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Situated in the heart of Borough Market, close to some of London’s most iconic landmarks, Roast offers a contemporary take on traditional British dishes.  

The first thing to note about Roast is it’s beautiful setting. Located on the mezzanine floor of the market’s former floral hall, the high ceilings and large windows provide fantastic city views, giving diners a glimpse of the nearby Shard and St Paul’s Cathedral.  

Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, afternoon tea or Sunday dinner, the menus at Roast are put together using seasonal ingredients, with a real emphasis on fresh British produce. 

The Breakfast menu includes all the cooked favourites including a full English, smoked salmon and eggs Benedict. If you’re after something a little lighter, you could opt for smashed avocado, granola or porridge. Add something a little special to your breakfast with one of their ‘morning boosters’, which include Bloody Mary, Bucks Fizz and their signature Breakfast Martini!  

The a la carte menu offers a range of British favourites, with starters including Jersey Rock oysters, ham hock and caper terrine and seared Orkney Island scallops. The mains feature beef wellington, pork belly and roast hake, as well as a selection of steaks, sourced from the Lake District.  

On Sundays, Roast comes into its own, with the addition of a traditional roast dinner, with a choice of beef, chicken and lamb with all the trimmings.  

In addition, Roast also offer an afternoon tea menu, starting at £35 a head, including three courses of cakes, scones and finger sandwiches. You could always opt for the bottomless prosecco afternoon tea, for £55.  

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.

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. 

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 extensive cocktail menu, which includes bright and breezy lunchtime highballs as well as intense sundowners to enjoy against a London sunset, spread across multiple themed cocktail menus. The Voyager Zheng menu takes influence from Asia and the Far East, offering cocktails such as the Japan-inspired Onibasu Martini (vodka, shochu, sake, mirin, wine, soy and red spruce), and the Sri Lankan Dry Tai (Seedlip Grove 42, Bax botanics, lemon verbena, Orgeat, Gong citrus, pineapple and Aecorn Aromatic). The Deluxe list features Gong twists on classic cocktails, then there's the Tropical Oasis menu - devised in conjunction with Diplomatico Rum - where guest can sip on refreshing rum cocktails, and take a seat next to GONG's stunning sky pool. 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. 

There's always plenty going on at the bar, including regular DJ sessions where the beats continue late into the night. GONG also offers a Liquid Afternoon Tea, where tea-inspired miniature cocktails are pared up with sweet and savoury snacks.

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.

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.

Theo Randall at The InterContinental 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.

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.

There are few restaurants that can claim to be situated in as beautiful of a location as Bybrook restaurant. Tucked away in the village of Castle Combe, that is a tourist destination purely for it’s quintessentially British feel, is The Manor House, where the restaurant calls home. The interior is homely with carpeted flooring, a cosy dining room feel, and stylish features such as exposed brick walls and large windows allowing light to flood through. But this is not a case of style over substance, as Bybrook has earned itself a Michelin star for its delicious seasonal dishes, which are enhanced by fine wines paired by an expert sommelier.
Ingredients come from a mixture of local suppliers and the kitchen garden where gardeners work hand in hand with head chef Rob Potter to create the menu. Using raised beds, poly tunnels and orchards, the team are able to grow a variety of vegetables, fruits, and even create a microclimate to germinate seedlings.
Able to cater to meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike, the Bybrook focuses on what’s in season, to get the most out of each ingredient. Guests are able to enjoy a tasting menu with six courses and an optional wine flight. Think dishes like laminated brioche with cultured butter, Cornish wild turbot with white asparagus, Petrossian caviar and seaweed butter, and Herdwick lamb, morel, wild garlic and kohlrabi. For those who like something a little sweeter, you can expect immaculately presented desserts that showcase the best British fruits on offer at the time. With executive chef Rob Potter at the helm, it comes as no surprise that this restaurant has been able to gain a Michelin star in 2017 and keep it ever since, as well as an admirable 3 AA rosettes. There are already plenty of reasons to head to this picturesque part of the country, but Bybrook restaurant may just be one of the best yet.

Some would argue Nobu is one of the most famous restaurant brands in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. Nobu Matsuhisa’s empire, which started in Peru in the 70s, has since expanded to global heights, becoming synonymous with luxury dining. The Shoreditch site is one of three in London, along with Portman Square and Old Park Lane, and boasts a rather impressive 240 covers, immersive sushi counter and alfresco terrace to boot. The interiors are effortlessly stylish, with plenty of cream furnishings, natural woods and soft lighting.

Fans of the restaurant group will be pleased to see all the big-hitting signatures here, including yellowtail with jalapeno, crispy rice with salmon and of course miso black cod. But don’t let this lead you to believe the food offering isn’t expansive. There are plenty more delights to be enjoyed. Diners can start their meal on a decadent note, thanks to the likes of tuna tartare with caviar or lobster salad with Matsuhisa dressing. From there, the sushi selection beckons, with enticing nigiri and sashimi such as o-toro, scallop and even wagyu.

