Bredon 最佳餐厅

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.

Lumière

★ Michelin££££Modern Cuisine

In the centre of this charming spa town you’ll find an unassuming exterior concealing an elegantly stylish restaurant. Helen runs the service and she’s a natural host, so you’ll be warmly welcomed and well looked after. Her experienced husband Jon runs things in the kitchen and his overtly seasonal cooking demonstrates impressive classical technique and attention to detail, exemplified by the expertly cooked venison with a rich red wine sauce. His more playful side comes out in the crowd-pleasing signature 'Tequila Slammer' sorbet.

Le Champignon Sauvage

★ Michelin££££french

For over 35 years, David and Helen Everitt-Matthias have been serving the Cheltenham dining scene with this spacious restaurant. David is in the kitchen crafting technically sound dishes that, as the restaurant's name would suggest, have one foot firmly in France. Your visit will be book-ended by a terrific bread basket and a delicious dessert; the latter has long been a real strength here, so look out for a cheesecake or chocolate delice to satisfy your sweet tooth. The wine list has plenty of depth and, like the food, is pleasantly well-priced.

🕐 We-Sa 12:30-13:30,19:30-20:45

33 The Homend

★ Michelin£££Modern British

You'll find an abundance of homespun charm at this sweet, cosy restaurant run by a husband-and-wife team. Elizabeth warmly welcomes you into the 18th-century, Grade II listed building, while her husband James works alone in the kitchen. His concise menu is a masterclass in naturally delicious cooking that is free of frippery. Ingredients are sourced from trusted suppliers and delivered with excellent complementary flavours, be it Salcombe crab with punchy romesco or in-season deer with a deep, intensely flavoured faggot.

The Royal Oak

★ Michelin£££Modern British

There's no shortage of history at The Royal Oak; it's reputedly one of the oldest pubs in the country and Oliver Cromwell is said to have stayed here in 1642. A strong farm-to-fork ethos runs throughout the menu, pushing organic and wild ingredients to the fore, while game is often shot to order. Assured, understated dishes are created with obvious care and a delicate touch – most have just three or four components (cod, parsnip and dulse with a cider and tarragon sauce, for instance), which allows each first-class ingredient to really shine. Charming service helps things along nicely.

The Dining Room

★ Michelin££££Creative

There’s a serene, romantic feel to this restaurant inside the charming Whatley Manor country house, which dates back to 1802 and sports 12 acres of formal grounds. The evening starts with snacks in the kitchen, before moving through to the dining room for the main event. Terse menu descriptions belie the detail and creativity in the artfully presented dishes, which come with some intriguing contrasts of texture and flavour. Extend your visit with an overnight stay in one of the luxurious modern bedrooms.

The Whitebrook

★ Michelin££££Creative British

The very definition of a destination restaurant, this place's isolated woodland feel is part of its inherent charm, as are the nature-inspired colour theme and rustic wood flooring. Ingredients are sourced from the Wye Valley and their own kitchen garden, and are used in dishes with a creative streak. Middle White suckling pig is one of their signatures, prepared with a nose-to-tail ethos that includes a croquette of minced pig's head, an offal faggot and compressed shoulder. There’s also a particularly creative vegetarian menu. Bedrooms follow the theme of bringing nature inside.

The Cross

★ Michelin££££British Contemporary

The front bar of this charming 19th-century, Grade II listed inn makes a cosy place for a beer, while the pretty, foliage-enclosed rear terrace is great for lunch and drinks on a warm day. For dinner, sit in the back room to watch the kitchen team in action, or in the bright, airy former classroom with its eye-catching wall lamps shaped like hand bells. Chef Adam Bennett creates bold, classically based dishes which champion local produce and have been re-mastered and refined to deliver well-judged combinations of flavours and textures. For the full experience, go for the tasting menu.

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.

