here is compact and broken down into street food-style small plates, biryanis, dishes from the tandoor, curries and sides. Some dishes stay relatively true to their authentic roots, such as the tandoori butter chicken, tarka dal and naans, whilst others take a bit more creative license to make something delicious (the restaurant’s popular chicken biryani is the perfect example, made with a peanut gravy).

On the drinks front, Chilli Pickle serves a smart cocktail menu that ranges from Espresso Martinis to the ever-popular Chilli Pickle Bloody Mary, and there are wines, beers, soft drinks and more available too. The Chilli Pickle currently holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, given to restaurants that the guide recognises as offering excellent value for money.

The General Tarleton is now open in the North Yorkshire village of Ferrensby, marking the debut project from Jeopardy Hospitality. Set in a restored eighteenth century coaching inn just outside Harrogate and Knaresborough, the pub with rooms combines heritage and modern British cooking in a building that has served the local community for generations.

The space includes an expansive bar, a relaxed conservatory, a main dining room and a private dining area, along with eight bedrooms upstairs. Interiors, designed by Yorkshire-based Abi Hancock, preserve original features such as exposed beams, stone flooring and an open fireplace, complemented by natural oak joinery, warm brass, and soft leather finishes.

The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Aled Williams, whose experience spans TRUEfoods, Northcote and Great British Menu. The food focuses on comfort and seasonality, drawing from British pub traditions and local produce. Snacks include pork crackling with apple butter, Scotch egg with brown sauce, and Old Winchester croquettes. Starters move into smoked haddock chowder and smoked cod with cockle popcorn, with changing specials like king scallop with tomato gazpacho and lardo.

Mains feature dishes such as a Steak and Guinness pie, Dexter beef burger with house pickles and Red Sparkenhoe cheese, and a grill section with Barnsley chops, beef fillet, pork cutlets and Côte de Boeuf for two, all served with wedge salad, triple-cooked chips and accompaniments. Sunday roasts include beef, pork or Lion’s Mane mushroom with all the trimmings. A set menu is available for lunch and weekday dinners.

Desserts include a tiramisu Vienetta and a buttermilk panna cotta with elderflower and lemon verbena. A regional cheese board from The Courtyard Dairy rounds off the menu.

The drinks list, curated by James Banks, includes over 40 wines with an emphasis on classic and lesser-known producers. English wines feature prominently, alongside seasonal cocktails and a collaboration beer with Turning Point Brewery made using foraged botanicals from the Banks family farm.

The General Tarleton combines a rural setting with thoughtful cooking and design, creating a destination that serves both local diners and overnight guests. Rooms are available throughout the week.

Martin Wishart is an Edinburgh born chef who has honed his talent when training under such renowned chefs such as Alnert Roux and Marco Pierre White, that he has established himself as one of the most respected chefs in the country. Wishart worked in kitchens from a teen, and although he initially never planned to become a chef, he fell in love with the industry and is now well established as a multi award winning chef and restaurateur.

Wishart is exceptionally proud of his Scottish heritage and loves to focus on the very best ingredients he can source, saying that “the langoustines, scallops, crabs and lobsters always come live into my restaurant. I am very passionate about Scottish produce and use it as much as I can.” He was on the search for nearly seven years before he found the perfect property for his first restaurant in Leith, and has a great entrepreneurial attitude, these days owning three restaurants, a cook school and outside catering opportunities.

For lunch, try the three or four course option beginning with a gratin of white asparagus starter with smoked salmon and a poached hens egg, or the broccoli ravioli with smoked almond crumb and red pepper veloute. Your main course may be the Tweed Valley aged sirloin with braised short rib, black pudding and Roscoff onion, or the roasted halibut and pig's trotter.

Dessert includes the cherry beer baba with pistachio cream and sorbet, and there are additional options of a cheese board and coffee with petit fours. The tasting menu is vague, and leaves much to be discovered, just like many others. To start, you'll enjoy flavours of wild garlic and onion, before a ceviche of halibut with mango and passion fruit and Orkney scallops with vadouvan spice with squash, walnut pesto, sauternes and curry veloute. For dessert there is a pairing of gariguette strawberry with yoghurt mousse and pink peppercorn glass.

Duck and Rice is a distinctive Chinese gastropub located in the heart of London’s vibrant Soho. The venue blends traditional British pub culture with high-quality Cantonese cuisine.

Situated within one of the capital’s most historic and culturally rich neighbourhoods, Duck and Rice offers a unique dining and drinking experience just a short walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road. The venue is spread over two floors. On the ground level, it functions as a stylish and lively pub, complete with high tables, leather booths, and gleaming copper tanks that serve fresh Czech Pilsner on tap. The space is warm and inviting, catering to both casual drinkers and those stopping in for a quick bite. There’s even an interactive jukebox - affectionately dubbed the ‘duck box’ - which allows guests to personalise the atmosphere with their favourite tracks. The pub is also dog-friendly, making it a welcoming spot for locals and visitors alike.

Upstairs, the setting transforms into an elegant dining room with a more refined ambience. Decorated with blue-and-white Chinese-style tiles, marble-topped tables, and oak furnishings, it’s an ideal spot for a leisurely meal. The menu, curated by head chef Hoong, celebrates the bold, comforting flavours of Cantonese cuisine with a modern twist. Signature dishes include the restaurant’s namesake ‘duck & rice’ - a beautifully roasted Cantonese duck served with fragrant jasmine rice - alongside a wide selection of dim sum, small plates such as salt and pepper squid, sesame prawn toast, and classic mains like kung po chicken, Malaysian curry, and vegetarian mock-meat dishes.

Duck and Rice also features a robust drinks list, from hand-picked wines and Asian-inspired cocktails to a range of premium lagers and traditional ales. Whether you're visiting for a casual pint or a special dinner, this Soho hotspot offers a memorable fusion of East and West.

Located in the heart of the Cornish fishing village of Port Isaac, Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen is a more casual sibling site to the chef’s Michelin-starred flagship in the same area, Outlaw’s New Road. The Fish Kitchen finds its home inside a remodelled 15th century fisherman’s cottage, cooking and serving a set menu of dishes which are designed to be shared between the table and which promise to never compromise on quality or sustainability.

The dining room at Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen is a cosy and intimate space, with only a handful of tables to choose from. The room is decked out in calming coastal tones, including crisp white walls, wicker chairs and wooden beams running along the ceiling, while plump scatter cushions and framed portraits add an extra touch of cosiness. Because of the small scale of the restaurant (and it’s popularity), booking in advance is essential. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance, with a maximum of six guests per booking. It is also worth noting that each reservation is given a one hour and forty five minute window to dine, before the restaurant will require the table back to prepare for the next booking.

The menu at Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen is fixed and dictated by what is available each day from local fisherman and suppliers. When you visit, you can expect to be treated to a parade of fresh seafood and fish dishes for the table, while vegetarian diners can be catered for upon request (please inform the restaurant of this when making your booking). Although the menus at Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen change regularly, dishes you might come across include smoked cod’s roe with fennel and sourdough or cured monkfish with broad beans and ginger dressing. To round things off, expect the likes of chocolate marquise with walnuts and salted caramel.

The Guinea has rightfully earned its title as a true Mayfair institution. Operating since 1952, the location is steeped in a rich history, having first opened its doors as an inn back in 1423. Nowadays The Guinea is known for its exceptional service, and even better meat. The steakhouse is serving up the best of British beef day after day, but their Sunday roast is a standout on the menu.

Walking through the doors of The Guinea feels a bit like stepping back in time, with wooden-clad walls and caricatures of the now King decorating the walls, and the menu hasn’t changed much since its opening either. Here you can expect a selection of classic British dishes. Heavy hitters include their steak and mushroom pie, and a famed beef wellington. The Guinea have proudly worked alongside Finsbury Parks butchers Godfreys for over 60 years, and the quality is evident in every bite. 

Starters are a lighter affair, something to whet your appetite before the meat feast to come. Options include a prawn and crayfish cocktail and seared scallops with a grapefruit butter. If you’d like to start as you mean to continue we’d suggest ordering the decadent beef carpaccio with truffle cream. 

The grill is where The Guinea really shines, with eight different steak options to choose between. Or, if you are looking for something even more indulgent, try out their beef grill, served with sausage, bacon, egg, mushroom, tomato, onion, ox heart and calves liver. 

While this is undoubtedly a meat-eaters' paradise, there are a few options to keep vegetarian guests satisfied, like the leek and Roquefort risotto and the goats cheese and caramelised onion tart.

Beyond the grill, the item The Guinea are most celebrated for can be enjoyed by meat eaters and vegetarians alike. Before you enter the restaurant, make a stop in the pub attached and treat yourself to a pint of Guinness, lauded as one of the best in London. 

Bath is blessed with good luck when it comes to brilliant restaurants and Clayton's Kitchen is one that should have long been on your list. Chef Patron Robert Clayton opened his name sake restaurant back in 2012 with a vision of creating an intimate, neighbourhood spot that celebrates simple, seasonal food.

Inspired by Mediterranean cooking and modern French cuisine, for over a decade now, Robert has been delighting both beloved regulars and tourists with plates that champion the freshest ingredients. And it's no wonder, too. Robert's impressive CV boasts time spent as Head Chef at Huntstreet House Hotel, where he became one of the youngest chefs to receive a Michelin Star. And, after moving to Bath Priory he was awarded yet another, which was maintained throughout his seven year stay.

As with any seasonal fare, the menu is subject to change but the website offers an overview of the different options on offer, which include an a la carte, lunch and Sunday lunch menu, as well as vegan and children's versions, too.

First off, guests are encouraged to begin their experience with a 'pre-dining tipple' such as a CK Fashioned with whiskey, Amaretto and Chambord. For those looking for a non-alcoholic alternative, the Drivers Negroni sounds delicious and mixes zero gin, lyre's, cranberry juice and bitters. Starters might look like slow-cooked lamb shoulder bonbons with ewes curd served with spiced apple puree, beetroot and mint oil, or pan-roasted Devon scallops with caramelised squash puree, roasted pork belly and apple and chive veloute.

For mains, we like the sound of the honey roasted free range duck breast complemented by dauphinoise potatoes, celeriac puree and cassis sauce, but you can also never go wrong with market fish, served with grilled asparagus, chive crushed potatoes and lobster sauce.

Finally, no meal at Clayton's Kitchen is quite complete without dessert, so why not tuck into the likes of salted caramel chocolate mousse with candied almonds, hazelnut ice cream, poached pears in Poire Williams syrup? Yum!

Adam’s originally opened in 2013 by the eponymous Adam (Stokes) and his wife Natasha. The restaurant serves both an a la carte and signature tasting menu focused on modern British cooking, the calibre of which earned the restaurant a Michelin star just six months after opening. It’s retained the star ever since.  

Head Chef James Goodyear is the driving force behind the award-winning kitchen team and was appointed the role in 2021. He previously worked at Michelin-starred Hide in Piccadilly and trained at Raymond Blanc Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, bringing a portfolio of classical and Michelin training with him. 

Guests are greeted by a comfortable bar and black and white checkerboard flooring on arrival, before heading through to the smart blue and grey dining room. Widely-spaced tables create a calm and spacious feel while large spherical light fixtures hang from the ceiling and ensure the room is bright – as do windows running along the length of one wall.  

There are three or five-course lunch menus to choose from, or a choice of a la carte or tasting menu options for dinner. Typical dishes might include the likes of squab pigeon with date, turnip and black olive, roe deer with fermented pumpkin, brassicas and smoked juniper or white chocolate with vanilla, pine and lemon thyme. The plates are elegant and refined and revolve around seasonal British ingredients.  

There are two wine pairings available with the tasting menu, or an extensive international wine list if you're dining from the a la carte menu. If you’d like to bring your own wine with you, you can for a corkage fee. Downstairs, there is also a chef’s table, glass-ensconced wine room and open kitchen.  

Having been open since 1971, Ubiquitous Chip is one of Glasgow’s most established restaurants and has become somewhat of an institution. Located on Ashton Lane, in the city’s West End, it was founded by late restauranteur Ronnie Clydesdale, who wanted to showcase the fine selection of produce that Scotland has on its doorstep. Ubiquitous Chip still to this day serves a menu focused on provenance; local produce is treated with the upmost respect to create imaginative, contemporary dishes. Benefitting from an upstairs bar known as ‘The Big Pub’, and a mezzanine brasserie, as well as the main fine dining restaurant, Ubiquitous Chip has something for everyone.

The restaurant’s white, painted exterior which stretches above the cobbled streets look’s almost pub-like and provides little clue to what’s within. The cobbles continue inside and greenery surrounds the dining room; Ubiquitous Chip’s glass ceiling ensures that the restaurant is constantly flooded with light and makes the space almost feel outdoors. A staircase takes you up from the cobbles to the mezzanine level which features modern artwork on the walls and has a less formal feel to it.

With both a tasting menu and a la carte on offer, which change seasonally, there is plenty by way of choice at Ubiquitous Chip. Starters range from caramelised onion and cannellini bean hummus with Freedom Bakery bread to baked scallops with leek, bacon and parmesan. Main courses might include grilled mackerel served with yuzu koshu and radish, or venison haunch with confit pumpkin, chocolate and elderberry vinegar, while you can expect desserts such as a pear, caramel custard and almond trifle.

Ubiquitous Chip’s food offering is accompanied by an award-winning wine list which is comprised of both old and new world classics, and some more unusual modern bottles. The restaurant’s head sommelier and wine buyer even blend some of their own house wines. There is also a stellar selection of whiskeys, cocktails and soft drinks available.

Found in a picture-perfect location, Talbooth is set in a beamed Tudor building by the pretty River Stour, complete with visiting swans and a picturesque bridge. Along with the main dining room, the adjoining terrace and gardens are unbeatable for summer alfresco (and riverside BBQs). Open fires add comfort in wintertime, although the whole place feels warm and welcoming whatever the time of year.

