When you’ve had a busy day of travelling or exploring a new place, it can sometimes feel like a chore to venture out from your accommodation in search of something to eat. Luckily, you’ll find an excellent foodie hotel in every corner of the UK. From stylish boutique retreats serving cutting-edge cuisine to charming seaside boltholes specialising in the most delicious local seafood, these places are so good that even locals and non-guests are booking tables.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover Britain's best hotels for food lovers.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Escaping to Cornwall and its encompassing seascape is always a good idea, and the magic of the southwestern county is brought to life at St Michaels Resort. Set in the picturesque town of Falmouth and moments from Gyllyngvase Beach, the hotel is a seaside hotspot frequented by locals and tourists alike. Beautifully restored in 2018, it's infused with coastal charm, complete with a choice of spacious rooms, cosy garden lodges and self-catering beach apartments. If that isn't enough of a pull, it’s also a favoured spot with foodies, with two restaurants showcasing local culinary talent and produce.
With striking views overlooking the hotel’s palm-fringed gardens and nearby beach, Brasserie on the Bay is the hotel’s must-visit restaurant. Given its location, the interior is suitably nautical, with blue-hued banquette seating and boat-style lighting. The team champions local produce, working with Cornish farmers and fishermen to bring the freshest ingredients to your table. The menu changes seasonally, but recent dishes have included cured sea trout with wasabi cream, braised cod with leeks, mussels and truffle, and Cornish lamb rump with vinaigrette.
Just next door is St Michaels Resort’s newly opened eatery Nourish, a spacious open-plan restaurant offering a fresh take on Cornish cuisine. Complete with hanging plants, rattan furnishings and floor-to-ceiling doors opening out onto a sea view terrace, it’s here you’ll find seasonal tapas-style dishes. Mix and match with friends as you dine on sweetcorn hummus with caramelised fennel, oozy burrata with burnt peach, or lemon roast chicken with mint yogurt dressing. Nourish also boasts a pizza oven, firing out everything from classic Margheritas to pizzas with innovative toppings like gochujang hispi and whipped peanut butter.
When the morning rolls around, you’ll be greeted with fresh pastries, breads and fruits, along with an array of hot breakfast options, served at the Brasserie on the Bay. Choose between smoked salmon with silky scrambled eggs, or a classic Cornish-style full English. St Michaels Resort is the perfect base point for any Cornish adventure, whether you’re up for exploring local attractions like Pendennis Castle, fancy cold water swimming at one of the sandy bays, or you'd rather spend a long weekend unwinding at the hotel’s state-of-the-art spa.
A double room at St Michaels Resort starts from £150 per night, B&B.
Review by Lottie Woodrow.
Situated near City Hall in the heart of Belfast’s up-and-coming Linen Quarter, the Grand Central Hotel is a luxurious 23-storey skyscraper serving as the perfect base to explore the Titanic Belfast Museum, as well as the city's cobbled shopping districts and vibrant cultural landmarks. Relaxing in the luxurious lobby you might spot the odd VIP – President Joe Biden even stayed here in 2023 – and its 300 luxury rooms, incredible views and fine dining restaurant make it one of the best places to stay in Belfast.
With an AA rosette–winning restaurant and Northern Ireland’s highest cocktail bar, you’ll also be fed and watered extremely well. Amazing Irish ingredients take centre stage in everything from beautiful brunches to delicious Sunday lunches and delicate afternoon teas, even down to basics like the Guinness treacle bread and malted butter served as standard. The Observatory – Belfast’s awe-inspiring cocktail lounge, with 360-degree skyline views of the city – is referred to as the Grand Central's jewel.
Signature concoctions are blended at the Art Deco bar, including peach-infused vodka and a house-made cordial of passion fruit and mango. You can also line your stomach with a selection of tantalising snack plates: the baby chorizo in Waggle Dance honey is highly recommended, and the all-Irish cheese board includes the creamiest Ballylisk Brie, made 30 miles (48km) away. Meanwhile, the signature Seahorse Restaurant manages to be both cosy and chic at the same time, with its leather benches, wood floors and statement lighting.
The restaurant's Mad Men overtones make it perfect for intimate dinners over a Manhattan or two while savouring some of Belfast’s best food. While the decor may evoke mid-century glamour, the modern menu focuses on locally sourced ingredients, crafted into innovative dishes under the expert guidance of executive head chef Damian Tumilty. The eight-course tasting menu adapts to the seasons, so you might get local heritage tomatoes with Parmesan foam or Thornhill duck spiced with tongue-tingling timut pepper and pistachios. Whatever is peaking that week will be on your plate.