Grace & Savour

★ Michelin££££Modern Cuisine

Its idyllic setting is one of Grace & Savour's many draws. Housed in a relatively new building within the Hampton Manor estate, it's a simply beautiful restaurant where the historic meets the contemporary and diners can look out onto the restored Victorian kitchen garden. Some dishes are eye-catching and elaborate in their make-up, while others are defined by their simplicity, and a modern Nordic touch means you can expect plenty of preserved elements complementing the outstanding British produce – like succulent Cornish lobster. Make it an occasion by booking a bedroom.

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

Jai Ho

必比登££indian

Smart, stylish and boasting an immaculate open kitchen, this charmingly run Indian restaurant – whose name means “let there be victory” in Hindi – is a younger sibling to Cheltenham institutions Prithvi and Bhoomi Kitchen. There is a more distinct street food influence here, with the well-priced menu offering sharing plates that arrive when they’re ready. Look out for the coal-roasted dishes, including unmissable lamb chops, and the regularly changing house biryani. The desserts don’t let the side down either, with the gulab jamun a particular treat.

🕐 Tu-Su 12:00-22:00

The Inn at Welland

必比登££Modern British

Take in delightful views of the Malvern Hills from the charming terrace of this country inn, or cosy up inside the understated New England-esque dining room. There's certainly a degree of style to the place, in both the décor and the attractive presentation of the dishes, which thankfully taste as good as they look, incorporating plenty of punchy flavours like pickled enoki or a rich red wine jus. There's a generosity to the portion sizes, especially in the starters – check out the specials board for some of the best value dishes.

Horse & Groom

必比登££Traditional British

Offering a lovely overall package that includes bedrooms and a warming atmosphere, this cosy pub makes a perfect base for exploring the Cotswolds. The 19th-century building has been renovated into a fine-looking property, with a bar area where every local and their dog can have a relaxing drink. The cooking is generous in both size and flavour, with a roll-call of pub classics and stand-out desserts like the terrific apple and walnut crumble. Several themed evenings offer particularly great value for money, be it ‘pie night’ or ‘steak and a pint’.

Post

必比登££Seasonal Cuisine

A striped canopy strung with fairy lights beckons you into this delightful bottle shop and bistro where you can feel the joy and passion of the team coursing through their work. A concise, regularly changing à la carte is chalked up on the blackboard – and it makes great use of ingredients from the team’s own smallholding. With produce and cooking this good, along with sensible pricing, every penny spent brings with it bucketloads of flavour. Straightforward is the name of the game, with the likes of homemade pasta and a terrific tarte Tatin on offer.

Riverine Rabbit

必比登££local, south_african

After generating a fair amount of buzz with their pop-ups, warm and welcoming couple Ash and Erin have found a permanent home in this Birmingham suburb. Erin leads the friendly service, while Ash proudly delivers dishes from behind a kitchen counter. Her cooking is characterised by originality and bold hits of flavour, occasionally drawing on influences from her native South Africa, as well as Asian flavours ranging from tom yum to furikake. Choose between two lengths of set menu, the shorter one coming with the more wallet-friendly price tag.

🕐 Mo-Fr 18:00-22:30

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.

The Yurt at Nicholsons

必比登££Modern British

If you’re after something a little different, head to Nicholsons Nursery to have lunch in this lovely yurt – which is fashioned from upcycled materials – or in one of the themed private huts alongside. The generously sized, Mediterranean-influenced cooking is unfussy in style but propelled by bold flavours and excellent technique from the kitchen; cider-cured chalkstream trout with a brilliantly made crab bisque is a wonderful example. The confident, bright and breezy service is a natural fit for a place where you can't help but find yourself smiling.

Charlton Arms

必比登££Traditional British

Multiple terraces ensure this substantial-looking pub makes the most of its waterside location on the banks of the River Teme. Sit back and admire the view while you choose from a mightily appealing menu that mixes classic crowd-pleasers from both French and British cuisine; perhaps begin with fish soup, rouille and gruyère, followed by battered haddock and chips. These well-priced dishes are low on fuss and high on flavour, so be sure to hang around for the sticky toffee pudding too. There are cosy bedrooms upstairs and the location is great for exploring nearby Ludlow.

