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Opheem

★★ Michelin££££Indian, Contemporary

Locally born and bred chef-owner Aktar Islam has fashioned a wonderful dining experience at this ever-developing restaurant. A spacious bar and sitting room are cleverly used as a space in which to enjoy snacks and a drink before heading to the dining room and its open kitchen. The series of flavoursome, excellently spiced and carefully balanced dishes are creative, modern takes on Indian recipes – such as the Lucknow-inspired 'Gajar' that showcases the extraordinary diversity of the humble carrot. Well-chosen wines from the excellent sommelier are on-hand to accompany.

The Boat

★ Michelin££££Modern British

Over the years, this smart roadside hostelry has evolved into a proper dining destination. The on-site ‘micro farm’ provides many of the top-drawer ingredients on the menu, while trusted local producers supply the rest. All of them are treated with a skilled, detailed approach by Chef Liam Dillon and his team, resulting in the likes of tender Staffordshire venison with smoked beetroot or Amalfi lemon parfait with their own fragrant honey. The whole experience is elevated by smooth, engaging service and dish descriptions from the chefs.

Upstairs by Tom Shepherd

★ Michelin££££Modern Cuisine

Located in the centre of Lichfield above his father's jewellery shop, this clever conversion provides a warm, relaxing space to show off the eponymous chef’s talents. It’s a deservedly popular place, offering short and long tasting menus that feature impressive dishes where flavour is to the fore and every ingredient has a purpose. Desserts are a highlight and could include the likes of 72% Araguani chocolate with crème fraîche, pecan, caramel and sherry. The attentive, enthusiastic staff genuinely love their restaurant – and you will too.

The Wilderness

★ Michelin££££Modern Cuisine

With its dark and moody colour scheme, informal vibe and rocking soundtrack, this excellently run restaurant brings something a little different to the Birmingham food scene. Chef Alex Claridge is known for the originality of his cooking, which is always underpinned by superb ingredients (often aged in-house) and clever balancing of both flavours and textures. Stand-out dishes could include a take on brioche bread and butter pudding with barbecued brassicas, or a delicate dessert of smoked chocolate and prunes. Accompany your menu with either an interesting wine flight or creative non-alcoholi

Adam's

★ Michelin£££Seafood, Oyster Specialities

Adam Stokes’ elegant restaurant feels like it’s been part of the Birmingham dining scene forever. It’s a luxurious place with an art-deco-cum-retro style that includes a smart cocktail bar and a plush dining room. The cooking seamlessly mixes tradition and modernity, offering tried-and-tested combinations in dishes you will recognise in name, but served in ways you’ve probably never encountered. That being said, the primary flavours are left uncrowded, with nothing extraneous on the plate. An impressive wine selection adds to the appeal.

Duncombe Arms

必比登££gastro

Owners Johnny and Laura Greenall were sad to see the hub of their local village shut its doors, so in 2012 they bought it, smartened it up and reopened it as a stylish dining pub – and it’s been a hit ever since. It’s an attractive place with a delightful terrace and a neighbouring red-brick barn which houses luxurious bedrooms that look out over the fields. The gutsy, keenly priced cooking routinely shows the kitchen's deft skills, from the subtle spicing of a café de Paris butter to the luscious filling of a classic custard tart.

Cantaloupe

必比登££Modern Cuisine

There’s a fresh, clean feel to both the décor and the cooking at this welcoming little wine bar and restaurant. The concise but appealing wine list will appeal to traditional oenophiles, with quality established growers to the fore. The menu has a Mediterranean leaning, so whilst it changes daily, it will likely include a pasta dish and possibly some whole fish. This is cooking that relies on simplicity and skill, with immense care poured into dishes like peri peri octopus and duck fat crisps, so that the natural flavours shine.

Tropea

必比登££Italian

The Italian ethos of uncluttered, straightforwardly delicious cooking is alive and well at this bright neighbourhood restaurant. Let the staff guide you when it comes to ordering the sharing plates, but you're sure to be satisfied by any of the terrific homemade pastas plus the beautifully balanced cannoli to finish. The Italian wine list is as fabulously well-priced as the food, and the buzzing atmosphere and friendly service add to the appeal. It's easy to see why the place is so popular.

Lunar

£££Modern Cuisine

Housed in the former staff canteen of the ‘World of Wedgwood’, this vast restaurant is named after The Lunar Society of which Josiah Wedgwood himself was a founding member. Naturally, fine Wedgwood china and tableware is a feature – as are prime British ingredients. The hidden bar is a great place for a drink and the chef’s table looks through a large window into the kitchen so you can get a good view of the team in action. Do take the time to immerse yourself in the amazing visitor experience as a whole.