A trip to Talbooth promises an unrivalled dining experience that combines stunning food with outstanding service. The Modern European menu has been meticulously designed and thoughtfully executed to bring you an experience that is just as much an experience for the eyes as it is the taste buds. The food is carefully designed, meticulously prepared and exquisitely presented.

Diners might opt for Mersea crab tartlet with avocado, preserved lemon and pickled radish, or English asparagus with smoked egg mayonnaise and black garlic to start. Followed by Gruyere crusted halibut, farfalle, tiger prawns, peas and sauce Americaine or fillet of dry aged Dedham Vale beef and short rib, chestnut mushroom, boulangere potatoes, shallot rings and watercress for your main course, and maybe rhubarb and vanilla parfait, macerated raspberries and pistachio or blueberry souffle, followed by coffee that is served with hand-made chocolates. The restaurant was awarded 3 AA Rosettes in September 2019, a great achievement for the team.

The Art School is located within Liverpool's Georgian Quarter, based inside the beautiful lantern room of a Victorian 1888 building, allowing plenty of light to flood in through the large windows. In the main dining room, there are 48 red chairs, along with a Champagne cellar bar that serves afternoon tea and the addition of a private wine tasting space. If you're looking for something special in the area, you may enjoy booking the Moriarty room, which was named after chef Askew's late mother, in recognition of their shared love of Sherlock Holmes. Paul Askew is regarded as one of the UK's pioneering figures in hospitality, and has been the chef patron and owner of The Art School for over nine years. Here, along with his team, Paul creates a classic yet innovative fine dining experience, whilst focusing on bringing the highest standard of gastronomy to Liverpool.

The tasting menu begins with a glass of Charles Heidsieck champagne with a selection of the chef’s snacks, before amuse bouche served with Art School breads and kombu and oak-smoked raw milk butter, and a trio of marinated Hooton beetroot with pickled golden saffron, blackberry and candy carpaccio with plant based soft cheese and winter leaves. Main dishes include the pan-seared Loch Fyne King and Queen scallops served in the half shell with buttered leeks and langoustine bisque, along with a roast breast of salt aged duck and miso spiced croquette of confit leg with braised mooli, sautéed January King cabbage, toasted sesame and red onion puree. Then, enjoy the butter poached lobster tail and sirloin of Longhorn dry aged beef with cordyceps, charred baby gem lettuce, romanesco, Ratté potato and cauliflower purée, before the optional course of cheeses, and lastly, textures and flavours of Valrhona ‘Manjari’ chocolate, and a dish combining the flavours of clementine, pine and cranberry.

Located just a two-minute walk from Hoxton station, Sager + Wilde on Hackney Road is a rustic-chic wine bar providing guests with an extensive and imaginative wine list alongside a modest selection of small plates and nibbles. This is the ideal spot for everything from post-work drinks and nibbles to a date night evening out sampling rare wine and enjoying the modern British sharing plates.

Inside, guests can opt to take a seat at the stunning bar-top of Victoria cast iron or at the lower wooden tables that are overlooked by a huge bottle rack lining the wall. The shades are often drawn slightly for an intimate and moody ambience but if you prefer, there is plenty of outdoor seating available too.

The food menu is limited and focuses on simple yet elevated flavours, designed to complement the wine, hence the amount of cheese you’ll encounter. Examples include duck rillette with cornichons and toasted sourdough, and marinated courgettes with muscatel vinegar dressing and wild thyme flowers. Alternatively, keep it traditional with the cheese and charcuterie plate featuring treats like Tomme de Savoie, Lou Nouste, mortadella and fig jam. If you’d rather not faff about with the small plates, there are a few cheese toasties on the menu, so dig into the cheddar and ‘Nduja toastie served with a pickled gherkin and you’re sure to be satisfied. If you’ll be stopping in briefly for a tipple and snack, try the truffle pecorino nuts or nibble on nocarella olives.

The star of the show at this location, however, is the outstanding wine list. This is everchanging and showcases the best of the best (with prices to match) alongside rare natural wines you might not have heard of and familiar favourites. Most of these are conveniently available by the glass but be sure to peruse the bottle list which features plenty of award-winning wines from world-class vineyards. There are also enticing cocktails and craft beer and cider on offer, so there’s something for everyone.  

Trullo is now known to many as the restaurant that birthed Padella. But this humble Islington trattoria is so much more. After all, incredible handmade pasta is just one of Trullo's many facets. This relaxed, buzzy space boasts enormous windows that flood the room with natural light. In the evening, the mood becomes a more romantic, low-lit setting. 

While the wine and service at Trullo continue to keep it in our favourite restaurants, the food here comes first. As such, it's best to go for all four courses here (antipasti, primi, mains, dessert). While the menu changes pretty much daily, there is a certain style of dish you can expect here. You might start the meal with some house sourdough (baked that morning) with Fiorano Estate olive oil, some burrata with datterini tomato crostini or even a chargrilled Norfolk quail with aioli. 

This, however, is just the beginning. The pasta at Trullo is without a doubt unmissable. Typically, there are around four or five options, all excellent. You could opt for the simplest of the simple - pici cacio e pepe. Or go classic with ricotta and sage ravioli, pappardelle with beef shin ragu or tagliarini with slow-cooked tomato sauce. 

The standard doesn't slip with the next course, where you can expect large cuts for sharing, usually grilled. You might see a 42-day aged Belted Galloway T-bone, or a whole Brixham brill, while a vegetarian option might be Florence fennel, porcini mushrooms and grilled radicchio and bitter leaves. Finish with an Amalfi lemon tart if you can manage it, and an affogato if you can't.

The wine list at Trullo is to the point, celebrating a wide range of Italian grapes, with plenty of bottles under the £40 mark. The wine list, like the food menu, changes regularly, making this a restaurant worth coming back to.

The Lido Restaurant in Bristol is as it sounds - a picturesque restaurant overlooking the 24-metre outdoor swimming pool with floor to ceiling windows to let the natural light flood in and give an airy feeling of space while still protecting diners from the elements. This award-winning restaurant is a relaxed and informal dining space where guests can enjoy an impressive menu in a fun and pleasurable atmosphere. 

The Lido restaurant menu offers hints of the Mediterranean with a strong Spanish vibe and all the ingredients are sourced on a small scale, handpicked with a strong emphasis on quality. When seated in the restaurant you will be able to catch a glimpse of the buzzing kitching, including the roaring wooden oven where the majority of dishes are cooked - offering an extra element of fun and entertainment to your dining experience.

The lunch menu is served from midday until 2.45pm and then you have a choice of the set menu or a la carte. Highlights include starters of wood roasted scallops served with garlic butter and sweet herbs or a vegan-friendly raw courgette, lentil and sweet herb salad. Mains include a roast leg of Somerset lamb and a vegan choice of wood baked bomba rice with violet artichokes, caramelised peppers and aioli.

The restaurant is open to the public as well as to swimmers. If you also want to enjoy a dip in the heated lido then you can choose the eat and swim package where you can have access to the pool and poolside bar before heading up for a relaxed and informal dining experience that offers an award winning menu.

This Wimbledon Café is a gorgeous addition to the Ivy cache that has been impressing punters for years with its lush interiors and excellent renditions of the brand’s classic dishes. It is well-positioned for punters coming fresh from an invigorating walk on the common, and well-heeled clientele making their way to and from the local theatre.

Wimbledon is an impressive postcode, so it is only fitting for the area to have a beautiful café to dine within. The all-day dining affair boasts starters of yellowfin tuna carpaccio and ever-popular truffle arancini – truffle does tend to be a theme of the luxurious menu.  Buffalo mozzarella and lobster risotto are an equally exciting way to whet your appetite before you move swiftly onto the mains. The mains are hearty, traditional Ivy fare such as roast chicken and a pan-Asian inspired blackened cod fillet.

Punters should also take a look at the cocktails and wine lists, which are replete with stunning concoctions and European imports. The Ivy Royale or the margarita Valencia featuring Olmeca Reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, winter spice, fresh OJ, and a dash of bitters make an excellent choice for cocktail hour. Speaking of which, the café also does a smashing weekend brunch, a decadent (and boozy if you like) affair of eggs benedict galore. For carnivorous punters, the steak selection is sublime and rather generous too – with cuts such as sirloin, fillet, rib-eye, and more.

Sweet-toothed patrons will be delighted with the dessert menu as well, with decadent plates of apple tart fine and crème brulee on offer. Chocolate aficionados may want to order the chocolate bombe, served with a hot salted caramel sauce and a honeycomb centre. The Wimbledon Ivy café doesn’t just serve up great food, the interiors are a treat to take in too. The décor is luxurious and fun, with vibrant pops of colour splashed around the plush furnishings.

The Georgian has been serving lavish delicacies to London’s elite since 1911, showcasing some of the most luxurious takes on British cooking. Having undergone a recent makeover, The Georgian has entered its next era, while preserving Harrods’ rich heritage and status as a purveyor of quintessentially British luxury goods. In its newest chapter, The Georgian’s kitchen is headed up by Calum Franklin, formerly of Rosewood London’s Holborn Dining Room and Public House in Paris, and who is renowned for his ultra-refined approach to classic British cookery.

Recalling the roaring twenties, the time when the tea room first flourished, The Georgian’s makeover involved threading flashes of opulence throughout the space. Art deco original features have been maintained, illuminated by the 25 chandeliers gilding the ceiling. There’s also a live pianist, offering a jazzy soundtrack to the experience and all in-keeping with transporting guests to the height of the jazz age.

The afternoon tea menu is rooted in tradition, but is elevated by fabulous additions to old reliables. The amuse-bouche on offer is a classic recipe from 1960 - a tender slow-cooked short rib served with crispy potato and black-garlic caviar. ‘Savouries and sandwiches’ feature a Godminster cheddar and caramelised onion tart, a Faroe islands salmon sandwich, and a confit duck and orange marmalade sandwich, served on tomato bread. Sandwiches are far from simple here - a crispy treacle roast celeriac sandwich involves six-hour marinated celeriac, with tempura-style porcini, and served on Japanese milk bread. A tea sommelier accompanies afternoon tea, offering tailor-made blends.

The evening dinner menu brings snacks of Carlingford oysters and Oscietra caviar, followed by starters of smoked rabbit pate, Devonshire crab tart and a smoked-haddock Scotch egg. But the real star of the show comes with the pie selection. Chef Calum Franklin has garnered an international reputation for his inventive pies, packed with creative flair. This is showcased in the pie menu: take for example The Georgian Pie Experience - a slow-cooked shoulder of British lamb, encased in intricately decorated pastry, and served with ratatouille, anchovy tempura and sweetbreads, and served with a lamb consomme.

NOPI in Soho offers a vibrant dining experience where global flavours meet seasonal creativity. Head Chef Elaine Goad, who brings eight years of experience with the Ottolenghi group, oversees a menu that celebrates fresh, innovative dishes crafted from the finest seasonal ingredients. The inspiration, however, is a blend of flavours and traditions from the Middle East and Far East. 

The restaurant boasts a light, airy interior with a modern edge, featuring a large open bar with copper finishes, industrial-style lighting and wooden chairs. Stylish yet laid-back, NOPI is ideal for birthdays, romantic dates, group dinners, and special occasions, offering a relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere.

NOPI’s à la carte menu features an exciting range of dishes, from kimchi arancini and burrata with poached rhubarb, tarragon and coriander seeds, to char-grilled asparagus with chickpea purée. The menu shifts with the seasons, though previous main course options have included charred tiger prawns with lime leaf tamarind and apple, amba lamb kofta with smoked labneh and green mango, and mushroom risotto with green sambal and parmesan. Other highlights include blackened chicken with pickled pandan ginger, mandarin and crispy leeks, plus sea bass served with sun-dried pepper, crispy couscous and tabbouleh.

As for dessert, think classic milk and sesame cookies, baked cream affogato with coconut and meringue brittle, chipotle chocolate ganache with hazelnut and orange oil. All of those sound delicious, but for something lighter, there's also a peach and grapefruit sorbet spiked with Noilly Prat and served with raspberry granita. You'll also find a sharing pre-theatre menu and a set lunch menu, making NOPI a great pitstop before or after a visit to the theatre. 

NOPI also serves an extensive selection of cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. House cocktails include a Laphroaig whiskey Hiro number, an Italian Job, and a Golden Root with Woodford Rye whiskey, Beesou aperitif, carrot, and cinnamon.

Som saa is a celebrated Thai restaurant located in Spitalfields, a vibrant area in East London known for its eclectic dining scene.

Nestled within a cool, industrial-style space, som saa shows off a very East London style. Its location makes it a convenient choice for both locals and visitors exploring the bustling streets of Spitalfields and nearby Shoreditch.

The sample menu showcases some impressive cooking that showcases the careful balance of Thai cuisine. Begin your meal with tua phrik krob, a dish of deep fried cashew nuts with makrut lime leaf and dried chilli, or the crispy chicken skin which is served with sriracha sauce.

Bigger plates offer more deft cookery and generous portions. There’sfive spice soy braised pork with fermented chilli sauce, fiery jungle curry of grilled bavette with wild ginger, and stir fried greens from award-winning Flourish Farm. Dishes travel the length and breadth of the country, from Isaan style deep fried sea bass, to northern style chicken laab with Thai herbs, spring onion and crispy shallots.

Then there's the set menu - still one of the best deals in the capital. For just £42 you can expect a feast that includes some of som saa’s best dishes, and even better, the restaurant offers vegan and vegetarian set menus as well.

The drinks menu is equally as tasty, with all drinks chosen to match the Thai food on offer in one way or another. Cocktails are made to order, and the bartenders love to use Thai ingredients and techniques in their mastery. Try the Green Negroni, made with pandan infused gin, Luxardo bitter bianco and Campari jelly for a herbal twist on a classic.

