The Dabbling Duck

A welcoming couple run this intimate, laid-back restaurant: Aga works out front, assisted by a friendly serving team, while Lewis heads up the kitchen. As the name suggests, it's a former bank and the old banking counter now acts as the bar. The well-balanced tasting menu comes in two forms – ‘Shorter’ and ‘Longer’ – and has a real generosity to it, using produce from their allotment and the surrounding area in ambitious dishes with numerous flavours and textures. The passionately described wine pairings are the way to go.

One meaning of the Latin word 'socius' is ‘sharing’, making it an apt name for this friendly restaurant that's best enjoyed with a group of friends and family so you can give the menu a thorough going over. The barn-like space is bright and airy, with seating on either a steel-framed mezzanine level or the smart ground floor where you can watch the chefs at work. The flexible, constantly evolving menu draws on a range of influences for the unfussy, flavoursome small plates – among which are a good selection of vegetarian choices.

Bakery