East London
A simple, one-room affair that celebrates lardo – the cured back fat of rare-breed pigs scented with aromatic herbs. You'll find it on excellent pizzas…
Must-see restaurants in England
Cumbria & the Lakes
For a quick all-day breakfast, a proper cottage pie or a lovely omelette, this locals' tip makes a decent lunch stop in Ulverston. It also does an …
West Cornwall
This upmarket deli has a good selection of cold cuts and speciality cheeses, including several premium Cornish varieties – try the Cornish Blue and the…
The Cotswolds
Tucked into a character-filled 15th-century coaching inn, this hotel restaurant delivers brasserie-style dishes from lunchtime sandwiches to larger plates…
The Lake District
A reliable village bistro, Lewis's eponymous restaurant turns out hearty, classic British bistro dishes – steak, roast lamb, belly pork, sea bass and the…
East Devon
Set right on Beer's pebble beach and sandwiched between brightly coloured beach huts and picnic tables, Chapels rustles up all-day breakfasts, local crab…
The West End
Legendary among London carnivores for its mouth-watering and flavour-rich steaks from British cattle breeds, the very masculine Hawksmoor’s sumptuous…
Whitby
An eclectic little diner with stainless-steel counters, Moroccan tiling and kitsch library wallpaper, serving average coffee, huge portions of silky…
The West End
A favourite cafe on Lincoln's Inn Fields, the Fleet is good for lunch (quiche, soup, sandwiches) and for coffee at any time. But weekend brunch is our…
Brixton, Peckham & South London
A local fixture, just a notch above a fast-food joint, Satay Bar does acceptable Malay, Indonesian, Thai and Japanese dishes. Try the Singapore laksa with…
Richmond, Kew & Hampton Court
Adjacent to Wimbledon Windmill, these tearooms can supply tea, caffeine and sustenance after legging it around Wimbledon Common; come for breakfast, pies,…
The Midlands & the Marches
Crêpes, croques monsieur and madame (toasted ham-and-cheese sandwiches, the latter with a fried egg on top), omelettes, and filled croissants and…
North Cornwall
This harbourside cafe is a good bet for a bite, with chunky sandwiches, mussels and more substantial fish and curry dishes served up on outside tables…
Isles of Scilly
Scilly's only fish-and-chips van sets up shop five nights a week over by Porthcressa Beach. It's super fresh, and if you're going to eat your evening meal…
The Lake District
This lakeside cafe does a brisk trade from people waiting for the Coniston launches. The usual salads, jacket spuds and sandwiches are on offer and there…
Bristol, Bath & Somerset
A wholefoods shop that's branched out into homewares and a fantastic veggie cafe, which offers two daily dishes plus salads, soups, pizzas and quiches. To…
Torquay
No-fuss fish is the order of the day at this small family-run bistro. Superfresh crab, lobster, scallops and cod steaks can be seared, grilled or roasted,…
Cambridge
Flavours of southern Africa meet those of Europe in this fair trade-focused cafe – expect everything from biltong and boboti (a South African meatloaf) to…
Cambridge
'Gardi's' is responsible for the late-night nutrition of a large chunk of the student population, and its walls are plastered with photos of happy…
North Cornwall
This shack cafe on the road to Trevaunance Cove is perfect for quick paninis, homemade soups and cheese platters. The smoothies and coffee are pretty…
Bristol, Bath & Somerset
'Life is too short to drink bad coffee' says the sign – something they've taken to heart here as staff work caffeinated magic with some of the best beans…
Cambridge
Ethical coffee, homemade soup, and flavoursome bread, cakes and pies from a wealth of Cambridge producers lift this artsy cafe above the crowd.
Chapters Cathedral Coffee Shop
The Midlands & the Marches
Ensconced in a fine 18th-century house overlooking its 13th-century walled garden on one side and the cathedral on the other, Chapters serves breakfast,…
Shropshire
Freshly ground organic Colombian coffee and tea is served with cakes and fair trade chocolates in the cosy secondhand bookshop, which also contains a…
North Yorkshire
One of the oldest cafes in town (established in 1880) with a mature clientele to match, the food at Bonnet's is nothing to write home about but the…
Chester
One of the busiest spots in town is this bistro-style bar that serves up good burgers, pies and a particularly tasty beer-battered haddock and chips…
West Yorkshire
A 17th-century pub serving real ale and decent food (noon to 9pm), with a glorious beer garden for alfresco drinking and dining. If you want to linger…
South Cornwall
The pick of the Polperro pubs, Three Pilchards is a classic whitewashed kiddleywink with shutters, window boxes and an atmospheric old bar. Sharp's and St…
Dorset
It's the decked terrace that'll draw you into this old inn – its cracking views out over Blackmore Vale make for a memorable spot to tuck into salads and…
Brighton & Hove
This ice-cream parlour belongs to the city’s artisanal ice-cream producer, and the sundaes (more than 50 types) are second to none. Freshly cut sandwiches…
Good Life Wholefood Restaurant
Shropshire
Wholesome, freshly prepared vegetarian food is dished up at this healthy refuge off Wyle Cop. Favourites include quiches, nut loaf, salads, soups, veggie…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
This deli-cafe assembles lip-smacking banh mi (filled baguettes with fillings such as spicy roast duck or crispy pork belly) to eat in or take away, as…
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Excitable waiters and huge portions of pizza and pasta keep locals queuing at the door of this cheerfully chaotic Jesmond restaurant – get in line and…
London
With an enormous map of the Iberian peninsula on one wall, there's no doubt you're in a Spanish restaurant. All the usual tapas classics are present and…
The Midlands & the Marches
This venerable vegetarian cafe has a daily changing menu of wholesome veggie bakes, huge salads and homemade cakes, and hosts occasional evening events…
West Cornwall
A reliable cafe in Perranuthnoe for an all-day brekkie or a lunchtime sandwich. The melts are scrummy and the sandwiches unusually generous – the steak…
South Devon
There's more than a whiff of a chic, metropolitan deli about Casse-Croute. Drop by for charcuterie and organic artisanal breads; the sarnie options…
Bloomers Original Bakewell Puddings
Peak District
Bloomers is one of two establishments that claims to be the progenitor of the famous Bakewell Pudding. There's no sit-down dining; head to the pretty…
North Cornwall
A couple of miles or so inland from the sea in a sheltered valley, the ivy-covered Bolingey Inn is a cosy, old-fashioned country inn, good for pub mains…
Dorset
Sample crab sarnies, grilled mackerel, salted caramel hot chocolate and tasty cakes beside picture windows with views of the Fleet Lagoon and Chesil Beach…