Little Seeds

£££Modern British

Little Seeds has a bright, fresh, natural look with green walls, foliage and rustic, upcycled furniture. A smattering of cookery books adds to the homely feel – and there’s a walled garden and drinks terrace out the back too. Great quality regional ingredients are used to create eye-catching British dishes with the occasional playful touch. The popular Sunday lunch menu features roast Staffordshire beef.

The Bear Inn

££Modern British

In the spot where there was once a 16C coaching inn, now sits this smart, modern gastropub hidden away in the Shropshire countryside. A welcoming and homely atmosphere accompanies stylishly presented food that’s full of hearty flavours. The menu is rooted in English classics with occasional international influences, and some of the produce could scarcely be more local, coming from the gardens of nearby Hodnet Hall.

Wild Shropshire

££££Modern British

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.

Docket Restaurant

££££Modern British

Stuart and Frances Collins spent many years working overseas before moving to this old Shropshire market town to open their popular neighbourhood restaurant, sandwiched between two shops on the high street. Their travels are reflected in Stuart's cooking, which comes in the form of a tasting menu and takes an imaginative approach while being underpinned by his strong classical technique. Frances runs the efficient service with a smile and her enthusiastic team follow suit.

The Flintlock

£££Modern Cuisine

Set inside a fine stone building overlooking a peaceful canal, this spacious, elegant restaurant is packed with charm. There are period features aplenty across the sitting area and the two dining rooms, where the self-taught chef serves dishes with a modern approach. Hake with fermented lettuce is something of a favourite, as are the fabulous Parker House roles, and puddings are a highlight too. Sweet, engaging service makes a visit all the more enjoyable, as does a stroll along the canal before dining.

La Popote

££Classic French

Tucked away in the Cheshire countryside, La Popote is one of several businesses occupying a centuries-old former farm, and the red-brick converted barn in which it's situated has retained a warm, rustic touch thanks to its brick floors and exposed beams. The owners spent several years working in Paris and this is evident with one scan of the menu, where you'll spot the likes of coq au vin, cassoulet and clafoutis. Classical techniques underpin the cooking, while there's a subtle modernity in the presentation. Service is friendly and assured.

The Walrus

£££Modern British

Young chef-owners Ben and Carla run this two-floored restaurant in Ben’s hometown; start with a drink in the upstairs bar, then watch them both in action in the open kitchen. Ambitious modern cooking delivers an intriguing blend of pronounced flavours and contrasting textures, and makes great use of Shropshire’s larder.

🕐 We-Sa 17:30-21:00; PH off

Lighthouse Restaurant

££££Modern British

The Lighthouse acts a culinary beacon in the Derbyshire countryside. A sweet, intimate restaurant, it provides a platform for the self-taught chef's ambitious seasonal cooking, which is presented as either a tasting menu or midweek 'Grazing Menu'. The latter offers great value for money and is designed for sharing, providing a shorter, more relaxed dining experience. Whichever menu you enjoy, look out for the fantastic, Thai-inspired coconut and chilli broth. A good selection of keenly priced wines accompanies.

LI~LY by Aiden Byrne

££££Modern British

This black-and-white timbered building is reputedly over 400 years old, but you wouldn’t know it from the smart, contemporary interior with a wonderfully bright feel. It’s the latest venture from experienced chef Aiden Byrne, who here offers his brand of detailed, eye-catchingly presented cooking via a tasting menu of technically adept dishes such as cured scallop with golden beetroot and white currant. Byrne delivers some of the dishes himself, at which point you will notice his infectious enthusiasm shining through.

Larder Brasserie and Grill

££Modern Cuisine

‘All flavour, no pomp’ is the tagline at this relaxed, warmly run restaurant – and that’s exactly what you’ll get. Sit in the boldly decorated first floor restaurant or book a seat at the chefs table to be close to the action. Attractively presented modern dishes are sure to satisfy.

The Jolly Gardeners

££Traditional Cuisine

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.

Noted

££Modern Cuisine

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.

Arkle

££££Modern Cuisine

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.

Upstairs at the Grill

£££Meats and Grills

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.

Next Door

£££British Contemporary

A family business has been run on this 17th-century premises for three generations. For many years it was a butcher's shop, the current incarnation of which now sits two doors down, and today Sommelier Vicki has taken on the mantle to run it as this sweet restaurant with her husband Richard. His dishes are founded on excellent quality ingredients, from both specialist suppliers and their own butcher's – like supremely flavoursome Welsh Black beef. Low-ceilinged rooms and exposed beams add to the charm.