Eckington Manor

£££Modern Cuisine

You’ll find this proudly run 13C manor house and its collection of characterfully converted barns located on a 300 acre farm. Attractive modern dishes showcase local ingredients in ambitious combinations – and for those who want to get hands-on there’s a cookery school. Bedrooms are stylish.

5 North St

££Modern British

In a typically charming Cotswolds market town, this long-standing neighbourhood restaurant occupies a pretty little period building that packs plenty of character into a small space. Run with a smile by a husband-and-wife team, it's a welcoming place that provides plenty of comfort with its generous cooking. British ingredients, from Salcombe crab to Cornish monkfish, underpin the well-executed dishes featuring classic combinations, such as Orkney scallop with pork belly. The concise wine list offers a nicely balanced selection.

The Butchers Arms

££Modern British

A thick wooden door salvaged from an old ship leads you into this sweet rural inn where hop bines vie for space with the locals’ tankards on low exposed beams. The menu is short but packed full of top quality seasonal ingredients and honest flavours lead the way. The friendly team create a warm, friendly atmosphere, and they serve the ales straight from the keg.

JOURNEY

£££Creative

The ‘secret’ location – revealed via clues sent to you 24 hours before your reservation – is just the start of the fun at this playful and unconventional restaurant. Once inside the exclusive-feeling dining room, sit back and watch the changing projections on the wall and let yourself be immersed as each creative, complex dish arrives. The chef’s travels are a heavy influence on the dishes, as are his experiences working at the likes of Ynyshir and The Fat Duck. Plenty of punchy flavours and relaxed, well-versed service ensure the experience is an enjoyable one from start to finish.

Memsahib's Lounge

£££Indian

There’s a certain style to this two-roomed basement in a smart Georgian terrace: the colonial-themed bar offers a good range of cocktails, as well as gin and vodka infusions, while the adjoining dining room has a clubby feel, with its charcoal portraits and sepia prints. The Indian dishes are for sharing, although the 'Experience' tasting menu is perhaps the best way to go, and there are also vegetarian and pescatarian versions. They even serve an Indian-themed afternoon tea.

🕐 Mo,Tu off; We,Th 17:00-23:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-24:00; Su 12:00-18:00

Purslane

£££Modern British

Located just off the main high street, this modern restaurant has a comforting neighbourhood feel – and the service is equally relaxed. Fresh seafood from Cornwall and Scotland is combined with good quality locally sourced ingredients to produce interesting, original dishes with effective contrasts of flavour and texture. The lunch menu represents great value.

Prithvi

£££Indian

A smart, stylish restaurant with smooth service from a welcoming team; start with a drink in the first floor lounge. Dishes are inspired by classic Indian flavours and textures but are presented in a deconstructed, eye-catching modern manner. The charming owner adds to the experience.

Bhoomi Kitchen

££Indian

You’ll receive a warm welcome at this sumptuous restaurant, run by the third generation of a family who settled here from India 50 years ago. The menu is mostly southern Indian, with a particular focus on recipes from Kerala, and the dishes prove to be bright and authentic. Options like the 'Chilli Chicken', combining succulent chicken breast with a rich tomato, chilli and garlic sauce, showcase skill and flavour aplenty. If you're celebrating or simply feeling indecisive, the 'Banquet' and 'Feast' menus are a great way to go.

1919 at The Cottage in the Wood

££££Modern British

In finer weather, you must aim for a table on the terrace at this restaurant set within the famous The Cottage in the Wood hotel. Built – funnily enough – in 1919, it boasts one of the best panoramic views of the English countryside that you will find. The restaurant itself is a bright, stylish place serving both a tasting menu and an à la carte. A proudly British spirit shines through in the cooking, from the use of Exmoor caviar and Evesham asparagus to a butter sauce flavoured with English sparkling wine. The service is well-paced and the whole experience comes at a sensible price tag.

Moda

£££Modern British

In a chocolate-box Cotswolds village, a former doctor’s surgery has been converted into the House of George W. Davies hotel, named after its fashion designer owner – the man who founded Next and George at ASDA. It’s no surprise, then, that the hotel’s restaurant has a certain style, with a modern country house vibe and a distinct Nordic feel to the clean, contemporary design. The cooking offers well-balanced dishes which may look simple but come with hidden depths, as with chicken breast enhanced by a buttery jus.

