Let’s be honest: December isn’t exactly peak hiking season. The days are short, the weather’s miserable, and the sofa is calling. But for those who refuse to hibernate until spring, there’s something rather magnificent about braving the British countryside when it’s at its most dramatic.
Keen hikers will know that umbrellas and a Mac just won’t do. Inclement weather is all part of the fun when braving the elements and submitting yourself to nature’s mercy, but that doesn’t mean you should sell yourself short on your next outing into the great unknown.
Nope, experienced hikers leave nothing to chance, particularly when taking a trek in the Great British countryside or other areas with unpredictable climates. Harness the power of the 5 Ps – proper planning prevents poor performance – with these tips on wet weather hiking and the 7 essential items you’ll need to pack.
A Waterproof Jacket
Should you be doing your trip in the brave, spontaneous style which defines great hiking, then let’s face it, there are times when you’re going to find yourself caught short in a storm and in danger of getting biblically wet. That shouldn’t worry you; it means you’re doing it right!
But a downpour can kill the buzz pretty quickly if you’re not prepared for it. So, first things first, you’re going to need a waterproof jacket to see you through to your destination dry and happy. It’s important to note here that not all jackets were created equal, and many on the high street are only water repellant (not the same thing and not offering the equivalent level of protection) and don’t qualify as ‘waterproof’. The latter is essential if you’re serious about your outdoorsy, adventurer credentials.
If possible, go for a jacket with a long cape-like back (poncho shaped, essentially) for travellers to place over their bags to keep possessions dry, too.
Waterproof Trousers
Alongside your usual cargo pants for when it’s not chucking it down, a pari of waterproof trousers is also vital. No one (not even those gluttons for punishment) wants to hike, reach, stride and stroll with sodden legs and trousers adhering to the body. Chafing and discomfort are sure to follow, and there’s no greater buzzkill to an adventurous disposition than sore, soaked legs.
Though on-trend vinyl leggings are popular with some fairweather hikers, we’re anticipating weather on the wilder side, and if you’re into serious hiking, style over substance won’t do the trick at all. It is better to opt for a good pair of waterproof trousers, allowing for greater flexibility and comfort, especially in areas which require a steep ascent or clamber, when there are puddles or muddy terrain to avoid.
A Waterproof Tent
Without wishing to state the obvious (you’d be surprised!) a waterproof tent is a must-have on your hiking adventure. The wilder you venture, the less prevalent and easily accessible shelter will be, and we’ve got our hearts set on some serious adventure, right?
Even if it’s only for a rest, or to cook the animal you caught with your bare hands under shelter, a tent that’s waterproof will keep you protected and dry. Spaciousness and the ability to stand is a real bonus, but the size and weight such a tent brings might be a sacrifice too far. Remember to choose one that’s durable to ensure it doesn’t easily get punctured; a surefire way to kill the carefree spirit of the trip.
Inside your tent, a waterproof blanket and sleeping bag are also pretty essential; because no amount of protection against the rain can prevent a little damp still seeping into a tent.
A Waterproof Bag
True hikers carry just the right amount of specialist gear with them; not too much to weigh them down, but certainly a compass, analog map and first aid kit as a rule. Keeping the indispensable hiker’s armoury dry requires both waterproof clothes and bags, then.
As we mentioned earlier, steer clear of assumptions about all rucksacks being waterproof, and be scrupulous about the distinction between water repellant and genuinely waterproof. Size matters here; though an expedition size is useful if you’re packing some serious weight (coming in at 75 – 100 litres in capacity), it can also be prohibitive on tough terrain. A multi-day size of around 50 litres, with straps to take some of the burden off your shoulders, is ideal.
Better still is to purchase one (or a set of) dry bag which usually comes in at around 15 litres of capacity and fits in your standard backpack, allowing for compartmentalising and maximum dryness. Clue’s in the title, hey?
Waterproof Hiking Boots
Keeping your feet dry on your hiking adventures is vital, spelling both comfort and safety when on the go. Any serious, self respecting hikes will encounter their fair share of high-running streams, puddles and pools of mud, all ripe to traverse if you’re wearing it right. Waterproof footwear, such as high-quality walking shoes or hiking boots, will allow for navigation without unnecessary, limiting trepidation.
Without waterproof protection for your feet, the trip becomes something to endure rather than enjoy, with the added risk of foot injury and infection. No one wants to realise they’ve got trenchfoot halfway through a hike, trust us.
Waterproof Gloves
When the weather turns cold and wet, keeping your hands warm and dry is crucial. Waterproof gloves are essential for maintaining dexterity and comfort. Wet and cold hands can make simple tasks like setting up a tent or handling gear incredibly difficult. Look for gloves that offer a good balance between waterproofing and breathability to keep your hands dry without causing them to sweat excessively.
A Waterproof Headtorch
With daylight in desperately short supply during winter months, a reliable headtorch isn’t optional; it’s essential. Even a leisurely afternoon hike can turn into a twilight scramble if you misjudge your timing, and fumbling through unfamiliar terrain in the dark is nobody’s idea of adventure.
A waterproof headtorch keeps your hands free for scrambling, map-reading or steadying yourself on slippery ground, while ensuring a sudden downpour doesn’t leave you literally in the dark. Look for one with adjustable brightness settings and a red light mode to preserve your night vision.
Waterproof Map Case
While digital maps and GPS devices are handy, they can fail in wet conditions or run out of battery. A waterproof map case ensures that your paper maps stay dry and readable, no matter how heavy the rain gets – or, indeed, how ‘off grid’ you are. This is a small but vital piece of gear that can make a big difference in navigation and safety.
The Bottom Line
Don’t get caught hiking in the rain without these essentials. While unpredictable, inclement weather isn’t the ideal condition for hiking, us Brits have developed a pretty sturdy, stiff upper lip in the face of a downpour. Don’t allow that stance to make you complacent, however. Instead, put your faith in some reliable, waterproof kit and enjoy your adventurous spirit in dryness and comfort.
That idyllic beachfront café in Bali might offer the perfect Instagram backdrop for your workday, but it’s also a potential goldmine for cybercriminals. As more of us swap office chairs for airline seats, protecting our digital workspace has become as crucial as packing a universal adapter.
Picture this: you’re finalising a crucial client project from a gorgeous rooftop café in Chiang Mai. The WiFi’s free, the coffee’s sublime, and you’re living the dream. But that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if your client’s data ends up compromised because of an unsecured network. It’s a scenario that plays out more often than you’d think – according to recent studies, digital nomads are three times more likely to experience data breaches than office-based workers, largely due to the nature of constantly changing work environments and reliance on public WiFi networks.
Essential Cybersecurity Kit For The Modern Nomad
The beauty of the digital nomad lifestyle lies in its simplicity – a laptop and good WiFi connection can create an office anywhere in the world. However, that simplicity needs to be balanced with robust security measures. Think of your cybersecurity toolkit as your digital travel insurance; you hope you’ll never need it, but you’ll be grateful to have it when things go wrong. Just as you wouldn’t travel without insurance or your passport, these tools should be non-negotiable components of your mobile office:
Your Digital Travel Insurance
A reliable VPN (your first line of defence against dodgy WiFi)
Two-factor authentication for all crucial accounts
Encrypted cloud storage for client files
Regular backup solutions that work offline
Smart Working Habits For Safer Adventures
Security isn’t just about having the right tools – it’s about developing habits that protect your digital workspace wherever you roam. The challenge lies in maintaining these habits when you’re working from a different location every week, or even every day. The key is to establish routines that become second nature, regardless of whether you’re in a high-end co-working space in Singapore or a beach shack in Goa.
On The Ground Rules
Never access banking sites on public WiFi without VPN protection
Take control of your data by regularly clearing browser caches and cookies, and removing personal information from Google, if necessary
Keep work and personal browsing separate (preferably on different browsers)
Use mobile hotspot for sensitive work when café WiFi feels sketchy
The Co-Working Advantage
The allure of working from picturesque cafés is undeniable, but there’s a strong case to be made for choosing established co-working spaces, especially when handling sensitive client work. These spaces have evolved far beyond just providing desks and WiFi – they’re professional environments designed with remote workers in mind, offering layers of security that no café can match. The investment in a co-working membership often pays for itself in terms of enhanced security and productivity:
Whilst beachfront cafés are tempting, consider these safer alternatives:
Established co-working spaces with enterprise-grade security
Private meeting rooms for confidential client calls
Secure, dedicated WiFi networks
Built-in community of fellow digital professionals
When Paradise Gets Problematic
Even with the best preventive measures, security incidents can still occur. The key to managing these situations lies in preparation and swift action. Think of it like travel insurance – you hope you’ll never need it, but having a clear plan in place makes all the difference when things go wrong. The most successful digital nomads aren’t those who never face problems; they’re the ones who know exactly what to do when issues – both in terms of data and finances – arise.
Creating an incident response plan might seem overly cautious, but it’s a crucial part of professional remote work. This isn’t about being paranoid – it’s about being prepared. Consider these your emergency protocols:
Immediate password changes across all platforms
Client notification protocols (have these ready before you need them)
Local tech support contacts in your frequent destinations
Backup work devices ready to deploy
The Professional Edge Of Security
In today’s digital landscape, strong security practices aren’t just about protection – they’re a valuable selling point. Clients are increasingly aware of cyber risks, and demonstrating that you take their data security seriously, even while working remotely, can set you apart from the competition. This professional approach to security needs to be comprehensive and visible to clients without being intrusive to your workflow.
Consider this your professional security framework:
Regular security audits of your digital workspace
Professional-grade encryption for client communications
Clear protocols for handling sensitive information
Regular updates to all security software
The Bottom Line
The digital nomad lifestyle offers unprecedented freedom, but that freedom requires responsibility. Investing in proper cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s about ensuring you can deliver the professional service your clients expect, whether you’re working from London or Laos.
Remember: true location independence means being able to work confidently and securely from anywhere. After all, what’s the point of that perfect beach office if you’re too worried about security to enjoy the view? By implementing these security measures and maintaining vigilant practices, you can focus on what matters most – delivering great work while exploring the world.
In the same way that personality can be conveyed through our clothing preferences, so it can be shown through our taste in music and interior design choices. Fuse those latter two together, and you can use your personality as a source of inspiration to help curate a unique and functional design aesthetic.
If you’re a keen musician, an audiophile or simply like nice looking things, here are 7 ways to incorporate music into your interior design scheme.
An Accent Piece
One of the great things about having a hobby like playing a musical instrument is that the instruments and equipment which you’ve accumulated over the years, rather than being a storage burden, can bring real character to your house. Moreover, musical instruments are beautiful to look at, and, as such, you shouldn’t be afraid of showcasing them in your décor.
If you’re a guitarist, hang your guitar on the wall to create an interesting focal point that will grab people’s attention. Display a single guitar on its own or create an entire wall full of guitars for impact. Hanging any musical instrument on the wall in your living room is not only decorative, but makes for an easy to reach jam session when the mood and music hit you.