Sometimes, it is the simplest of restaurant concepts which prove to be the most effective and this is certainly true of Glasgow’s long-standing Crabshakk. Found in the city’s trendy Finnieston district, Crabshakk is a simple seafood restaurant serving an uncomplicated menu which champions the very best of Scottish fish and shellfish.

The dining room boasts a ramshackle, thrown together industrial chic vibe, featuring bare wooden tables, benches with padded leather trim and a standalone bar flanked by stools that lend themselves to solo dining. SquareMeal readers often remark on the friendly and approachable nature of the service here, but it is of course the menu that keeps diners coming back for more.

The a la carte is made up of staple seafood dishes such as oysters, fruits de mer and Glasgow fish suppers (pretty much unchanged since Crabshakk first opened its doors in 2009), but things are kept exciting by twice daily-changing specials, which are written up on blackboards in chalk and served at lunch and dinner.

On your visit, you might begin by shucking half a dozen oysters, before moving on to the likes of tempura squid served alongside a soy and coriander dipping sauce or seared scallops with anchovies. Larger plates meanwhile include the homely likes of traditional fish and chips served with tartar sauce or a fish club sandwich accompanied by chips and salad, while the more upmarket likes of crab cakes and half or whole Scottish lobster are also available. You can pad out your meal with sides of garlic bread or chips, as well as an assortment of dipping sauces such as lemon or garlic mayonnaise.

If you would like to end your meal with something sweet, take your pick from Crabshakk’s simple selection of desserts - think a slice of chocolate cake or a lively fruit salad.

Le Bab opened its doors in 2015, in the well-known Kingly Court, just off the busy and popular Regent Street. It would be a great place to go for a pre-theatre visit, with countertop seating providing a quick and tasty service. The restaurant serves refined, seasonal kebabs and sharing plates to central London’s visitors. It aims to work from traditional kebab styles, incorporating classical fine dining techniques and global gastronomic influences.

Since 2015, Le Bab has expanded to seven different locations. This also includes Kebab Queen, which was carefully curated over four years. Kebab Queen is almost an elevated version of Le Bab, providing a place for you to ‘adventure and indulge’ in a unique Turkish dining experience. Guests are sat at a counter-top surrounding the chef’s table, and encouraged to eat with their hands from the bacteria-resistant countertop. Although this does sound fun, the food from Le Bab itself is tempting enough, and makes for a great dining experience in maybe a slightly more normal fashion. The other branches of Le Bab can be found in Covent Garden, Brixton, Old Street and Spitalfields.

Le Bab uses free range British meat and top seasonal produce within its recipes. The menu is distinctly fresh, featuring a range of padron peppers, green salad, and chipotle tahini broccoli. As well as this there are double cooked fries, offering a golden crispiness to your meal, with the potential to be covered with a beef brisket and glazed in pork jus. The main event is of course, the kebab, and these are by no means a disappointment. Incorporating mouth-watering meats, as well as sumptuous vegetables or cheeses, there is sure to be a choice for everyone. Pork Ribeye, Slow-cooked pork, grilled chicken, spiced paneer, roasted aubergine or vegan sausage – it all sounds too good! As well as your delicious meal, there is a drinks menu serving curated wines, craft beers and cocktails.

Anand George's flagship restaurant of fine Indian cuisine, the Purple Poppadom, is found in Cardiff. The team’s perception of Indian cuisine is nothing short of magical, and they are on a mission to present you with authentic Indian dishes, created in a vibrant array of colours, spices, and flavours, infused with some of Anand's unique culinary twists. The dishes and way that the kitchen works is a fusion of traditional heritage recipes from diverse cities and villages across India, utilising premium ingredients while incorporating a touch of unique flair.

The accolades that the Purple Poppadom have echo their commitment to excellence, having garnered plenty of prestigious awards, including Best South Asian Restaurant in the UK and Best in Wales at the Asian Restaurant Awards 2023 and the British Curry Awards 2022. The restaurant has also been featured in The Michelin Guide for 2021 and 2022.

Why not start your meal with a plate named the streets of Mumbai, made up of potato cake served on a bed of spiced chickpeas, a pop in the mouth semolina pastry snack filled with yoghurt and homemade chutney, and a tangy puffed rice salad with tamarind chutney. Another delicious starter is the pidi with tharavu - a dish of duck in a classical Syrian Christian creation, made of steamed rice dumplings, poached in a spiced coconut sauce, and topped with cubed duck and crisp of duck leg confit.

Anand George’s signature dish is the tiffin sea bass, which is a dish of sea bass, pan seared and served on a bed of curry leaf infused mashed potato, in a tongue tickling raw mango, ginger and coconut sauce with beetroot pachadi.

The Kensington branch of The Ivy Brasserie suitably sits right on Kensington High Street and, as you would expect, it fits in seamlessly with the other smart Kensington establishments around it. Serving easy-to-like dishes throughout the whole day, The Ivy Brasserie Kensington is a great spot to visit whether just for a relaxed breakfast with friends or a special family occasion.

Whilst the restaurant isn’t as outrageously swanky as some of the other Ivy outposts, The Ivy Kensington Brasserie maintains the typical air of class that Ivy restaurants have always been associated with. Large spherical lights hang from the ceiling and the shiny tiled floor is typical of a traditional brasserie, but there is still a long, gleaming bar as well at the classic, colourful Ivy chairs. As is the case with all Ivy restaurants, it’s a great setting to enjoy the crowd-pleasing food.

The huge all-day menu offers all the classics that you could hope for including tempura prawns and duck liver parfait as starters. Main course offerings range from lobster linguini and a sweet potato curry, to the signature Ivy shepherd’s pie. There’s also something for everyone on the dessert menu, with dishes including rum baba and passionfruit baked Alaska. If you’re feeling like something a little lighter to eat, there is a range of sandwiches available until 5pm too.

You can also come to the Ivy Kensington Brasserie for breakfast where you’ll find dishes such as hot buttermilk pancakes and ham and cheese omelette on the menu. Or if you’re in the area in between meals there’s always the option to have the classic Ivy afternoon tea for £21.50 per person.

An equally large selection of drinks accompanies the huge range of food available; wine, cocktails, specially brewed beer, coffee – you name it, they have it.

In a picturesque spot on the banks of the Thames sitting within the Macdonald Compleat Angler Hotel, Sindhu offers a fresh take on Indian cuisine in Marlow. From esteemed chef, Atul Kochhar, the restaurant's concept revolves around regional dishes from Southern India that both nod to traditional flavours and introduce diners to innovative cooking techniques. 

The gem in the restaurant's crown is its tasting menu which spans six courses and caters for pescatarian and vegetarian diners, too. To start with, enjoy pan seared scallops with smoked aubergine and greek yogurt and plum tomato salad, followed by Andhra-style chilli chicken tossed with green masala and peppers, as well as herb crusted lamb with seasonal greens and Madras curry sauce. 

Vegetarian diners will no doubt love the Tandoori cauliflower with sweet coconut yogurt and hummus, as well as Chettinaad style aubergine with tomato and tamarind. Dessert, however, is the same across the board with cardamom flavoured chocolate mousse and chocolate sauce. 

By contrast, the a la carte menu offers the opportunity to pick and choose a combination of your favourite dishes off the menu, broken into starters, main dishes, sides and breads. From the larger plates, we particuarly like the sound of the hyderabadi venison fillet with keema masala mash, seasonal greens and chocolate gravy with star anise. 

The cocktail list is well curated and offers a selection of champagne-based drinks such as a Hibiscus Kir Royal or a Pashen Froot with Campari and sweet vermouth, finished with passion fruit sorbet and Champagne. You can also expect all of the classics, as well as extensive wine lists which touts some of the most prestigious vineyards in the world as its suppliers. 

In terms of decor, the space is refined and sophsticated, using rich colour across its plush seating and patterned wallpapers inspired by India's rivers. 

The Whitebrook is a Michelin Star restaurant with rooms found just outside of Monmouth, and also holds a Michelin Green Star, four AA Rosettes, and is the frequent winner of many other national awards. This little gem is tucked away on the side of a woodland in the Wye Valley, and is surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Making sure to stay connected to its rich surroundings, the flavours of The Whitebrook are inspired by an ingredient that is at its peak either in the restaurant's kitchen garden or from what the kitchen team have been out to forage for that week, or of course, from one of the restaurant's local growers or producers. Whilst the restaurant is happy to accommodate most dietary requirements with advance notice, they are unable to do so on the day due to their preparations.

The dinner menu begins with fermented swede with a local ewe's milk cheese, three cornered garlic, hazelnuts and the lightly fermented swede paired with apple juice. From the Wyve Valley, try the asparagus cooked over embers pine, or the Orkney scallop with heritage carrots, alexander, roast chicken skin and rock samphire. The Huntsham Farm ryeland hogget comes with young leeks, garlic puree, local turnips and ramsons for your main dish, and on the side you can order a pairing of dandelion with roots and honey and a rye crisp. At dessert time, enjoy the forced Wye Valley rhubarb with toasted birchwood ice cream, hazelnut and medlar.

There's a set menu of three courses, too. It begins with chalkstream trout paired with fermented cucumber, ramsons, garden leaves and flowers. For your main meal there is the day boat hake with St Austell Bay mussels, and the local Packham pear for dessert, which is served alongside buttermilk, maritime pine, yoghurt crumb and lactose flakes.

The Peat Inn, near St Andrews, is led by chef proprietor Geoffrey Smeddle. A talent who focuses on the thoughtfulness and originality of each dish, using a calm and questioning approach, Geoffrey leads the kitchen team in their articulate craft of cooking – done so well that The Peat Inn has held a Michelin star since 2010.

Lunch is served on Fridays and Saturdays, with your option of three or four courses, or a tasting menu. First dishes include a tartare of wild Caingorm venison fillet with Jerusalem artichoke panna cotta, a paprike dressing and sherry vinegar jelly. There's usually only one intermediate course, like the roast red mullet with scallop boudin, sea leeks and langoustine veloute. You'll have the choice of a few main dishes, which could be a North Sea hake with salsify tagliatelle, or duck breast glazed in spiced honey. To finish things off, enjoy a hot apple souffle with brown butter madeleines, or a rhubarb and stem ginger custard tart.

At dinnertime, enjoy a first course of puff pastry feuilleté with Baldinnie quail eggs, Jerusalem artichoke, smoked hollandaise and winter truffle, or the sweet and sticky treacle cured Loch Duart salmon with potato royale, cauliflower purée, a coriander and mint relish, smoked eel, cucumber and avruga caviar – both a scrumptious way to start. Then, enjoy a lasagne of ox cheek and bone marrow with parsley purée and parmesan cream, followed by wild halibut baked in lime and seaweed butter, with salsify tagliatelle, potato beignets, confit fennel, sea herbs and vermouth velouté. To finish off, enjoy a hot blood orange and Grand Marnier soufflé, or the ginger custard with poached new season rhubarb, brown sugar and oat streusel.

One of the UK’s most lauded hotel restaurants, Northcote has been held in high regard for many decades. This bastion of British cooking was originally put on the map by Nigel Haworth, who won the restaurant a Michelin star in 1996, and the Lancashire hotel continues to be a pioneer of modern British cooking thanks to award-winning chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen, who has led the kitchen for the last 20 years. In 2022, Goodwin-Allen won the AYALA SquareMeal Female Chef of the Year Award.

Situated north of Blackburn, Northcote is nestled in the picturesque Ribble Valley, right on the edge of the Forest of Bowland. The restaurant itself uses a range of local suppliers, as well as growing a huge range of produce in the extensive kitchen gardens, which you’re free to walk around when you visit. Inside, this is a modern restaurant that manages to be both formal, sophisticated but still relaxed.

The restaurant offers a variety of menus, including seasonal gourmet tasting menu, vegetarian tasting menu, as well as a Sunday lunch. Goodwin-Allen’s seasonal menus change regularly, and shine a light on great British produce from Lancashire and beyond. On the menu at the time of writing you’ll find a Rossini of aged dairy cow with Madeira, mushroom and parsley, wild red prawns with mange, honey yoghurt, lime pickle and red curry, and a riff on tiramisu made with coffee and calamansi. Wine flights are also available, either by the glass or by the bottle, with Northcote boasting an award-winning wine collection. Many wines are available by Coravin, allowing you to try fine wines by the glass, where they would normally only be available by the bottle.

On top of that, Northcote also boasts a chef’s table for up to 16 people. The table is set behind a glass wall in the kitchen, putting you at the heart of the action. There are 26 rooms available for overnight stays in the hotel, and Northcote also boasts its own cooking school, with classes available to book should you wish to learn some new skills.

The original Blacklock restaurant which has now led to various different branches in different area of London, Blacklock Soho still strives to provide the highest quality of meat to Londoners. Blacklock Soho manages to provide customers with the feeling of being in a classic chophouse with an added air of trendiness, meaning that it’s a great spot to visit with friends for a mid-week meat fix, or to tuck into one of London’s most impressive Sunday roasts at the weekend.

Located on Great Windmill Street, the restaurant is based underground; this means that as soon as you pass through the main entrance, you head down some stairs to the warehouse-like dining room. Long communal tables, which are dimly lit from above, stretch across the space, and on blackboards are scribbled the cuts of meat which are available that day.

The menu is a carnivore’s dream with every cut of beef, pork or lamb that you can imagine on offer, with their fantastic chops the headline act. If you can’t decide what to try, there’s the option to go all in for £20 per person and that gets you pre chop bites, followed by beef, pork, and lamb skinny chops, all served on top of a charcoal grilled flatbread, and a choice of sides. The sides on offer include wonderful beef dripping chips and barbecued baby gems.

On Sundays it’s all about their award-winning roast where you can also go all in, and have a pile of roast pork, lamb, chicken and beef served to your table, with all the trimmings you could possibly want, and of course a jug of thick gravy. Puddings include a thick cheesecake served at the table, as well as a classic bread and butter pudding.