Deacon's Bank

£££Modern British

A former bank has been lovingly and carefully restored to provide a home for this restaurant in the bustling Peak District town of Chapel-en-le-Frith. It’s now a laid-back, charmingly run place that the area can be proud of, serving ambitious dishes with a creative edge – such as a deconstructed version of a bouillabaisse. If you’re an indecisive diner, opt for the tasting menu; if you like things more relaxed, come at lunch for more pub-influenced dishes like fish pie and grilled pork chop. Two beautifully appointed apartments sit above the restaurant.

🕐 Mo,Tu Off; We 17:00+; Th-Sa 12:00+; Su 12:00+

Where The Light Gets In

£££Modern British

This large, loft-style restaurant is located on the top floor of a Victorian coffee warehouse and its open kitchen truly feels like part of the room. The set sharing menu is based on seasonal British produce and often incorporates foraged ingredients; this combines with a low-waste ethos that involves using a range of pickles and ferments. Walk-ins are available at the kitchen counter, where you can enjoy low-intervention wines and bar snacks. The same team run Yellowhammer, a bakery and pottery studio just around the corner, which provides both excellent sourdough and tableware for the restau

Lovage

££££Modern British

In the heart of a historic market town, famed for its puddings and tarts, you'll find this cosy restaurant located inside a former stable block. That past occupation makes itself known in the wonderfully rustic décor with wood-panelled walls, exposed brickwork and beamed ceilings. The chatty, informative team are sure to put a smile on your face as they enthusiastically explain the modern dishes made up of quality local ingredients and featuring classic combinations like roasted beetroot with goat's cheese. The team also run a more casual coffee shop next door.

Folium

£££Modern British

Situated in the city's Jewellery Quarter, this smart restaurant is decked out in minimalist-chic style, with neutral tones and pot plants adding a soothing touch. It's run largely by a two-person team: Ben is in the kitchen and the warm, genial Lucy is out front. The cooking, like the interior design, is modern in its approach and allows Ben’s personality to shine through in the flavours and presentation. His short and long tasting menus change with the seasons and the lunchtime option offers value for money.

Albatross Death Cult

££££Seafood

It is key, when structuring your restaurant around a kitchen counter, that you provide an engaging, relaxing experience for your guests. This is something that is perfectly understood by the team at this eye-catchingly named restaurant, inspired by the albatross in Coleridge's 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'. Everyone, from the chefs to the sommelier, is full of enthusiasm and confidently chats away with diners throughout the experience. The food itself carries a heavy Japanese influence, with the tasting menu consisting almost entirely of pared-back preparations spotlighting top-notch seafo

Trillium

£££Modern Cuisine

Chef Glynn Purnell brings all of his experience to bear on this restaurant in a newer part of the city surrounded by gleaming skyscrapers. The fluid menu is overflowing with appealing snacks, small plates and sharing platters, starting with the signature Trillium milk loaf with malt vinegar and chicken fat, followed by the likes of juicy Tamworth pork chop with a light salsa verde and full-toned manchego. The well-versed team are happy to make recommendations, while the impressive wine list offers variety and depth of quality.

Asha's

£££indian

Renowned Indian singer, actress and gourmet Asha Bhosle is the eponymous driving force behind a string of international restaurants, including this stylish, passionately run and deservedly packed spot in the heart of Birmingham. The extensive menus cover most parts of the Indian Subcontinent, with tandoori kebabs a speciality and no shortage of vegetarian options. Each dish is cooked with skill and provides serious flavour – such as the superior Muscat gosht, which is a recipe from Asha herself.

Land

£££Vegetarian, Asian Influences

The Great Western Arcade in the heart of the city is home to this intimate restaurant, where the chefs harness the power of plants for their creative vegetarian dishes. There's an original streak running through the seasonally evolving set menu – which is largely vegan – alongside a scattering of pan-Asian influences ranging from carrot char sui to sake lees, all executed with care and skill by the chefs. Wine flights are available to enhance the experience and the friendly service team will see to your every need.

BALOCI

££Asian and Western

An elegant Georgian townhouse has been given a bold and blingy makeover for this opulent restaurant, where the décor blends rich, plush furnishings with flashes of shiny gilt. The cooking is self-described as ‘Indo-Persian’ and indeed the menu is an enticing melting pot of influences, including those from Afghanistan, Turkey and Balochistan. The tasting menu will allow you to try a broader range of cuisines, but if you’re going à la carte then keep an eye out for the Sultani lamb chops, which melt in the mouth and are enhanced by their subtle spicing.