The tacos aren’t to be missed either, with exciting fillings like spicy miso salmon, lobster with wasabi sour cream or wagyu. The hot dishes kick things up a notch again if that’s even possible. From the sea, you’ll find baby tiger shrimp with ponzu, jalapeno or creamy spicy sauce, lobster tempura with tamari honey sauce or umami Chilean seabass, while the land offers a Peruvian-style ribeye or beef tenderloin with wasabi pepper. The wagyu has its own dedicated selection, priced per gram and served in four different styles: new, tataki, toban yaki or steak.

For a final touch of decadence, the desserts offer just that. The chocolate bento box is a fun option with chocolate fondant and green tea ice cream, while the famous Nobu cheesecake is a must, topped with a tart raspberry sorbet. For something a little less fruity, there’s also a whiskey cappuccino with coffee creme brulee, coffee crumble, vanilla ice cream and whiskey foam.

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.

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. 

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!

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 Palm Court at The Langham is an afternoon tea lounge by day and a restaurant by night, set in glamorous surrounds. When it comes to afternoon tea in the capital, few places have more experience than The Langham. In fact, the much adored hotel has been serving this time-honoured British tradition since it first swung open its doors way back in 1865. These days, tea is served in The Palm Court, a glamourous, over-the-top space featuring metallic wallpaper, cosy velvet tub chairs and mirrored columns which bounce light around the room.

The Palm Court’s menu is designed by legendary chef Michel Roux Jr and The Langham’s executive pastry chef Andrew Gravett, in an offering which celebrates all things British and takes inspiration from our nation’s favourite biscuits and baked tarts. The afternoon tea begins with a selection of traditional finger sandwiches, with varieties to try including Croast chicken with curried butter, smoked salmon with nasturtium butter and watercross, and roast cauliflower with anchovy relish and rocket.

Next up, tuck into your choice of plain or raisin studded scones which arrive fresh from the Palm Court bakery and are paired with Cornish clotted cream and seasonal preserves. The grand finale sees an assortment of sweet treats, which includes a rose-infused baba with lychee and mascarpone, and an Early Grey and Jivara mousse with a runny caramel centre. There are also a range of other afternoon tea menus, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and children’s afternoon teas.

Outside of afternoon tea hours, Palm Court is also where breakfast at The Langham is served. In the evening this majestic room becomes Chez Roux - Michel Roux Jr’s restaurant at the hotel, where he serves a menu inspired by his dual English and French upbringing.

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. 

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.

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.  

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. 

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. 

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).

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Anise is a modern, spice-led cocktail lounge, situated next door to sister site Cinnamon Kitchen City. It’s part of the Cinnamon restaurant group, headed up by highly regarded Indian chef Vivek Singh.

Singh first made a name for himself as the chef patron of Cinnamon Club - an Indian restaurant situated inside the Grade-listed Westminster Library. The success of Cinnamon Club has spawned a group of restaurants that includes multiple Cinnamon Kitchen and Cinnamon Bazaar sites across London, as well as standalone cocktail bar Anise.

Inside, Anise feels slick and modern, decked out in earthy spice tones. Sprawling leather booths provide semi-private spaces for small groups who want a tiny bit of privacy, and there are stools up at the bar for anyone who wants to get the inside track on how Anise’s excellent bartenders mix up their unique cocktails.

The bar specialises in cocktails that have a unique spice-led angle to them, taking classic combinations and giving them an Indian twist. Cocktails have been designed in collaboration with iconic mixologist Tony Conigliaro, and include signature mixes like the Assam Manhattan, where Assam black tea is infused with Buffalo Trace bourbon and mixed with vermouth, maraschino and black cardamom. A classic Kir gets similar treatment, given an exotic edge with toasted coconut and coconut liqueur.

The drinks menu includes lots of other options, including a pretty extensive wine list, spirits, beers, soft drinks and more, making Anise ideal if you’re in the area for a pre- or post-dinner tipple. If you’re hungry, head next door to Cinnamon Kitchen, which serves well-priced, accessible regional Indian food.

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.  

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 Mount Street Dining Room and Bar is located inside the Midland Hotel, Manchester. It is 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 daily for light bites and cocktails, as well as serving a three-course menu, and traditional Sunday lunch.

The menu is largely inspired by local suppliers and produce. If you’re looking for a three course meal perhaps you might go for the lobster crumpets served with sesame and hollandaise, or the traditional pork pie served with mustard, piccalilli and carrot.

Main courses 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 will find a selection of fish dishes on the menu, plus vegetarian dishes such as the halloumi burger made with beef tomato and a toasted brioche bun.

If you’re looking for something hearty and traditional take a look at the selection of home-made pies on the menu, which are freshly made to order. There is a beef wellington pie made for two, plus a mushroom pie served with mash and a tarragon cream, there is also a chicken pie made with thyme and chicken gravy.

Desserts are classic and tempting, perhaps you’ll go for the hot chocolate fondant or the Yorkshire rhubarb and custard tart. There is also a cheese plate.

