Best restaurants in Cheltenham

Spread across three floors, Clarence Social is open all day and serves popular weekend brunches and Sunday lunches too. From the à la carte, our top order is the Ox cheek bourguignon with horseradish mash, a hearty and satisfying affair.

This charming Victorian corner pub offers a number of real ales from local breweries and good food too. In winter, grab a table near the open fire or try the enclosed garden on warmer days.

It’s not cheap, but this polished hotel chain is worth it. Malmaison’s establishments always feel sophisticated, and their stylised interiors will put you in a Champagne popping mood – with or without the famous afternoon tea.

Don’t be put off by the smart dining room here, as service is refreshingly free of stuffiness. Equally, the menu shows respect for classic ingredients, but isn’t afraid to give them hi-spec makeovers for current trends.

Some may dismiss Cheltenham as twee, but this restaurant is as modern as they come. Menus change dependent on the season, but expect trendy dishes and a dedicated offering for vegetarians.

This warm and friendly venue serves up refined pub classics in a casual setting, which includes alfresco options. Hugely popular with locals and visitors, The Butchers Arms promises to deliver a satisfying meal for any occasion.

Warm surrounds and switched-on service are a large part of the appeal at L’Artisan, but it’s the authentic French dishes that keep diners coming back for more. Our top order? The snails in garlic butter.

No. 131 finds its home in an elegant Georgian townhouse on Cheltenham’s bustling promenade. The menu changes with the seasons, but the British classics are what diners keep coming back for, such as crispy braised pork belly.

A short drive from Cheltenham, this 17th-century hostelry on the market square at Northleach is the quintessential Cotswold inn-with-rooms. Open fires and sumptuous furnishings set the scene for hearty Sunday roasts showcasing local produce.

Whilst Ellenborough Park is a short drive outside Cheltenham, the oak-panelled dining room, seasonal menus and a wealth of wines to choose from the hotel’s extensive cellar make it worth the trip for any occasion.

Billing itself as a French fusion restaurant, Muse serves up innovative dishes in a smart dining room flanked by shelves stocked with European wines. Indulgent desserts such as classic apple pie, provide the perfect finish to a unique meal.

This two Michelin-starred establishment is widely acknowledged as among the finest gastronomic experiences in the UK. Owner-chef David Everitt-Matthias uses cutting-edge culinary techniques to create mesmerising dishes from Cotswold produce, much of it foraged.

This former boozer has been transformed into a bar/diner you’d expect to find in Soho rather than genteel Cheltenham. Be sure to keep an eye out for the live music evenings, the ideal accompaniment to the seasonal european pub grub.

There are few more sophisticated ways to spend an evening than indulging in cheese and wine. At Domaine 16, you’ll find thoughtfully curated charcuterie boards alongside fondue with all the trimmings – a cheese lover’s dream.

The Grade-II listed garden may be the obvious draw at Cowley Manor, but the dining room is pretty as a picture too. If you can’t make it in the week the afternoon tea or weekend brunch are excellent.

Situated in a yellow-painted Regency building just off the high street, intimate Purslane has really made a mark on the local scene. The menus showcase exceptional regional produce and Cornish fish presented in an unfussy manner.

Sri Lankan street food is the name of the game at Coconut Tree, which serves a menu of delectable small plates at fair prices. The artisan beers and tropical cocktails are are a must for a standout meal.

Far from your typical casual curry house, Cheltenham’s Prithvi is a hit with locals, tourists, and anyone lucky enough to stumble upon it. The cuisine is polished Indian flavours via a seasonally changing menu of updated Indian classics.