A relatively short but sweet wine list is accompanied by a selection of brilliant house cocktails which cost just £5 each.

Upstairs at Trinity is a stylish, relaxed dining space located above the Michelin-starred Trinity Restaurant in Clapham’s historic Old Town. Designed as a more informal counterpart to its fine-dining sibling downstairs, Upstairs offers an intimate and approachable atmosphere where high-quality cooking meets warm, casual hospitality.

The restaurant serves a daily-changing menu of small plates designed for sharing, all led by seasonal ingredients and thoughtful combinations. Diners can expect bold, creative dishes that balance familiarity with finesse – previous menus have featured pig head fritters, burrata with truffled Jerusalem artichoke, and tempura monkfish with agretti, chilli, garlic and bottarga. The open-plan island kitchen gives guests a front-row view of the action, fostering a lively and interactive environment.

The drinks offering is equally well-considered, with a focused wine list, carefully selected craft beers, and cocktails designed to pair seamlessly with the food. The vibe is unpretentious but polished – perfect for everything from a midweek catch-up to a special meal in an intimate setting.

On Sundays, the restaurant transforms into a welcoming space for its popular Sunday Lunch Club – a convivial three-course set lunch ideal for relaxed gatherings with friends or family. The venue is also available for private hire, comfortably seating up to 32 guests for a meal or accommodating up to 50 for a standing reception, making it an excellent choice for birthdays, small weddings, or business events.

Upstairs at Trinity has earned a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, a reflection of its commitment to delivering exceptional food at accessible prices. Diners consistently praise the vibrant menu, attentive service and unique open-kitchen setting.

Whether you're dropping in for a few small plates and a glass of wine or booking a private event with a difference, Upstairs at Trinity offers a welcoming and memorable dining experience that captures the best of modern neighbourhood dining.

Located in the heart of Mayfair, Coya is a lively destination showcasing traditional Peruvian flavours refined with contemporary techniques and presentation. This well-known brand has branches across the globe, from Paris to Dubai, and has been honing its signature dishes, cocktails and overall dining experience to provide an unforgettable occasion for every guest. At the time of writing, Coya boasts two sites in London, one in the City and a second in Mayfair. 

All things glitz and glamour are an integral part of the dining experience at Coya. Its stylish interiors feature azure seating, lush greenery, peacock patterned walls and moody lighting, designed to transport guests to another world for the evening. Settle in to one of its comfortable seats for dinner to indulge in an array of dishes. from light and zesty ceviche to hearty meat skewers. Equally, pay a visit to its Pisco bar to enjoy Latin American beats until the early hours of the morning.

The extensive a la carte sees indulgent appetisers like pulled wagyu bao buns with truffle, baby squid with Peruvian marigold and crab tacos with guacamole and yuzu tobiko. While a range of mains includes meat and fish specials - think spicy beef fillet with shallots and star anise, and Chilean sea bass with lime and aji amarillo. For an extra special evening out, why not opt for the tasting menu, where you can enjoy over ten dishes capped off with two sweet courses of orange and lime churros, and mango cheesecake?

A meal at Coya mandates a venture into the enticing cocktail list curated by the in house expert mixologists which includes a dedicated Pisco section, signature concoctions, and global classics.

In the heart of Mayfair lies Umu, a restaurant that has become synonymous with refined Japanese dining in London. Since 2004, it has offered an elegant celebration of Kyoto traditions, expressed through food that is rooted in seasonality and respect for nature. Just months after opening, Umu was awarded its first Michelin star - an accolade it has held ever since.

Stepping through its discreet entrance, guests are welcomed into a space that feels both modern and atmospheric. Dark, moody interiors are punctuated by warm spotlights, which draw attention to the chefs working at the central counter. Here, sushi and sashimi are prepared with meticulous care, adding a touch of theatre to the dining experience. The restaurant accommodates 64 guests in total, with options that include a sake table, sushi counter and a private cellar for those seeking something more exclusive.

At the helm is executive chef Ryo Kamatsu, who brings together impeccable Japanese technique with the best British produce. Line-caught fish from Cornwall and the British Isles is a highlight, showcased in sashimi plates, ornate nigiri and delicately battered tempura. The menu reflects the artistry of Kyoto kaiseki dining, offering dishes such as tuna tartare with Kaluga caviar, Japanese Wagyu beef, seasonal vegetable creations and Cornish fish of the day. Soups, rice dishes and pickled accompaniments add balance and depth, while desserts continue the theme of elegance.

Umu is as much about presentation as it is about flavour. Each plate arrives with a level of detail that feels almost sculptural, combining simplicity with precision. As one of London’s most refined Japanese restaurants, Umu delivers an experience that is quietly luxurious, carefully crafted and unforgettable.

Since opening their doors in 2004, Amaya has been known as one of the most well acclaimed restaurants when it comes to Indian cuisine, influencing London's dining scene and inspiring restaurants worldwide. With its open kitchen concept and dedication to showcasing the rich diversity of grilling techniques in Indian cuisine, Amaya always delights guests. The heart of Amaya lies in its open kitchen, where the artistry of Indian grilling is on the centre stage, inviting diners to witness the magic unfold. The walls are decked with pink Agra sandstone and bathed in the soft glow of crystal lighting, the dining room transitions seamlessly from a vibrant daytime ambiance to an alluring evening atmosphere. And whether you’re basking in the sunlight or immersed in the evening's glow, Amaya promises an enchanting dining experience unlike any other.

The tasting menu is available from Monday through to Sunday and starts with the in house Amaya chutney tray, before including a crispy cabbage and noodle salad with sesame, almond and lemon dressing. Next up are the rock oysters, king scallops and tandoori black pepper chicken tikka, along with Navrattan vegetables, seekh kebabs and a smoked chilli lamb chop. There are also naans, shahi chicken biryani and boondi raita with pomegranate, before finishing off with a chocolate slice layered with hazelnut chikki dark and milk chocolate. If a tasting menu isn't your thing, enjoy the Amaya dinner favourites, like the mandarin and goat's cheese salad, the black pepper chicken tikka and tandoori ocean prawns. Also on the menu is the chargrilled aubergine tikka and angoori gulab jamun with salted caramel and ice cream. Whatever you order at Amaya, you’re bound to have a wonderful time.

Inspired by the early Irani cafés of downtown Bombay, Dishoom offers all day Indian dining from their renowned breakfast naans to warming late night daals. The Carnaby branch on lively Kingly Street stays true to the brand’s infamous quirky style, complete with colonial décor and old-school glamour. Expect colourful retro furniture, vintage Bollywood posters and a juke box playing a selection of favourite rock ‘n’ roll hits from the swinging sixties.

Dishoom is as much about transporting you to a different era as it is about introducing top-tasting Bombay street food to hungry London diners. Its unconventional breakfast offering sees people queuing down the street from 8am for bacon naan rolls (also available for takeaway) and an unlimited supply of date and banana porridge.

Come lunch and dinner, the menu opens up to include a wider selection of curries, biryanis, and a range of traditional choices from the grill such as smoky gunpowder potatoes, paneer pineapple tikka and masala prawns. Exclusive to the Carnaby menu is Salli Boti, a warming braised lamb dish in rich aromatic gravy served with crunchy sali crisp-chips and roomali roti (a thin, buttery flatbread). For those in search of something lighter, the wide selection of small plates, salads and veggie sides are perfect for sharing. Look out for crispy lamb and vegetable samosas, okra fries and the signature Pau bhaji – a bowl of mashed vegetables served with a hot, buttered, home-made bun.  

The Permit Room is a swish bar setting for exploring Dishoom’s enticing ‘prohibition’ cocktail list which includes a selection of slings, coolers, fizzes, sours and fancies. Favourites include the East India Gimlet devised for sailors to evade scurvy and the classic Dishoom Espresso Martini for a smooth and decadent pick-me-up. The drinks menu also comprises an interesting selection of affordable wines, beers and ciders and non-drinkers will be spoilt for choice with the selection of lassis, old-fashioned sharbats, ‘copy tipples’, and virgin coolers to try.

Known for brilliant modern Scottish dining in both tasting menu and a la carte form, Wedgwood is an award-winning restaurant with a passion for food and wine. The Wedgwood menu demonstrates a strong focus on quality raw ingredients and Scottish foraging, emerging as what founders Paul and Lisa Wedgwood envision as their perfect night out.

There are always vegetarian and vegan options on the menu, and the chefs are happy to cater to most dietaries. The menus are overhauled four times a year, to reflect the changing seasons. That means you'll frequently find something new on the menu, but favourite dishes do hang around and may return.

For example, starters from the Winter a la carte menu have included Loch Eriboll scallops with cauliflower korma, pineapple, caper, peanut and pistachio dust; Douglas fir cured salmon with pickled onion, cucumber, caviar, cured egg yolk and cashew; and confit pork belly with butternut squash risotto, sage and chorizo. Vegetarian starters offer a choice between honey roast plum with golden beetroot, charred goat cheese and chicory, or sweet potato fritters with chestnut, mushroom ketchup, parmesan and pink peppercorn ice cream.

Then it's into the mains, which offer up Avon Valley roe deer loin with potato fondant, roast neeps, haggis bon bon and cabbage; salt-baked celeriac with carrot puree, kale, crispy mushrooms and sticky red cabbage; and Peterhead cod with basil potato, olive and tomato tapenade, samphire, confit tomato and almond.

Make sure to save room for dessert. The ‘very sticky toffee pudding’ is served with whisky butterscotch, vanilla ice cream and honeycomb, while a vanilla panna cotta comes laden with nutmeg, elderberry and apple crumble. Both sound delicious, but we like the look of the chocolate delice with cherry, port caramel, smoked sea salt and Douglas fir sorbet. Divine.

The Cottage in the Wood is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Whinlatter Forest near Keswick, run by husband-and-wife team Beth and Jack Bond. Jack worked in some of the world’s best restaurants before opening The Cottage in the Woods with Beth, including New York’s Eleven Madison Park, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Claridges and The Berkeley. His style is as precise as you’d expect given his background, and wife Beth brings a background managing sustainable restaurants, including most recently Apricity in Mayfair.

The dining room is clean and minimal, with the focus being a set of panoramic windows that look out onto the Cumbrian countryside. That countryside plays a key role in the menu as well, as The Cottage in the Woods serves two hyper-seasonal tasting menus, built around a bounty of Cumbrian produce.

Although British produce is the focus, Jack’s style takes inspiration from all over the globe. Dishes at the time of writing include lobster croustade with tomato and yuzu, goat’s milk potato bread with chives, pumpkin with wild raspberry and almond, and hazelnut with white verjus and rum. Guests have the choice of a lunch or dinner tasting menu, the latter of which is seven courses and available with a wine pairing. Additionally, the restaurant runs two different menus over the course of two days, so guests who choose to stay for two nights can eat at the restaurant both times and experience two completely different menus.

Guests can stay overnight at The Cottage in the Woods, as the restaurant also operates as a boutique hotel with nine bedrooms available. All the rooms are based in the original part of the building, which dates back to 1640, and features cosy ‘Cottage’ rooms, ‘Mountain View’ rooms which look out over Skiddaw mountain range, and ‘Treetops’ room in the loft, complete with skylight for night sky views.

Simpsons, which finds itself in a Grade-II listed Georgian villa in Birmingham, is a traditional fine dining restaurant. It has won numerous awards for its culinary dedication including a Michelin star, while its chef-patron Andreas Antona has collected accolades like Chefs' Chef of the Year and International Chef of the Year at La Gastronomie. Simpsons not only offers private dining but also has a cookery school, Eureka. There, guests can enjoy a cooking and plating lesson with the kitchen staff, followed by a glass of champagne and three-course meal at the chef's table.

A ten-course tasting menu is the primary offering at Simpsons. On it, you will find simple, elegant dishes made using only the finest British ingredients. You might see starter-esque initial courses like black olive rolls with cod's roe and greek olive oil, sourdough with cultured butter or cured Loch Duart salmon with cucumber, oyster and horseradish. This is certainly a restaurant that knows its way around seafood, as shown by creations like Skrei cod with imperial caviar or Orkney scallop with winter truffle, sea kale and chicken jus. A typical meat course at Simpsons might be something like Somerset lamb with asparagus, wild garlic and green peppercorns, followed by desserts like Yorkshire rhubarb with ginger and white chocolate. Three-course meals are also available here, featuring similar flavours to the tasting menu, as well as lunch and even children's menus to boot.

Unusually for a Michelin-starred restaurant, there is a fully plant-based tasting menu available too. This features colourful creations like heritage beetroot with sorrel and wasabi or salsify with winter truffle and wild garlic. The wine list here is extensive, with plenty of options available by the glass. There is even ice wine on offer, which uses grapes frozen on the vine to create a dessert-wine-esque drink. 

Since its launch in 2007 the success and popularity of this quintessentially French restaurant in the heart of Mayfair has propelled it to launch sites across the globe in locations including Miami, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong – all of which have been met with similar critical acclaim.

The interiors of the London site are inspired by the vibrant colours of France’s Cote d’Azur with fine linens and marble table tops contributing to the restaurant’s distinctive French elegance. The walls are adorned with an eclectic mix of modern art and accessories reminiscent of the “Belle Epoque”. Determined to undermine any stereotypes surrounding French service, the team go above and beyond to make their diners feel welcome and enthusiasm comes in abundance.

Wine, as you would expect, is exclusively French with a large selection of Champagnes and a varied choice of red, white and rosé labels available by the glass or carafe. Staff will be able to guide you with your selection to pair with your meal.