A double room at the Grand Central Hotel Belfast costs from £230 per night, B&B. See Ireland.com/northernireland for more information.
Review by Natalie Davies.
Palé Hall Hotel is a grand yet relaxing country retreat, tucked away in a village in North Wales. This hideaway is guaranteed to serve as an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, offering up sprawling, leafy grounds and warm, luxurious interiors, with Snowdonia National Park on its doorstep. The Victorian mansion has been extensively refurbished, with rooms ranging from spacious doubles to a separate barn conversion. It’s also home to an AA three-rosette and Michelin Green Star restaurant, plus a relaxed bistro, where the produce is just as local as many of the friendly staff.
Palé’s Henry Robertson dining room is a bright and airy space with beautiful views over the verdant gardens. For an indulgent culinary experience, tasting menus are meticulously crafted by head chef Sam Griffiths. The modern British menus, ever-changing with the seasons, present a lineup of exciting and inventive dishes that make the most of local produce. Delights such as John Dory with marinated Isle of Wight tomatoes, herb gnocchi and vanilla bouillabaisse, and confit leg of poussin with creamed pearl barley create an exciting culinary journey, with wine pairings available, too.
The eco-friendly approach to food is complemented by the hotel’s other green credentials, including hydroelectricity generated by a turbine at the top of a nearby mountain. The large garden offers opportunities to walk off your meal (and peek at the resident Valais sheep), but those who prefer to stay inside may choose to sit in the library or The Huntsman Bar and Bistro. The cosy bistro is ideal for a spot of lunch, an evening drink, or dinner from the à la carte menu. Expect choices such as Welsh ribeye steak and fresh tagliolini with sunflower seed pesto.
Breakfast is endlessly customisable, whether you wish to opt for the full cooked Welsh breakfast, order eggs and toast, or enjoy a light breakfast of yogurt, fruit and fresh juice, with plenty of tea and coffee available. Afternoon tea can also be taken, featuring a selection of traditional sandwiches, house-made scones and Welsh specialities such as bara brith fruit cake and buttery Welsh cakes. Pair your meal with Champagne for a truly special touch that’s perfect for a birthday, anniversary or indulgent treat.
A double room at Palé Hall starts from around £280 per night, B&B.
Review by Laura Ellis.
A glass-fronted jewel in the crown of Folkestone’s grand old harbour, Rocksalt has been one of Kent’s top destination restaurants since it opened to much acclaim in 2011. Inside, it's no less impressive; there are four stylish bedrooms, and the entire sea-facing side of the restaurant is given over to a panoramic glass wall. In the past decade, Folkestone itself has grown to become one of Kent’s most fashionable towns, combining cobbled streets and quirky independent boutiques with rustic seafood shacks and rugged coastline – and Rocksalt is perfectly located to explore everything it has to offer.
Diners flock to Rocksalt to take in the breath-taking views from its glossy dining room – the only way to dine closer to Folkestone’s gorgeous seafront would be to have a picnic on the beach. In the warmer months, you can also eat and drink on the sun-drenched terrace. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and the chefs clearly take great pleasure in making the most of Kent’s bounty of fish and seafood – indeed, the kitchen uses almost exclusively local produce. Dishes are sophisticated but unfussy, combining global flavours with hyper-local seasonal ingredients.
Highlights from the starter menu include the signature Rocksalt fish soup, Folkestone crab salad, and enormous garlic and chilli shell-on king prawns, served with kimchi mayonnaise and charred lime. Fish lovers will adore mains like the whole baked West Coast lemon sole with sauce vièrge butter and samphire, or the Rye Bay skate wing with clams and brown caper butter. The Sunday roast is fantastic, and the thoughtfully put-together kids' menu is a nice touch. For hotel guests, breakfast is served in the dining room and includes favourites such as buttermilk pancakes with bacon, and poached eggs and whipped avocado on toast.
The rooms at Rocksalt, which are housed above a restored fish market building over the road from the restaurant, are compact but luxurious, with sleek wet rooms, plush soft furnishings and supremely comfortable beds. Exposed brick walls and antique furnishings add to the industrial chic vibe. For families, the Kitten room (which comprises one double room and one single, joined by a small hallway) is ideal. Local highlights within a short walk include Sunny Sands beach and Folkestone Harbour Arm, which is peppered with cafés, bars and little restaurants.
A double room at Rocksalt costs from £85 per night, B&B.
Review by Natasha Lovell-Smith.