A piano, if you have the space, can add aesthetic intrigue, too. Indeed, pianos aren’t just great for the people that play them; they provide a fabulous focal point when you have friends and family over. Have plenty of seats, stalls and poufs nearby, and voila – you have a makeshift stage.
A Sound System
Nowadays, you can buy a domestic sound system that would rival any small gig venue. Moreover, these modern day sound systems don’t just add harmonic richness to your favourite music, but visual appeal, too. A stylish setup, complete with turntables, can become as much of a talking point as any piece of art.
Whether you go for a trendy JBL, a retro-looking Marshall Stanmore Bluetooth speaker, or the elegant minimalism of Naim Audio’s range, a well-chosen speaker is a unique way to spice up your interior design with a mood lifter.
Frame Your Musical Moments
Although creating a shrine to your personal musical achievements may look a little self-indulgent and is best avoided if you want to look dignified, showing off a few moments you’re proud of as a way to incorporate music into your home decor certainly isn’t a crime.
If you’re a musician, consider framing certificates and adding them in with other artwork or gallery wall features. Or, perhaps incorporate photos of you performing into a gallery wall. Subtly showcase and incorporate your favourite musical moments into the overall interior design of the space for the most refined results.
Speaking of gallery walls, a simple yet powerful way to add music to your home is to create a feature wall of your favourite album covers and posters of your favourite musicians. Framed concert tickets and music sheets can also be incorporated for that extra personal touch.
If you’re a lover of vinyls, consider investing in some floating vinyl shelves and creating a vinyl wall. Artists spent so much money on album art – in fact, some of the most iconic images in the world are album cover art – and they deserve to have a spotlight shone on them domestically, don’t you think?
Here at IDEAL, it’s no secret that we’re huge fans of coffee book tables. Consider placing books with titles related to the music industry or your favourite artist on the table. Not only will this add musical personality to your room, but it’ll also spark conversations with guests.
Musical Antiques
You can also look into antique musical instruments that will provide a nice vintage touch to your decor and can tell the history of world music by themselves. An old record player is an excellent addition to a living room, especially if you love Jazz music.
On the other hand, if rock music is your passion, an amplifier would fit perfectly into your interior design. If you’re a fan of classical music, a statue of a musician or a beautiful solo harp could be a focal point of the room. Indeed, If you have space, instruments like the harp can become a particularly fascinating part of your decor. Have fun with this thing, and create a harmony (get it?) between music and domestic interior design today.
A Dedicated Listening Nook
If space permits, consider carving out a corner specifically for musical enjoyment. A comfortable armchair, good lighting and your preferred audio setup can create a retreat within your own home. Add a small side table for your current vinyl rotation or a stack of music magazines, and you’ve got yourself a personal sanctuary. This intentional approach to creating space for listening elevates music from background noise to a mindful experience.
Music-Inspired Textiles & Soft Furnishings
For those who prefer a subtler nod to their musical passions, textiles offer an understated way to weave melody into your décor. Cushions featuring graphic prints of instruments, throws in colours inspired by iconic album artwork, or even curtains with a subtle sound wave pattern can all contribute to a cohesive musical theme without overwhelming the space. It’s about creating a sense of rhythm in the room through pattern and texture.
The Bottom Line
Your home should be a reflection of who you are, and for music lovers, that means letting your passion take centre stage. Whether you opt for a statement instrument on the wall, a carefully curated vinyl display or a dedicated corner for deep listening, incorporating music into your interior design creates a space that’s both personal and inviting.
The key is to strike a balance between showcasing your musical identity and maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Get it right, and your home won’t just look good; it’ll feel like it has its own soundtrack.
Train travel is not just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about embracing the journey itself. The world’s most spectacular train journeys offer travellers the opportunity to witness breathtaking landscapes, experience diverse cultures, and enjoy the romance of the rails. With that in mind, here are 11 of the best railway adventures anywhere on the planet. All aboard!
The Belmond Andean Explorer: Peru’s High-Altitude Luxury
Embark on South America’s first luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer, for a breathtaking journey through the Peruvian Andes. This opulent train takes you across some of the highest plains of the Andes from Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, to the white city of Arequipa, with an option to stop at the spellbinding Lake Titicaca.
The journey can last either one or two nights, depending on the chosen itinerary, and covers a distance of up to 548 kilometres. As you travel through this majestic landscape, you’ll be treated to views of vast fields, quaint villages, and the towering peaks of the Andes.
Key Stops:
Cusco: Once the heart of the Inca Empire, filled with archaeological treasures.
Puno/Lake Titicaca: The highest navigable lake in the world, home to the unique Uros floating islands.
Insider Tip: Opt for the two-night journey to give yourself more time to acclimatise to the high altitude and to fully enjoy the onboard amenities, including the lounge car and the observation deck. Make sure to book a visit to the open-air observation car where you can breathe in the crisp Andean air and capture panoramic photographs of the stunning scenery. Additionally, participate in the onboard activities, such as Pisco tasting and traditional Peruvian music performances, to enrich your cultural experience.
The Ghan: Traversing the Heart of Australia
Named after the Afghan cameleers who once traversed this desert landscape, The Ghan offers a transcontinental journey like no other. Covering approximately 2,979 kilometres, this epic train ride takes you from the lush tropical coast of Darwin in the Northern Territory, through the red heart of Australia, and down to the charming city of Adelaide in South Australia. The journey takes about 54 hours and offers an insight into Australia’s vast interior, with optional stops at Alice Springs and Katherine, where you can explore ancient gorges and indigenous culture.
Key Stops:
Darwin: Known for its balmy weather and rich cultural tapestry.
Alice Springs: The spiritual heart of the Outback.
Adelaide: A city celebrated for its food, wine, and arts scene.
Insider Tip: Make sure to book the off-train excursions in advance, as they can fill up quickly. For those interested in astronomy, consider timing your journey with a new moon to experience the stunning Outback night sky.
The Glacier Express: Alpine Splendour in Switzerland
Often referred to as the slowest express train in the world, the Glacier Express offers a chance to savour the journey through the Swiss Alps at a – ahem – glacial pace.
A standout feature of luxury tours of Switzerland, the 291-kilometre route takes a leisurely eight hours to connect the mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz. The train snakes through untouched mountain landscapes, deep gorges, 91 tunnels, and across 291 bridges, offering panoramic views of Switzerland’s most breathtaking scenery, including the world-famous Matterhorn.
Key Stops:
Zermatt: Home to the iconic Matterhorn and a paradise for skiers and hikers.
St. Moritz: A luxury alpine resort town with a world-class reputation.
Insider Tip: Reserve a seat in the Excellence Class for a luxurious experience that includes a concierge service, a guaranteed window seat, and a sumptuous five-course meal paired with regional wines.
The Rocky Mountaineer: Canada’s Moving Panorama
The Rocky Mountaineer’s routes through the Canadian Rockies are a symphony of towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and pristine wilderness. The most popular route, the ‘First Passage to the West’, covers the historic track between Vancouver and Banff or Calgary, taking in the dramatic scenery of British Columbia and Alberta. This daylight-only train journey ensures passengers don’t miss a moment of the stunning landscapes, with an overnight stay in Kamloops.
Key Stops:
Vancouver: A vibrant city set against a backdrop of ocean and mountains.
Kamloops: A city in the heart of British Columbia’s interior wine country.
Banff/Calgary: Gateways to the majestic Canadian Rockies.
Insider Tip: If you’re travelling during the shoulder season, bring binoculars for wildlife spotting as animals are more active during these times. Also, consider extending your stay in Banff or Lake Louise to explore the natural beauty on foot.
The Coastal Pacific with Interislander Ferry: New Zealand’s Rail and Sail Experience
The Coastal Pacific train in New Zealand offers a unique combination of cruise and rail that makes for the ultimate adventure. Starting from the garden city of Christchurch, the journey takes you through the wine region of Marlborough and along the rugged Pacific Coast to the picturesque port town of Picton.
From there, you board the Interislander Ferry for a scenic cruise through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. The entire journey by train and ferry covers around 348 kilometres and takes approximately 5.5 hours by train and 3.5 hours by ferry.
Key Stops:
Kaikoura: Known for its abundant wildlife and whale watching opportunities.
Blenheim: The heart of the Marlborough wine region.
Wellington: New Zealand’s capital, famous for its vibrant arts scene and beautiful harbour.
Insider Tip: Make sure to spend some time on the open-air viewing deck of the Interislander Ferry to spot dolphins and take in the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds. For the train journey, booking a Scenic Plus Class will provide you with a premium experience, including local cuisine and commentary about the regions you’re passing through.
The Blue Train: South Africa’s Window to Luxury
South Africa’s Blue Train is synonymous with luxury. The route between Pretoria and Cape Town covers around 1,600 kilometres and takes about 31 hours to complete. The journey is a showcase of South Africa’s diverse landscapes, from the grasslands of the Highveld to the arid Great Karoo and the spectacular Cape Winelands. The train itself offers opulence on wheels, with butler service, gourmet meals, and suites that boast full-sized bathtubs.
Key Stops:
Pretoria: South Africa’s administrative capital, known for its jacaranda-lined streets.
Kimberley: The site of a major diamond rush in the 19th century, with a rich mining history.
Cape Town: A cosmopolitan city famed for its harbour, Table Mountain, and historic sites.
Insider Tip: Take advantage of the personal butler service offered to all passengers. They can assist with anything from unpacking your luggage to organising a private, romantic dinner in your suite.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: A European Elegance
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the epitome of vintage luxury, offering a timeless journey through the heart of Europe. This legendary service runs on various routes, but one of the most popular is the classic journey from London to Venice. Covering around 1,300 kilometres, the trip takes about 24 hours and transports passengers back to the golden age of rail travel, with restored 1920s carriages, sumptuous dining, and impeccable service. The route passes through the rolling hills of the French countryside, the Swiss Alps, and the Italian Dolomites before arriving at the enchanting city of Venice.
Key Stops:
Paris: The city of lights and love, with its iconic landmarks and rich history.
Verona: A city in northern Italy with a medieval old town built by the Adige River.
Venice: Known for its canals, Gothic architecture, and romantic ambience.
Insider Tip: For an extra touch of nostalgia, pack 1920s-inspired evening attire. The train’s atmosphere harks back to the golden age of travel, and dressing up for dinner will enhance your experience. Also, try to book the ‘Cabin Suite’ by combining two interconnecting cabins, giving you the luxury of space and privacy.
The TranzAlpine: New Zealand’s Natural Splendour
Often described as one of the world’s great scenic railway journeys, the TranzAlpine spans the South Island of New Zealand from Christchurch to Greymouth, covering 223 kilometres in approximately 4.5 hours. The journey takes passengers from the East Coast to the West, over the fertile Canterbury Plains, through the stunning Waimakariri River valley, and across the majestic Southern Alps. The train features an open-air viewing carriage, allowing for an immersive experience of the breathtaking landscapes.