The Back Garden

£££Modern British

The stylish Dormy House hotel hosts this chic and attractive restaurant; its floor-to-ceiling windows bringing the feel of the garden into the light and airy room. The concise menu offers a choice of modern dishes influenced by the Mediterranean. Locally sourced ingredients – including rare breed meats and garden produce – play their part in the flavoursome dishes.

MO

££££Modern Cuisine

Situated inside the stylish Dormy House Hotel and tucked away behind its main restaurant is this intimate dining room that features just 12 seats around a U-shaped kitchen counter. The "chef's table" style experience is well-paced and anchored by the chefs, who serve and explain their dishes with an affable air. Top quality ingredients are at the heart of the colourful, creative dishes, with some well-chosen wine pairings to accompany. Confit egg yolk with parmesan custard is something of a speciality and ever-present on the menu.

Halfway at Kineton

££Traditional British

In a tranquil Gloucestershire village sits this 17th-century mellow stone inn, which offers a warm welcome and plenty of rustic charm, from its fireplace to its exposed timber. The appealing menu of hearty, well-cooked dishes is likely to include pies, fish & chips and a choice of locally reared steaks from the grill – plus a roast on Sundays. For desserts, expect modernised versions of classic recipes like steamed puddings and crumbles. Cosy bedrooms are also available if you want to explore the area.

Hollow Bottom

££Traditional British

It doesn’t take long after you enter this welcoming pub before you notice how fiercely proud it is of its horseracing links. Don’t be surprised to see the day’s runners and riders on the TV in the memorabilia-filled bar, where you can settle in for a local ale and the ‘Nap of the Day’ lunch deal. For more substantial fare, head to the beamed dining room for classic pub dishes ranging from Scotch eggs to gammon chop. For dessert, the black treacle and date pudding provides a delightful sugar rush that will have you hurtling over the finish line.

Cowley Manor

£££Modern British

This restaurant inside a glorious Cotswolds country house hotel offers bold, vibrant cooking that’s worthy of the rather lovely setting. Start with a drink in the sleek bar, before settling in the panelled dining room that cleverly fuses its original features with more modern elements. The cooking has Mediterranean influences and uses British ingredients well, in dishes like the house-made taglioni with Cornish lobster and pickled chilli. For dessert, their fresh-out-the-oven madeleines are hard to resist.

Atrium

££££Modern Cuisine

Lords of the Manor is an appropriate name for a 17th-century Cotswolds hotel, and Atrium is an equally apt name for this restaurant located within the hotel's inner sanctum. A large skylight allows natural light to flood into the compact dining room, where diners are served a tasting menu all at the same time. The dishes come with attractive modern presentation and their greatest strength is in the natural flavours of the central ingredients, which are ably cooked by kitchen team. A wine pairing and overnight stay will make an event of your visit.

henne

£££Modern British

‘henne’ refers to Marsh Henne, the original name of the Cotswolds market town which has this likeable restaurant at its heart. Run by two friends, it's a place filled with passion and enthusiasm, with plenty of care put into dishes that are well described by the service team. Local produce is showcased on the surprise tasting menu, where the best courses have an appealing simplicity about them, like hand-dived scallops enhanced by pickled celery, apple and yuzu oil. Go for the wine pairing to complete the experience.

Sauce

£££Modern British

Something of a hidden gem, this inviting brasserie-style restaurant is situated within a Palladian country house hotel, itself secreted down the narrow lane of an attractive Cotswolds town. Chef Jamie McCallum is quietly putting all his experience to use here on straightforward yet refined dishes where each plate is pleasingly uncluttered. A superb beef Wellington shows the kitchen at its best, accompanied by a pot of deep, rich and glossy Madeira reduction. When execution is skilled and ingredients are strong, there’s little need for anything else.