Exploring the inland waters in the west of Northern Ireland (known as ‘Ireland’s Lake District’) is a luxury in itself, but at the Lough Erne Resort you'll find all-out indulgence. The custom-built modern manor house and its accompanying 25 lodges sit on 600 acres of County Fermanagh countryside, offering the perfect base for exploring the 150 small islands and the twin loughs after which the resort is named. Guests looking for a sophisticated country break will be drawn to the Nick Faldo–designed golf course and a top-notch Thai Spa, plus beautiful rooms with special touches like chocolates by Irish confectioner Lilies.
The Lough Erne Resort boasts three unique restaurants offering fine dining, afternoon teas and hearty Irish fare – along with an extensive selection of the world’s best whiskies and a stellar wine list. Meat lovers can expect prime cuts of the best produce at the Loughside Grill, from the local beef burger topped with Fermanagh bacon and a sharp Cheddar from Coleraine to succulent bourbon-glazed ribs and a baked potato topped with spicy chorizo butter.
Under head chef Stephen Holland, the AA three-rosette-winning restaurant Catalina offers a fine dining experience in an elegant, chandelier-decked room overlooking the water. Whether you're ordering à la carte or from one of the tasting menus, you can expect the finest local ingredients paired with global flavours. Highlights include Lough Neagh smoked eel paired with a dashi broth and pickled apple, flax-fed Irish beef fillet served with salt-baked celeriac, and succulent local duck breast with sour pear, confit leg and a Shimeji mushroom tart.
Afternoon tea comes in a variety of options in the beautiful lakeside dining room, which is almost as pretty as the view. Choose one of the 10 speciality teas to wash down delicious sandwiches filled with baked ham and honey truffle, classic cucumber and smoked salmon and caviar – plus delicate pastries and buttery scones served with Irish clotted cream. There’s also a junior offering with simpler sarnies and a marshmallow cake pop, and a vegan tea that includes a plant-based cream tea alongside Asian savouries like tofu tempura and a sesame roll.
A double room at Lough Erne Resort costs from £160 per night, B&B. See Ireland.com/northernireland for more information.
Reviewed by Natalie Davies.
Malmaison is no stranger to taking brutalist buildings and kitting them out with dazzling decor, not to mention restaurants so well regarded that they become destinations in their own right. The boutique chain’s new-for-2024 Deansgate location is no exception, with interiors that take inspiration from the city’s industrial heritage and contributions to art and music – and not one, but two stylish restaurants serving up some of Manchester’s most expertly executed food. Stay here, and the culinary delights of Spinningfields, Chinatown and the Northern Quarter are within easy reach; however, why dine out when there’s steak (and so much more) at your home-from-home?
With smart leather booths, striking artwork, and delicate fronds of green foliage swaying from the ceiling, the hotel’s signature Malmaison Bar & Grill restaurant is a swisher-than-your-average place serving swisher-than-your average plates. Chef director John Woodward’s fusion menu offers a contemporary take on classic and seasonal dishes – from starters like Bloody Mary shrimp cocktails and miso butter scallops to meaty mains like grass-fed New York strip steaks and plump cheeseburgers, cooked over blazing coals on a traditional Japanese grill. Can’t find something on the carefully curated wine list to tempt you? One of the expert mixologists will be happy to conjure a cocktail.
In a city that’s sadly short on sky-grazing drinking spaces, Sora, the Malmaison’s stellar rooftop bar, may draw crowds for its lofty vantage point alone; however, it’s the spot’s pan-Asian tapas menu that truly towers over the competition. Here, you can mix and match small plates from an irresistible selection of sushi, sashimi, robatayaki (fire-grilled meat, fish and vegetables) and crispy fried creations, all while taking in unparalleled views of Albert Square and the gothic John Rylands Library. With resident DJs and regular guest musicians adding to the atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to top off a romantic getaway – quite literally.
Bursting with 1960s and 70s–inspired colours, patterns and textures, the Malmaison’s rooms and suites are an ode to the decades of peace and love – and they’re gratifyingly groovy, with streamlined G Plan–esque furniture, time-warp wallpaper and sleep-conducive moody lighting. The best part? If you’re feeling peckish, you needn’t leave the comfort of your meltingly soft flower-power bed; call room service, and you can arrange for freshly cooked fare from the hotel’s Bar & Grill to be delivered straight to your door. Just the thing to keep you going until you drift down for breakfast!
A standard double room at Malmaison Manchester Deansgate costs from £144 per night, B&B.
Review by Jessica Morris.