Key Stops:
Christchurch: A vibrant city rebounding with creativity and innovation.
Arthur’s Pass: A high mountain pass in the Southern Alps, offering spectacular alpine scenery.
Greymouth: A town with a history of jade hunting, gold mining, and dramatic river floods.
Insider Tip: Sit on the left side of the train when travelling from Christchurch to Greymouth for the best views of the Southern Alps and the Waimakariri River. Also, be ready to step into the open-air viewing carriage for unobstructed photo opportunities, especially as you approach Arthur’s Pass.
The Indian Pacific: Coast to Coast Across Australia
Named after the two oceans it connects, the Indian Pacific offers an epic transcontinental journey across Australia from Sydney to Perth. Spanning a distance of over 4,350 kilometres, the journey takes around 65 hours to complete. This adventure on rails offers a unique perspective on Australia’s vastness, diversity, and beauty, from the Blue Mountains to the barren Nullarbor Plain, where the train travels the world’s longest straight stretch of railway track.
Key Stops:
Sydney: Australia’s bustling and iconic harbour city.
Adelaide: A cultural hub known for its festivals and food scene.
Perth: A sunny city with a laid-back vibe and beautiful beaches.
Insider Tip: Opt for the Platinum Service for a more luxurious experience, which includes off-train excursions such as a visit to the mining town of Kalgoorlie or a dinner under the stars at Rawlinna. Booking well in advance can sometimes secure you early bird discounts.
The Bernina Express: Through the Swiss Alps and Italian Hills
The Bernina Express offers one of the most scenic high-altitude railway experiences in the world. This train connects Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, covering 156 kilometres and taking about 4 hours. The route is a marvel of engineering, passing over the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bernina Pass at 2,253 metres above sea level and showcasing the dramatic contrasts between the snowy Alps and the sunny palm-lined streets of northern Italy.
Key Stops:
Chur: The oldest town in Switzerland, with over 5,000 years of history.
St. Moritz: A luxury resort town known for winter sports and elegance.
Tirano: An Italian town famous for its religious sites and proximity to the stunning Valtellina valley.
Insider Tip: Travel during the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn to avoid the crowds and enjoy the changing landscapes. In spring, you’ll witness melting snow and blooming flowers, while autumn offers a display of golden hues. Also, consider staying overnight in Tirano to enjoy the Italian culture and cuisine before heading back.
The Eastern & Oriental Express: Southeast Asia’s Gilded Journey
The younger sibling of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Eastern & Oriental Express has been running through Southeast Asia since 1993. Operated by Belmond, this emerald-and-cream train currently runs two seasonal routes departing from Singapore and travelling through Malaysia, with stops including Penang, Langkawi, and Taman Negara National Park. The four-day, three-night journeys showcase restored carriages with vintage glamour, Peranakan-influenced cuisine, and off-train excursions ranging from jungle yoga to Georgetown street art tours by Vespa.
Key Stops:
Singapore: The gleaming city-state where the journey begins.
Taman Negara: Malaysia’s oldest national park, home to ancient rainforest.
Penang: A UNESCO-listed island blending colonial architecture with hawker-stall culture.
Insider Tip: Book the observation car for sundowners as the train winds through the Malaysian interior – and don’t skip the onboard foot massage while watching the scenery roll past.
The Bottom Line
Each of these train journeys offers a unique blend of comfort, adventure, and panoramic beauty. They are not just about getting from point A to B; they are about experiencing the landscapes, cultures, and histories of the regions they pass through. Whether you’re looking for luxury, adventure, or simply a new way to see the world, these railway journeys are sure to inspire and amaze.
Few tools have earned as much reverence in professional kitchens as the Japanese knife. Born from centuries of swordsmithing tradition, these blades represent a fundamentally different philosophy to their Western counterparts; one that prioritises precision over brute force, and encourages cooks to work with ingredients rather than simply against them. For anyone serious about cooking, understanding the main Japanese knife types (and crucially, when to reach for each) is a skill worth developing.
The distinctions matter because Japanese knives are designed for specific tasks in a way that Western all-rounders simply aren’t. A yanagiba exists for one purpose: to slice raw fish in a single, uninterrupted stroke that preserves cellular integrity and maximises texture. A deba’s heft is engineered to break down whole fish without the kind of blade damage you’d inflict on a thinner knife. This specificity can seem intimidating at first, but once you understand the logic behind each blade, building a collection becomes almost intuitive.
The Everyday Workhorses
For Slicing Meat, Dicing Onions & Mincing Herbs: The Gyuto
The gyuto is where most cooks should start. Translating literally as ‘cow sword’, it emerged during the Meiji era as Japan’s answer to the Western chef’s knife, though with a distinctly Japanese interpretation.
Gyutos are thinner, lighter and harder than their European equivalents, making them exemplary Japanese kitchen knives that accommodate both the rocking motion familiar to Western cooks and the push-cutting technique favoured in Japanese kitchens.
For home cooks, a 210mm blade offers the ideal balance of reach and manoeuvrability; professionals typically opt for 240mm or longer.
For Dicing, Slicing & Chopping On Smaller Boards: The Santoku
The santoku occupies similar territory but with a different personality. Its name means ‘three virtues’ (referring to meat, fish and vegetables) and its shorter, flatter blade with a sheepsfoot tip makes it particularly nimble on smaller cutting boards. Where the gyuto encourages a slight rock, the santoku excels with a straight up-and-down chopping motion.
Many home cooks find it more approachable than a gyuto, and its typical length of 165 to 180mm suits compact kitchens perfectly.
For Dicing & Slicing With Added Tip Precision: The Bunka
The bunka deserves mention here too. A hybrid that combines elements of both the gyuto and santoku, it features a distinctive pointed ‘k-tip’ that adds precision for detail work whilst retaining the versatility of an all-purpose blade. Think of it as a santoku with slightly more attitude.
Japanese cuisine places enormous emphasis on vegetable preparation, and two knives have evolved specifically for this purpose.
The nakiri is the more accessible of the two: a thin, rectangular double-bevel blade designed to make full contact with the cutting board on every stroke. This eliminates the accordion cuts that plague curved blades and makes quick work of everything from leafy greens to dense root vegetables. Its tall blade also doubles as a handy scoop for transferring ingredients from board to pan.
For Paper-Thin Cuts & Decorative Garnishes: The Usuba
The usuba is the nakiri’s professional-grade sibling, distinguished by its single-bevel edge. That single bevel allows for extraordinary precision (essential for techniques like katsuramuki, where a daikon is peeled into a continuous paper-thin sheet) but demands considerably more skill to use and maintain. Unless you’re planning to pursue traditional Japanese cooking seriously, the nakiri will serve you better.
Fish & Butchery Blades
For Slicing Sashimi: The Yanagiba
This is where Japanese knife design truly diverges from Western tradition. The yanagiba (sometimes called shobu, meaning ‘iris leaf’) is the archetypal sashimi knife: long, slender and single-bevelled. Its purpose is to slice boneless fish fillets in one fluid drawing motion from heel to tip. This single-stroke technique minimises cellular damage, which is why sashimi sliced with a yanagiba tastes fresher and has better texture than fish hacked with an inappropriate blade.
Lengths range from 240mm for home use up to 330mm or longer for professionals working with whole sides of tuna.
For Filleting & Breaking Down Whole Fish: The Deba
The deba handles the heavier work of fish butchery. Thick, heavy and robust, it’s built to break down whole fish: splitting heads, cutting through pin bones and separating fillets. The spine is sturdy enough to crack through small bones (using a gentle tap from your palm rather than forcing the blade), whilst the pointed tip can navigate around joints with surprising delicacy.
A 165mm deba suits most home fish work; professionals handling larger specimens typically reach for 210mm.
For Deboning Chicken & Poultry: The Honesuki
For meat, the honesuki is the Japanese answer to a boning knife, though with a crucial difference. Where Western boning knives are flexible, the honesuki is rigid and triangular, designed for precision work around poultry joints rather than the sweep-and-flex technique common in European butchery. Its stiff spine provides the leverage needed to pop through cartilage and separate joints cleanly. The garasuki is essentially a larger, heavier version built for butchering bigger birds or more demanding tasks.
The Precision Tools
For Peeling, Trimming & Deveining: The Petty
Every kitchen needs a small knife for detail work, and the petty fills that role beautifully. Essentially a scaled-down gyuto (typically 120 to 150mm), it handles everything from peeling and trimming to breaking down small ingredients that would feel awkward under a full-sized blade. Many chefs consider it as essential as their main knife.
For Carving Roasts & Slicing Cured Meats: The Sujihiki
The sujihiki is Japan’s slicing knife: long, narrow and double-bevelled. Unlike the yanagiba (which is purpose-built for raw fish), the sujihiki excels at carving roast meat, slicing smoked salmon or breaking down any boneless protein where clean, even cuts matter. Its narrow profile reduces drag and friction, allowing the blade to glide through flesh without tearing. Think of it as a more refined, harder-edged alternative to a Western carving knife.
Understanding Japanese Steel
Japanese knives perform differently to Western blades largely because of their steel. Traditional high-carbon steels like shirogami (white steel) and aogami (blue steel) can achieve extraordinary hardness and take an exceptionally keen edge, though they require more maintenance as they’re prone to rust and patina.
White steel is prized for its purity and ease of sharpening; blue steel adds tungsten and chromium for improved edge retention and slightly better corrosion resistance.
Stainless options like VG-10 and AUS-10 offer a practical middle ground: sharp, reasonably hard and far more forgiving of occasional neglect. For most home cooks, a quality stainless Japanese knife represents the ideal balance between performance and low maintenance.
More exotic powder steels like SG2 and ZDP-189 push hardness and edge retention further still, but at a price premium that’s harder to justify outside professional settings.
The Bottom Line
Start with a gyuto or santoku as your primary blade, add a petty for detail work, then expand based on how you actually cook. If you prepare a lot of vegetables, a nakiri earns its drawer space quickly. If you’re buying whole fish, a deba becomes essential.
The beauty of Japanese knives lies in their specificity; each blade does one thing exceptionally well, and building a collection means gradually assembling the right tool for every task your cooking demands.
Let’s park the Battersea/Clapham border debate once and for all, in favour of finding great food together and forgetting arbitrary quarrels about where one area starts and another begins. Instead, we’re here to break down barriers, borders andbread, all in the time it takes to wait for a train.
Whilst Clapham Junction might be the busiest train station in Europe, its restaurant scene is arguably a little less relentless, but you’ll still find plenty of great places to eat within walking distance of the station. So, without further ado, here are our picks on where to eat near Clapham Junction; the best restaurants near Clapham Junction.
Taverna Trastevere, St John’s Hill
Ideal for authentic Roman cuisine and traditional, crowd pleasing pasta dishes…
A five-minute walk up St John’s Hill from Clapham Junction, Taverna Trastevere brings a genuine slice of Rome to South London. Opened in 2019 by life-long friends Nicolas Vaporidis and Alessandro Grappelli, this split-level restaurant has quickly established itself as one of the area’s most authentic Italian dining spots. The interior is exactly what you want from a Roman restaurant – all warm wooden beams, terracotta walls, and soft lighting that makes everyone look like they’re in a Fellini film.