There is a large and varied drinks menu which includes a selection of good wines, beers and spirits. There is also fresh coffee, tea and soft drinks. If you’re dining as a family, you will also find there is a children’s menu which features dishes such as crudities and dip, mini cheese on toast, and mini fish and chips.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Orrery is not just an award-winning French restaurant tucked away in the heart of Marylebone. It is also a luxury grocery, and has a bar and terrace, to offer guests a truly special visit. Huge arched windows bathe the indoor restaurant with light, offering diners a view of the outdoors from the comfort of their table. The terrace is all-season, with an awning and heaters for the winter months, and a panoramic view of the night sky in summer. For those who can't visit, Orrery also offers home kits, so everyone can experience its culinary delights. Head chef Igor Tymchyschyn shows his expertise and Michelin-starred background with every dish, each careful created to celebrate its components, and plated in such a way as to truly show them off.

The evening a la carte menu presents guests with up to date, modern takes on French cuisine, resulting in broader, modern European fare. Traditional French dishes appear in the starters, but with playful additions, such as the confit duck with foie gras ravioli and Madeira consommé. Season, warming dishes populate the mains, with the likes of wild mushroom risotto with autumn truffle, or fillet of turbot with artichoke purée and caramelised endive.

Guests can finish their visit with coconut panna cotta with passion fruit and Champagne jelly, Bakewell tart, Manjari chocolate cremeux or a selection of farmhouse cheese. Sweet wine and port flights are also available. 

The terrace is the perfect place for a cocktail or glass of Champagne with friends or colleagues. The list of classic cocktails is truly extensive, ensuring that all palates are satisfied, while the 23-page wine list offers bottles from almost every country, as well as a perfectly sufficient selection of wine by the glass for those wanting to mix things up. Orrery also boasts a private dining room that seats up to 16. 

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.

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.  

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. 

Since opening in 1985, Indian restaurant Babur has held its place in South London's Forest Hill as one of the most popular places to enjoy a range of food from across South Asia. The restaurant says its mission is to represent India's many different cuisines - not just the dishes you see at your local curry house - and offer both traditional and modern takes. 

And, it seems it has managed to do just that, having appeared on The Michelin Guide London, as well as both The AA Restaurant Guide and The Good Food Guide by Waitrose in 2024. Amongst its various praises are notes on the continued stylishness of the restaurant from its exposed brick feature walls to elaborate floral installations, as well as its popularity with locals for unique, off-the-beaten-path dishes. 

There's a selection of menus available, most notably the a la carte, tasting menu and Sunday buffet. Some highlights from the a la carte include a modern twist on a tikka dish in the form of swordfish with onion, radish pickle and yellow chilli, alongside mains like Garam masala Gressingham duck with rainbow quinoa khichdi and orange jus. We also like the sound of the baby aubergines with peanut sauce, garlic nan, seasoned spinach and cottage cheese, as well as sides like thinly-sliced crispy fried potatoes with dried mango powder.

If you have a sweet tooth, there's absolutely loads to go at here, from the pistachio kulfi with white chocolate soil and pistachio tuiles, as well as the spiced apricot and fig crumble with saffron custard, both of which are offered with a sweet wine pairing. 

While Babur doesn't put on weekly events, check out its calender for special themed nights for holidays like Valentine's Day and Christmas. And, if you're throwing your own bash, the team are happy for you to take over the restaurant, use their marquee or come and cater for you at a different location.

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. 

Club Gascon is a Michelin-starred, contemporary French restaurant and has been a Clerkenwell stalwart since its opening back in 1998. Its founders, Chef Pascal Aussignac and business partner Vincent Labeyrie, met in Paris in the mid nineties and after both relocating to London, started their restaurant empire which today includes Club Gascon, Cigalon and Baranis. 

Club Gascon is heavily inspired by the Gascony region of southwest France encompassing Bordeaux to the North, Bayonne to the West and Toulouse to the South and the kitchen uses the freshest ingredients to evoke the flavours of these locations with an innovative, modern twist. 

The restaurant offers a selection of menus; Pascal's Le Marché tasting menu highlights the best seasonal produce from across the UK and France, and comes in eight or six courses, with a wine pairing available. Here, you can expect to see dishes such as glazed white asparagus with citrus camouflage and liquid croquette; veal brain meuniere with sea urchin, yuzu and radishes; as well as middle white pork ballotine, turnip gratin and grilled sardines chantilly. 

The weekday four-course menu allows diners to try some of the chef's signature dishes in a more relaxed way. Guests are greeted with a house cocktail on arrival, followed by an amuse-bouche, a choice of two starters and main courses, plus a cheese course, dessert and mignardises. While the selection changes regularly, dishes which have featured in the past include rabbit ballotine, turnip gratin, wild garlic and lardo sardines chantilly; as well as super green stuffed tulip with quinoa, plankton, puntarella and vin jaune; and rhubarb and tonka moulleux with rose ardant and crispy milk. 

The wine list has been curated to reflect the breadth of bottles available across the south of France, highlighting both well known wine producers and hidden gems that you might not have heard of. From exclusive vintages to house favourites, there's something for everyone.