The Celtic Manor Resort has everything you need under one exceedingly glamorous roof. Golfers are more than catered for with three championship courses, while those looking to relax can head down to the spa – and the kids have a seemingly endless range of outdoor activities to pursue. But it’s the foodies amongst us who are really spoilt for choice here. After all, the resort has no less than eight restaurants covering every kind of cuisine.
Once you’ve dropped off your bags in one of the large, comfortable rooms – and sampled the complimentary biscuits – it's time to start thinking about dinner. The Grill serves a wide selection of burgers, steak and seafood for those not looking for anything too fancy, while PAD caters for anybody in the mood for Asian-inspired food. But for something special, there’s the chic and award-winning Rafters, the elegant Newbridge on Usk and, my favourite, the double AA rosette–winning Steak on Six.
There’s a smart-casual dress code at Steak on Six, and all guests must be 16 or over. The restaurant only serves a three-course dinner menu, currently priced at £78 a head. For that, you get a starter, main course, side, sauce and dessert alongside some excellent artisanal Welsh bread. Of course, the star of the show is the steak, cooked to your liking using the best beef from the British Isles. But don’t sleep on those sides; the truffled dauphinoise potatoes and beef dripping chips are not to be missed.
If you’ve still got room after dinner and a hearty self-service breakfast – or perhaps if you’ve worked up an appetite in the gym or on the golf course – head to The Olive Tree & Garden Room for afternoon tea. Elegantly served on a towering platter, the sandwiches and cakes are generous, and the scones are crumbly and delicious. The only thing to worry about is whether to add clotted cream or jam first.
A double room at the Celtic Manor Resort costs from £123 per night, B&B.
Review by Luke Paton.
If you're looking for a Central London hotel that’s in the heart of the action but still peaceful and relaxing, Amano Covent Garden is a fantastic option. Located in a surprisingly quiet corner of the theatre district on Drury Lane, this glossy 141-room boutique hotel is perfectly placed for exploring the capital. Most importantly for food lovers, Amano is home to a stunning destination restaurant serving a fusion feast of Israeli-Spanish dishes, as well as a rooftop bar where diners can treat themselves to creative cocktails and tapas while the sun sets.
Location-wise, the Amano is just a ten-minute walk from Leicester Square underground station, and five minutes from Covent Garden, making it ideal for taking in all the sights the city has to offer. Some of London’s finest restaurants are right on your doorstep, but you’ll definitely want to pay a visit to Penelope's, the hotel’s signature eatery that attracts guests and Londoners alike – always a good sign. The buzzy spot serves up inventive Israeli-Spanish food in a relaxed but glamorous setting (think disco balls and plush booths), and the ever-changing menu is centred around seasonal produce.
The menu at Penelope's changes with the seasons and is designed to be shared with the whole table. To start, you can choose from a selection of flavour-packed small plates – highlights include sea bream tartare, crab tostada with brown crab aioli, and a delicate bourekas pastry, stuffed with sheep’s cheese and smothered in truffle honey. Larger plates range from Israeli-style seafood paella to juicy chicken shawarma. For dessert, save space for Penelope’s signature baklava cheesecake (it’s sensational). And be sure to pop up to the AMANO Rooftop Bar, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the city.
The hotel is part of the chic German-owned Amano Group chain, and cool Berlin-inspired touches are scattered all over the interior – think dark wood accents, floor-to-ceiling windows and distinctive artwork. Rooms are slick but opulent, and range in size from the compact ‘Cosy’ option to the plush ‘Goldy’ rooms (pictured), which boast a golden bathtub overlooking Covent Garden. Some rooms even have balconies (a rarity in Central London), giving guests a birds-eye view of the busy streets of Theatreland.
A double room at Amano Covent Garden starts at £160 per night, B&B.
Reviewed by Natasha Lovell-Smith.
Sometimes, getting away from it all means sacrificing frivolities like first-rate food in favour of tranquil surroundings, deserted dining rooms and more rustic fare. However, weave your way along twisty, turny country roads to the Pheasant at Neenton – a treasure of a gastropub in the depths of the Shropshire Hills – and you’ll be met with the kind of mouth-watering menu that you’d expect to find somewhere with considerably higher footfall. That said, this rural bolthole gets buzzingly busy in the evenings, packed with villagers and hotel guests enjoying everything from swift end-of-day pints to thoughtfully prepared three-course meals.
