County Antrim
Fronted by a fire engine–red door, this little cottage sits 200m off the main coast road along the side road to Ballintoy Harbour. Everything is homemade:…
Must-see restaurants in Western Europe
Bath
This cool cafe-bar offers something for everyone at most times of the day: breakfast cappuccino, lunchtime soup and late-night beer and cocktails. There's…
Brussels
A central Victorian stairway and station-style clock dominate this brasserie-restaurant. Wooden box-drawers, gleaming copperware and a green wrought-iron…
Troyes
Whatever is fresh at the market that day lands on plates at this contemporary brick-walled bistro-cafe. Appetising no-nonsense day specials such as cheese…
South Holland
Set over two floors with a buzzing pavement terrace facing Lisse's main square, this bistro and cocktail bar is a popular spot for dinner or late-night…
Kent
The shabby-chic jumble of tables and chairs, big-print wallpaper and blackboard menus create the perfect stage for meticulously crafted mains containing…
Brussels
Overlooking the old racecourse in the Drohme Park, le Pesage restaurant by Lionel Jadot (JAM hotel) looks as if a pop bomb had exploded. Amidst the green…
Swansea, The Gower & Carmarthenshire
A winning collaboration between some Welsh rugby internationals and a food writer, this upmarket restaurant occupies the cavernous, church-like confines…
Dublin
Scrummy organic burgers, nine-hour braised beef cheek and perfectly charred steaks are all on the menu in this basement restaurant. Meals are prepared…
Brixton, Peckham & South London
Three Little Birds combines Brixton old and new with Jamaican-inspired sharing plates in this restaurant from April Jackson, a contestant on The…
St-Malo
This laid-back neighbourhood bistro has a modern feel with tasty views over the Port-Solidor in St-Servan (best appreciated on sunny days from the…
Bordeaux
Be it beans on toast, a boiled egg with soldiers, crumpets dripping in melted butter or a classic fry-up (poetically listed as 'Morning Glory' on the menu…
Southern Canal Ring
Pastini serves up Italian-infused dishes such as tagliatelle with stewed lamb, tomato, aubergine and parmesan. Authentic starters include fried courgette,…
Trás-os-Montes
A traditional roadside restaurant a little outside town on the EN2 towards Chaves, convivial Chaxoila serves up great daily specials such as cabrito (kid…
County Clare
A former home-economics teacher gets top marks for this cafe-bakery, where breakfast features organic porridge with cinnamon stewed apricots, lunch brings…
Goodfellows Cafe & Seafood Restaurant
Bristol, Bath & Somerset
There's a choice of eating options in Goodfellows' three vibrant rooms: the continental cafe menu offers cakes, pastries and light lunches (opt to pay…
Trotternish
This turf-roofed, timber-clad art gallery and espresso bar will be familiar to fans of British TV's Grand Designs – it was featured on the Channel 4…
Rotterdam
Modern Cantonese, Szechuan and Beijing dishes dominate the menu at this upmarket eatery. Its chefs are good at what they do – the Peking Duck is excellent…
North of the Liffey
Queues are a regular feature outside this fabulous spot which specialises in soups on the go – but it also does superb stews, sandwiches, bagels and…
Toulouse, Gers & Vallée du Tarn
Duck, pork and beef feature heavily on the menu at this local favourite in a peaceful street near the cathedral. In the hamburger Gascon, different…
Pinhão
Wood-grilled meats and fish are the speciality at this schist-walled restaurant by the riverfront. On sunny days, the vine-shaded front terrace is the…
South Pembrokeshire
Adorned with technicolor chandeliers and vividly painted walls, this friendly little bohemian cafe has a loyal local clientele who flock here for the…
North Pembrokeshire
The Cambrian Inn blends old and new with exposed stonework and original beams but a decidedly contemporary style. It serves an interesting menu of…
Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela
This 17th-century convent cranks up the romance with its serene cloisters and brick vaulting. Chef Nuno Coelho whets appetites with fresh wood-fired bread…
Marseille
A classic neighbourhood bar and bistro, the Longchamp Palace teems with convivial locals, especially after work. Stained glass windows that might have…
County Wicklow
This elegant restaurant is a Greystones favourite. Daytime dishes include beef-brisket baps, felafel wraps, grilled-chicken salads and corn fritters with…
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
A long line regularly snakes out the door of this narrow, generations-old shop where everyone is queuing for – wait for it – vanilla ice cream. That's the…
Rouen
A block from the waterfront, Bollywood pop plays over this cheerfully decorated space, complete with hand-painted camel skin globe lamps, bright colours…
Friesland
On nippier days, kick back at this fish restaurant inside a historic garage at the old harbour. Its 1st-floor dining room and roof terrace dish up…
Brighton & Hove
If you are looking for some imaginatively fashioned tapas, the Sussex chorizo, roast bone marrow and mozzarella with peas, mint and lemon really hit the…
De Pijp
Van 't Spit does one thing – free-range chicken (half or full), marinated overnight and spit-roasted over a wood-burning fire, with optional sides such as…
Stirling
Built in stone as solid as the castle that it stands below, this former school is just the spot for a pint and a pub lunch after your castle visit. With…
Grafton Street & St Stephen's Green
Ostensibly a cheese shop with a few stools, at Loose Canon you can prop yourself up at the counter for a platter of cheese or Irish charcuterie, with a…
Yorkshire Dales National Park
This craft coffee and tea house has a minimalist interior and Skipton's best coffee. The provenance of its rotating beans is chalked up on a board, along…
Bordeaux
A refreshingly creative, Franco-Japanese cuisine is cooked up by the duo of chefs at this street-smart restaurant with age-old exposed stone walls and…
The West End
This fun and friendly original branch of The Breakfast Club chain has been successfully frying up since 2005. Full Monty or All American brekkies are the…
Bath
The flavourful fillings and light pastry of the pasties at baker Richard Bertinet's take-out shop could change your view of that foodstuff for good. You…
Jersey
This smart, family-run restaurant is as sustainable as it gets: its fish, meat, seafood and dairy are locally sourced, its wild herbs foraged across…
Paris
Opened in late 2019, Populus is that easy-to-miss 'secret spot' that locals like to recommend. It's somewhat off the beaten track, in a surprisingly quiet…
The Northeast Coast
Macinaggio’s finest restaurant lurks in a narrow alleyway, one block back from the waterfront. Seafood is the main attraction; the best stuff, like…