The food celebrates the lighter side of French cooking, focussing on the simple but unassailable flavours of the Mediterranean. The Nicoise menu is brimming with ingredients from the French Riviera with artichokes, courgettes, olives and lemons aplenty. From the hors d’oeuvres diners can choose from a selection of salads and carpaccio dishes as well as classic bistro starters that include snails in fresh herbs and garlic butter, deep fried baby squid, and salt cod croquettes with oven roasted pepper relish. Mains are equally traditional with highlights including turbot with artichokes, chorizo, white wine and olive oil; slow cooked dug legs with an orange glaze; and linguine pasta with Algarvian clams and prawns.

Finally the desserts list promises an indulgent selection of French classics; vanilla crème brulée, pain perdu with spiced ice cream, a thin crust apple tart and a warm chocolate mousse with malt ice cream.

Bao started off life as a small street food stall in East London before finding itself a handful of permanent sites scattered across central London. The Soho branch is the original restaurant, with a clean and modern dining space and the signature ‘tick list’ menu that you fill in and hand to staff.

House of Tides was opened by chef Kenny Atkinson and Abbie Atkinson on Newcastle’s Quayside in 2014. The couple opened the restaurant after years of Chef Atkinson’s culinary success. Before opening the restaurant Kenny Atkinson had already won Michelin stars for two separate restaurants around the UK. House of Tides was subsequently awarded a Michelin star itself just one year after the restaurant opened and has retained that star ever since. The restaurant has now been awarded four AA rosettes, and ranked fourth at the 2021 National Restaurant Awards. The restaurant serves beautifully presented British cuisine, celebrating local ingredients, Scottish seafood and traditional flavours.

House of Tides is located in a 16th century Grade I-listed building overlooking the Tyne. The entrance hall on the ground floor still has the old merchant building’s original flagstones and beams, and the upper floor where the main restaurant is held continues the refined-rustic style. The head chef is currently Chef Jake Siddle, who has worked at the restaurant since it first opened in 2014, when he was just 17. Chef Siddle took over from Chef Danny Parker in 2018.

The restaurant offers a tasting menu for lunch and dinner and has a separate tasting menu for vegetarians. Unfortunately, it currently cannot cater to vegan diets. The tasting menus always begin with the restaurant’s signature gougere, as well as the likes of Isle of Mull scallop with bacon jam, butternut squash and truffle and Highland venison with smoked beetroot, blackberry and salsify. Each course is presented in a minimalist, classical style typical of haute cuisine. Those visiting Newcastle should note that the restaurant is only open four days a week, and is closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Although walk-ins are accepted at the restaurant, booking in advance is strongly recommended as the restaurant tends to fill up fast.

A constantly evolving space, Artesian at the Langham is world-renowned for its award-winning cocktails served in a luxurious setting. Here, innovation is key, with the passionate team of mixologists coming up with new drinks list in line with the seasons, to keep things interesting. Indulging in a serve here is much more than the sum of its parts, it’s the collaborative experience of enjoying incredible service and world-class cocktails in one of London’s plushest hotels.

The drinks list changes theme from time to time, but currently cocktails at Artesian are centred around celebrating ingredients of the future - with 16 different cocktails that focus on an idea that ‘every sip tastes like a step towards a healthier planet and a better tomorrow’. For example, Soil cocktail is described as an earthy Artesian twist on the dry Martini, and includes the ingredients haku vodka, sake, soil scent and koji. There is also a cocktail called Insects, and is a take on a classic Whiskey Sour with dry and smokey tones; think bourbon, campari, nixta, crickets, chicatanas corn, coffee and lime.

A handful of timeless Artesian favourites are also available, including The Bridge (a favourite of head bartender Giulia Cuccurullo), which combines Patrón Silver tequila, Martini Ambrato, rhubarb cordial and tomato water, and The Godfather (Macallan 18 and Artesian’s Amaretto)

Alongside the accomplished drinks list – which includes additional wines, Champagnes, spirits and beers – there is also a carefully curated menu of snacks to help keep hunger at bay. Humble Chicken chef Angelo Sato has devised the latest menu, which delves into bold Asian flavours. Snacks on the menu include tuna tataki, smoked buttermilk chicken karaage, Humble Chicken katsu sando, and crispy pork bao sliders. This tasting experience menu can also be combined with a cocktail pairing from the Ingredients of the future menu.

Magnificent arched windows, soaring stone ceilings and sophisticated decor provide a beautiful backdrop in which to indulge in Michelin-starred dining at Galvin La Chapelle. Like all Galvin outposts, La Chapelle provides high-quality cuisine designed by brothers Chris, Jeff and David Galvin alongside luxurious surroundings and warm and hospitable staff, making it a popular choice for celebrating special occasions.

Galvin La Chapelle majors in modern French cuisine crafted from produce sourced fresh every day from Covent Garden Market. Seasonality is of huge importance to the Galvin family, so expect ever-changing dishes on their range of menus, which include vegetarian, vegan, tasting and special menus for high days and holidays, such as Valentine’s and Father’s Day.

As you’d expect from a Michelin-starred French restaurant, the food here is exquisitely presented. Diners wax lyrical about the beautiful presentation of each dish before going on to praise the taste and textures. Wonderful combinations come together in starters like Dorset crab lasagne with beurre Nantais and pea shoots, and velouté of Ironbark pumpkin served with seared foie gras, Lyonnaise onion and bacon crumb.

Mains take the form of dishes such as grilled Cornish red mullet with cuttlefish, orange-braised fennel, pine nut purée and sauce vierge, or roast loin of Icelandic cod accompanied by crushed Charlotte potatoes, cauliflower and a warm raisin dressing, while desserts could be anything from blackberry soufflé and milk ice cream to mandarin parfait made with hazelnut, cocoa nib crumb and Valrhona chocolate ganache.

The set Menu du Chef offers excellent value when you consider Galvin La Chapelle’s Michelin Star credentials, though if you’re really looking to push the boat out, you ought to consider the Menu Gourmand – a seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairing that can be enjoyed in the main dining room or on the private dining mezzanine for that extra special experience.

Tucked along the cobbled charm of Camden Passage, Frederick’s is known as something of a local legend. Family-run since 1969, this relaxed yet polished spot has quietly earned its place as an Islington institution, thanks to a winning combination of modern European cooking, warm service, and a wine list that could make even a sommelier blush.

The setting is elegant but unpretentious – a series of light-filled spaces that blend contemporary design with a touch of old-school glamour. The Conservatory brings a refined backdrop, perfect for long, wine-fuelled lunches. Embrace the floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed brick walls and foliage-filled spaces, complete with vibrant wall art for a unique touch of colour.

Now overseen by second and third generations of the Segal family, Frederick’s still holds true to founder Louis Segal’s original vision: excellent food, a personal welcome, and the sense that you’re dining somewhere that really cares. A set lunch menu is also on offer, for those popping in for a quick bite during the week. Choose from two or three courses, with dishes such as cod cheek tempura with miso mayonnaise and chargrilled merguez with quinoa tabbouleh and tzatziki.

Elsewhere, the a la carte menu offers a thoughtful mix of comfort and flair – starters might include salt and pepper squid with sweet chilli or a beetroot-cured salmon assiette, while mains span from slow-cooked Welsh lamb neck with pearl barley risotto to a summery Trofie pasta with spinach pesto and lemon zest. Dessert? It’s hard to look past the Frederick’s tiramisu, though the chocolate fondant has its loyal fans.

Whether you’re perched at the bar sipping a martini, catching up over scallops and rosé in the conservatory, or planning a private event in the Club Room, one thing’s for certain – Frederick’s always feels like the right choice. After more than 50 years, it still knows exactly how to look after you.

There are a great any excellent gastropubs in the UK, but not many can claim to have a chef who once held three Michelin stars at the helm. The Masons Arms is that pub - simultaneously managing to preserve the atmosphere of a welcoming West Country boozer, whilst also serving immaculate British food in the dining room courtesy of former Waterside Inn head chef Mark Dodson.

Mark is the head of an all-star team that also includes Olivier Certain (formerly head chef at the excellent Clavelshay Barn restaurant) and between them, they cook up classic British fare with French flair. Try the terrine of chicken and ham hock with pea and mint vinaigrette to start, or the tuna loin with roasted vegetables, orange and five spice glaze. Mains include the likes of halibut with potato crust, wild mushrooms and jerusalem artichokes, loin of lamb with spiced potato croquette, smoked aubergine and cumin jus, and roasted pigeon royale on a crouton with pommes Anna and onion puree - a dish that could certainly grace the menu at The Waterside Inn.

There are rooms available at The Masons Arms as well, in case the journey back out of deepest, darkest Devon feels like too much after three courses. That also opens the door to The Masons Arms excellent wine list - a selection of fantastic old and new world bottles, with many available by the glass and the bottle at very affordable prices. Frankly, why wouldn't you stay a while longer? Knowstone itself is right on the edge of stunning Exmoor National Park, and this 13th-century inn has plenty of old-world charms of its own. 

The Coal Shed has two restaurants, one in London and this one in Brighton, but the premise behind both is the same: to celebrate rare breed heritage meat and South Coast seafood cooked over hot coals. Offering a simple menu focused on high quality and locally sourced ingredients, The Coal Shed’s menu is inspired by founder Raz Helelat’s Persian roots.  

Occupying two floors, including a private dining room, the interiors at this neighbourhood grill are smart, cosy and comfortable. Opting for dark tones throughout, with its dark wooden bar and flooring and grey colour palette, the space has been craftily illuminated by a plethora of hanging light fixtures to cast a warm glow over the room.  

The menu, meanwhile, is very much focused on meat and fish, although there are a couple of vegetarian dishes too, such as wood-roasted courgette with piquillo romesco. From the a la carte menu, look out for snacks, starters, mains and larger sharing dishes. Snacks such as rock oysters with nduja XO butter and yuzu crumb will whet the appetite, while starters including yellowfin tuna and burrata panzanella are guaranteed to have stomachs rumbling. The Coal Shed’s signature main dishes are its sharing cuts of steak, which are all sustainably sourced from Cumbria by Lake District Farmers. Pimp your choice of cut with a variety of sauces and sides like beef dripping chips and mac ‘n’ cheese.  

The drinks list includes a selection of cocktails, from Bloody Marys to Old Fashioneds and signature options, too. There is also a solid wine list with a strong focus on reds – this is a steak restaurant after all.

The Coal Shed is also famed for its epic Sunday roast complete with all the trimmings, served every Sunday from 12pm. There is also a children’s menus, lunch and early evening set menu and an offering for groups.  

The White Hart is a historic, traditional pub in Lydgate, Oldham, known for serving classic pub grub and a wide array of cask ales, beers and international lagers. In the quiet whispers of time, it would be incredible if The White Hart could share their tales. The journey of this proud establishment began in 1788, when local landowner John Buckley laid its foundation. Over the years, it underwent a captivating transformation — from serving as the local police station, complete with a makeshift prison, to transforming into a schoolhouse, then a weaver's cottage, and finally, finding purpose as a lookout point and bomb shelter during the tumult of the Second World War.

In 1921, the Buckley family relinquished their ties, passing the baton to the Gartside Brewery, a stewardship that endured until 1987. Fast forward to June 1994, and the narrative took a turn as Charles Brierley acquired the freehold. Under his visionary guidance, The White Hart Inn underwent a remarkable evolution, emerging as the distinguished and award winning venue it stands as today.

Step inside, and you'll find a menu that beats your expectations for pub grub — a delicious assortment of pub favourites crafted by the team’s award winning culinary staff, reinterpreting tradition with innovative twists. Exceptional ingredients meet skillful execution, ensuring a dining experience that exceeds the ordinary.

Venture to the bar, a spirited testament to plentiful options. Whether you're drawn to cask ales, craft beers, international lagers, cocktails, an extensive wine list, or an alluring array of gins that would delight even the most discerning connoisseur, the team at The White Hart have curated an ensemble to please every palate.

The charm of The White Hart isn't confined to its walls - it extends to every nook and cranny. Warmth creeps out from log burning stoves and coal fires, weaving an inviting tapestry. Familiar pictures adorn the walls, each telling a story, and the lively banter of friendly regulars at the bar completes the tableau. This isn't just a pub, it's a cherished spot for locals and visitors, where history converges with modernity, and every visit feels like a journey home.

Mowgli Street Food on Liverpool's Bold Street is the first venue from the chain, which has enriched cities across the country with Nisha Katona's incredible cooking. Nisha always wanted to serve diners the kind of food that Indians eat at home and on their streets, and so used her ancestral history, skills and passion that had been passed down to create Mowgli. You'll find dishes packed with rich flavours, beautiful textures and fiery spices, and have the chance to sit on a swinging chair lit with fairy lights.

The street chat options include the yoghurt chat bombs which are crisp bread puffs filled with chickpeas, spiced yoghurt, tamarind and coriander, along with Bombay's best loved street food dish of bhel puri made with gram threads, peanuts and a delicious sweet and sour dressing. Other options include the treacle tamarind fries, and open roti rabi with soft tandoori chargrilled paneer cheese, pomegranate jewels, mint, spinach and a rainbow selection of homespun Mowgli chutneys. The Mowgli sticky chicken is a popular dish from the street meats selection and is made with crunchy poppers that are tossed in a special spiced molasses, the maa's lamb chops and fenugreek kissed fries are marinated in aromatic spiced yoghurt with ginger, garlic and tomato coriander, and served with a mint chutney.

The house kitchen is famous for its Mowgli house lamb that falls apart on your fork, and has been long simmered with anise, plums and chickpeas. Another favourite is the mother butter chicken which is the true, authentic Indian version of what us Brits usually order as a chicken tikka masala. The dish is made with a rich, sweet and spiced tomato and yoghurt sauce before being finished with a gloss of butter.

The restaurant at the five-star Vineyard in Newbury is about as luxurious as it gets. Executive chef Tom Scade carefully crafts beautiful dishes, using almost entirely locally sourced ingredients. Scade trained under John Williams MBE at The Ritz, helping to maintain the restaurant's Michelin star. The plating at The Vineyard's restaurant is unpretentious, as Scade likes to let the food speak for itself. 