Housed in the famous Dorchester hotel, The Grill by Tom Booton is a modern British restaurant that is always serving up great food and fun times. With plenty of flair on classic dishes, The Grill has taken the food we all know and love and moved it forward into a fresh era of creativity. Whilst there is no official dress code, elegance is encouraged. There is a kind request for no sports wear, and for smart shorts to only be worn in the daytime, but not the evening. Children are welcome, though, and the general atmosphere is rather laid back.

For lunch or dinner enjoy a selection of snacks to share with the rest of your party. Choose from simple milk rolls with salted butter, fried shimejis with mushroom XO, fermented cabbage on hash brown, and stuffed potato skin with chorizo jam. Also on the snacks menu are braised beef doughnuts with horseradish and truffle, laminated brioche, and chicken liver parfait with a foie gras snow.

Bigger appetites will enjoy the large plates of confit sea trout with cucumber and potted shrimp butter, the roasted duck breast with scrumpet, chicory and hazelnuts, or the pumpkin tartlet with blue cheese and chanterelles. Small plates include a glazed lobster ravioli with bisque and tomato chutney, beef tartare with radish, oxtail and confit yolk, and baby gem with avocado, radish, pickled courgette and pecans. On the side of whatever you choose, perhaps you should order The Grill's chips with ranch dressing, or BBQ greens with pistou. Each dish at The Grill is divine, whether you're sharing beef Wellington with a loved one, wooing a colleague over drinks, or popping Champagne for a big celebration.

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.

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.

At Roth Bar Somerset, installation art and food and drink seamlessly blend in the second iteration of the bar, which was revamped in 2024 to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Roth Bar first originated in Zurich in 1997 and has since had several versions all over the world which are now being replicated in Somerset. 

Located within the Hauser & Worth gallery at Durslade Farm in Bruton Somerset, at Roth Bar Somerset the bar itself is a work of art. Comprised of salvaged and reclaimed materials from the local area and adorned by video screens that imbue the work with life and toes the line between the practical and the aesthetic the bar is surely the focal point and highlight of the guest experience. The almost steampunk-esque and shabby chic decor of the bar is set within the bare setting of the repurposed threshing barn that reflects the building’s farming past. 

Local produce and close relationships with their suppliers are at the core of Roth Bar Somerset’s menu as reflected by the fact that almost all of the drinks on offer and ingredients used in their cocktails are sourced from the local area. This reflects the venue’s commitment to providing guests with ethical, sustainable and fresh British produce. This dedication extends even further with the wine,cider,cordial and beef on offer being  sourced from the farm itself. Guests can also enjoy classic, signature and non-alcoholic cocktails and hot and soft drinks. 

This impressive selection is served alongside light bar snacks and charcuterie sharing boards as well as some more substantial plates. Tuck into the likes of hot smoked trout with sourdough, horseradish cream and pickles, seasonal tomatoes with Somerset mozzarella or broad bean falafel and garden salad. Pastries and sweet treats are the perfect way to finish the evening, offering freshly baked scones and lemon and almond drizzle cake. These dishes spotlight local produce with charcuterie from Westcombe farm, mussels from the River Fowey and vegetables sourced from 12 Acres Farm as well as, of course, their own products. 

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.

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.

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.

Self-proclaimed ‘chic’ Purnell’s is one of Birmingham’s most well thought of restaurants. It’s headed up by chef Glynn Purnell, whose CV boasts time working with big-time names like Gordon Ramsay, Gary Rhodes, and Claude Bosi. You might recognise him, in fact, from his time on the Great British Menu – a competition that he won twice and then later returned to as a mentor.

His flagship solo venture, Purnell’s opened in 2007 and has somehow managed to maintain its allure over more than a decade. It’s firmly in the fine-dining camp, but that doesn’t mean it’s stuffy. The overall ethos of Purnell’s is innovation, a theme that Glynn weaves throughout his menus. While there is a tasting menu, there are also quick lunch and traditional a la carte billings too. This freedom allows diners to enjoy the team’s cookery in a style that suits them.

At one end the tasting menu is set around the £100 mark, while the lunch menu gives guests a much more affordable in, offering three courses for £55. As is customary with many of the UK’s best restaurants, the dishes change regularly at Purnell’s, but starters might include fish du jour with kohlrabi, mussels and parsley or butter roasted cauliflower with capers, raisins, and sesame. Come mains, think chicken with asparagus, morels, wild garlic and potatoes or beetroot cured salmon with salted beets and horseradish cream. Both sweets and cheese plates are on offer too, with cheeses chosen from select artisan farms and desserts made by the in-house pastry team.

The restaurant itself is found within a handsome redbrick corner building with large windows which flood the space with light. The main dining room can seat up to 45 guests while the private dining room is available for parties of up to 12 diners. For those looking for larger numbers, entire hire of the restaurant is an option.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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 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.

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 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. 

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Orangery at Rockliffe Hall is a modern British restaurant headed up by chef Paul Nicholson. With an ethos rooted in sustainability, the menu changes often in line with the seasons and much of the produce used is grown in the walled kitchen gardens or foraged within the estate, so you can guarantee only the freshest items make it to your plate.

