££Modern British
Situated inside the smartly refurbished Francis Hotel, this luxurious brasserie stylishly blends its elegant mouldings and traditional features with a modern open kitchen and counter seating. The kitchen proudly follows the seasons – look out for the catch of the day from St. Mawes market – and incorporates enticing Mediterranean touches. Dishes like red mullet with an intense yet fresh-tasting crab risotto showcase everything this kitchen is good at. For dessert, choose from the menu or go old school and pick whichever cake most entices you from the trolley.
🕐 Mo-Su 12:00-23:00
££Vegetarian, Vegan
An eco-conscious ethos is the guiding light for this unpretentious bistro and its original vegetarian and vegan dishes. When dining in the front part of the restaurant, you'll find shelves adorned with ingredients from their allotment just outside the city – which provides around 40% of their produce. The well-priced small plates are designed for sharing, with the kitchen's knack for using complementary flavours and textures on show in the likes of Jerusalem artichoke with ajo blanco and apple & shallot vinaigrette. A five-course ‘feasting menu’ is available at dinner if you're feeling indecis
££Japanese
This skilfully run Japanese restaurant takes its inspiration from 19C author Kanagaki Robun, who is credited with introducing barbecued food to Japan. The cooking reflects his influence, with dishes from the robata grill forming the central part of a menu that is distinguished by fresh produce and an authentic approach. Excellent sushi and a strikingly presented afternoon tea also stand out on the vast menu.
££Modern British
A former Georgian greenhouse has been transformed into this light, airy restaurant with whitewashed walls, a vaulted ceiling and a feature wall decorated with over 90 green plates. The concise all-day menu comprises a range of sharply executed dishes that showcase the kitchen’s ability to hold back and let their quality produce do the talking – such as the megrim sole with Café de Paris butter. Window counter seats are held back for walk-ins and it’s worth buying some wine from their sister operation, Beckford Bottle Shop, which you can enjoy with your meal for a generous corkage. Service is s
££Mediterranean Cuisine
Landrace itself is an artisan bakery, which specialises in sourdough bread from stoneground British grains; if you can tear yourself away from the delicious aroma of the baking, head upstairs and you'll find this simply decorated restaurant with a pleasantly bright feel. The daily menu lists seasonal British dishes which are carefully cooked and full of rustic flavours, utilising produce from Brixham turbot to Scottish porcini. The bread and butter to start is, of course, a highlight and you may even consider ordering a second portion.
££££Modern Cuisine
This tiny, highly likeable restaurant has a relaxed, cheerful feel, which is a reflection of its easy-going Chef-Owner. The room is dominated by an open kitchen, where you can watch Gordon preparing creative, complex dishes. The daily changing surprise menu delivers punchy flavour combinations and several playful elements. He serves many of the dishes himself and chats with guests, adding to the feel that this is a very personal operation.
£££Modern Cuisine
18th-century writer and women’s education advocate Elizabeth Montagu lends her name to this restaurant set inside the old carriage houses of her former home. The estate is now the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa and an extensive garden separates the main hotel from the restaurant, making for a lovely early evening stroll in good weather. The menu showcases seasonal produce from the south west, such as Somerset lamb, with the quality of the ingredients shining through in well-honed and attractive dishes.
££££Modern British
This elegant restaurant is housed inside a charming country house hotel of the same name, which boasts an immaculately kept rear garden and a delightful terrace that makes the perfect spot for an aperitif. The seasonal à la carte showcases the kitchen’s skills, offering quality British produce – like Wiltshire lamb loin – in carefully executed dishes. Ingredient combinations are well thought-out and dishes are always full of flavour.
££££Modern Cuisine
Fitting in nicely among a parade of independent shops in the west of the city, this intimate operation holds just three tables. The set menu features plenty of prime seafood like hand-dived Orkney scallops and succulent wild turbot, alongside meats such as best end of lamb. This seasonal produce is often accompanied by subtle international flavours and an edge of modernity, but a classical French base is never far away. France dominates the wine list too, with small-scale producers pushed to the fore, many of which are organic and biodynamic.
£££Traditional British
It’s hard not to like this handsome Bath stone pub with character to spare, set opposite a medieval church in a sleepy Cotswolds village. It’s a family-run affair with Chef-Owner Robert Allcock proudly preparing an extensive menu that flirts with creativity but remains pleasingly rich in traditional pub favourites. Fishcakes, sausage and mash, steak and kidney pie – when you're in need of something hearty and robustly flavoured, this is the place to come. To finish, it's hard to look past the selection of homemade ice creams.
££Modern British
The Bunch of Grapes might be the oldest pub in this historic town but it now comes with an appealing modern edge and a deli selling tempting treats. Downstairs has a pubby feel, while upstairs has more of a restaurant vibe, and you can have anything from a burger to an ambitious tasting menu.
££Modern British
The titular garden is that of the exquisite Lucknam Park, one of the finest country house hotels in all the land. Hidden within the carefully manicured hedges, behind the 18th-century manor house, is this inviting, glass-enclosed brasserie. Sit on the gorgeous terrace or at oversized, marble-topped tables in the bright, pristine dining room and choose from a concise selection of vibrant, proudly executed dishes underpinned by textbook culinary technique. Pastas, risottos and freshly fired pizzas add to the Mediterranean vibe, while the day boat fish is hard to resist.