The Old Butchers

££Classic Cuisine

For over two decades, The Old Butchers has been in the hands of the Robinson family – and they continue to provide first-rate hospitality in this Cotswolds market town. Louise will ensure you feel welcomed and at ease in the quirkily decorated former butcher's shop, while Peter heads up the kitchen. His menu is broad and enticing, with a feature made of the charcoal grill and a heavy helping of seafood, from Cornish scallops with piquant nduja butter to Dover sole meunière with textbook execution. It all adds up to one mightily appealing restaurant.

The Howard Arms

££Modern British

Built from golden stone quarried in the village itself, The Howard Arms is very much a part of the local community. They open at 8am for coffee and breakfast, and hearty flavours are the order of the day on the appealing menu, where pub favourites are listed alongside dishes of a more global bent. Bedrooms come in a variety of styles.

The Fox

££Modern British

Sister to The Wild Rabbit in Kingham and the Daylesford Organic Farm, this immaculately refurbished 19C Cotswold inn is bursting with style and character, boasting flagged floors, exposed stone walls and an impressive wood-fired oven. The menu covers all bases – from pizza to Hereford sirloin on the bone – and uses top quality ingredients from their estate in unfussy, generously sized, tasty combinations. Make a night of it with a stay in one of their stylish bedrooms.

Fuzzy Duck

££Modern British

Siblings Adrian and Tania – owners of toiletries company Baylis & Harding – preside over this immaculately kept pub. It was once a boarded-up boozer, but these days a loving touch and keen eye have seen it reestablished as a welcoming, fashionably attired inn with bedrooms to match. The cooking mixes timeless British pub fare, like a prawn cocktail or a Scotch egg, with more modern and playful options like the 'quack and chips' – confit duck leg with a spiced gravy and refreshing carrot and sesame salad.

The Woodsman

£££Meats and Grills

Even in the dead of winter, you’ll likely find a big crowd and a lively buzz at this well-run restaurant. It’s easy to see why it’s such a busy place, as the attentive service is joined by hearty, satisfying cooking. Dishes often revolve around wood-fired produce, be it skate wing or partridge, and there’s a proper roast dinner served on Sundays. Shakespeare fans have an extra reason to visit, as the famed playwright’s childhood classroom is located just up the road and is open to visitors.

Juliet

££Traditional Cuisine

Imagine dropping a French bistro into the Cotswolds and you’ve got something a lot like Juliet. Combining a buzzy vibe with an enthusiastic and affable team, plus delightful dishes from beyond France’s borders, it’s easy to see why the place is so popular. The menu largely sticks to the classics, providing satisfying versions of time-honoured favourites; keep an eye on the dish of the day, for treats such as cavatelli with lamb ragù. If you’re celebrating, consider booking the private Piano Bar, where a live musician will soundtrack your evening.

The Bower House

££Modern British

An appealing mixture of the vintage and the contemporary lend a certain stylishness to the décor at this smart brasserie occupying two former shops in the heart of a small market town. The attractive dishes are packed with flavour and make the most of quality British produce, as with delicious, sweet Cornish crab turned into a simple, fresh-tasting tartlet. Sit in the larger room with its comfy banquettes and copper-topped tables, then treat yourself to a stay in one of the characterful bedrooms.

Bastardo's Trattoria

£££Italian

Situated right in the centre of this historic market town and encased within glass walls on three sides, this self-described ‘illegitimate trattoria’ is a love letter to straightforward Italian cooking, fused with seasonal British ingredients. In the day, it operates as the coffee shop and bakery Ferment & Flour, before the Italian vibe takes over in the evening. Start with a couple of cicchetti before one of the stand-out homemade pastas, be that casarecce with preserved wild garlic, truffle and parmesan, or well-crafted crab agnolotti. Add in friendly service and you have a winning formula.

Daylesford Organic Farm

££Modern British

There may be Daylesford cafés spread all around London now, but this is the mothership. Found in the heart of the Cotswolds, you enter this stylishly rustic eatery through the farm shop, before dining in a choice of areas: head to the Legbar for charcuterie and nibbles, the Old Spot for pizzas and wood-roasted specials, or the main Trough Café for something a bit more substantial. Everything is organic, with much of the produce coming from the on-site farm and providing a fabulous base for the well-executed dishes – the range of beautiful salads is often the highlight.