The space itself is a marvel to look at. As the name suggests, this room is flooded with natural light thanks to a glass roof and large windows which look out onto the hotel’s stunning 18-hole golf course. While vast copper-coloured pillars draw the eye upwards towards its impressive rooftop. The generous size of the room ensures parties are guaranteed plenty of space between tables, and indeed it would serve as a suitable spot for both large celebrations or more intimate dinners.

The restaurant offers a la carte and tasting menus, both of which focus on seasonal, fine dining dishes executed with finesse. All meals at The Orangery begin with cheese scones served with an onion and thyme cappuccino. While a typical three-course dinner might feature quail with turnip, garlic and madeira to start, followed by ox cheese with brassicas, malt and smoked bone marrow for main course. Dessert continues the classic theme, with dishes such as Valrhona chocolate mousse with banana and passion fruit.

There’s also a lengthy wine list which features around 400 bins, including some of the best wines from across the globe. This means that there’s a mix of more familiar bottles and rare and premium wines, so you’re guaranteed to find something you like. If not, an in-house sommelier is happy to advise with recommendations. While a team of expert mixologists concoct a series of cocktails for a tasty pre or post dinner tipple.

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.

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.

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 terrace restaurant in front of the restaurant, which opens during the summer. 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, but diners can opt for three courses, or five courses with a cheese course. Inside Trinity is a balance between relaxed and smart - there are smart white tablecloths and the restaurant has a certain elegance about it, but service and dress code are more relaxed and informal. 

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. A meat option might be 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.

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.

Grand Pacific, Manchester is an Asian-inspired restaurant serving a menu of world-wide dishes from their grand grade II listed building on King Street. Grand Pacific is open for lunch, dinner and high tea. There is also a separate Sunday lunch menu.

There is a long and striking bar area, lined with seating, plus a restaurant area. It has an industrial look with large windows to one side, low hanging lanterns and feature lighting. It has been thoughtfully decorated and restored throughout with plenty of character and style.

If you’re visiting Grand Pacific for dinner perhaps you might kick things off with the glazed chicken skewers or the salt baked beetroot tian. When it comes to main courses you will find an Asian-spiced duck cottage pie served with pork crackling and home-pickled onion. There is also a spiced roast cauliflower dish which is cooked with chili, garlic and cumin.

Lighter dishes include a classic Caesar salad served with oak smoked bacon, and a spiced Nashi pear and walnut salad served with miso and lime dressing.

Sides include plenty of tempting options such as gunpowder potatoes, thick cut chips and mirin-infused sticky rice.

Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the dessert menu, with dishes such as coconut panna cotta, pineapple tarte tatin, and a yuzu crème brulee.

The drinks menu is varse, with a good selection of beers and wines. You will also find cocktails on the menu, take a look at the pomegranate mojito, or the Grand Pacific gin and tonic served with aperol, rosewater and lychee.

If you’re visiting Grand Pacific for high tea you will find both a savoury and sweet selection, plus the option to choose a vegetarian high tea. There is a loose leaf tea range, or the option to choose a sparkling wine or cocktail.

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. 

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. 

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.

Spring can be found nestled inside the New Wing of Somerset House and is the brilliant brainchild of Skye Gyngell. Skye’s culinary experience spans London institutions 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. Such is the thinking behind her debut restaurant Spring, which adopts an environmentally-conscious ethos with everything that it does.  

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. 

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.

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. 

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.  

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

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.

Built in 1866 as a ‘beer house’, The Harwood Arms has been a pack leader on London’s gastropub scene for many a year, thrilling Chelsea locals and others with its stellar ingredients-led food and handsome gentrified interiors (a full-length bar, bare-boarded floors, mismatched furniture, monochrome photos on green-panelled walls). It also benefits from having some starry backers including Brett Graham (of The Ledbury) and TV chef/food-hunter Mike Robinson (of The Pot Kiln, Frilsham).

The kitchen specialises in wholeheartedly seasonal British fare – including veg, soft fruit and herbs from the pub’s rooftop garden, plus foraged pickings and bags of furred and feathered game (roast Yorkshire grouse with creamed root vegetables, stuffed cabbage and elderberries, for example).

Other highlights from the daily fixed-price menu might range from whipped chicken livers with onion jam and thyme ‘hobnobs’ or salt-baked beetroot with pickled cherries, hazelnuts and duck ham to poached Cornish cod with sweetcorn, cockles and lemon thyme or slow-cooked shoulder of Herdwick lamb with creamed courgettes and basil. Also, take a peek at calendar-tuned desserts such as strawberry and camomile trifle or blackcurrant jam doughnuts with citrus cream.

It may tout a Michelin star, but The Harwood Arms still trades as a proper local boozer, holding regular quiz nights and pleasing the drinkers with pints of real ale and plates of stupendous venison Scotch eggs, as well as bringing the house down with its thumping Sunday roasts – although the knowledgeably curated 200-bin wine list would put most local pubs to shame. The Harwood Arms has also been alma mater to some impressive names, including Sally Abe and James Cochran. 