The menu reads like a greatest hits of Roman cuisine, with particular attention paid to the holy trinity of pasta dishes that define the Eternal City – carbonara, cacio e pepe, and amatriciana (we’re sorry, alla Gricia), which all clock in above £18. While that might seem steep for pasta, the quality more than justifies it. Under the guidance of Roman chef Ivano Paolucci, these classics are executed with impressive precision – the carbonara, in particular, is increasingly spoken about in lofty, hyperbolic terms, with a growing crowd of pasta aficionados and Tory TikTokers making the pilgrimage to SW11 to try it.
The antipasti selection shines – don’t miss the suppli alla Romana (£8), those perfectly crafted rice balls with a molten mozzarella centre that are a street food staple in Rome. The fritto misto (£14) here, confusingly, isn’t lovely, fried tiny fish and tentacles, but rather, various suppli variations and cacio e pepe croquettes that’ll have you fighting over the last bite. And then, admittedly, regretting doing so as a wave of heaviness hits you.
For mains, the saltimbocca (£24) is a standout, the veal escalope cooked sympathetically and generously perfumed with sage, while the pizza menu offers excellent Roman-style thin crust options. The wine list is thoughtfully Italian-focused – their house red, a fresh and juicy Trebbiano, and white, a crisp Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, both start at £6 per glass.
The restaurant oozes that warm, convivial atmosphere of a traditional Roman taverna, complete with outdoor seating perfect for summer dining. The service style matches this vibe – attentive but refreshingly unpretentious, with an all-Italian staff adding to the authentic experience.
Taverna Trastevere is open daily for lunch and dinner, making it equally suitable for a casual weekday pasta fix or a more elaborate weekend feast. While prices reflect the central London location and quality of ingredients (expect to pay around £40-50 per person for three courses with wine), the cooking’s unwavering commitment to Roman traditions makes it a worthy addition to the area’s dining scene.
Clapham Junction station and the surrounding area certainly isn’t short on supermarkets and cash machines, which feels like an odd way to start an article about the best restaurants in Battersea, but bear with us.
You’ll need both for Kaosarn, a Thai bring-your-own-booze, cash-only restaurant whose no-frills, no-frippery mentality extends to the food in the best possible way. Here, the flavours are bold and upfront, with a country-spanning menu of the classics sure to perk up even the weariest of train-traveller.
The restaurant’s Bangkok-style som tam was once named as one of Time Out’s best 100 dishes in London, and it certainly does the job. Order it alongside some grilled chicken (gai yang) and a basket of sticky rice (khao niao) and you’ve got an enlivening, uplifting Thai meal for less than £20.
Ideal for some of South London’s best Neapolitan pizza…
Pizzeria Pellone on Lavender Hill is something of a game of two halves. The first side of the menu is Franco Baresi style; austere, traditional and masterful in its mistake-free delivery. The latter feels somewhat inspired by Roberto Baggio; creative, joyful and exciting.
Enough of the football analogies; this is superb pizza, make no mistake, with authentic Neapolitan recipes here using Caputo flour, Gustarosso tomato sauce and Buffalo Mozzarella straight from Campania. That comes as no surprise; the family owns five Pizzeria Pellones in Naples, and their restaurants in the Motherland regularly receive plaudits.
That said, it’s in the Pizze Le Pizze Gourmet section of the menu where the real excitement lies; the white pizzas here are superb and the Calzone Fritto, heavy on the black pepper and punchy with housemade salami, is a cult classic.
Perhaps precede all of this with a trio of montanare classiche, that absurdly satisfying Naples streetfood snack of golden but greaseless dough (how do they do that?) topped with marinara sauce and parmesan. It’s such a good version here.
Considering the restaurant is just a fifteen-minute walk from Clapham Junction station and the pizzas take just a minute to cook in Pellone’s roaring hot wood-fired oven, if your train is delayed and you’re looking for a quick, delicious feed in the meantime, then this is the place to head. Or, they’ll deliver to the station; back of the net!
Ideal for an exemplary banh mi, one of the best we’ve had outside of Vietnam…
Looking for an even faster, equally as satisfying meal close to Clapham Junction, that can be assembled to-go within just a few minutes? Keen to pair that with one of the most silky and luxurious liquid pick-me-ups on the planet? If you answered in the affirmative, then it’s to Viet Caphe you should head.
Opened just last year, these guys are already knocking out some of the best banh mi in the city alongside a small selection of other light Vietnamese lunchtime staples like bun cha and summer rolls.
Anyway, back to that banh mi, which comes in a rundown of around nine (and growing) versions, most of which revolve around pork. We enjoyed the crispy pork version, which was generously filled with fatty pork belly and crackling, coriander and pickles, with all the rich mouthfeel and piquant cut through that entails. A glorious, exemplary banh mi, and one of the best we’ve had outside of Vietnam. We can’t wait to go back and get stuck into their menu more comprehensively.
Right now, the restaurant is unlicensed, but they also do a fine Vietnamese iced coffee – strong, sweet and indulgent – that can also be taken away. Now that’s a train picnic your fellow passengers will be casting covetous glances at.
Just leave Clapham Junction at the St John Hill’s exit and head up that hill for five minutes. Look for the pastel pink building and block, italics capitals of VIET CAPHE, and know you’re in business.
Ideal for when you fancy Korean comfort food but can’t be arsed to trek to New Malden…
Hana, seven minutes up from Clapham Junction (turn left out of the station, not right), is a family-run Korean spot has been pleasing SW11 palates with faithfully rendered Korean comfort cooking since 2012. The 20-seat space might be small, but when the stone bowl bibimbap arrives hissing like an angry cat and its aroma beckons you in like a waving one, you’re know you’re among as many friends as you could possibly need.
The restaurant once had Michelin recognition (genuinely not sure why they don’t anymore; it’s as good as ever), though you wouldn’t know it from the prices. The family who run it named the place after their daughter Hannah (Hana means ‘one’ in Korean), and there’s something rather lovely about how they’ve stuck to traditional Korean cooking while making Battersea locals feel at home. Inside, it’s all dark wood furnishings, pretty hanging lamps, and service that knows when to chat and when to leave you to your soju. If you truly don’t feel like chatting, you can bury yourself deep in the bowels of the place, behind a translucent byeongpung, and, erm, bury yourself deep in a bowl from the place. That’s a sentence that really doesn’t work, but we’re leaving it in anyway…
The bossam (£16.50) arrives as slow-cooked pork belly with lettuce wraps. No fancy garnishes here; just meat that is tender and fat that is wobbly, ready to be wrapped up with their ferocious house kimchi. Their bulgogi gets its sweetness from fruit marinades, while the homemade Hana mandu are plump dumplings (hey, how about we start calling these guys ‘plumplings’? guys? GUYS?) that put Itsu’s efforts to shame.
But it’s the dolsot bibimbap that really shows what they’re about. That stone bowl comes out nuclear-hot, raw beef cooking as you mix everything together with house gochujang. At under fifteen quid, it’s the kind of dish that ruins you for the watered-down versions you’ll increasingly find on the high street. There’s a round of complimentary banchan too, just as it should be.
Most dishes hover around £10-15, portions are generous enough that you’ll waddle back to the station, and after 13 years in the same spot, they’ve clearly worked out what the neighbourhood wants. Closed on Mondays.
Ideal for soul-stirring South Indian food that will ruin your local brunch spot forever…
South Indian cooking has landed on Northcote Road with Tamila, the latest venture from the team behind north London favourites The Tamil Prince and The Tamil Crown. Since opening in October of last year, it’s quickly made an impact, not for its curries so much, but more for its brunch. Quickly, it’s become the kind of place that makes you question why you ever waited 45 minutes for mediocre eggs Benedict on a particularly ropey Sunday morning. That Gail’s a minute down the road? It’s not longer getting a look in…
Unlike its pub-dwelling siblings up north, Tamila takes a more casual approach. The space is simple – whitewashed walls, wooden tables, booth seating – but the aroma of spices blooming that drifts from the open kitchen brings all the ambience you need here. That, and the steady stream of dosas floating past your table that will have you flagging down the waiter before you’ve even taken your coat off. That sounds like we’re planning to wear those dosas. Come to think of it, they’d make good sleeves…
…Speaking of those dosas – they’re the real deal. The masala version comes as a golden-brown crisp scroll hiding spiced potato masala within, served alongside coconut chutney and sambar that you’ll want to ask for extra of. At £9, it’s also one of the best value breakfasts in the area. The medhu vadai, those savoury lentil doughnuts that could teach their sweet cousins a thing or two about depth of flavour, are another morning winner.
As day turns to evening, the kitchen becomes a different thing, but it’s still satisfying, generous grub that serves up enough intrigue to represent a decent alternative to the area’s more old school curry houses. The Thanjavur chicken curry brings complex, layered spicing and the Chettinad lamb curry carries enough punch to wake up even the weariest commuter. Their dhal is treated with the respect it deserves here – creamy, deeply flavoured, and perfect with their exemplary rotis.
The Gunpowder Margarita has been proving particularly popular with the always-thirsty Northcote Road crowd. If that’s a little bracing, there’s a house Tamila lager that does exactly what you want it to, and a concise wine list that won’t frighten the accountants, who you’ll be dining next to, most likely.
Such has been the success (this place boasts a healthy bottom line, we’d wager) of this south London outpost that a second Tamila has now opened in Kings Cross, and the original is already in the Michelin Guide. Indeed, there’s something special about this Northcote Road spot – Tamila feels like it’s been here forever, even though it’s only just getting started.
Ideal for one of the best-priced pizzas pizzas you’ll find in the capital…
Or, if you’re heading south out of Clapham Junction station rather than climbing the hill northeast, then you’ll find a pretty decent, super quick pizza on Northcote Road at Franco Manca.
All-conquering Franco Manca pizzeria doesn’t need much in the way of an introduction; it seems to be on every street corner of London these days. No, that we’re not complaining – it is still one of the best-priced pizzas you’ll find in the capital.
The trick is in their sourdough base, with the addictive tang only a great ferment brings. Options are limited but inclusive, all part of the places’ charm, with no danger of being gripped by the paradox of choice when scrutinising the simple, streamlined menu. A place like this lives and dies by the pizza itself, and fortunately for all of London, Franca Manca appears to be immortal.
On a street largely defined by mid-range chain eateries, Northcote Road’s best ‘neighbourhood’ restaurant is Osteria Antica Bologna, a warm and welcoming Italian which has been in the same spot for over two decades and does all of the simple, rustic things just right.
So, that’s freshly made pasta, ragus that taste like they’ve been bubbling since the restaurant opened, risotto that’s genuinely cooked to order (please allow for 20 minutes) and, if you’re feeling particularly ravenous, a Bistecca alla Fiorentina, that famous chargrilled T-bone steak beloved of Tuscany.