The Wild Rabbit

££££Modern British

Just down the road from the Daylesford Farm Shop is the Bamford family’s stylishly modernised country pub. It's constantly packed with contented diners and it's no wonder why as this is an utterly charming place, looking every inch the quintessential Cotswolds inn. Accomplished cooking offers plenty of appeal, with the natural flavours of the farm’s superb organic ingredients underpinning the menu. Look out for the live music and occasional supper clubs, and if you want to continue your Cotswolds adventure then stay over in the luxurious bedrooms.

The Baiting House

££Modern British

In the 19C this was home to a wheelwright; then it was a stop for drovers and waggoners to enjoy a quick snack or ‘bait’; now it’s a friendly country pub welcoming allcomers with its rustic look and friendly atmosphere. The assured yet understated modern British dishes are well priced and nicely balanced and, most importantly, deliver bags of flavour. Make a night of it and book a lodge with a hot tub.

Black & Green

£££Modern Cuisine

A bijou neighbourhood restaurant with stools set at tall tables and a black and green colour scheme. The short, sensibly priced tasting menu moves with the seasons, using prime ingredients to deliver layers of texture and flavour in imaginative dishes. All guests are served at the same time and most go for the wine pairings. Add in the cheese course for a satisfying meal.

Wilder

££££Modern Cuisine

Everyone is asked to arrive at this well-run restaurant at 7pm – and that usually includes a loyal band of locals. The 3-hour menu takes on a surprise tasting format and there’s the option of matching wines or non-alcoholic options. Humble ingredients are used in ambitious, sometimes rather unusual combinations, which are precisely prepared. Service is structured and passionate, with dishes delivered by the chefs themselves.

Restaurant Sow

££££Modern British

As you settle into your seat inside this beautiful 16th-century barn, you’re struck by what a stunning restaurant setting it is. Situated on the Netherwood Estate, ensure you take a look around its garden before dining, as much of the produce you see will be on your plate a little later. The kitchen is run under the auspices of experienced operator Andrew Sheridan and pairs the local produce with occasional East Asian influences, such as Japanese milk bread. Save yourself the journey home by staying over in one of the luxury bedrooms on the other side of the courtyard.

Wild

££££Modern Cuisine

Doing something different for this pretty Cotswolds town, Wild offers an interactive dining experience in the uber-stylish Bull hotel, where Banksys and Damien Hirsts adorn the walls. The restaurant occupies a purpose-built marquee in the courtyard, with guests sat around a copper-topped counter and fire pit. The personable chef cooks over the flames in front of you while demonstrating an understanding that less is often more. That means dishes where finely balanced accompaniments marry well with their prime central ingredients, such as Indonesian butter with Orkney scallops.

The Chandlers Arms

£££Modern Cuisine

It may sit within a 17C former pub, but there’s now more of a restaurant feel to this intimate family-run operation – where you’re guaranteed a warm welcome. The regularly updated menus showcase cooking that is well-balanced, thoughtfully composed and makes great use of the local larder. Flavour and texture combinations are both original and effective, in dishes largely served by chef Harry Flockhart himself. When the weather allows, head for the terrace.

The Ox Barn

£££Modern British

This delightful barn conversion sits in an idyllic rural location in the heart of the Cotswolds, forming part of the sumptuous Thyme hotel and surrounded by Provençal-style gardens. A nature-to-plate philosophy runs through the menu, with ingredients from the kitchen gardens and farm regularly appearing. The pared-back, flavoursome dishes could include the likes of harissa mussels on toast or a wonderful 'Gateau Victoire' for dessert. The large communal table in front of the open kitchen is the best place to sit if you come with a group of friends.