Starters at The Vineyard are a delicate affair, with seafood options including crab tortellini or Berkshire trout with Oscietra, cucumber and horseradish. There is an elegant house salad, or burrata with artichoke, truffle and hazelnuts for those who want to keep their first course vegetarian, and a game pie for those who don't. 

Mains offer a heartier, more meat-focused selection, with the option of Hereford rib eye with Café de Paris butter and beef dripping chips, Packington chicken with cabbage, celeriac and chestnuts or Berkshire rare breed pork with apple and sage. Pescetarians can enjoy a grilled monkfish, served with Delica pumpkin, almond pesto and burnt orange, while vegetarians can opt for a salt-baked swede with Pommes Anna and stout-braised onion. Those wishing to supplement their meal can add purple sprouting broccoli with pecorino, chips, brown butter carrots, heritage beetroot salad or French fries. 

Diners at the Vineyard can finish their meal with something sweet and decadent, such as a blackberry and white chocolate mille-feuille, which can be paired with an optional plum and sake liqueur. Other options include a cheese board, paired with a 1996 Portuguese port. 

The Vine Bar offers a large selection of small plates, charcuterie and cheese, each with optional pairings from The Vineyard's 30,000-bottle, 3000-bin cellar, with over 50 options available by the glass. The wine at The Vineyard features some of the very best wine in the world and is certainly not to be missed. 

The Grill at The Dorchester offers a modern take on the traditional hotel grill room, blending British culinary heritage with contemporary touches. Led by culinary director Martyn Nail and head chef Jacob Keen-Downs, the restaurant presents a menu that reflects how people choose to dine today, through shared plates, updated classics and a focus on British produce.

The dining room retains its historic sense of occasion. Crystal chandeliers, Bentley leather banquettes and an open kitchen set the tone. Trolleys move between tables, dishes are finished at the pass, and staff manage the floor with confidence and ease. The atmosphere is elegant but unforced, with an energy that builds throughout the day.

The menu balances refined technique with a sense of comfort. Small plates and starters include tuna tartare prepared tableside and a classic seafood platter. The Grill’s take on beef Wellington is one of the signatures, while breakfast features omelette Arnold Bennett and Portland crab Benedict. On Sundays, a traditional roast is followed by a dessert trolley stocked with dishes such as banana split, Sherry trifle, chocolate mousse and baked Alaska.

The wine and cocktail list is tightly curated, with a dedicated sherry section that pays tribute to the room’s past. A ‘Sherry Moment’ takes place each evening, with a long pour served from the barrel at the bar, accompanied by olives. House cocktails include the frozen Martini, the Grill Adonis and London Calling.

A series of live music events, run in partnership with Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, brings another layer to the experience. Set across selected dates, the Supper Club Series pairs a three-course dinner with performances from jazz vocalists in an evening format that blends dining and entertainment.

The Grill is suited to a wide range of occasions, from midweek lunches and business breakfasts to celebratory dinners and Sunday roasts. It offers a dining experience shaped by tradition but adapted to the pace and style of contemporary London. Whether for a quick bite or a longer meal, the restaurant continues to feel like a landmark destination.

Top gastropub The Ginger Pig serves traditional food sourced from Sussex’s finest suppliers. Upstairs, there are 11 en-suite double rooms for those who want to make a gastronomic getaway of it, but its ground-floor restaurant is without a doubt a dining destination in its own right. It's part of the wider Ginger Restaurant Group, which has a total of four restaurants in Brighton including The Gingerman, The Ginger Fox and The Flint House. The group is headed up by Ben Mckellar and wife Pamela, who were both born and bred in Brighton.

The Ginger Pig is the second restaurant to open from the husband-and-wife duo, located on Hove Street where it specialises in an ever-changing seasonal menu of simple and uncomplicated dishes. To start, you might expect to enjoy the likes of buckwheat cavatelli with cavolo nero, pistachio and tarragon pesto and pangritata, or tempura fish tacos with picked kohlrabi slaw, chipotle crème fraîche and jalapeños. Mains feature locally sourced meat and fish, including Wild Sussex brill with fondant potato, chard and cep butter, as well as chicken and smoked ham hock pie with braised carrot and mash. Desserts end things on an indulgent note with a milk chocolate and miso tart, dark chocolate ganache and hazelnuts.

Kick off your meal with a drink in the bar. Here, classic cocktails are complemented by ‘Pig Classics’, while a selection of Champagnes, wines and premium bottles offer a tipple for every taste. A number of coravin wines allows the restaurant to offer an even larger selection.

The Ginger Pig is open for all-day dining and as such offers breakfast and brunch. Think breakfast toasties with bacon, onion jam, Emmenthal and a fried egg, or shakshuka with hazelnut and almond romesco.

Hotel restaurants don’t have the best reputation, but we are happy to report that Driftwood Restaurant bucks the trend. It is part of the boutique hotel of the same name, which wows with its stunning oceanside location and private beach.

The calming beachy vibes carry through into Driftwood’s dining room, which features large windows looking out across the sea and a coastal colour palette of soft blues and crisp whites. On warmer evenings, you can even head outside for pre- or post-prandial drinks on the decked terrace, which overlooks the crystal blue waters of Gerrans Bay.

The menus at Driftwood evolve with the seasons, but the food here is underpinned by a steadfast commitment to locally sourced, best in class produce. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, as well as afternoon tea and Sunday lunch, while those looking to really make the most of the experience can opt for the seven-course tasting menu. From the a la carte, you can begin with roast mallard with crushed turnip, pumpkin, clementine and pickled ginger, before moving on to the likes of plaice accompanied by mussels, hand rolled farfalle, leeks, cauliflower and chanterelles. There is a dedicated vegetarian offering too - think grilled leek with salt baked celeriac, hazelnut pesto and roasted ceps.

If you are visiting Driftwood with your family, the little ones can dine from a dedicated kid’s menu which is more sophisticated than most children’s offerings around; let them tuck into the likes of baby fish cakes or a ham and cheese omelette, both of which are served alongside Cornish mid potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

To finish up, there are tempting dessert options such as chocolate and hazelnut brownie with vanilla ice cream, as well as a selection of liquid afters in the form of Driftwood’s list of classics cocktails, including Espresso Martinis and Negronis.

Established in 1740, The Beckford Arms is a traditional country inn and pub nestled at the edge of the Fonthill Estate parkland in the Wiltshire countryside. The pub specialises in refined British classics, elevated with outstanding produce procured from award winning suppliers from across the UK. Upon entry, you’ll be greeted by a warm and friendly ambience and traditional décor including a wood burning fire, chalk specials board and candlelit tables. Outside there is a stunning garden space where guests can drink and dine during the warmer months.

The kitchen at The Beckford Arms is headed up by chef Johnny Sutcliffe, who has devised a seasonally changing menu showcasing British ingredients. All the meat and game is sourced from local farms, with fish coming from the Cornish coast and fruit and vegetables grown in the onsite garden just paces away.

Begin your meal with tasty nibbles like salt and pepper squid with chilli lime mayo, and taramasalata with toast, before moving onto starters such as beef brisket croquette with celeriac puree, apple and jus, and cured monkfish tail with avocado and date puree, ginger oil, coriander and a paprika tuile. There is a dedicated pub classics section if you’re after a more traditional main course and includes the house burger, and beer battered haddock with mushy peas, tartar and chips, but there are also more elevated mains such as pan fried sea bass with new potatoes, fennel velouté, and burnt orange pearls, and pork tomahawk with black pudding rosti, confit leeks, sage gremolata and a cider glaze.

The beverage menu at The Beckford Arms has been given real attention and comprises a great variety of drinks, from craft ales like the homemade Beckford Phoenix to gin cocktails sourced from local distilleries. The wine list has bottles from the establishments own shop in Bath and boasts a range of affordable options and renowned labels, available by the glass, carafe and bottle.

The Fat Duck is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant by Heston Blummenthal who is best known for pushing the culinary boundaries with his experimental cooking. Located in Bray, Berkshire, The Fat Duck finds its home inside a 16th-century building, originally opening in 1995 where it used to resemble something a little more similar to a French Bistro. Over the years, Heston has added his special signature touch, with the restaurant receiving its first Michelin star in 1999, its second in 2002 and its third and final star in 2004 – the ultimate culinary accolade. In 2006, Heston received an OBE for his contribution to British gastronomy.  

The first thing to know about eating at The Fat Duck, is that it’s not a meal, but an experience. Heston’s unique approach to cooking is centred around science and experimentation with the aim of changing diners’ perceptions of food. Booking a ticket to experience the restaurant entitles guests to enjoy either The Anthology Menu or The Fable Tree Menu which features plenty of classic Fat Duck dishes. Signatures include Heston’s nitro-poached green tea and lime mousse, red cabbage gazpacho with pommery mustard ice cream, ‘Sound of the sea’ featuring tapioca sand, sea vegetables and foam, while the grand finalee might be a selection of petit fours named ‘Like a kid in a sweetshop’. 

Far from simply a gimmick, The Fat Duck has stood the test of time and is one of Berkshire’s most famous - if not the most famous - dining destination. The restaurant plays on playful memories and adventure from your childhood and the unexpected dishes are designed to bring back that awe and magic you experience as a child. 

The Fat Duck is a fairly intimate restaurant and can only cater for tables of 2, 3, 4 or 6. It recommends that diners allow around three hours in which to enjoy the full dining experience. 

Found on Mayfair’s Berkeley Street (home to a slew of top restaurants), Bocconcino is a high-end Italian concept, which prides itself on authenticity.

The vast dining room spreads itself across two floors and oozes pure glamour - think mirrored surfaces, imposing columns, glittering chandeliers and a wall of wines. Such unrivalled sophistication does not leave the room feeling cold though, thanks to warm touches such as cosy tub chairs wrapped in leather and a dedicated bar where you can pull up a stool and enjoy a pre- or post-dinner cocktail.

The menu at Bocconcino pays homage to the homely, comforting cuisine of Italy and the a la carte is presented in the traditional four-course Italian format: antipasti, secondi, primi and dolci. Kickstart your meal with dishes such as deep-fried calamari with tartar sauce or burrata served alongside pesto and tomatoes. For your next course, choose between meat or fish (or enjoy both!). Dishes to try include pan-fried Dover sole with capers or rack of lamb with seasonal vegetables.

Of course, no visit to an Italian restaurant would be complete without a pasta course and Bocconcino offers plenty of tempting options. Take your pick between the likes of Scottish lobster linguine, seafood risotto or tagliatelle with wild boar ragu. You can pad out your meal with side orders of truffle topped chips or various salads, while to round things off, tuck into a tempting pudding from the list of options - think homemade Sicilian cannolo with pistachio ice cream or New York cheesecake with passionfruit compote.

If you prefer liquid desserts, take the time to explore Bocconcino’s list of Italian wines and traditional house cocktails, which you can sip while you listen to the tunes of a live DJ (Wednesday-Saturday). On weekends, stop by to try out the bottomless pizza and bubbles brunch.

Set within the 16th century gothic building, Boswell’s Court, The Witchery is a modern European restaurant surrounded by orange decor and luxurious touches. The name of the restaurant, however, doesn’t have such a glamorous part. Instead, it is a reference to the hundreds of people labelled witches and condemned to die at the stake on Castlehill. The restaurant as it’s known today, has been around for 50 years and boasts carvings and features that reflect Boswell Court’s previous life.

The food at The Witchery is impressive, with an award-winning a la carte menu served all day. Produce is as local as possible, with seafood sourced from across Scotland and the finest cuts of Scottish beef are acquired and game direct from the Highlands.

For a truly indulgent start to your meal, begin with oscietra caviar, blinis and creme fraiche. The Witchery menu also includes starters like Cumbrae Scottish rock oysters, grilled hand-dived Orkney scallops, aged Scotch beef tartare with raw hen's egg and mustard mayonnaise, and a warm salad of charred courgette with broad beans, toasted walnuts and Spenwood cheese veloute.

Next up are the mains, with cutlet of Glenfeshie Estate red deer with a confit of hispi cabbage and pomme dauphine, roasted North Sea halibut with smoked eel, sea herbs, black garlic aioli and celery cream, and a grilled aubergine and jackfruit moussaka with pine kernels and herb oil. For two to share there's a cote de boeuf with roast shallots, dauphinoise potatoes and bordelaise sauce and lamb Wellington with roast garlic mash, pea puree and red wine jus.

The Witchery restaurant also offers a great selection of puddings, including iced bramble and cocoa butter parfait with maple granola and cinder toffee, pistachio frangipane with caramelised fig, milk chocolate namelaka, pistachio mousseline and yoghurt ice cream, and a cox pippin tart tatin with English custard and vanilla ice cream, for two to share.

Found in Glasgow’s West End, Stravaigin is an intimate and casual restaurant which serves a globally inspired menu that is underpinned by sustainably sourced Scottish produce.

The subterranean dining room follows an inviting shabby chic aesthetic, which sees hanging pendant lighting, bare wooden tables and a focal wall wrapped in a nautically inspired mural designed by artist Murray Robertson, which celebrates the key pillars of Stravaigin’s identity - wild ingredients, travel, nature, culture and history. You will also be able to spot a whole host of interesting and eye-catching artworks adorning the walls, all of which are salvaged art pieces sourced all around Scotland.

As for the food menu, well rather intriguingly, Stravaigin describes its offering as ‘exotically Scottish’, which means you can expect to find internationally inspired dishes, but ones which make use of produce sourced locally. The menu kicks off with small plates such as haggis with neeps and tatties or heritage beetroot with smoked labneh, pine nuts and pickled bramble. Next, you can move on to bigger plates, which include a 7oz beef burger served with hand cut chips, a ‘curry of the moment’ (either chicken, prawn or veg) and skate wing with brown shrimp laksa.

