The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is known for its picture-postcard villages and rolling hills, but visitors to the area will also find a number of top-class dining establishments. With that in mind, check out some of our recommendations of the best places to eat in the Cotswolds!
- The Kingham Plough
- The Wild Rabbit
- Trough Café
- The Lamb
- The Royal Oak
- Three Ways House
- Eckington Manor
the kingham plough
1. The Kingham Plough
Like many of the best places to eat in the Cotswolds, The Kingham is described as an extremely upmarket pub. Inside this characterful building, made of local Cotswold stone, chef Jonny Pons’ offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu assembled from locally sourced ingredients that change with the seasons. Specialities (in the summer months at least) have been known to include Woodfired Gilthead Bream and Cepe Marinated Pork Tenderloin.
This place is also something of an art gallery. The walls are adorned with superb paintings by celebrated 20th-century artists, and they’re all available to buy.
The Wild Rabbit
2. The Wild Rabbit, Kingham
If anywhere can be described as the foodie capital of the Cotswolds, then it’s the village of Kingham. It’s home to The Big Feastival – the annual jamboree of music and food from Blur bassist turned cheese producer Alex James – and the achingly cool Daylesford Farm Shop.
You’ll also find this fantastic dining pub in Kingham, is owned by a local lady of the manor, Carole Bamford, who also runs the Daylesford shop. The Wild Rabbit building dates from the 18th century, and here chef Nathan Eades – with a Michelin star to his name from his previous restaurant – has in the past offered a mouth-watering ribeye steak with local Bledington Blue cheese; or salted pollock fish cake with sea herbs, shellfish sauce.
There’s also an incredible cocktail menu to enjoy.
Trough Cafe
3. Trough Café, Daylesford
One of the area’s best organic eateries, Trough opens early so you might be able to try some superb poached smoked kipper or outdoor-reared Daylesford Gloucester ham. During the day you’re sure to be tempted by the choice of cakes on offer. This normally includes Bakewell tart, Earl Grey fruitcake and marmalade and elderflower cake, alongside some daily specials.
The evening menu has meat, fish and veggie dishes, alongside one of the most eclectic selections of pizza. Do you fancy black Iberico tomato with buffalo mozzarella, or nduja and sheep’s curd? Both are featured on this café’s menu in 2021.
The Lamb
4. The Lamb, Burford
This is somewhere where fine dining doesn’t necessarily imply small portions. Even if you eat in the main restaurant, where menu choices have in the past encompassed Gressingham duck breast, lobster risotto and mushroom & ricotta tortellini, you’re unlikely to leave hungry!
There’s also a daily specials menu of British pub staples available in the adjoining bar.
The Lamb is a 15th-century building encompassing several former weavers’ cottages, so a quintessentially English experience lies in wait if you come here.
The Royal Oak
5. The Royal Oak, Tetbury
Most of the fine dining establishments in the region offer at least one vegan option. There are plenty of highly-rated vegan eateries in nearby Cheltenham, but this place might be the best place for vegans within the boundaries of the Cotswolds AONB.
In this community-owned old-world inn, you can play the Art Deco piano while you wait for your starter of vegan samosa or your main course of smoked fish and chips, expertly prepared by head chef Stergios Pikos and his team. The chocolate fondant with vegan vanilla ice cream is also highly spoken of, so make sure you leave some space for dessert!
Three Ways House
6. Three Ways House, Mickleton
This is one of the best places to eat in the Cotswolds if you love your dessert. It’s perhaps one of the best restaurants for pudding fans anywhere in the UK.
Since 1985, it’s hosted The Pudding Club, where your glass of Bucks Fizz and the light main course are merely preparation for the Grand Parade Of Seven Traditional Puddings. The idea is to taste them all and vote for your favourite at the end of the night. Favourites such as sticky toffee and syrup sponge might be available all year round, while the summer menu might also include cold desserts such as Eton Mess and gooseberry fool.
Eckington Manor
7. Eckington Manor
Many people think of the Cotswolds as being in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, but the hills actually straddle no less than seven counties. Eckington is one of the prettiest villages in the Worcestershire part of the Cotswolds, and Masterchef: The Professionals champion from 2015, Mark Stinchcombe, is in charge of this restored 12th-century timber-framed manor house.
His seven-course tasting menu and three-course a la carte menu are sure to tempt you in the evenings, but this establishment also offers one of the best afternoon teas anywhere in the region. The five options range from a traditional cream tea to a deluxe Cotswold Gin Afternoon Tea as well.
The best way to complement visiting one of the best places to eat in the Cotswolds for a nice meal would be knowing that you can return to your very own ‘home away from home’ afterwards. At Situ we offer a wide variety of serviced apartments in the Cotswolds, all fully equipped and located with the requirements of business and leisurely travellers in mind. Get in touch via email: [email protected] or give us a call on +44 1392 690975!