With affordable wine by the glass and a convivial atmosphere every night of the week (except Mondays, when it’s closed), it’s no wonder that Osteria Antica Bologna is such a hit with the locals.
The ideal neighbourhood restaurant and natural wine bar…
It’s the type of place that this corner of town has been crying out for; a natural wine bar that just happens to do deceptively simple, simply delicious things with seasonal British produce, ready to rival the steady stream of openings out East that seem to have perfected this concept.
Enter Ploussard, which ticks all of the boxes above and then some, all in a space that manages to be both austere but warm, the gentle, oscillating thrum of chatter and clinking classes soundtracking the sharing of plates and your own vital conversation.
Of those plates, the black pudding tempura with pear is as vibey and as delicious as it sounds, but try sharing one; it’s not possible. Even better – at their very best in fact – was a hulking, fist-sized scallop with a totally unnecessary but totally delicious chicken wing and smoked butter sauce. The two dishes actually worked beautifully in tandem, in fact – the ol’ black pudding and scallop combo bringing a whole new meaning to the sharing plates concept. Yours, as a pair, for £30.
Though it’s positioning itself as a neighbourhood bistro of sorts, in the mould of Paris’ bistronomy movement, this isn’t a place to just pop in for a quick glass of wine on your way home from work; Ploussard, named after a prized French red grape variety typically grown in the eastern region of Jura, is already packed out every night of the week (except Mondays, when the doors remain bolted).
That said, it’s much easier to simply stroll in on a weekday lunch, and relax into this (relatively) new Battersea gem. With several wines sold by the glass for just under a tenner, it’s a place we can see ourselves relaxing into rather a lot this year.
And news just in (kinda): In September, Michelin did the right thing and recognised Ploussard in the guide. About bloody time, quite honestly.
Ideal for modern French food with some global flourishes…
This creative counter-dining restaurant on Battersea Rise would be impossible to get into were it in Hackney or out west on Westbourne Grove.
As it stands, with this part of Clapham offering up a different type of dining scene, you can usually expect to get a table (or rather, bar stool) at fairly short notice at French chef Yoann Chevet’s brilliant restaurant.
Do so, and you’ll be rewarded with a no choice four-course menu for a bargain £59, which falls broadly under the ‘modern European’ bracket but with a few Asian flourishes – think open ravioli of braised beef with kimchi and tofu.
Don’t worry, you’re not being experimented on with ill-thought fusion food; dishes here are light, perfectly poised and full of flavour. A must visit if you’re in Battersea!
Mien Tay, a Southern-ish Vietnamese restaurant a short walk from Clapham Junction, was one of favourite Vietnamese spots in the city, serving up some of the most faithfully recreated Vietnamese fare we’ve found in London without hitting up Kingsland Road out East.
We loved their rendition of banh xeo, a Vietnamese pancake/spring roll mash-up that is a textural, flavour-balancing delight. Décor was pleasingly stripped back and functional, letting the food do the talking, in typical Vietnamese spirit. Oh, and it was BYOB. All together now – ”Tram Phan Tram!’’ What was not to love?
Anyway, you might have noticed some pretty judicious use of the past tense there. That’s because the Battersea branch of Mien Tay (the Shoreditch and Fulham renditions remain) recently – and quietly – changed both name and owners. Now called Song Hong, the menu and chefs remain the same, though the quality is a little more hit and miss than its predecessor, we think. That said, those hits mean Song Hong is still worthy of a place on our list.
The best fine dining option in the area, this Clapham stalwart run by the effervescent, proudly classical chef Adam Byatt has been given a new lease of life in recent years, it seems, via its increasing ubiquity on TopJaw, and Byatt’s downright educational cooking instructionals on Instagram, that have honestly been feeding our weeknight dinner inspiration for the past few months.
A Michelin star felt like it came late for Trinity in 2016, but boy was it well-deserved. This is not to say it wasn’t superb before the little red book finally recognised its exceptional celebration of British ingredients with flair and respect – but Michelin’s acknowledgement of Trinity as one of the best restaurants in London is pleasing nonetheless. The restaurant has a particular affinity with game, and a visit in grouse season is a must.
If fine dining isn’t your thing, chef Byatt has recently opened a more casual, small plates affair upstairs – suitably named Trinity Upstairs – where the cooking is as attentive and precise as its big brother down on the first floor, but at a more accessible price.
Ideal for proper Neapolitan pizza from an award-winning pizzaiolo…
Marco Fuso opened Renaissance Pizzeria at the Clapham Common end of Battersea Rise in late June 2024, bringing his considerable reputation to what’s been a notoriously difficult site. The Lecce-born pizzaiolo has spent years collecting international awards, running MFP Consultancy where he’s trained hundreds of professional pizza chefs across Europe and beyond, and developing his own professional-grade flour. Now he’s got his own restaurant, and the pizza lives up to the pedigree.
The dough uses Fuso’s proprietary flour blend and gets treated with the kind of obsessive attention that has won all those awards. Tender but structurally sound bases with the requisite puffed crusts arrive with a pleasing leopard-spotted char, the cornicione has genuine structure rather than just air, and toppings stay generous without drowning the whole thing in heartburn. The margherita demonstrates exactly why Fuso bothers with all this – San Marzano tomatoes, imported buffalo mozzarella, and that distinctive fresh olive oil he won’t shut up about. It works, and to our mind there’s no need to stray further into the menu when the classic is this good.
If you do wish to maraud through the menu, the Zucca Piccante shows what happens when someone who truly understands the form starts gently experimenting – a sweet and suave pumpkin sauce meeting Italian sausages and ‘nduja, with plenty of that extra virgin olive oil. It’s excellent, and will keep those ‘pizza is boring’ pricks at bay while you enjoy your margherita in peace.
The dining room aims for Renaissance-inspired elegance, which in practice means fairly restrained décor with playful touches – historical figures holding pizza slices, that sort of thing, and there’s a small terrace that fills quickly when the weather cooperates. The acoustics haven’t been sorted yet, so expect volume when it’s busy. Not to worry; Renaissance is hitting its stride quite nicely in this corner of Battersea, and things can only get better from here, we think.
Open Tuesday to Friday from 5pm, Saturday and Sunday from noon. Closed Mondays.
Ideal for classic Thai curry’s and regional specialities…
The second Thai restaurant on our list, and for good reason; could there be a better cuisine at reinvigorating a commuter who’s been worn out by the cut and thrust of the capital, all in the time it takes to wait for that connecting train to Epsom? We certainly don’t think so.
Rosa’s Thai has outposts all over London, with the restaurant gaining popularity for its affordable, punchy Thai dishes with origins from across The Kingdom. The Clapham branch has found a home on Northcote Road, and in a street largely defined by pizzas and burgers, the enlivening hit of chilli and smoke is – even if a little functional – most welcome.
Go for the stir-fry dishes, as Rosa has real woks and burners out back and that all-important ‘hei’ can be sensed on the plate. The chilli and basil stir fry is a very satisfying one plate wonder, akin to Bangkok’s beloved pad gra pao, but using Thai basil instead of the holy stuff. Regardless, it does the job.
The restaurant also focuses on regional specialities. We’re particularly fond of coming here for an order of chicken larb, papaya salad and a side of sticky rice which all hail from the Isaan province in North-East Thailand.
As their website boasts, the restaurant group serves 11’000 pad Thais a week. We’re a little embarrassed to admit just how many of that number were us.
Ideal for chicken shish, falafel and halloumi kebabs…
Excuse the name that calls to mind Thierry Henry suavely, sexily peddling a Renault Clio, and instead turn your attention to the gorgeous, keenly priced kebabs being produced at Bababoom, Battersea Rise’s premier Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant.
With the charcoal grill licking up flames from noon daily, we’d argue that Bababoom is best enjoyed at lunchtime, where one of London’s best deals is found; a properly massive, laden chicken shish, falafel or halloumi kebab, fries and a drink (the frozen lemonade is ace) for just £10. Yep, ten pounds, and that drink can even be beer, which you’d likely be paying around a tenner for alone in some corners of the city. This one runs weekdays until 5pm. Get involved!
For the ultimate grab and go meal just moments from Clapham Junction station, Prezzemolo & Vitale, a relatively recent addition to the area, has brought an authentic taste of Sicilian gastronomia culture to this little corner of south west London.
With shops already thriving in Chelsea, Notting Hill, Borough Market and Wimbledon, the Battersea branch of Prezzemolo & Vitale is housed in the revamped Arding & Hobbs building on St John’s Rd. This Sicilian deli-cum-cafe is stacked with a wide selection of premium Italian charcuterie, cheeses, pasta and olive oil, as well as some items you’ll struggle to find in your local Waitrose, such as guanciale and bottarga.
There’s also an impressive array of seasonal produce imported directly from Italy on a weekly basis – Marsala black tomatoes and Ribera oranges, stand up. So far, so do-it-yourself…
But for a train picnic, you’ll be properly set up here too, with the counter on your left as you enter the deli (still haven’t decided what to call this place!) well appointed with homemade Italian classics that eat incredibly well lukewarm.
Seeing as the gaff (still haven’t decided…) is Sicilian, the caponata is particularly good. A really good version actually, salty, sweet and sour, in that order, and so good lumped across the freshly baked focaccia that’s also sold here. The parmigiana di melanzane and beef lasagne look great, too. Next time, next time…
On top of all that, Prezzemolo & Vitale’s own brand of Italian ice cream, including esoteric flavours like Gianduja, Fior di Panna, and Tiramisu, is available here (or to go) for all the sugarheads out there. Unsurprisingly, the coffee here more than does the job, too.
After the whirlwind of Christmas festivities, cardboard unboxing and gift-wrapping marathons, and he endless rounds of mince pies, January arrives with a familiar sense of deflation. The decorations come down, the credit card bills land on the doormat and the short, dark days can feel relentless.
But rather than hibernating under a duvet until spring, why not channel that post-Christmas energy into something restorative? A short break close to home offers the perfect antidote: a chance to shake off the seasonal cobwebs, explore somewhere new and return feeling genuinely refreshed rather than simply exhausted.
The good news is that you needn’t travel far to find that midwinter magic. Within an hour of London lie some of England’s most characterful towns, each offering their own particular brand of winter charm. Think crackling pub fires (you can still enjoy the glory of the pub even if you’re doing Dry January!), bracing coastal walks, world-class museums without the summer crowds and restaurants serving the kind of hearty food that January demands. Here are 5 destinations guaranteed to lift even the most stubborn case of the post-Christmas blues.
Chatham & Rochester, Kent
The Medway Towns offer a surprisingly rich winter escape just 35 minutes from St Pancras on the high-speed train. While the celebrated Historic Dockyard Chatham reopens in mid-February, the adjacent town of Rochester more than compensates during January. This is Dickens country, after all, and winter feels like the appropriate season to wander its atmospheric streets.