Positioned on a bend in a B-road opposite the All Saints Church (a bijou sandstone beauty of a building), the picturesque 18th-century pub was closed for nine years before being purchased, and lovingly restored, by the local Neenton community in 2013. Over ten years later, the quarry-tiled Village Bar and conservatory-style Oak Room are charming spots in which to enjoy head chef/manager Mark Harris’ exquisite dishes – while the Main Bar, with its woodburning stoves, is a cosy space to warm your cockles while you whet your whistle. Sunny summer’s day? The peaceful orchard garden beckons!
The Pheasant’s menu is seasonal, and its dishes ever-changing. So, depending on when you choose to stay, you can expect to encounter everything from Welsh lamb rump (served with potato terrine, vegetables and salsa verde) to cod with pak choi, a tempura tiger prawn and a lemongrass and coconut bisque. Whatever’s cooking, though, the kitchen always prides itself on using only the best-quality meat from local suppliers, and the freshest of fish and seafood – here today, gone tomorrow – straight off the boats from Cornwall. The desserts are every bit as tempting as the mains, too. Who could resist a rich chocolate fondant with mango sorbet?
Whether you’re planning a culinary tour of nearby Ludlow (the slow-food capital of England) or you’re simply here to stretch your legs in walking country, one of The Pheasant’s three light, bright and delightful rooms – or its gorgeous new two-bedroom apartment – would make a bucolic base for your adventures. Even better, those who stay here will be lucky enough to take their pick from the restaurant’s exceptional breakfast menu come morning. A word of warning: the full English breakfast is so button-poppingly delicious that it’ll fill you up well past lunchtime.
A double room at The Pheasant at Neenton costs from £130 per night, B&B.
Review by Jessica Morris.
Nestled on the tranquil banks of Loch na Dal on the Isle of Skye, Kinloch Lodge offers the perfect escape for foodies seeking an authentic taste of Scotland. With a rich history dating back to the 1600s, this former hunting retreat for Clan MacDonald has reinvented itself as a luxury lodge. Step inside and be transported back in time with elegant decor, plush armchairs and roaring fireplaces. Despite its rustic charm, Kinloch offers all the modern comforts, like sumptuous beds and bathtubs with a view, for a truly indulgent stay, crowned by an award-winning restaurant showcasing the finest Scottish cuisine.
Award-winning head chef Jordan Webb leads the kitchen at Kinloch, utilising locally sourced ingredients from Skye's bountiful natural larder. Webb and his team forage daily from the loch shores and cultivate fresh ingredients in on-site polytunnels, showcasing a commitment to seasonality and sustainability. Menus change daily, inspired by the day's forage. Anticipate dishes like melt-in-the-mouth Skye roe deer with a Kinloch-wood foraged bramble jus, or succulent West Coast crab. Breakfast is an equally delicious affair, with options ranging from a hearty full breakfast to cinnamon-spiced porridge.
The drink menu impresses as much as the food, showcasing fine wines and whiskies. However, the cocktails steal the show. The Kinloch Foraged, a must-try, blends meadowsweet vodka, green chartreuse, grapefruit bitters, honey, and fresh lime juice. Or try the lodge's twist on the Espresso Martini, the Skye Espresso, featuring Drambuie, Kahlua, and espresso – a perfect post-dinner digestif. Enjoy a dram outdoors, with views of the loch and rugged landscapes around the firepit. Alternatively, cosy up in the drawing room, sinking into a plush armchair and savouring a drink while listening to the relaxing crackle of logs on the fire.
A stay in the Scottish Highlands would be incomplete without whisky, and Kinloch Lodge has partnered with the nearby Torabhaig Distillery to provide guests with an exceptional tasting experience. The Sense of Place Whisky Package includes a three-night stay, distillery tour and tasting session at the Torabhaig Distillery, complemented by a foraging session and cocktail-making masterclass back at the Lodge. It promises an unforgettable journey through Scotland's culinary and cultural landscape, ensuring a complete Highland experience.
Rooms at Kinloch Lodge start at around £460 per night. The Sense of Place Whisky Package is £1,990 for two sharing.
Review by Danielle McAdam.
Located minutes from the likes of Buckingham Palace, St James’s Park and the Houses of Parliament, St. Ermin’s Hotel is the perfect Central London spot. From its glamorous past to its striking interior, this four-star luxury hotel is rich with history; in fact, the space was used by officers of the Secret Intelligence Service during the 1930s, and by Winston Churchill in the 1940s. Today, St. Ermin’s Hotel has garnered a reputation with foodies thanks to its brilliant award-winning restaurant and quintessentially British afternoon tea experience.