Desserts are tempting too, with sweet-toothed diners able to tuck into the likes of lemongrass panna cotta with a tamarind caramel sauce, or plum and almond tart with milk ice cream. If you prefer liquid afters, you can enjoy red and white wine, or explore Stravaigin’s selection of Scottish gins.

On the weekends, Stravaigin opens its doors for a popular weekend brunch, which features all of the usual brunch favourites such as buttermilk waffles and eggs benedict, alongside a few more internationally influenced brunch items including Turkish-style eggs and baked carrots with salsa verde, toasted seeds and carrot and chilli baba ganoush.

The French Table has successfully nailed the elusive appeal of a neighbourhood restaurant, offering a knock-out menu of fine dining cuisine but in a relaxed, familiar setting. Sitting on Maple Road in the suburb of Surbiton, it has a prime location surrounded by other bars, restaurants and cafes. 

The French Table was established back in 2001 as the vision of Eric and Sarah Guignard who dreamed of opening a restaurant that celebrated their passion for the best French food and wine, as well as personable service. Over the last 20 years, they have certainly perfected their craft and the restaurant holds two AA Rosettes, marking the team's efforts as stand out in their area with continued consistency and quality. 

The menus take their cue from French cooking and the time of year, using as much seasonal produce as possible. Eric and Sarah have been careful to devise menus that can suit any kind of event - whether it be a quick business lunch or a big birthday, guests are welcome to let the team know whether they need to order quickly and scoot, or make a fuss of whoever is celebrating. 

There are two lunch menus; a three-course ideal for a 'lunch break' or a five-course taster menu for a leisurely affair. Examples here include rare breed chicken ‘Poulet Basseri’ with leg sausage, white bread purée, creamed leek and truffle feuilletée, as well as Scottish line-caught halibut with new season Jersey Royals, smoked eel with lovage oil and trout roe sauce. 

The evening sitting follows the same structure, offering a three-course meal or five-course taster menu. Some examples of the taster menu courses include Cold roast veal with baby artichoke, monksbeard, AND hazelnut pesto, as well as roast rump of new season Cumbrian lamb, navarin printanièr, crispy shoulder, and wild garlic mayonnaise, and caramelised banana mousse with spiced rum, peanut brittle,
passion fruit and chocolate ice-cream for dessert. 

Wine pairings are available for all taster menus and the team is also very happy to help advise by the glass or bottle from their carefully curated wine selection.

James Martin, Manchester, is located on a mezzanine floor within Manchester235 Casino. Serving award-winning, classic British cuisine, James Martin Manchester is a warm and inviting restaurant, set in the famously converted Great Northern warehouse which enjoys plenty of character and charm.

The menu is seasonal and varied, open daily from 5pm serving a tasting menu crafted using many of the UK’s top meat, fish and cheese suppliers. There is also an afternoon tea menu, plus Sunday lunch.

You will find dishes on the main menu such as salt aged ribeye steak, served with dripping chips and malt glazed Roscoff onion. Choose between a selection of sauces such as peppercorn, chimichurri or bone marrow and black truffle. Lighter dishes include hake served with tempura lobster, herb gnocchi and shellfish cream, and an Indian spiced cauliflower served with red lentil dahl, coriander mousse and potato flatbread.

There are plenty of tempting looking sides on offer including barbeque jersey royals, peas with smoked pancetta and braised carrots in a tarragon butter.

When it comes to desserts perhaps you’ll go for the hot sticky toffee pudding served with toffee sauce and salted caramel ice cream, or the white chocolate and whiskey croissant butter pudding served with whiskey ice cream and honeycomb.

There is also a cheese option, plus home made bon bons, and after dinner coffee.

If you’re looking to book afternoon tea it is served on a Saturday between 12.30 and 3pm. The menu includes James Martin’s original scone recipe, home-made jam, and a selection of pastries and breads made by the talented kitchen team. Tea is locally sourced, and carefully selected to complement the character of the afternoon tea. You may also wish to add a glass of champagne to your afternoon tea, or to choose the bottomless prosecco option.

A fixture in lists of the best gastropubs in the UK, The Cornish Arms is set in the heart of Tavistock in the looming shadow of Dartmoor National Park. The postcard-perfect location isn't the only thing going for this cosy old inn - since opening in 2013, The Cornish Arms has also collected 3 AA Rosettes and a Michelin Bib Gourmand for the outstanding quality and price of it's food. 

Chef John Hooker has a fantastic pedigree - he competed in the 2010 and 2011 series' of Great British Menu - but the focus of The Cornish Arms menu is on unpretentious food, fantastic beer and wine and great value for money. As a result, The Cornish Arms has managed to retain it's country pub atmosphere and ethos, despite the acclaim. The restaurant is smart but informal, without losing it's local boozer charm. 

There's no tasting menu here, just an a la carte packed to the gunnels with comforting, elevated pub dishes that you just want to eat. Starters include pheasant scotch egg, blue cheese and beer pickled onions, duck liver pâté with shallot chutney and candied hazelnuts, and Heritage beetroot salad with blue cheese and candied walnut salad. The mains kick off with a homemade steak and ale suet pudding - a rarity on pub menus these days. West Country meat and fish feature heavily in comfort dishes like pork chop and café de Paris butter, lamb belly with whipped feta and gravy, and the desserts section is packed with great British puds like sticky toffee pudding, treacle tart and raspberry trifle. 

The Cornish Arms offers vegan and Sunday lunch menus as well, and for those who don't fancy the journey home after three fine courses at the pub, there are welcoming seven rooms available for overnight stay.

Over 150 years old and still going strong, Quality Chop House has been a fixture of Clerkenwell for longer than anyone can remember. The current incarnation launched in 2012 under owners Will Lander and Daniel Morgenthau, and the restaurant has since built a rep as one of London's underappreciated hidden gems. 

The chequered black and white floors, polished wood and blackboards feels every bit an old English restaurant, and that rustic charm extends to the menu too. Head chef Sean Searley has a masterful touch with British classics, and combined with the Quality Chop butcher next door, that means Quality Chop House is a ideal for steak lovers and meat eaters - in fact, if you book in advance you can place orders for specific meat cuts and Quality Chop House will endeavour to have them on the menu for you.

The rest of the menu is British, with a few cues from the Med. The menu starts with a variety of snacks and starters - chicken liver and foie gras parfait, turbot with preserved lemon and pork shoulder croquette with black pepper mayo - before moving onto mains from the grill and Quality Chop's iconic confit potatoes. Desserts are also excellent, sliding neatly between British comforts (apple crumble tart with custard) and lighter options (Capezzana olive oil ice cream). There's also a Sunday menu that predictably contains some of the best roast dinners in London - as a result, nabbing a table at Quality Chop House on a Sunday can be touch and go.

The wine front shouldn't be ignored either. With Quality Wines next door, Quality Chop House has an extensive wine list available, but also boasts a 'cellar list' of rarer wines. 

Rogan & Co is a Michelin starred neighbourhood restaurant in the village of Cartmel, founded by Simon Rogan. Set within a fourteenth century riverside cottage beside the River Eea, the restaurant offers a seasonal British menu built around produce from the Lake District. It operates alongside Rogan’s other restaurants in Cartmel, offering a more relaxed setting with the same commitment to sourcing and precision.

The space is calm and understated, with original stone walls, exposed beams and polished wooden floors. The dining room is divided into smaller sections, with tables arranged to provide a sense of privacy. Local artwork and minimal decoration keep the focus on the food. An open kitchen pass allows a view into the kitchen, where plates are prepared and finished.

The menu is offered as a set lunch and dinner format. Guests select three dishes from a concise seasonal list, with snacks served at the start and petit fours to finish. The structure is clear and flexible, allowing for a full experience without the length of a traditional tasting menu. Ingredients come largely from Rogan’s own farm nearby, alongside other producers in Cumbria and the North West.

Dishes change often but may include a tartlet with cod’s roe and pickled radish, smoked eel with celeriac and apple, or Herdwick lamb with preserved vegetables. A dessert of malted barley custard or roasted pear with miso reflects the kitchen’s interest in fermentation and technique, applied with restraint.

The drinks list focuses on wine, with options by the glass and bottle that span traditional regions and smaller producers. A short cocktail list and low intervention options are also available. Service is informal but informed, in keeping with the pace of the room.

Rogan & Co sits between formality and comfort. It offers cooking of a high standard in a setting that feels local, lived in and grounded in its surroundings. It is a place that reflects the region’s ingredients and seasons without complication, designed for both destination diners and regular guests.

Photography by Cristian Barnett

Francatelli, housed in the glamorous St James’s Hotel & Club, is a modern British restaurant. Here, executive head chef William Drabble celebrates British produce complete with elegant presentation. The 30-cover dining room is a quiet, intimate space where guests can relax and enjoy sumptuous menus paired with excellent wine. Floral interiors and plush seating add a sense of calm and respite from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city. 

Menus here are varied but each offers a modern take on the classics, reimagining dishes from the 19th-century for a more contemporary audience. A lunch set menu or a dinner a la carte are both available here.

Those dining here have the option to kick off their meal with some British tapas including the likes of artichoke beignets, pickled vegetables and homemade sourdough bread. Meanwhile, the starter selection features seared scallops with a bacon and onion jam and a warm potato mousse, or open ravioli of pumpkin served with crispy sage.

This can all be followed by the main event which might be a whole lobster braised with winter truffle and potatoes, whole grilled Dover sole with nut brown butter and capers or a saddle of Cumbrian venison served with salt baked celeriac and a beetroot and juniper jus. To finish, a dessert menu offers several options including the chef signature tarte tatin or a filbert tart with frangelico liqueur.

The wine list at Francatelli, as one might expect from a restaurant of this calibre, is truly all-encompassing. Diners can peruse hundreds of options from all over the world, with vintages dating back as far as the 80s. There are plenty of sweet and fortified entries on the list too, ideal for enjoying after a delicious meal. To book a table here, simply select a time and group size using our online tool.

Serene and peaceful, with shell motifs and an undulating wave-like ceiling pointing up the maritime theme, this Michelin-starred South Indian specialist is perfectly positioned under the mighty Taj Hotel in Victoria – a comfortable refuelling point for residents, local businesses and well-heeled visitors. Seafood is the undoubted high point of the menu, and dishes such as crab cakes gently spiced with curry leaves, ginger and chilli or giant juicy shell-on prawns cooked in an onion, tomato and coconut masala are well worth a trip across town. There’s also plenty for meat eaters and vegetarians: slow-cooked lamb shank, steeped in herbs and spices is meltingly good, while a dish of snow peas and asparagus, sautéed with coconut, mustard, curry leaves and chilli is supremely moreish. Service isn’t exactly slick, but it’s well-meaning, kind and enthusiastic. The wine list has been carefully designed to match the food – look out for plenty of aromatic whites and soft easy-drinking reds.

Hambleton Hall sits elegantly on a peninsula overlooking Rutland Water, framed by immaculately kept gardens and the quiet grace of the lake. Established in 1980 by Tim and Stefa Hart, Hambleton Hall has held its Michelin star since 1982, making it the longest-retained in the UK. Under chef Aaron Patterson, the Dining Room offers modern British cooking rooted in classical technique and local seasonality, delivered with timeless consistency.

Inside, the dining room evokes refined country house charm. Crisp linen, gleaming silver, and soft lighting lend the space a sense of composed luxury. Large windows open onto the lake, with the landscape becoming a serene extension of the dining experience. The atmosphere is composed but never stiff and tradition is treated with subtlety, not nostalgia.

The menu balances elegance and comfort. Starters might include heritage tomato terrine with basil ice cream or spinach tortellini with quail and truffle. Mains range from poached halibut with wild garlic and morels to tender loin of venison with red cabbage and juniper. A signature soufflé, impossibly light and precisely risen, exemplifies the kitchen’s classical touch. Desserts are unshowy and precise,with the lemon tart, rhubarb millefeuille and walnut whip offering refined versions of familiar comforts.

The wine list is generous and intelligent, with a depth that rewards the curious. Around 400 bins span classic regions and lesser-known producers, with a strong showing from France, Germany and Italy. Pairings are offered with a personal, conversational touch, making even lesser-known bottles feel like discoveries.

The front-of-house team carry themselves with unhurried grace, guiding guests through each course with care and restraint. Timing is natural, not rehearsed, and even small details are delivered without fuss. Long-standing regulars are acknowledged with ease, while newcomers are drawn into the rhythm with equal courtesy.

Hambleton Hall offers an experience defined by quiet luxury and enduring craft. Every plate, every gesture, feels like part of something greater: a deep understanding of hospitality shaped over decades, made new with each season.

A vibrant and lively cocktail bar in the heart of Fitzrovia, The Lucky Pig is bringing the 1920s back to life with this underground experience. Step right off the street and down a staircase leading to its basement bar. With nods to the era, The Lucky Pig is decked out with vintage style armchairs and sofas, old trunks instead of tables and a collection of retro decor such as typewriters which line the shelves. With peeling paint and wonky framed photos, it's got a real sense of character and creates a welcoming environment where you can unwind and drink in style. 

A wide, open space but with limited availability you'll enjoy an intimate experience whether you're sitting at the countertop bar, relaxing on a chaise lounge or seated in one of the booths hidden away behind a red velvet curtain. You’ll be thrown back in time as you sip on a collection of specially curated cocktails. An extensive cocktail menu features a selection of signature drinks, putting twists on some of the classics. Sample the burlesque old fashioned - complete with apple, cinnamon and cardamom syrup - or the Jaffa Cake - a rum based cocktail served with chocolate, coffee and orange liqueurs. There are also a number of sober alternatives made using Lyre's alcohol free spirits and even a changing seasonal menu - so be sure to keep an eye out.

It's not just cocktails though - although that is the main focus. Tuck into a selection of nibbles as well as a classic cheese and mixed sharing platters and a selection of homemade pizzas, giving you something to snack on whilst you enjoy your evening.