Rochester Cathedral, England’s second oldest, provides a peaceful refuge from the January chill, while the imposing Norman castle offers panoramic views across the Medway from its keep. The town’s High Street is pleasingly independent, with Baggins Book Bazaar claiming to be England’s largest secondhand bookshop across its labyrinthine rooms. For something more interactive, several board game cafes have opened in recent years, offering the perfect rainy afternoon activity.
For those wanting to stretch their legs, nearby Blue Bell Hill rewards with some of Kent’s finest views across the Medway Valley and Weald. The area is also home to Kit’s Coty House, a 6,000-year-old Neolithic burial chamber thought to predate Stonehenge. The three massive sarsen uprights and their capstone make for an atmospheric winter pilgrimage, particularly on a crisp January morning when mist hangs over the valley below.
Come evening, Rochester’s historic pubs provide exactly what January demands: low-beamed ceilings, real ales and proper comfort food. The annual Sweeps Festival may be months away, but the town’s Dickensian spirit endures year-round.
Getting there: High-speed trains from London St Pancras to Rochester take approximately 35 minutes. Standard services from London Victoria reach Chatham in around 50 minutes. Getting to Chatham by car takes around an hour.
Rye, East Sussex
The medieval East Sussex town of Rye could have been designed specifically for winter visits. Its cobbled lanes, crooked half-timbered buildings and ancient inns are impossibly photogenic under grey January skies, and the absence of summer crowds makes the whole experience considerably more pleasant.
Mermaid Street remains the most photographed spot, its 900-year-old buildings now housing everything from boutique B&Bs to the legendary Mermaid Inn, where smugglers once plotted in secret cellars. The inn’s Giant’s Fireplace Bar offers exactly the sort of atmospheric refuge a January afternoon requires.
Crucially for winter visitors, Rye is in its element during the colder months. The town hosts a Scallop Festival in February, but January sees the famous Rye Bay scallops already in season and appearing on menus across town.
Climb St Mary’s Church tower for winter views across Romney Marsh to the sea, then warm up with fresh seafood at The Standard Inn. For a bracing winter walk, the nearby Rye Harbour Nature Reserve offers excellent birdwatching across its saltmarshes and shingle banks.
Getting there: Trains from London St Pancras to Ashford International take 38 minutes, with a connecting service to Rye taking a further 21 minutes.
Whitstable, Kent
A windswept seaside town might seem counterintuitive for January, but Whitstable’s appeal is precisely that bracing quality. A stiff walk along the pebble beach, past rainbow-coloured beach huts, followed by a plate of oysters and a pint in a cosy harbour pub: this is winter done properly.
The town has been synonymous with oysters since Roman times, and January sits firmly within the native oyster season, which runs from September to April. The Royal Native Oyster Stores and Wheeler’s Oyster Bar both serve exemplary specimens, while the Crab and Winkle restaurant above the harbour provides a warm retreat when the wind picks up.
Beyond the seafood, Whitstable’s High Street rewards winter browsing with independent shops, vintage stores and excellent coffee roasters. The Old Neptune pub, known locally as ‘The Neppy’, sits directly on the beach and offers real ales alongside surprisingly good food. Nearby, The Sportsman at Seasalter holds a Michelin star and represents the perfect excuse to extend a day trip into an overnight stay.
Getting there: Direct trains from London Victoria to Whitstable take approximately one hour 20 minutes.
Oxford, Oxfordshire
The city of dreaming spires is particularly atmospheric in winter, when mist hangs over the college quads and the golden stone takes on a softer quality. January also means the university is in term, lending Oxford an energy that summer tourism alone cannot replicate.
For indoor escapes, the Ashmolean Museum houses half a million years of art and archaeology across 39 galleries, all free to enter. The quirky Pitt Rivers Museum, attached to the Natural History Museum, offers another rainy afternoon’s worth of exploration through its extraordinary ethnographic collections. The Bodleian Library and its atmospheric Divinity School provide yet more shelter from the elements, while literary pilgrims can follow in the footsteps of Tolkien and Lewis through their old haunts.
Oxford’s pub scene is among England’s finest, and January is the ideal time to claim a fireside seat. The Eagle and Child, where the Inklings once gathered, The Turf Tavern, hidden down a medieval alley, and The Bear, with its collection of tie remnants, all offer proper winter refuge. For something more contemporary, the Covered Market provides an excellent lunch destination, while Jericho’s restaurants and bars cater to those seeking a livelier evening.
Getting there: Direct trains from London Paddington take approximately one hour. Coaches from London Victoria take around 90 minutes.
Just 20 minutes from London, the Hertfordshire cathedral city of St Albans offers an ideal January day trip. The magnificent 11th-century cathedral, built partly from Roman bricks salvaged from nearby Verulamium, dominates the skyline and provides a suitably grand start to any visit.
St Albans punches well above its weight for pubs, with the historic Ye Olde Fighting Cocks claiming to be Britain’s oldest. January is the perfect time to test this theory while warming yourself by the fire. The city also boasts an impressive collection of micropubs and craft beer spots for those seeking something more contemporary. Its restaurant scene isn’t half bad, either.
For winter walks, the 100-acre Verulamium Park incorporates the remains of the Roman city, including visible sections of wall and a hypocaust. The St Albans Museum and Gallery, housed in the Victorian town hall, offers free admission and tells the area’s 2,000-year story. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the historic 150-stall charter market brings additional life to the medieval streets, offering fresh produce and artisan goods to stock up on before the journey home.
Getting there: Trains from London St Pancras to St Albans City take approximately 20 minutes.
The Bottom Line
January needn’t be the month of endurance that it often becomes. Each of these five destinations offers something the post-Christmas soul craves: history to absorb, food to warm, walks to invigorate and pubs to shelter in when the weather turns.
Best of all, they’re close enough to London that the journey itself feels like part of the escape rather than an obstacle to overcome. Pack a warm coat, check the train times and give yourself permission to start the new year somewhere that isn’t your sofa.
As winter blankets Europe in a pristine layer of snow, ski enthusiasts and winter adventurers are eagerly awaiting the beckoning call of the slopes.
As ski season 25/26 begins in absolute earnest, The Alps, renowned for their breathtaking landscapes and world-class ski resorts, offer a haven for those seeking the perfect ski trip. But where are the very best places to hit the slopes in this most famous of skiing regions? Here, of course, at these snowiest ski resorts in the Alps.
St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
Nestled in the Austrian Tyrol, St. Anton am Arlberg is a skier’s paradise, boasting not only challenging slopes but also an abundance of powdery snow. With an average annual snowfall of over 8 metres, this resort is a haven for powder hounds. St. Anton’s extensive network of slopes, including the famous Valluga, caters to all levels of skiers, making it an ideal destination for both beginners and seasoned professionals.
The resort’s luxury side centres around the sophisticated Arlberg Hospiz Hotel, exclusive dining at Verwallstube at 2,085 meters, and private helicopter transfers from Innsbruck. The charming village features upscale boutiques along its pedestrian zone, while the Monjola club draws an elegant international crowd for après-ski.
Renowned for hosting the first Winter Olympics in 1924, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc remains an iconic destination for ski enthusiasts. Surrounded by the majestic Mont Blanc, this French resort experiences heavy snowfall throughout the winter season. The diverse terrain, including the challenging Vallée Blanche off-piste route, makes it a favourite among thrill-seekers.
Chamonix offers a unique blend of traditional alpine charm and modern ski amenities, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors, even those not interested in the actual skiing!
Engelberg-Titlis, Switzerland
Switzerland, synonymous with picturesque landscapes, hosts one of the snowiest ski resorts in the Alps – Engelberg-Titlis. The resort is home to the breathtaking Titlis Glacier, ensuring a consistent and abundant snow cover. Engelberg-Titlis is a haven for freeriders, with its off-piste opportunities and challenging descents. The panoramic views of the surrounding Swiss Alps add an extra layer of magic to this winter wonderland.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
For those seeking a combination of world-class skiing and Italian charm, Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites is the perfect destination. With an average annual snowfall exceeding 7 metres, this resort offers a picturesque setting for winter sports enthusiasts. The Dolomiti Superski area, one of the largest ski circuits globally, provides a variety of slopes for skiers of all levels. After a day on the slopes, visitors can immerse themselves in the rich culture and gastronomy of the charming town.
Verbier, Switzerland
Nestled in the Four Valleys, Verbier is renowned for its extensive ski terrain and legendary off-piste runs. The resort receives abundant snowfall, creating pristine conditions for skiing and snowboarding. Verbier’s vibrant atmosphere, luxury accommodation, and renowned après-ski scene make it a favourite among the international ski elite. With over 400 kilometres of slopes, including the challenging Tortin and Mont Fort runs, Verbier offers an exhilarating experience for winter sports enthusiasts.
It’s also one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world. Luxury Verbier ski holidays usually revolve around private chalets with personal chefs, Michelin-starred dining at Le Chalet d’Adrien, and exclusive experiences like heli-skiing. The resort’s sophisticated Place Centrale and legendary Farm Club attract an affluent international crowd, while high-end boutiques and the W Verbier’s spa cater to those seeking alpine luxury beyond the slopes.
Val d’Isère, together with Tignes, forms the Espace Killy ski area in Savoie, known for its reliable snow conditions and extensive ski terrain. The resort boasts an impressive snow record, with an average annual snowfall of around 6 metres, thanks to its high altitude and the presence of the Grande Motte Glacier.
Val d’Isère caters to all levels of skiers and snowboarders, with a mix of green and blue runs for beginners and more challenging black runs and off-piste options for experts. The village combines rustic charm with a lively après-ski scene, making it a well-rounded choice for a ski holiday.
Zermatt lies at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn and offers one of the longest ski seasons in the Swiss and French Alps, with skiing possible almost year-round due to the Theodul Glacier. The resort receives an average snowfall of about 5 metres annually, ensuring excellent conditions throughout the season. Zermatt’s ski area is vast, with interconnected slopes leading to the Italian resort of Cervinia. The town itself is car-free, preserving its alpine beauty and providing a peaceful retreat after a day on the mountain. Zermatt is also known for its gourmet dining, both on the mountain and in the village.
The resort’s luxury credentials shine through its ultra-exclusive Omnia hotel perched above the village, Michelin-recommended dining at Chez Vrony, and private mountain guides for off-piste adventures. The car-free cobbled streets are lined with designer boutiques and luxury watch shops, while the Mont Cervin Palace offers one of the Alps’ most prestigious spa experiences.
Part of the Paradiski area, one of the largest ski areas in the world, Les Arcs is known for its modern architecture and innovative design. The resort enjoys a strong snow record, with various altitudes offering reliable snow cover and an average snowfall of around 5 metres. Les Arcs has a diverse range of pistes suitable for all abilities, including the famous Aiguille Rouge descent, which offers over 2,000 metres of vertical drop. The resort’s villages range from the family-friendly Arc 1800 to the more serene and picturesque Arc 1950.