The Caxton, the hotel’s airy 72-seat restaurant, is where foodies can really enjoy themselves. Overlooking the hotel’s courtyard garden, the kitchen has become renowned for its classic British dishes, shining a light on the best seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Herbs, fruits and vegetables are grown on site, while the honey used comes directly from the hotel roof’s ‘Bee & Bee’, where over 350,000 Buckfast bees thrive gathering nectar from the nearby gardens.
The menu is seasonally changing, but guests can expect delights such as gazpacho soup with a basil and black olive crouton, or St. Ermin’s Gin cured beetroot salmon, trout and horseradish mousse. The kitchen’s winning mains are fire cooked, with guests able to hand-select their steak cuts, and they're served alongside delicious homemade sauces, from Béarnaise to spicy garlic. Veggies and vegans are fully catered for, too, with standout dishes like charred aubergine with coconut yogurt and harissa, and cauliflower steak with curry and coriander.
Combining British charm with contemporary amenities, the hotel boasts 331 spacious rooms and suites, each unique in their shape, size and structure; think two-poster beds, luxury linens, soft furnishings and giant windows allowing natural light to flood in. The main lobby is where the hotel’s beauty really shines, complete with a theatrical balcony and Art Nouveau styling. This opulence transfers into the mezzanine Tea Lounge, where guests can enjoy a classic afternoon tea offering: a beautiful tiered display complete with miniature sandwiches, freshly baked scones and sweet treats.
A standard double room at St. Ermin’s Hotel starts at £329 per night.
Review by Lottie Woodrow.
The windows in my room at The Black Bull, a cosy pub with rooms in the small market town of Sedbergh, frame a taste of what’s to come. The Howgill Fells roll and stretch up into the distance, in shades from vibrant green to velvety brown, studded with trees and shrubs, and dotted with the shaggy white figures of sheep. The opposite direction reveals a patchwork of fields and farmland, cut through by the Rivers Rawthey and Dee. On the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and on the doorstep of the Lake District, this is a walker's paradise – and a gastronome’s delight.
It’s the ideal combination; work up an appetite before dinner, and walk off your Yorkshire breakfast the next morning. Sedbergh is also a designated Book Town, with a handful of independent book shops on its short but charming high street, so you can potter around if you’re too full to hike. You might well be, as the food at The Black Bull is both plentiful and sensational. I opted for the seven-course tasting menu, served in the sleek yet cosy dining room. Like the food, the room combines traditional Yorkshire pub vibes with style and flair, weaving in influences from head chef Nina Matsunaga’s Japanese parents and German upbringing.
She somehow juggles an à la carte menu of delicate pub classics (perfectly formed Wellingtons, golden pies and silken mashed potatoes) with a tasting menu that could seamlessly land on tables at a Michelin-starred restaurant. (There’s also a seasonal food hatch outside, serving patrons in the charmingly ramshackle beer garden.) Nina competed in the regional heats of Great British Menu 2024, impressing judges but narrowly missing out on the final. Apparently, it was her dessert that let her down. Having tasted her desserts, I find that hard to fathom.
The first (and my favourite) is a creamy custard laced with bee pollen, and imbued with a deep, earthy edge thanks to the use of spent grains sourced from local Fell Brewery (which also supplies brews to the hotel and its bar). It’s a winner if ever I’ve tasted one. The bread, too, is perfect, and baked daily in-house. There’s more of it at breakfast, perfect for mopping up plates of perfectly cooked eggs, wild mushrooms and locally sourced sausages and bacon. Throw in thick yogurt and Northumberland honey, and it’s plenty to fuel another day of exploring.
A double room at The Black Bull costs from £179 B&B, based on two sharing. The seven-course tasting menu costs £79 per person and must be booked in advance.
Review by Ella Buchan.
Situated amid a large former military barracks, you'll find the expansive and spacious Georgian-style complex of buildings that houses the Ebrington Hotel and its stunning Oakroom Restaurant. It's perfectly located on the bank of the River Foyle opposite the landmark Peace Bridge, which links visitors with the historic and bustling city centre of Derry-Londonderry. And with an on-site brewery suited to the most exacting of ale fans, plus a couple of excellent pubs and coffee shops nearby, there are plenty of things to explore before, or after, venturing into the Walled City.
A short stroll from one of the 89 beautiful rooms at the Ebrington Hotel is the AA two-rosette Oakroom Restaurant. With a focus on local produce, head chef Leigh Thurston and executive chef Noel McMeel head a team that provides a menu combining culinary tradition with modern Irish cuisine. Starter highlights include succulent delights from the sea. Whether going for the Kilkeel scallops, complete with Goatsbridge rainbow caviar, sea herbs and jus gras, or gin-cured salmon from Muff, just over the border in the Republic of Ireland, any seafood fan will be in their element.