Iain MacKenzie saw promise in an elegant yet neglected 18th and 19th century street in the heart of Glasgow's Merchant City, and had a clear vision to transform this space into a trendsetting cafe. Iain brought with him his pioneering spirit and even the very first cappuccino machine to hit the city. The Cafe Gandolfi has made several changes since it first opened in 1979, but remains a firm favourite of Glasgow's residents.

Start off with snacks of Freedom Bakery sourdough bread and house butter, and leek and manchego croquettes with aioli, as you choose a selection of small plates. You can enjoy small plates as starters, sides, or tapas style mains. These dishes include burrata paired with chargrilled peach, chilli and basil, tempura courgette flowers with whipped ricotta, lemon and mind, and nduja scotch eggs with almond. Bigger plates include some Scottish twists on dishes, including nduja mince and tatties three ways (smoked, mash and shoestring), and the Perthshire girolle tagliatelle made with egg yolk and crispy sage.

If you're not finished with ordering, try the Isle of Wight tomato panzanella with basil and pickled shallot, or the charred green Caesar with candied walnuts and parmesan. For dessert, there are some fantastic options. The chocolate nemesis cake is perfect for a sweet tooth, as is the caramel shortcake. A perfect balance of fruity and indulgent, the rhubarb creme brulee would be super tasty, and if you prefer a savoury last course, try the Baron Bigod with toasted brioche, black pepper and apricot.

The breakfast menu is served week long, and includes the eggs Hebridean with two poached eggs atop a muffin with Stornoway black pudding and hollandaise, a bacon flatbread, and brioche French toast with bacon and maple syrup.

Sea Containers Restaurant has become an integral part of London’s iconic South Bank. This relaxed restaurant, housed on the ground floor of the eponymous lifestyle hotel, is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch or dinner by the river. The terrace out front is ideal for taking in the view, although the restaurant’s large windows ensure that the interior is just as good. The restaurant itself was designed by the one and only Tom Dixon and is decorated with quirky and modern pieces. The food, meanwhile, celebrates seasonality, focusing on the finest ingredients and simple but elegant plating.  

Since the restaurant’s terrace faces south, it can be enjoyed throughout the day. That being said, we would argue brunch is one of the best meals to enjoy in the sun. Here, there is a huge choice of options, with optional bottomless drinks if you are so inclined. Classics like avocado toast, shakshuka and smoked salmon bagels are up for grabs, alongside more lavish entries like steamed mussels with a potato baguette and mac and cheese with pulled pork.

The all-day menu also has plenty of choice, ensuring everyone can find something they will enjoy. Start off with the likes of Padron peppers or even oysters, ideal for a celebration meal. From there, the small plates include elegant dishes like seabass ceviche tacos, roast beef carpaccio and juniper cured salmon with elderflower and focaccia. The larger plates are of a similar ilk, with options like halibut with fennel, pea and fish veloute. For those pulling out all the stops, there are the fruits de mer, which showcases lobster, tiger prawns, scallop ceviche, dressed crab and oysters. To drink, there is a short range of summery house cocktails and spritzes to sip on in the sun, as well as various wines by the glass and bottle.

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).

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.

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.

Lead 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 AA Restaurant of the Year for England in 2016, 3 AA Rosettes, and a Michelin Green Star.

The latter of those is down to the restaurant's 15-acre smallholding, which the restaurant uses to produce a huge range of fruits and vegetables, as well as micro herbs and edible flowers. The farm itself employs a 'no dig' method and is run in a completely organic way. There are no chemicals used - instead the farm opts for physical and biological solutions to pests.

All that homegrown produce - alongside meat, fish and seafood sourced from local fishermen and farmers - goes straight onto 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, with 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 seame, and damson soufflé with yoghurt and almond milk. 

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

Islington remains one of London's most transient restaurant areas - new projects come and go here like passing ships, but Frederick's remains resolutely in its rightful place on Camden Passage. This beloved Islington institution has been here for over 50 years now, and customers (some of whom have visited for a number of decades) will all tell you - it's as good as it always has been. 

The unassuming frontage doesn't give any clues as to what to expect on the inside. Frederick's has a gorgeous, airy courtyard dining room that doubles as a conservatory. The domed glass roof bathes the restaurant in light, and there are planters with bushes and trees among the tables. In the summer, we'd venture that this is one of London's most delightful dining rooms.

Frederick's serves a smart modern European menu full of well-executed classics. Starters include Frederick’s gazpacho with basil sorbet, dressed Colchester crab with avocado, pickled ginger, fennel and radish salad, alongside feta, pear, baby spinach and pomegranate salad. 

There's a focus on quality meat and fish dishes among the mains such as Welsh lamb chop with mint sauce and organic Scottish salmon with new potatoes and chargrilled broccoli, but there's also a separate vegetarian menu as well. Desserts like pistachio creme brulee and cinnamon beignets with cinnamon cream are worth saving space for. It's also important to mention that the wine list is equally well curated, with a mix of affordable and fine wines from Europe and the new world. 