And with live music available during the evenings, as well as resident DJs who play every weekend, you'll really be able to let loose and dance the night away. 

The Promenade is The Dorchester’s glittering lounge room where all dining occasions are catered for, from breakfasts that will set you up for the day in style, through to elegant lunches, indulgent afternoon tea and romantic dinners with top-class cocktails. Guests are invited to relax in beautiful surroundings, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to a performance from the hotel’s resident pianist who will artfully wield the mirrored Liberace grand piano.

Mornings at The Promenade begin with indulgent breakfasts, from honey-drizzled buttermilk pancakes served with fabulous coffee and refreshing juices, to a lobster, bacon and avocado brioche roll. The menu is crammed with every possible breakfast item you could imagine, from porridge and chia bowls to cooked breakfasts and eggs any way you like.

Lunch, meanwhile, is just as generous, where everything from grills and hearty mains to soups, salads and sandwiches can be ordered and enjoyed. Or, skip the middle man altogether and go straight for afternoon tea. The Dorchester’s offering is a smile-inducing mix of dainty finger sandwiches, scones with cream and preserves, as well as delicate patisseries inspired by classic treats.

For dinner, you can expect a refined display of classic dishes, from a starter of smoked salmon with soda bread, crème fraîche and beetroot, to chicken and langoustine pie with mousseline potato, carrots and kale for main.

Art plays a starring role within the hotel and guests will find an extensive art collection on display at The Promenade, taking the beholder on an exuberant adventure through the British artistic tradition of landscapes. Adding to the room’s splendour are black and gold marble columns, studded sofas, ornate ceilings and beautiful light fixtures. It’s sure to make a spectacular backdrop at any time of day.

Long-standing Scottish restaurant The Buttery is something of an institution in Glasgow, popular with sight-seeing tourists and long-term residents alike. In 2007, the restaurant was taken over by The Two Fat Ladies restaurant group (who also have another site in the city centre) and it has since gone from strength to strength.

The smart dining room at Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery evokes a by-gone era. Tables here are dressed in white tablecloths, wooden chairs upholstered in tartan fabric, while other traditional interior elements such as stained glass windows, oak-panelled walls and a tartan carpet let diners know that this is a restaurant which celebrates formal Scottish luxury . The resolutely traditional aesthetic may give the room a sense of formality and pomp, but don’t be put off if you prefer unstuffy dining rooms, because the atmosphere at Two Fat Ladies manages to stay relaxed thanks to the efforts of the sweet-natured staff and warm ambience.

The a la carte at The Buttery champions the top-quality cooking that the restaurant has become so well known for over the years, while as we have come to expect from the Two Fat Ladies group, the seafood dishes are executed with particular skill and respect for only the finest Scottish produce. Highlights from the menu include starting dishes of smoked Scottish salmon parcel with pink prawn and salmon marie rose sauce, plus a spoonful of caviar, or mutton and vegetable broth with miniature haggis bites.

Main courses meanwhile see the likes of six hour braised lamb shank served with cream cheese and rosemary mash, or the restaurant’s unique take on surf ‘n’ turf: beef fillet with lobster ravioli, herb polenta cake and a warm bisque sauce. Tempting puddings range from creme brulee to dark chocolate torte, while diners with an insatiable sweet tooth can opt for The Grand Dessert - a selection of the restaurant’s greatest sugary hits.

The Pig brand has long been adored by visitors far and wide, and with the New Forest venue being the original, it’s no wonder that it holds such a special place in people's hearts. The country house with 32 rooms is considered more of ‘a restaurant with rooms’, as there is such a strong focus on creating a special dining experience. The menu has all been sourced locally, including from the walled kitchen garden, where the team grow almost all of the fruit and vegetables included in the dishes. Then whatever can’t be grown there, is sourced from within a 25 mile radius, as the team look to celebrate the seasons and use only the best, freshest and authentic foods available.

The menu is evidence of the commitment to eating local ingredients, as locations have been noted on the page, as well as a separate section to show a 25 mile radius map of the suppliers. Expect to see cheese from Laverstock Farm, vinegars from the Isle of Wight, and wine from Hambledon, all used to create an uber local dining experience. On the menu, you’ll find a selection of small bites such as smoked cod's roe with fish fingers, plant based dishes from the garden like The Pig’s Gazpacho, and starters including ham hock terrine with piccalilli.

Then to confirm the low food miles of the food produced here, there’s also a section called ‘Forest & Solent’. Making the most of the land and sea, guests can tuck into anything from buttermilk marinated lamb belly with garden nettle pesto to south coast cuttlefish with asparagus & Dorset nduja dressing. The desserts offer a combination of hearty British classics and lighter options, to create something for everyone, no matter how much they’ve eaten before. Think The Pig’s arctic roll with New Forest strawberries, or Beaulieu Gorse & white rum jelly with kefir sorbet.

At Menu by Gordon Jones, you can explore diverse tastes, textures, and temperatures that have been influenced by English, Indian, and Asian culinary traditions. Gordon curates a variety of dishes for each service, collaborating with local suppliers to showcase inspiring seasonal produce. Open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, the culinary offerings are a celebration of freshness and quality.  Due to the nature of the menu, pre-booking is essential, and the team are unable to accommodate walk-in guests. Bookings are accepted up to two months in advance, with a note that the restaurant observes closure on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, providing the best availability mid-week. For those seeking an exclusive setting, the restaurant is also available for private events or receptions, catering to a maximum of 20 people.

The tasting menus are carefully crafted, featuring the finest meat, fish, and dairy produce. And, because the kitchen team is committed to delivering the best possible dining experience, alterations or vegan/vegetarian options are not offered.

About his restaurant, Gordon Jones says “"I grew up in Buckie, Banffshire and money was tight. Everyone grew vegetables and cooked everything from scratch. But it wasn’t until I started writing menus and developing my own cooking style, I appreciated how much my upbringing had influenced my passion for food."

Now with six locations across the world, Chotto Matte Soho is the original site from founder Kurt Zdesar offering creative and authentic menus of Nikkei cuisine: a contemporary blend that mixes together the tastes and techniques of both Japanese and Peruvian cooking.

More than your typical restaurant, each of Chotto Matte's sleek restaurant spaces come with a rather artistic flair: from the vibrant coloured-seats to the signature murals that have become the group's calling card. The Soho site is no different with black and white striped zigzag floors, neon-lit wall decor, and electric mustard and purple seating, all surrounded by vibrant foliage that help bring the dining room to life.

Chotto Matte aims to make fine-dining more accessible with creative menus from executive chef Jordan Sclare who helps to bring this vision to life. You'll find signature sharing menus as well as traditional a la carte offerings, divided into sections for the raw bar, the sushi bar and even a robata grill where fish, meat and veggies are all freshly cooked over hot coals.

The Soho menu showcases how varied and interesting Nikkei cuisine can be. Smaller options see Padron peppers in miso, and edamame in rocoto chilli dressing, as well as rosemary and salt jumbo crackers with guac. Sushi nibbles see the likes of soft shell crab rolls and sato maki with sea bass, salmon tartare, romano pepper and homemade soy sauce. Moving to the larger appetisers, there are Peruvian-style gyoza, featuring pork and prawn, but with sweet potato purée and red pepper ponzu, as well as spicy tuna crispy sushi with tuna tartare and Peruvian chilli. The Robata grill, meanwhile, turns out delights like slow cooked braised beef with a teriyaki jus and apple honey glazed ribs with a coriander crumb.

Desserts offer fruity concoctions like Mochi ice cream with mango, coconut and green tea or passion fruit creme brulee with sake poached pineapple. Be sure to wash everything down with one of the signature cocktails or something off the extensive sake menu.

Riddle and Finns first opened in 2006 in Brighton, and the restaurant has since become an integral part of the coastal city’s restaurant scene. If you’re looking for a luxury experience in Brighton revolving around seafood and Champagne, Riddle and Finns is likely to be your first destination.

Riddle and Finns The Beach is the groups second location (after the ever-popular Riddle and Finns The Lanes) and offers the same lux experience but in a beautiful beachfront restaurant overlooking the English Channel. Huge panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows mean you have a great view of the coast wherever you’re sitting in the dining room, and the room feels suitably opulent thanks to a colour palette of cool greys, blues and sleek marble table tops. There’s also a curved al fresco terrace with a handful of tables for two, which is especially popular in the summer.

Matching the great views is a menu packed with ultra-fresh seafood. Riddle and Finns always has a range of oysters on offer (Jersey Rock, Irish Rock and Louet-Feisser, for example), available with a variety of hot and cold toppings and garnishes. There’s a huge range of other crustaceans and fish too, from light bites and starters like fresh sashimi and tuna tartare tostadas, to fruit de mer platters, langoustines on ice, and tempura tiger prawns with sriracha mayonnaise. The restaurant also offers catch of the day at market prices, alongside grilled lobsters, roasted whole fish and more.

The experience wouldn’t be complete without a great Champagne menu and Riddle and Finns delivers on that front too, offering a range of classic and vintage Champagnes as well as English sparkling wines from the likes of Nyetimber and Court Garden.

The food lover heartbeat of the hotel is this renowned 3 AA Rosette restaurant, commanding magnificent views across the award winning gardens. Here, you will take your tastebuds on a journey with the menu, carefully crafted to showcase fresh local produce, exquisite flavours, and a delicate balance. The modern French dishes reflect the essence of seasonal dining, ensuring a memorable experience at every visit. The exceptional wine cellar, curated by the head sommelier, adds the perfect pairing to your meal each time you visit. Whether it's breakfast, brunch, lunch, or supper, the pantry and terrace invites you to really enjoy what it means to indulge in a fine dining experience.

The a la carte menu begins with starters such as the squab pigeon breast with confit leg tart, chicory, cherry and Madeira jus, the Devon white crab meat with lime, mool and peanut chilli caramel, and last but not least, the Orkney scallops with squid-ink vinaigrette and Jerusalem artichoke. Main dishes are just as rich and includes the Wiltshire lamb loin with aubergine, pressed potato, beet, English wasabi and tapenade sauce, the Cornish wild turbot served with scallop mousse, girolle mushroom, sea vegetables, golden Oscietra caviar, miso and kombu tea, and a delicious dish of Himalayan salt chamber dry aged fillet of beef with a smoked brisket, salsify, lovage and red wine reduction. Dessert is always delicious, and includes a pot of hazelnut milk chocolate with butterscotch and passion fruit, a strawberry and vanilla parfait with strawberry compote, and apricot soufflé with milk oolong tea ice cream and almond sauce. If you’re not one to end on a sweet note, order the selection of local and British cheese, apple and walnut chutney, grapes, truffle honey, walnut and raisin toasted bread, and crackers

Step into a realm of refined elegance at Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park, where a journey into a charming era of sophistication awaits. The enchantment begins as you traverse the mile-long drive, flanked by majestic beech trees, leading you to the grand entrance of this establishment. Whether you choose to step through the magnificent drawing room or the charming Library for pre-dinner cocktails, the stage is set for an evening of elevated dining.

Under the helm of executive chef Hywel Jones, the restaurant has proudly held a Michelin star since 2006, offering guests an incredible dining experience each time. If you are in a group of ten or more, then your group will be classed as private dining. The restaurant is open from 6:30pm, with last orders at 8pm on Wednesdays, and 8.30pm Thursday to Saturday. In adherence to the restaurant etiquette, it’s worth noting that children under the age of 5 are unable to dine at Restaurant Hywel Jones.

Hywel's commitment to perfection is reflected in his meticulous selection of the finest ingredients, ensuring a symphony of flavours that will delight every guest. Whenever possible, the team sources from local suppliers, aligning with their dedication to quality and supporting the community.

For the tasting menu, expect to find dishes like the heritage beetroot tart with Somerset ricotta, and Cornish lobster with veronique. Then, you may taste the day boat turbot with cucumber chutney, sea vegetables and oscietra caviar, and Andrew Morgan's Brecon lamb with Wye Valley asparagus, morel mushroom and wild garlic. Lastly, you will be served a selection of British and continental cheese with homemade crackers, some charentais melon and sweet wine, and a delicious dish of white chocolate with yuzu and wild strawberry.

As the name very much suggests, Smokehouse Islington is all about serving up tasty, grilled and smoked dishes, led by ingredient with transparent supply chains. The team have been working on this concept for just over a decade, prioritising relationships with the best farmers, butchers and suppliers in London and across the UK, to create a unique menu, brimming with unusual cuts. 

The team are passionate about sharing their love for their suppliers, explaining that all fish is delivered daily from Cornish markets and caught on day boats meaning it's fresh as possible, while the meat selection changes weekly with carcasses arriving from the best farms in the UK. Fruit and vegetables arrive fresh from Natoora greengrocer and all of this is cooked over charcoal, roast and smoked using sustainably sourced English oak.

Based on Canonbury Road, the restaurant isn't far from either the overground or underground and based in a gorgeous, period building with loads of space, high ceilings and natural light. The decor is homely and rustic, with large, wooden tables and country-style wall panelling, while outside there's a lovely terrace and garden for the warmer weather. 

Why not start off with a seasonal cocktail, such as a marmalade negroni or Islington old fashioned, before moving onto some smaller bites for the table. There's pistachio Mortadella with pickled cornichons, as well as baked sourdough with beef dripping and whipped butter, and taramasalata with seaweed potato crisps.

Fresh, seasonal starters might look like Wye Valley asparagus with peas, shimiji and Yorkshire pecorino, as well as Cornish Crab and buckwheat crumpet with pickled fennel and fine herbs. For mains, we like the sound of the rotisserie poussin chicken with fermented cep, jus gras and fries, alongside Old Spot pork chop, smoked celeriac remoulade and sauce charcutiere. Sides look great too, with options like grilled hispi cabbage with black garlic and miso butter.