Hem

£££Modern Cuisine

In the market square of this historic town, you’ll find a lovely little restaurant. Named Hem in reference to previous incarnation ‘Tailors’ – which before that was an actual tailor’s – it’s a simple and unpretentious place, where long-standing friends Dan and Seb run the show with a smile. Dan is the chef of the pair, cooking hearty and satisfying dishes that are classic in their origins but executed with refinement and a playful touch – such as venison haunch with pear, walnut ketchup and bacon jam. Go for one of the carefully curated wine flights.

The Bell

££Modern British

The quaint village of Charlbury is the setting for this 17C pub, which looks gorgeous thanks to a lavish makeover. The bar and dining areas ooze charm and character, with exposed Cotswold stone walls and crackling log fires among the many appealing features. In summer, the garden and orchard come into their own with a covered terrace and even a small stream. Many ingredients come from their sister operation, Daylesford Organic Farm, and are used in comforting, full-flavoured dishes like Cornish fish pie. Tastefully decorated bedrooms complete the picture.

The Bull

£££Traditional Cuisine

The duo behind London pub hits like The Pelican and The Hero also run this 16th-century inn back in their native Cotswolds. The space oozes character, boasting flagged floors, timbered ceilings, plenty of exposed golden stone and twin open fires. There is a relaxed and intimate feel to the place, and an understated quality to the tersely described dishes that simply let the first-rate ingredients shine, such as cod with smokey kipper sauce and juicy leeks. The bedrooms in The Barn are the icing on the cake.

The Warwick

££££Modern British

The renowned Mallory Court – a classic English country house combined with a modern spa – is the setting for this wood-panelled restaurant that’s elegant and relaxed in equal measure. The part-Edwardian manor, built in a Lutyens style, also boasts a garden terrace which adds to the appeal in warmer weather. The cooking is ingredient-led, with exacting presentation and bold flavours in dishes like Hilltop Farm hogget with potato terrine, garden beans and salsa verde. The ‘Taste of the Season’ menu is an homage to local, seasonal produce.

The Bell Inn

££Traditional British

Looking every inch the quintessential Cotswolds pub, The Bell Inn’s rustic charm is hard to resist with its cosy bar, impressive inglenook fireplace, stone walls and 16th-century origins. The appealing menu offers a mix of pub favourites – from a half pint of prawns to a choice of steaks – as well as restaurant-style dishes and homemade pizzas, which are all brought to the table by a friendly team. Nicely furnished bedrooms complete the picture.

Cheal's of Knowle

£££Modern British

Behind the half-timbered walls of this stylish building lies a spacious restaurant that pays tribute to British culture, be it the Union Jacks on the curtains or the model Spitfire hanging from the ceiling. Across a range of menus, including fixed-price and tasting options, Chef Matt Cheal uses prime British produce from Cornish lobster to Aberdeen Angus beef in dishes that showcase his adept modern technique. Start your evening in style in the smart Warren’s Bar or, for a lighter meal, stay there all night to enjoy the small plates menu.

The Duck on the Pond

££Traditional British

Parts of this attractive roadside inn reputedly date back to the 16th Century, providing a lovely setting for cooking based around local ingredients. Several of them come from the owners’ own smallholding and others from nearby producers who are named on the menu – sometimes alongside their distance from the restaurant. These ingredients are fashioned into dishes that burst with flavour and don’t overcomplicate matters, like bright, fresh-tasting roasted cod with mussel sauce.

The Lamb Inn

££Modern British

Located at the heart of a pretty little stone-built hamlet, this 18th-century pub has a quirky, cottage-like charm, with low ceilings, exposed brickwork and an open fire in the bar. In the summer months, the large tiered terrace and garden are a great place to enjoy an appealingly straightforward menu listing modern British dishes alongside some pub classics. The unifying theme is high-quality ingredients cooked with the respect they deserve, with the chefs' impressive technique adding extra depth of flavour. The efficient service team work with a smile on their face.