If you love Frederick's so much that you'd like to be the backdrop of an important event, then you're in luck as the team are well equipped to deal with celebratory bookings. 

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.

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.

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. 

The French Horn is family-owned and has been run by the Emmanuel family since 1972, who provide a warm, welcoming embrace to everyone who walks through the door. But the history of the restaurant extends even before that. It has sat on the River Thames for over 200 years and has remained a traditional, popular hotel and dining venue.

To start your meal try the simple fresh crab salad or beetroot carpaccio with a sesame cream. There are starters of pan-fried foie gras on an orange bake with a hibiscus sauce and a lobster salad with fennel puree. What to kick it up a notch? Well then you should order the oscietra caviar. There are a solid number of fish and shellfish dishes to choose from, including a whole Dover sole and classic lobster thermidor, along with fresh Dublin Bay prawns that have been breaded, deep fried and come served with a tartar sauce. From the meat and game section you may be drawn in by the veal cutlet with a wasabi crust and wild garlic sauce, or the half spit-roasted duck with an apple puree, dry sage seasoning and rich duck sauce. For two, try the chateaubriand that has been roasted and served with a béarnaise sauce.

The dessert trolley is a spectacular event not to be missed, and comes with so many tasty options that one choice may not be enough. There's a popular creme brulee and peanut and caramel souffle, along with a classic bread and butter pudding topped with fresh vanilla custard, and a pineapple carpaccio. If you prefer a lighter finish to your meal, order the sorbet or a coffee with a selection of homemade sweets and biscuits.

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.

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.

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.

Not all curries are crafted alike, and the contrast between a good and a great curry is a tremendous one, says the team at Mint & Mustard. Say goodbye to middle market curries, as Mint & Mustard has been setting a higher standard for Indian dining in this country since 2007. Here, the team doesn't use shortcuts and easy fixes, committed to doing things the right way. Their recipes stay true to their roots, featuring wholesome natural ingredients and classical cooking techniques. In their kitchens, their dedicated chefs craft every dish from scratch with love and passion for their craft, ensuring an unparalleled dining experience, true to Indian cuisine.

Enjoy a symphony of flavours at Mint & Mustard, a curry house in the heart of Penarth, where each dish is a masterpiece of spices, sauces and exquisite tastes. Begin with starters such as cauliflower florets marinated in a hot and spicy masala, served with mango chutney, or the southern style spiced soft shell crab, deep fried to a crisp perfection and accompanied by a Mint & Mustard lightly spiced crab cake.

The soulful curries tell tales of tradition and taste. The highway dhaba murg features succulent chicken enveloped in a thick onion and tomato masala, seasoned with a medley of Indian spices. The Punjabi classic, chana masala, showcases chickpeas simmered in tea leaves and an aromatic sauce. For tandoori enthusiasts, the chicken tandoori awaits – a succulent half chicken marinated with coriander, lemon juice, and turmeric, served with a makhani dipping sauce and masala fries. Mint & Mustard invites you to enjoy the authentic and aromatic flavours of Indian cuisine.

With a two people minimum, there is also a special tasting menu, with the option to add on wine pairing. You'll get a selection of starters, a middle course, several main courses, accompaniments and desserts.

The Gingerman is the flagship restaurant of The Gingerman Restaurant Group (also The Ginger Pig, The Ginger Fox and The Flint House) and can be found on Norfolk Square close to the seafront in Brighton. This intimate restaurant offers uncomplicated, seasonal food that celebrates classic British flavours and ingredients with both a la carte and tasting menus available. The Gingerman Group was originally set up by Ben McKellar (aka the ginger chef) and wife and business partner Pamela McKellar with its Brighton branch now considered one of the best restaurants in the area. Ben McKellar was born and raised in Brighton, and previously worked in the kitchen at two Michelin-starred L’Ortolan in Berkshire before launching his successful restaurant enterprise. 

The food offers plenty of familiar flavours, with each plate executed exceptionally well and always using the best ingredients. The tasting menu is where guests are able to sample a curated selection of some of The Gingerman’s very best dishes with examples including goats curd and thyme tortellini with hazelnut, celery, morel mushrooms and crosnes, pan roast stone sea bass with fennel, courgette, squid ink, bisque and mushrooms and loin of south downs lamb with black tea, aubergine, braised neck and grape. For dessert, there is rhubarb parfait (if it’s in season!) with roasted rhubarb honey and bee pollen ice cream. The tasting menu comprises a total of five courses and must be taken by the whole table, but a dedicated vegetarian menu is also available for any meat-free eaters.  

The décor inside is cosy and welcoming, with studded leather banquet seating creating a relaxed feel to the room, and amplified by exposed red brick wall, wooden furniture and golden lighting.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

The boathouse steak restaurant has a waterside terrace for an enviable dose of alfresco dining with a view of one of London’s oldest Plane trees. The restaurant boasts a stunning 360 view of Richmond Bridge and Petersham Meadows from its panoramic glass windowing. Order a superb bottle of Argentina Barbera red while you watch the sun go down and wait for your Pampas-reared cut of beef to arrive with a peppercorn sauce and humitas. Or if you fancy a different pairing, Gaucho has an extensive list of some of the best Argentinian bottles, including their own collection from the Mendoza region, plus some fantastic international wines from France, Spain, and more.