Andermatt, Switzerland
Andermatt has recently undergone a transformation with significant investment in its facilities and infrastructure. Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, it benefits from a microclimate that brings an average annual snowfall of over 7 metres, making it one of the most reliable spots for snow in Switzerland. The resort has a mix of terrain for all levels, including the challenging Gemsstock area, known for its steep and deep powder runs. Andermatt’s charm is in its traditional Swiss village atmosphere, combined with the modern luxury of its recent developments.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional seeking challenging descents or a beginner looking to embrace the magic of winter sports, the Alps have something for everyone. Embark on a journey to these winter wonderlands, where the snow-covered peaks and exhilarating slopes create the perfect setting for an unforgettable ski holiday.
Bristol’s food scene, it should bear repeating, has a lot going for it. Named as only the UK’s second gold sustainable food city back in 2021 and as the world’s number one vegan city a year earlier, this south west culinary powerhouse also boasts a healthy, stacked Michelin Guide and plenty more acclaimed eateries besides.
Narrowing those restaurants down into a singular, definitive list, then, is something of a thankless task. But we’ve taken on that task, begrudgingly eating the finest food from across Bristol, from Korean grilled chicken to bowls of pasta that reached triple figures, to bring you this; our guide on where to eat in Bristol. Here are the best restaurants in Bristol.
Bokman, Cotham
Ideal for a reviving, exciting Korean spread centred around grilled chicken…
Tucked away at the end of a steep cul-de-sac off Bristol’s loose and lively Stokes Croft neighbourhood, you’ll find Bokman, a small Korean restaurant with a big reputation.
The work of Duncan Robertson and Kyu Jeon, who met at Paris’s L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and have since got married, this is a unique dining experience that is both intimate and exhilarating, the tightly spaced dining room on the ground floor a buzzing, belying centrepiece to the grill work going on out back.
On that upright, rotating charcoal spit you’ll find the star of Bokman’s blistered show; the Tongdak. Featuring crisp-skinned rotisserie chicken stuffed with sticky rice and slow-cooked until tender, it’s served with ssam style, with lettuce leaves for wrapping and a selection of dipping sauces and pickles. A bowl of the house kimchi is, of course, obligatory. It’s got to be the most celebratory, all-in sharing plate in the city.
Bokman’s menu doesn’t stop at the Tongdak, though. Seasonal vegetable bibimbap makes the ideal dinner for one, the famous stone bowl rice dish given lift-off with gratings of cured pollock roe and an oozing egg yolk, whilst the seolleongtang – a wibbly, wobbly beef stew topped with spring onions and spicy dadaegi condiment – is one winter warmer and a half, and could be peddled as a health food were it not so damn indulgent tasting. Whole bream bathing happily under a rusty gochujang-heavy sauce is yet another knockout. Yep, you’ll want to bring friends for this one.
All you need alongside is a bottle of room temperature soju and consider your cockles thoroughly warmed (can you tell we’re writing this on a particularly chilly day?).
Cool things right back down with Bokman’s signature soft-serve, perfect even in winter, and you’ve got yourself one of the most peerless, joyful dining experiences in Bristol.
Excitingly, in late 2024 the team behind Bokman opened a follow-up restaurant over on Chandos Road. Named Dongnae, we can’t wait to check it out soon.
Ideal for Korean grilling and fermentation with serious culinary pedigree…
Well, we checked it out. And Dongnae doesn’t just meet expectations; it vaults clean over them.
On Chandos Road (an absurdly stacked strip for restaurants, increasingly), Duncan and Kyu – their CVs boasting stints at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Alain Ducasse – have created a follow-up to Bokman that continues a lineage but is still very much its own thing. Where the rotisserie chicken takes centre stage a mile down the road, here it’s a custom charcoal grill doing the heavy lifting.
The room is clean, minimalist and cold-white, with windows that always feel misted with condensation – inviting from the outside, comforting once you’re in. It lets the food take centre stage.
Start with some compelling Kkochi (skewers) which set the tone. Octopus, given heft from lamb fat, comes gently smoked and yielding, with an earthy, cumin-spiked warmth, a drift of finely sliced chives a contender for a keen mark on that bloody Instagram account. All they need is a lick of lime to send them on their way.
From the raw section, Jinju style beef is a standout. Reminding us of a rubber band ball in appearance only, it’s spun through with house gochujang to give the tangle of flesh some life and dignity. Served alongside are sheets of nori and julienned Korean pear for DIY assembly. The interplay of rich, spiced beef against the crisp sweetness of the fruit is inspired. Everything is served at just the right temperature: the beef and pear ice cold by design, not accident.
Glazed Korean fried wings glazed arrive limbs intertwined in post-coital sleep. They shatter, they give, they’re gone in seconds.
The BBQ quail was the main event on our visit, and arrived as several birds portioned on a rack, burnished from the coals, their skin blistered and salty. Alongside comes the full banchan spread – rice, lettuce cups for wrapping, house kimchi and pickles – turning lunch into something participatory and gloriously hands-on. It’s the kind of dish that demands you put your phone down and get stuck in.
The space itself is compact, split across two former shop fronts with counter seating not so much overlooking the open kitchen as being slightly under it. Watching the brigade work the grill – even if you can only see their faces and shoulders – is half the entertainment. The wine list, much like Bokman’s, leans natural, with Bristol importer Vine Trail supplying plenty of interesting bottles.
The Michelin Guide has already come calling. But awards aside, Dongnae is simply one of those restaurants that makes you want to return before you’ve even finished eating. It is one of the most downright enjoyable openings Bristol has seen lately.
There’s something rather fitting about Caper & Cure occupying a former ‘cash chemists’ on Stokes Croft – after all, their negroni sbagliato might just be the remedy you need after a particularly trying Tuesday.
The 1920s mosaic tiling at the entrance still proudly proclaims its pharmaceutical past, a charming reminder of when Bristolians could pop in for their ‘remedies and cures’ without prescription. The modern version is probably just round the corner on Hepburn Road, but that’s closed now, too…
Anyway, enough of the tenuous introductions, let’s stride into Caper and Cure and get across it. Here, owner Giles Coram has created a bijou shabby-chic success story, transforming what was most recently an arts café into one of Bristol’s most cherished neighbourhood bistros. The space has seen more incarnations than a method actor – from that original chemist to electrical supplier, internet café, and music venue. But it’s the basement that holds the real intrigue, having apparently hosted ‘shenanigans, japes and capers’ throughout its entire history. Some things, it seems, never change – though these days it houses a rather smart private dining room next to the kitchen that can still get pretty boisterous.
The transformation of Stokes Croft from its grittier past to artisan food destination makes Caper & Cure feel particularly symbolic of the area’s evolution. The restaurant has featured in The Good Food Guide as one of Britain’s 100 Best Local Restaurants twice in the last three years, a testament to how this compact corner spot has captured hearts well beyond BS1.
Start with spanking fresh Maldon oysters, taking pride of place at £3.75 a pop (or a very civilised six for £18), each one to be dressed simply with a classic mignonette that lets their briny sweetness sing. Continue on a theme with the cured wild sea bass. Slices are laid gently in a crystal-clear tomato and olive consommé that’s savoury and delicate, the inherent richness of the fish allowed to shine through. This kind of dish is often butchered by an overt acidity that crudo simply can’t take, but here, the consommé is expertly judged, a pleasing backnote rather than the main event.
Whilst not nominally a fish restaurant, we continued with a more robust plate of monkfish that really shows off the kitchen’s chops at the stoves, the meaty fish given heft and smoke from its sobrasada sauce (that spreadable Balearic sausage that makes everything better). Confit Jersey Royals provided the perfect creamy counterpoint.
To ensure the wrong impression wasn’t given, a meaty plate next. From the specials board, if the rabbit with Coco de Paimpol beans is there, don’t sleep on it. Served as a whole saddle on the bone, it was superb, and the accompanying French heirloom beans from Brittany were as creamy as butter, viscous and earthy, those latter notes only amplified further by a few carefully placed girolles. What a gorgeous dish this was.
That negroni sbagliato we mentioned? It’s a beauty – all bitter-sweet sophistication with a playful prosecco fizz that somehow makes day drinking feel entirely acceptable. Given the basement’s history of capers and japes, we suspect the team here wouldn’t judge you for settling in for the long haul and ordering several. With the sun streaming in on a warm Bristol early evening, it all felt so right.
Ideal for some of Bristol’s most celebrated Jamaican food…
You can’t come to Bristol and not have some Jamaican food, the city having a large Jamaican population stemming from the UK’s efforts to rebuild after World War II. The British Nationality Act of 1948 gave citizens of the Commonwealth the right to settle in the UK, leading to the arrival of the Windrush generation, many of whom were Jamaican and made Bristol their home.
As more Jamaicans settled in Bristol, they formed communities and support networks which, in turn, attracted further migration from Jamaica. Over time, the Jamaican community in Bristol has made significant cultural contributions to the city, particularly in music, food, and festivals like the annual St Pauls Carnival, which celebrates African-Caribbean culture.
Images via @GullusKitchen
And so we wind up at Gullu’s Kitchen in Bristol’s Fishponds suburb, getting thoroughly seasoned with jerk smoke as we await arguably the city’s finest dose of grilled chicken, Caribbean or otherwise. A takeaway only joint (pedants, look away from the ‘best restaurants’part of the title), you’ll see the jerk pan – an oil drum that’s blackened from years of expert barbecuing – standing proudly outside Gullu’s, with several blistered legs being thoroughly doted on by a be-gloved, sometimes be-goggled cook.
God this is good chicken – nicely piquant from the house jerk sauce and charred beautifully. But don’t stop there; the brown stew chicken is phenomenal and arguably the most popular dish here. We’re also fans of the tender oxtail stew with butter beans. Loaded with big, bold Caribbean flavours, this rich, aromatic stew is meltingly tender and heady in its spicing. Have it over both chips and rice, and take your haul over to Coombe Brook Nature Reserve (a five minute walk) for a seriously elite picnic.
Ideal for thoughtful, produce-driven tasting menus from the restaurant’s own market garden…
This intimate 24-cover restaurant in Redland, helmed by chef-patron Jan Ostle and his partner Mary Wilson, offers one of Bristol’s most compelling farm-to-table experiences.
The menu here changes not just with the seasons but with each harvest, transformed daily based on what’s been pulled from the soil that morning. A six-course tasting menu (£73) showcases this bounty with remarkable finesse. The restaurant cultivates its own two-acre market garden in nearby Barrow Gurney, where the vast majority of vegetables, herbs and flowers that grace your plate are grown using regenerative farming techniques.
A recent visit in November brought with it a real treat of snails and wild garlic capers, a seasonally on-brand plate of blushing venison, beetroot and radicchio that was just about every shade of autumn you could imagine, and, best of all, a showstopping dessert of parsnip, apple and burnt cream, each dish speaking clearly of its origins.