Kilpeck Inn

££Traditional Cuisine

This understandably popular local pub has origins dating back to the 17th century and began life as a cottage, built from stone taken from the nearby Norman castle. Today, it's a smart, whitewashed property with a characterful interior – imagine stone fireplaces and plenty of beams – along with a garden terrace for when the sun is shining. The cooking has a traditional heart, featuring robust, flavoursome dishes such as lamb rump, fish of the day or sirloin steak and chips. The charming service team add to the appeal, as do the four bedrooms.

Satori

£££japanese

An array of both classic and contemporary Japanese dishes are available at this on-trend restaurant, whose bustling atmosphere suggests it’s a hit with the local diners. The wide-ranging à la carte covers all your Japanese favourites, from sushi and sashimi to super-fine tempura and a choice of cuts from the robata grill. If you want a taste of it all, the well-priced tasting menu is the best option. To finish, ‘Mount Fuji’ is their take on a Mont Blanc, set alight at the table for added volcanic flair.

Chakana

££peruvian

What was once a high street bank is now the ideal destination for a fun night out with friends. Chakana has all the ingredients you need for a great time: a lively laid-back vibe, punchy Peruvian food and one of the largest ranges of pisco in the UK. The cooking itself is colourful and packed with bold flavours, across a range of recognisable Peruvian dishes including ceviches and tiraditos. There's a streak of originality running through the menu too, as evidenced by the hot crab causa.

🕐 We-Th 18:00-22:00; Fr 18:00-23:00; Sa 13:00-23:00; Su 13:00-21:00

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.

Grey's

£££International

Sitting within the luxurious Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa, but with a feel all of its own, is this elegant grey-hued restaurant – ask for a booth or dine in the garden in the summer months. It presents a slightly less formal alternative to The Dining Room, serving a menu of globally influenced small plates that's divided into 'Earth', 'Land' and 'Sea', often featuring salad and vegetables from the kitchen garden. The cooking showcases well-defined flavours and careful craft, in dishes like prawn tortellini with coconut bisque. On Sundays, you can enjoy a traditional roast lunch.

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.

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.

Kynd

£££British Contemporary

Part of the luxurious Hampton Manor estate, Kynd offers a more rustic dining experience than the hotel’s other restaurant, Grace & Savour. Located in the walled garden’s old furnace house, cooking over coals fittingly forms part of the menu, which is based around fine British produce such as Cornish skate wing and Huntsham pork collar. Ingredients from the garden outside play their part too, as does a list of natural, biodynamic and orange wines. In the summer, you can also dine in the former greenhouse with its own terrace.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Killingworth Castle

£££Traditional British

There's a lovely pub ambience at this attractive 16th-century inn; the crackling fire is perfect for winter, while the landscaped garden comes into its own in summer. The chefs bake their own breads, butcher their own meats, and champion local and organic produce in comforting yet refined dishes. An array of menus lets you tailor your visit depending on the mood and occasion: bargain hunters should go for the great value set lunch; families can gather for a Sunday roast; and the tasting menu is there for special occasions. Bedrooms are available to extend your visit.

Parva Farmhouse

££Modern British

This 17C stone farmhouse sits on a bank of the River Wye and is run by a friendly couple. Its simple, rustic interior comprises a spacious lounge and a cosy, welcoming restaurant with an inglenook fireplace. The gutsy, modern British cooking has a classic French backbone and the odd Italian or Asian touch. Booking is essential and the menu is sent a day in advance for pre-ordering. Bedrooms are comfortable and some have river views.

The Nest

£££Modern British

Just down the road from Blenheim Palace, this well-run restaurant is found inside the impressive Feathers Hotel. A gorgeously refurbished property, its elegant style extends to the chic dining room, where the building’s 17th-century features are blended with a light pastel palette. The assured cooking delivers expertly balanced flavours and textures in each enticing dish – just be sure to order a side of the terrific crispy layered potatoes with truffle salt and parmesan. The service team are engaging and attentive yet free of fuss and formality.

Mortimers

£££Modern British

A local forest gives this 16C townhouse restaurant its name. It has plenty of character, courtesy of exposed stone, sloping floors and lovely wood panelling. Concise set menus offer classically rooted dishes with a personal touch. Make sure you have a dessert – the cherry Bakewell tart is delicious!