The food is on another level at this steakhouse, with sumptuous prime cuts of well-sourced beef and regional delights such as crumbly, buttery empanadas and ceviches. The meats come in a wonderful variety of cuts and weights, or you can opt to share a platter of meats for the table. For dessert, treat yourself to a dulce de leche pudding.

Gaucho is an excellent choice for prime steak dining amongst friends or colleagues, those special occasions that you need a memorable feast to level up, or simply to treat yourself. Whatever the occasion, Gaucho Richmond has a stunning dining room for patrons, or you can choose an event space, and there is also the option to exclusively hire the entire restaurant to comfortable seat 150 guests.

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.  

Australasia is a vibrant and contemporary looking restaurant serving a menu of Australian and Southeast Asian inspired dishes. Based in the heart of Manchester, Australasia is an elegant looking venue which has been decorated in neutral tones to reflect the Pacific Coastline.

The restaurant itself also has a cocktail bar and a resident DJ, you can head to the bar for drinks or take a seat and order from your table.

There is a lunch menu as well as an a la carte menu, you can also order afternoon tea. The main a la carte menu combines a blend of Indonesian, European and Southeast Asian dishes, which can be enjoyed “locally” which means choosing several small sharing plates to enjoy, or you can order “traditional” which means the starters are delivered to share but the main courses are individually plated.

Choose from popular dishes such as yellowfin tuna sashimi and peking duck spring rolls served with hoisin and spring onion. Other plates include dishes from the robata grill such as lemongrass chicken skewers with satay sauce, and garlic spiced prawns served with mango and lime.

Larger dishes at Australasia include a delicious sounding crispy suckling pork belly with pineapple curry, and a chicken randang spiced panco leg, served with bok choi and toasted coconut chips.

You will also find premium steaks on the menu, and plenty of sides to share such as Asian coleslaw and rough cut Kimchi chips.

Those with a sweet tooth may appreciate the chocolate coated coconut mousse, or the Fijian honey mousse cake served with black cherries, and milk honey ice cream. If you can’t decide between desserts why not go for the sharing taster selection which gives you a little bit of everything.

There is a large drinks menu which features a good selection of cocktails as well as wine, beer and soft drinks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Often regarded as one of Yorkshire’s finest eateries, The Box Tree in Ilkley is an award-winning fine dining restaurant which has now been open for over 50 years. Currently owned by executive chef Simon Gueller and his wife Rena, The Box Tree continues to be an important part of the town of Ilkley.

Set in a beautiful sand stone cottage on Ilkley’s main street, the quaint outside of the restaurant shows few clues of the smart establishment which lies within. Stepping inside, the cosy interior has the feeling of being in someone’s house rather than a restaurant; the low-ceilinged dining room has only few tables, all of which our clad in white-table cloths, meaning that meals at The Box Tree will always be intimate affairs. The walls are dotted with the odd painting and a few antiques are also on show.

Food-wise there are a variety of different menus available depending on what sort of meal you’re wanting, but the cuisine is largely Franco-European with dishes changing daily depending on seasonal availability. The standard a la carte menu features starters such as salt baked beetroot, goat’s cheese, walnut and apple, and chalk stream trout served with avocado cream, cucumber, tomato and rhubarb. Main courses might include a salt aged beef fillet served with red wine braised beef cheek, mushroom duxelle and horseradish pomme purée. Whereas for dessert you can try a prune and Armagnac soufflé or perhaps a coconut panna cotta with caramelised pineapple, meringue and vanilla ice cream.

If you want to try more than 3 courses, a six course ‘gourmand’ tasting menu is available for £85 per person. There is also a slightly cheaper lunch menu as well as a Sunday lunch available for £45 for three courses.

A huge wine list covers all corners of the globe and includes wines by the bottle, half bottle and glass.

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.

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. 

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.

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

Pied a 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. Executive chef Phil Kearsey, meanwhile, specialises in sauces, blending modern British cuisine with the use of classical French techniques. 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 to dine a la carte, or opt for six-, eight- or ten-course tasting menus. There is also a fixed lunch tasting menu, as well as vegetarian, pescatarian and plant-based options available everyday, ensuring that everyone is catered for. If you’re looking for something a bit smaller, why not pop in for the 'Lunch Express' menu, available from Thursday to Saturday, where guests can enjoy a lighter option of just four-courses.

The plates are elegant and expertly fuse French and British influences and cuisines. Examples of dishes include Cornish wild turbot with mussels, broad beans and fennel, or coal roasted langoustine with grapefruit and duck liver mignonette. Vegan dishes include the likes of roasted celeriac ‘scallop’ with pickled beetroot and caper leaves, or collard greens and basmati rice dolma with yellow carrot and star anise emulsion.

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.