In the light and airy dining area, a window seat in the Oakroom Restaurant will provide a great view of the Derry-Londonderry skyline to complement the mix of traditional and contemporary food on offer. This combination is no more evident than in the selection of mains. Locally sourced beef, lamb, cod and chicken are front and centre, and all tempt the taste buds. Despite the familiar choices, any selection is far from standard. Opt for the trio of manor farm chicken: a punchy combination of chicken and spinach roulade, roast cabbage and a delightful sprinkle of chicken skin crumb.
The afters selection at the Oakroom Restaurant follows a classic template. Savoury tastes are covered by a locally sourced cheeseboard, while sweet-toothed diners are very well catered for, too. The chocolate délice, spiked with salted caramel, is a particular highlight. Along with a range of ice cream choices, passion fruit soufflé and raspberry compote panna cotta also catch the eye. If that's not enough, the option of the ‘best chocolate bonbons in Ireland’ should not be ignored.
A double room at The Ebrington Hotel costs from £155 per room, B&B. See Ireland.com/northernireland for more information.
Review by James Roberts.
Hrishikesh Desai, chef patron of Farlam Hall, certainly has culinary pedigree, with classical French training, the Roux scholarship and mentorship under Thomas Keller. His now-closed restaurant HriSHi, at Gilpin Hotel in Windermere, won a Michelin star and four AA rosettes – and he’s reached the regional finals of Great British Menu twice. Now, he brings all of these influences – together with a fresh blast of Cumbrian countryside – to this country house hotel in the small sandstone town of Brampton.
The peace feels almost loud as you approach the elegant 19th-century building, and it’s even quieter in the wood-panelled lounge rooms. It's quieter still as I ascend the plushily carpeted stairs and, closing the door to my room, all-encompassing. Farlam Hall is wonderfully tucked away in manicured grounds, studded with trees and home to a kitchen garden, where much of the produce used in dishes served at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, The Cedar Tree, is sourced.
The Cedar Tree opens for dinner – à la carte or a seven-course tasting menu – from Wednesday to Saturday, and also serves a traditional afternoon tea. On other days, the dining room becomes the less formal Bistro Enkel, serving high-end pub fare including Sunday lunch. Everything has that extra element of flair, of course, with the best regional and seasonal ingredients and impeccable presentation. I went for the tasting menu, which began with the signature amuse bouche, olives ‘our way’ – effectively, reconstructed olives that pop in the mouth, releasing flavours of cardamom, pepper and, yes, olive.
When one bite is that good, you know you’re in for a treat. Every note and aroma was intensified in the way only the very best chefs know how. Dishes ranged from confit tomato and poached rhubarb to a perfectly formed pani puri (the classic Indian street food) filled with cucumber, peanuts, apple, cucumber and mint. Then, the desserts, which are (almost) too pretty to eat. The Indian and French influences are clear in every bite, as is the Cumbrian landscape that rolls out beyond the windows.
Rooms at Farlam Hall start at £295 for two people, B&B, and £555 including dinner at Cedar Tree.
Reviewed by Ella Buchan.
A foodie gem in the very truest sense of the word, Killiecrankie House can be found nestled deep in the woods in Perthshire’s Cairngorms National Park. The secluded white-washed building itself – once a traditional Victorian Highland country house – has been transformed by husband-and-wife team Tom and Matilda Tsappis (co-patrons, and head chef and host/sommelier respectively) into a modern fine dining restaurant with five chic bedrooms. The interiors ooze style – the beds are four postered, the elegant baths are free standing and the decor dark and dramatic – but it’s the exceptional food that really sets this place apart.
The food here is original and quite dazzling, with nods to both Scotland and Japan (where the couple first met) cleverly peppered throughout. Seasonal ingredients (many sourced from the kitchen garden) are cooked with finesse and flair and served in the carefully lit stone and wood dining room/open kitchen. Drinks are expertly made, and the pre-dinner nibbles exceptional – a miniature slab of dripping-fried porridge delivers a rich umami flavour that suggests there’s something really special going on.