Cuubo

££Modern British

Adding to the growing food scene in the Birmingham suburb of Harborne is this Kickstarter-funded spot from a local chef. The space is small and stylish, with the feel of a contemporary bistro, while the contented diners and lively soundtrack combine to bring a pleasant buzz to the atmosphere. The menu is proudly British and fiercely seasonal, coming across in well-crafted dishes like a wonderful frozen rhubarb dessert with peanut brittle and vanilla ice cream. The cooking is all the better for its absence of unnecessary frippery.

Restaurant ÖRME

£££Modern British

You will find a pleasantly welcoming quality at this small restaurant run by three young owners. There’s a distinct Nordic touch to proceedings – think clean, simple décor and an on-view kitchen – yet British produce is at the heart of the appealing menus, which include tasting options, an à la carte and Sunday roasts. Attractively presented dishes offer bold, vibrant flavours with a mix of the classic and the modern in their influences. Wine flights are also available, including a particularly interesting British-themed option.

The Peacock at Rowsley

£££Modern British

Occupying a prime corner site near the River Derwent, this foliage-clad former manor house is an inviting prospect as soon as you lay eyes on it. Inside, oak ‘Mousey Thompson’ furnishings and antique oil paintings are juxtaposed with modern lighting and contemporary art. The menus offer a broad spectrum, from light lunch bites like sandwiches, salads and ploughman’s, to a full dinner tasting menu with wine pairings – plus afternoon tea and Sunday roasts. Stay overnight in one of the antique-furnished bedrooms, then spend the next day exploring the Peak District.

The Pack Horse

££Modern British

Real ales and regular quiz nights help this traditional stone pub to remain a true village local, where you’ll find walkers and cyclists having a pint in the sunshine out front. The cooking has a similarly classic outlook, with hearty pub dishes executed with a refined touch. Look out for the top-quality meats in the lunchtime grill section or on weekly ‘Charcoal Nights’ – plus the Manchester Egg snack, which has become something of a signature. Characterful open fires mix with warm, contemporary décor, while the genuinely warm and friendly team offer effusive service.

Bryn Williams at Theatr Clwyd

££Modern British

Another success from the eponymous restaurateur, this modern British brasserie sits on the first floor of the Theatr Clwyd performing arts centre, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer wonderful views of the Clwydian Range mountains. Welsh produce is the bedrock of the sensibly priced menu, including Williams’ own pedigree Welsh Black beef, which you could find in both crisp, flavoursome croquettes and a beef, onion and mushroom pie to share. The friendly service team run the place smoothly with a welcoming charm.

670 Grams

£££Creative, Innovative

Located inside a historic former custard factory, this strikingly designed restaurant is dripping in punkish spirit. The music is turned up loud, the walls are covered in graffiti and the monochrome palette ensures there's a sense of style throughout. In the kitchen, the chefs often go in a similarly idiosyncratic direction, offering a daily tasting menu full of creative, playful dishes with intriguing flavour combinations and contrasts in textures and temperatures. The concise wine list includes a pleasingly strong choice by the glass.

The Blind Bull

££Modern Cuisine

Lucky Little Hucklow having a pub like this. The residents of this tiny village high up in the Peak District are fortunate to live near such a beautifully restored 12th-century inn. It's spread over two floors with an open kitchen upstairs and a rustic, cosy feel throughout. The concise menu moves with the seasons and incorporates international influences for some extra punch. If you want time to explore the nearby walking routes, book one of the lovely bedrooms in The Old Piggery, with the ground-floor rooms being dog-friendly.

Stones Restaurant

£££Modern British

Negotiate the steep steps down to this small riverside restaurant and you’ll be rewarded with a warm, welcoming atmosphere courtesy of your fellow contented diners and the lovely team. The well-kept front room features floor-to-ceiling windows, while the delightful rear terrace is in prime position for views of the River Derwent. The cooking doesn’t reinvent the wheel but nor does it need to – instead, the chefs confidently execute classic combinations of high-quality ingredients, resulting in satisfyingly flavoursome dishes.

Darleys

££Modern Cuisine

Located in the old canteen of a 19th-century silk mill, Darleys is a stylish place with eye-catching décor and a pleasantly light feel. It also sits beside the river, so ask for a table either on the narrow terrace or beside the window on the upper level to make the most of the great view out over the weir. The appealing, generously proportioned cooking covers all bases: a few small and large plates ideal for sharing; produce cooked over the wood fire, be it chicken or aubergine; some pasta dishes; and a wide choice of steaks, including tomahawk for two.