South Bank
You can't get a pre-theatre meal closer to Shakespeare's Globe than this – and an excellent one at that. But even if you're not stopping in for a show,…
Must-see restaurants in Western Europe
North Cornwall
Every village needs its own homely bistro where the owners greet you by name. Classic bistro dishes are served with minimal frills – homemade fish cakes,…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Etched on a mirror mounted on the white-tiled wall, the day's menu at La Buvette incorporates small sharing plates such as smoked white beans with…
Brussels
Veritable vegetarian delights are served up at Les 4 jeudis, a sun-baked corner restaurant where the chef’s elaborate lacto-fermented processes are said…
Paris
Foodie street rue Paul Bert is the perfect spot for this delightfully traditional and excellent-value bistro with a quaint timber façade and menu chalked…
North Holland
A former iron foundry now houses this cavernous canal-side restaurant near the Marine Museum and ferry terminal. Gourmet sandwiches such as smoked beef,…
County Clare
At this brightly coloured little crêperie, savoury buckwheat galettes include Clonakilty black pudding with apple compote and crème fraiche, and Burren…
The Lizard
On the cliffs above the cove of Gunwalloe, 5 miles south of Helston, this is a historic Cornish local, whitewashed and slate-topped, with brassy trinkets…
County Down
In Donaghadee's lavishly restored former courthouse, you can get fantastic sandwiches like Coronation Chicken (Christmas-style with turkey, ham, stuffing…
Grenoble
Festooned with vintage bric-a-brac, with time-scuffed floors and a narrow open bar-kitchen, Le Petit Bouche enjoys a loyal following. Its classic bistro…
The Channel Islands
Mai Thai has been feeding authentic Thai food to locals for over 15 years. Pa naeng curry, pad kra phrao (spicy stir-fry with basil and chilli), and tom…
Nice
With its vintage kitchen decor and great-value prices, the Comptoir does predictably well. There are five or six daily mains, scribbled on a chalkboard…
Edinburgh
This is a modern Punjabi restaurant with attentive, waistcoated waiters, stylish modern decor and an unusual water feature trickling away in the middle of…
La Rochelle
A favourite Sunday-lunch address with discerning locals, Delphine and Bruno's whitewashed bistro on two floors has a signature mini wooden trough of rock…
Northumberland Coast
The name reflects the surf-and-turf menu at this hip little bistro near Amble's harbour. Locals love the Northumberland beef and soft-shell crab burgers,…
Northeast Belgium
Tucked behind Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk, Nieuwscafe has remained fresh and inviting for two decades. By day it offers a calm, modern brasserie experience with…
Paris
For a Real McCoy, salmon and ginger bo bun (cold rice-noodle salad) or pho (soup) washed down with a Hanoï or Saigon beer or sassy Vietnamese mojito, make…
Strasbourg
Sitting on one of Strasbourg's prettiest squares, surrounded by a veritable feast of half-timbered houses, this bistro is a fine pick for an alfresco…
Oxford
With its irresistible riverside setting, 1.5 miles north of central Oxford, the century-old Cherwell Boathouse makes a perfect setting for a lazy lunch or…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Moroccan wines, including a fruity Amazigh Beni M'Tir red and dry Guerrouane Gris rosé, accompany delicious tagines (such as chicken and duck with honey…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Crispy-skinned ducks and roast pork hang in the windows of this wholly authentic Hong Kong–style ‘steam restaurant’ in Belleville's Chinatown. Har gow …
Golfe du Morbihan
Atmospherically set in a 16th-century building in the heart of the old town, this buzzing brasserie has a varied menu of fish and meat dishes, as well as…
Burgundy
A local favourite, this organic bakery near the bridge at Cluny's southern edge doubles as an informal restaurant serving healthy soups, sandwiches and…
Greenwich
If you're keen to try the quintessential English dish of pie and mash (minced beef, steak and kidney, or chicken in flaky pastry, served with mashed…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
Olde-worlde tearoom/busy lunch spot La Jacobine is packed to the rafters by noon for its homemade tarts, giant-size salads and crêpes, but it's just as…
South Bank
Started by an expat from Dallas, Texas Joe's brings big Lone Star attitude and authenticity to a Bermondsey backstreet. Huge hunks of meat are smoked…
Amboise
Founded by Madame Bigot's grandfather in 1913, this salon de thé, pâtisserie and chocolaterie is known for its puits d'amour (puff pastry filled with…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
A large coral-filled aquarium sets the scene at this stylish seafood restaurant. Named for the freshwater pike inhabiting only clean, clear water, Lucius…
Notting Hill & West London
Frying on Farmer St since 1939 – a bad year for the European restaurant trade – Geales has endured, despite its quiet location tucked away on a street…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
Two-century-old coffee and tea vendor Wijs & Zonen (the monarch's purveyor) maintains this pretty courtyard restaurant. It serves Dutch stews, a couple of…
Kilkenny Design Centre Foodhall & Restaurant
Kilkenny City
Upstairs from the craft shops at the Kilkenny Design Centre, this arty, organic-oriented, self-service cafeteria has a vast array of salads, seafood…
The Loire Valley
Facing the abbey church, this cheery salon de thé and cultural centre is a relaxing spot for tea (black, green and herbal), hot chocolate or cake. Great…
Warwickshire
In an adorable bow-fronted cottage festooned with flower boxes opposite Kenilworth Castle, chef Ryan New recreates his success at top London tables…
The Beiras
In business for more than 40 years, Caçarola draws a mixed bag of loyal locals and hungry visitors. What they come for are the good-value combinados do…
Corte
Famed for its gargantuan servings of traditional Corsican country food, this ancient, candlelit stone cellar is a favourite refuge for students from the…
Southeast England
The ideal lunch stop after antique hunting on Tarrant St, the Bay Tree serves up expertly prepared dishes in a pleasingly simple setting with just…
Southern Corsica
Oh-so-chic beach restaurant, on the Palombaggia sands 10km southeast of Porto-Vecchio. The setting is unsurpassable, with first-class views of the…
Guimarães
This charming restaurant whips up a good selection of cuisine you won’t find elsewhere in Guimarães. Changing art exhibitions decorate the walls, while…
Ajaccio
This buzzy venue on the old town’s busiest dining street is half wine bar, half convivial neighbourhood restaurant. Stop in for an early-evening aperitif,…
Amsterdam
Named after the building's 18th-century architect, Caspar Philips Jacobsz, this restaurant is housed in a grand old inn (a former courthouse, then turned…
