From food and drink to atmosphere and great views, here’s SquareMeal’s guide to some of the UK’s best dining experiences in association with S.Pellegrino
London
The Araki, Mayfair
This tiny nine-seat sushi restaurant won its third Michelin star in 2017. We think it delivers the capital’s most exclusive dining experience, with sushi master Mitsuhiro Araki creating exquisite dishes on a blow-the-budget set menu. A simply unmissable experience.
The Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Crabshack, Covent Garden
The next best thing to visiting New Orleans. Enjoy US-style hospitality, huge portions of finger-licking ribs, sweet Nova Scotia lobster and bourbon-laced hard shakes at this jumping joint with great live blues and jazz bands.
Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden
You have our permission to be swept away at this classic French eatery, which is regularly voted ‘most romantic restaurant in London’. Its gorgeous, blossom-strewn conservatory with a crackling log fire is a simply dreamy setting for dinner à deux. You’re guaranteed to fall in love.
Dans Le Noir, Clerkenwell
Let your senses come alive at this unique restaurant where dishes are served completely in the dark. Without relying on your sight you’ll find that your sense of smell, taste, touch and hearing all become an intrinsic part of your dining experience.
Duck & Waffle, City
On the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, London’s highest restaurant offers spectacular 360-degree views through full-length windows. A 24-hour menu means you can watch the sunrise here.
Duck Duck Goose, Brixton
Want to chow down on Cantonese street food in a repurposed shipping container? Then head to buzzy POP Brixton where you’ll find Duck Duck Goose serving up classic char siu beside cool craft beer stalls, vinyl record sellers, boutique wine bars and vintage clothing shops.
Rest of the UK
The Fat Duck, Berkshire (above)
You’ll never forget this once-in-a-lifetime dining experience with the king of culinary creativity, Heston Blumenthal. His 17-course extravaganza takes you on an imaginary day out, beginning ‘the day before we go’ and ending with ‘bedtime’ with countless surprises along the way. It’s a magical dining experience.
The Karczma, Birmingham
The word ‘karczma’ is Polish for inn or tavern, and this quirky restaurant recreates the hearty rustic feeling of a Polish country cottage inn. With its thatched ceiling and bucolic murals, you’ll feel like you’ve walked onto a film set. Polish favourites include stuffed dumplings and beetroot soup.
The Three Chimneys, Skye
Escape the everyday at this converted crofter’s cottage on the beautiful Isle of Skye. The Skye, Land and Sea tasting menu takes you back to nature with dishes made from produce grown or reared locally, foraged herbs and wild berries.
Whitstable Oyster Fishery Co, Kent
There’s simply nothing better than eating fresh seafood by the sea and this casual restaurant, set in a former oyster store, right on the beach, ticks all the boxes. Gaze out over the oyster beds as you sample deliciously creamy native oysters and flappingly fresh fish caught by local boats.
The S.Pellegrino Itineraries of Taste
If you have a taste for adventure and a thirst to explore, let S.Pellegrino help you create your personal taste experience with its Itineraries of Taste. S.Pellegrino has worked with some of the top chefs in the UK to get insider tips on the best places for foodies to visit.
Find out where chefs like to eat, shop and find artisan ingredients, with local itineraries of foodie hotspots and undiscovered gems – including Angela Hartnett’s top foodie markets in London and Alyn Williams on his favourite places to buy produce in the UK.
Visit itinerariesoftaste.sanpellegrino.com to find out more