Once guests move through into the dining room, the standard doesn’t slip, and over the course of the next three and a half hours, precisely cooked yet wonderfully playful dishes are delivered to tables with a sense of careful ceremony. Standout plates include the sensational crab noodle salad and The Potato That Wished It Was Rice – a risotto-style potato dish that combines potato in both mousse and crunchy fried form with brown butter dashi, sea lettuce, pickled mussels and buckwheat. At the end of the meal, mouthfuls of miso toffee, devoured while reclining on plush sofas in the lounge area, provide a fittingly delicious finale.
The next morning’s breakfast is a generous buffet in miniature that shouldn’t be missed. An array of homemade produce and locally sourced fare – delicate, flaky pastries, seasonal jams, butter-roasted mushrooms, spicy venison salami and house-smoked salmon – are served to the table. After all that, while you might well feel sad to be bidding your beautiful bolthole goodbye, there’s still plenty to see and do in the pretty surrounding area, including the picturesque nearby town of Pitlochry and Blair Athol Distillery – one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland.
Rooms at Killiecrankie House with dinner, bed and breakfast for two start at £520. Non-residents can book the tasting menu at £120pp.
Review by Emily Shardlow-Price.
Tucked away in the east Dorset village of Cranborne, surrounded by estates and fields full of local produce, La Fosse’s chef-patron Mark Hartstone really does live and breathe the seasons in his cooking. He is passionate about keeping food miles to a minimum and showcasing what the local area can bring to his dinner table. As well as a prodigious allotment, Mark is establishing a community orchard, and he regularly forages in local woodland.
This ‘eat local’ ethos means La Fosse’s inventive and beautifully presented dinner menu will include the likes of beet salad with golden beetroot bhaji and wild garlic tzatziki, and tomato with chives and Old Winchester cheese for starters. Mains might include slow-roasted shoulder of pork with Cranborne Blue cheese stuffing, or hake fillet with pan haggerty potatoes and foraged fungi. If you want to keep things really regional, you can pair your meal with local beers and wines.
If you’re not tempted by the award-winning cheeseboard, which really does put others to shame with the sheer variety of flavours, you can opt for the likes of forced rhubarb crumble straight from the allotment. Or how about home-grown kiwi salad (not something you’d expect to find in the south of England) with mint syrup? You can enjoy a post-dinner drink in the cosy lounge before retiring to one of the six charming rooms, all named after local landmarks.
The next morning, local meat, eggs and sourdough bread from the village bakery are the stars of breakfast. You can walk that off around the green fields and rivers of the nearby Cranborne Estate, and the likes of Salisbury and Stonehenge are within easy driving distance. Alternatively, take a stroll to the nearby Sixpenny Brewery to drink delicious real ale in its homely taproom.
Double rooms at La Fosse start at £89 per night. The whole house is also available for hire, as is the Scandinavian BBQ hut in the garden.
Review by Simon Ward.
Boasting a world-class distillery and a natural wonder of the world, the charming village of Bushmills should be on anyone’s itinerary for a visit to Northern Ireland. Visitors looking to explore the pristine coast and Giant's Causeway would be hard-pressed to find a cosier retreat than The Bushmills Inn, a four-star hotel and restaurant in a 17th-century coaching inn tucked off the main street, with white-washed walls, an ivy-clad basalt stone tower and its own secret courtyard.
Flop down into a comfortable armchair in front of the inglenook turf fireplaces or seek out a hayloft snug and order from the extensive offering of delicious food, signature cocktails and a huge range of whiskies in the gas-lit wood-panelled bar. Voted by the public as the best in Northern Ireland at the Good Food Ireland Awards, the AA rosette restaurant blends classic French techniques with 'new Irish' cuisine, served up with a ‘Bushmills twist’.
From the whiskey in the creamy pepper sauce to local truffle honey on the cheese board and whiskey-cured smoked salmon, executive chef Gordon Mcgladdery focuses on celebrating local ingredients and seasonal cooking. The menu is a meat lover’s dream, ranging from aged Northern Irish beef fillet to dishes that combine several different cuts and cooking techniques (often piled onto the same plate) – like the assiette of smoked pork belly, Ibérico cheek and tender fillet, served with roasted bone sauce.
Of course, no visit to this part of the world would be complete without a trip to the Bushmills Distillery. It was given its royal decree in 1608 by King James, and thanks to the pure water and centuries of experience, Bushmills whisky is now exported all over the world. Take a fascinating tour of the working factory to learn about the process from fermentation to barrelling (all while bottles are filled, labelled and boxed), then finish things off with a tasting in the wood-panelled bar.
A double room at The Bushmills Inn costs from £170 per room, B&B. See Ireland.com/northernireland for more information.
Reviewed by Natalie Davies.
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