The Blue House

Self-taught chef James Sherwin’s dream came true when he opened this endearing restaurant that’s the epitome of field-to-fork dining. Micro-seasonal produce is grown on their Wild Shropshire farm before being fashioned into a daily changing surprise menu for a maximum of 14 guests. There’s a Japanese influence throughout the harmoniously flavoured dishes, including ingredients like furikake, koji and yuzu, as well as a sake pairing. The passionate, welcoming team offer lovely, personable service.

Sitting a short walk from the city centre, this 1850s-era pub blends in with Chester’s historic architecture thanks to its red-brick and mock-Tudor exterior. It’s received a top-to-toe refurbishment in recent years, with a proper pubby feel remaining in the downstairs bar thanks to its wood panelling, flagged floors and open fires – plus regularly changing ales on tap of course. The first-floor dining rooms are the place to go for wholesome British dishes with a few nods to the Mediterranean. For dessert, look out for the soda bread treacle tart.

One of several eateries run by chef-restaurateur Andrew Sheridan, this Chester operation was inspired by the fact Sheridan’s first job in a professional kitchen was right here in this historic city. Just six tables make up Noted’s intimate dining room, where the menu is designed for sharing and focuses on British produce mixed with a range of international flavours, be that prawn toast bao bun or crab arancino. On Sundays, the kitchen looks back to the 1980s for inspiration and serves a sharing-style roast dinner.

A fine, Grade II building, The Chester Grosvenor hotel has stood in the heart of the city since the 19th century, and its signature restaurant – named after a famous racehorse – is decked out in the same kind of classically formal elegance the hotel is known for. The menus highlight the best of British produce, from Isle of Wight tomatoes to Herdwick hogget, and the modern dishes are flavoursome and eye-catchingly presented. Extend your evening with a drink in the chic cocktail lounge.

Inspired by the steakhouses of New York, Upstairs at the Grill has a chic yet cosy atmosphere, courtesy of its mix of modern and retro elements. Prime quality steaks include porterhouse and bone-in fillet or rib-eye; the 5-week dry-aged cuts are from premium Welsh beef, and various rare breeds are sourced from around the world.