Indeed, the cooking at Wilson’s strikes that rare balance between technical excellence (Ostle’s CV includes stints at The Square and The Hand & Flowers) and a deep respect for ingredients. The wine pairings (£50) are thoughtfully selected and, alongside that £73 tasting menu, the whole offering represents remarkably, laughably good value for all the quality that’s on show. It came as no surprise that the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in the 2025 Guide.
That might have you making assumptions about the style of the place, but what’s particularly refreshing about Wilsons is how it manages to deliver fine dining without any of the stuffiness – the whitewashed dining room is understated, the service warm and knowledgeable. For those seeking a more accessible entry point, their three-course lunch menu (£35) offered Wednesday to Friday is another display of the excellent value here.
In 2021, the team expanded their operation by opening The Bread Shop just a few doors down, where you can sample their excellent sourdough and house-cured bacon milk buns. It’s also home to their fermentation and preserving projects, ensuring nothing from the market garden goes to waste.
This commitment to sustainability hasn’t gone unnoticed – Wilsons holds a Green Star too, recognition of their exceptional commitment to sustainable gastronomy. Yet perhaps more telling than any accolade is how beloved this place is by Bristol’s other chefs – always a good sign.
Booking in advance has been essential since the Michelin star, but it could be pretty much obligatory following the restaurant’s appearance on Apple TV’s Knife Edge.
Ideal forItalian small plates and interesting wines…
This wine bar and kitchen, part of the esteemed Bianchis Group whose growing presence in the city can only be a good thing, only emerged in early 2022 but has already firmly found its feet in Bristol’s Old City.
Transforming from its previous incarnations as La Sorella, a deli and aperitivo bar, and then Bar Ripiena, the pandemic thwarted plans to reimagine the space as a lasagne bar (how good does that sound?), leading to the birth of Cotto, a cosy bolthole known for its chilled out vibe and homestyle Italian cooking.
During the day, the tight room exudes a serene atmosphere with its muted, tactile terracotta walls and framed cartoons, while in the evenings, it transforms into a lively space with a convivial glow that you notice from the road. Trust us; it beckons you in.
Patrons can choose to sit up at the bar, overlooking St Stephen’s Street, enjoying a glass of wine and a small plate, though the enticing menu might make settling for just that feel like a missed opportunity. From that menu, the beef shin lasagne is superb; cakey and upright, just as it should be, and positively humming from its rich, pastoral ragu and aged parmesan-spiked bechamel. For good measure, it sits atop a little pool of tomato compote, which brings a welcome jolt of acidity.
Before that (because it will finish you off), make sure you order the artichoke fritti, a beautiful big pile of the bastards that have been drizzled with hot honey and showered with a few cooling leaves of mint. Popping in for just a plate of these and a glass of something cloudy and funky is very much the vibe of the place.
Or, go larger from the ever changing lineup of pasta; a bowl of fregola with clams and datterini or bucatini alla nerano, if you like.
With a generous selection of wines (many biodynamic) available by the glass, Cotto is a thoroughly agreeable place to spend an evening, or even an hour.
Not all of Bristol’s very best dining goes down in the centre of town. Indeed, venture just a little further afield, and you’ll be rewarded with some truly excellent options for your supper.
Perhaps our favourite slightly out-of-town spot sits in the peaceful residential suburb of Henbury, around a half hour’s drive from the city centre. It’s the kind of mission you need to make to enjoy a truly ‘country pub’ experience so close to a major urban centre. And the Blaise Inn offers just that, with a side of order of culinary excellence thrown in for good measure.
This Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded gastropub has quickly become a beloved fixture in the local dining scene since its opening in 2021, the work of Louise McCrimmon, a celebrated chef with previous as executive chef at Harvey Nichols back in central Bristol. Alongside her husband Ian and their neighbours Nicola and Peter Gilbert, McCrimmon has crafted a dining experience that feels like a glorious break from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s sixth largest city, even if it’s just for an afternoon.
That perception of escape certainly isn’t harmed by the Blaise Inn’s enviable vantage point just a mere stone’s throw from the picturesque Blaise Castle Estate, a sprawling 650-acre park owned by Bristol City Council. This proximity not only provides diners with a scenic backdrop but also imbues the inn with a sense of historical significance, as the estate itself was laid out by the renowned landscape designer Humphry Repton in the early 19th century.
The scene is well and truly set for a proper pub lunch, then, and the Blaise Inn duly delivers, with chef McCrimmon drawing on her classic French training and a steadfast commitment to seasonality to breathe new life into traditional pub dishes. So, that’s a half pint of gorgeously sweet, juicy prawns, served with a bracing but beautifully judged lemon aioli. Or, a perfect puck of ham hock terrine given lift off with a celeriac remoulade which was fresh and nutty, rather than cloying. A main course of slow cooked pork belly with radicchio and a nectarine and fennel dressing recently felt so succinct for a season just about to turn colder, and an on-point creme caramel with honey roast figs sealed the deal.
It pretty much goes without saying that the Sunday roast here is one of Bristol’s most celebrated. In the kegs, local favourite Fortitude, beautifully amber and supremely drinkable, flows with gusto. What’s not to love about the Blaise Inn?
Ideal for Middle Eastern sharing plates with the most singular of dinner views…
Lido is one of Bristol’s most unique venues for a meal, combining the charm of a restored Victorian swimming pool with the culinary delights of a top-tier restaurant. It’s a match made in heaven.
Sitting pretty in the heart of Clifton, one of Bristol’s most picturesque quarters, Lido offers more than just a place to swim; it’s an urban oasis where you can indulge in a spa treatment, relax in the sauna or hot tub, and then treat your taste buds to an exquisite meal. Or, do it the other way round, of course, leaving a little time for your food to go down before diving in.
Indigestion be damned; Lido’s history dates back to 1850 when it first opened its doors as a public swimming bath. After changing hands several times and even facing the threat of redevelopment into flats, it was finally purchased by Arne Ringer in 2004. Since then, it has been transformed into a place for Bristolians to relax and to gorge, equally.
The poolside menu at Lido takes on a Middle Eastern inflection – light, fresh and lively, and kinda perfect if you’re taking a dip after – with wood-fired flatbreads forming the anchor around which the seasonal small plates revolve.
Though not strictly vegetarian by any means, this is without doubt one of the best restaurants in the city for veggies, with some truly superlative vegetable-led cooking on show. Don’t pass over the beetroot and ajo blanco dish, the root vegetable ember roasted until close to collapse, propped up by a rich, tart emulsion of almonds and garlic. Just incredible. Some of that superb flatbread for dredging seals the deal.
All that said, when protein hits the grill here, magic happens. On a visit in the summer, charcoal-grilled onglet dressed in an anchovy, garlic-and chilli butter was gnarly in all the right places and as tender as you like in others, proving once again that this type of cut is so much more satisfying than a clinical fillet. Sea ass, given a similar rough and ready treatment on the grill, ends up being just as good as that onglet.
Appropriate for dining next to a shimmering, summery body of water, Lido’s selection of ice creams and sorbets always hit the spot, too. The Pedro Ximenez and raisin affair is particularly indulgent, and moody enough to feel suitable even in the depths of winter.
Lido offers a range of packages that include swimming, eating and massages, the most popular being the ‘Swim and Lunch’ package that includes use of the pool and spa, followed by a two-course lunch. What a lovely way to spend a rest day.
Ideal for indulgent escapism in butter, garlic and cream…
Bristol’s Westbury Park is the very definition of leafy, laid back suburb, all Victorian terraces, premium prams, and the chatter of folk who don’t have much place to be. If there’s not a GAIL’s somewhere, there should be.
It should come as no surprise, then, that Westbury Park boasts one of the most celebrated neighbourhood bistros in the city. Scrap that; the country. At chef Freddy Bird’s Littlefrench, the vibe is all about unpretentious, flavour-packed French country cooking and quality bottles of quaffable wine whose prices are similarly easy to swallow. Some are even sub £30, which, in today’s economy, is becoming increasingly unheard of.
Indeed, slipping into the banquette seating for a cosy, candlelit evening is one of our guiltiest midweek treats; escapism in its purest form. Lose yourself in the roast queen scallops, five of them served in the shell, anointed with an opulent sauternes butter sauce. A supplement of Sturia Oscietra caviar is an indulgence, sure, but that’s why you’re here, right?
From the mains, an indulgent and elegant bowl of hake, clams and monks beard, with a rich emulsion of cider and crème fraîche sauce swirling around them, pulls together a happy collection of briny ingredients. On a more recent visit (yep, we’ve been here a few times), the whole roast partridge with bone marrow bread sauce is all tied together with a mouth-coating, caramel-like armagnac jus. Yep, your cardiologist isn’t going to thank Freddy Bird, but who gives a fuck when the food is this good.
As you reel from the fat in every form and the casual swearing, don’t forget to save room for dessert. For another dependable dose of fat, Littlefrench’s extraordinarily elegant creme brulee is a sensuous, light and lovely dream. The chocolate mousse is dark and properly rich, sure, but it’s also almost cleansing in its simplicity. The fact it’s served in a puddle of cream does no harm. You might need stretching out at the end of all this, but as you stare at the chilly night sky from your prone position, you’ll feel very satisfied indeed.
Interestingly, in 2024 the team behind Little French opened a new restaurant; the enthusiastically reviewed second act 1 York Place, a restaurant that places a keener focus on pan-European dishes and seafood.
Ideal for beautifully big-hearted plates in the most intimate of dining spaces…
Nabbing a booking in this compact, 14-cover shipping container restaurant in Bristol’s Wapping Wharf certainly isn’t easy. But spare a thought for the man behind the stoves; there’s even less room out back. How he manages to coax such flavour and finesse from such a small space is a wonder.
That man is Elliott Lidstone, a former head chef of L’Ortolan and The Empress pub in Hackney, BOX-E exudes a quiet ambition that feels quintessentially Bristolian – the minimalist, utilitarian interiors and sparse menu descriptors belying the complexity found on the plate. Sure, a dish of hake, butter beans and cauliflower may sound simple – beige, even – but really, was anything but. Decadent and lively, and with the fillet of hake cooked just under, as it should be, this was a sublime bit of fish cookery, bolstered by a caramelised cauliflower puree that brought depth to the plate.
Images via @Box-E
Desserts at BOX-E are simple yet satisfying, with chef Lidstone’s panna cotta always a winner. So much so, in fact, that there are often two on the menu – right now, one is centred around vanilla, the other black treacle. Order one each and you’ve got yourself some ying and yang vibes right there. Indeed, while the restaurant may not have the capacity for intricate pastry work, the desserts are still crafted with care and attention, ensuring a delightful end to your meal.
BOX-E is more than just a restaurant; it’s a testament to the spirit of Bristol – innovative, ambitious, and unafraid to do things differently.
Ideal for superb vegetable-led – rather than solely vegetarian – cooking in a shipping container…
We’re sticking around in Wapping Wharf for a feast of vegetable-centric dishes next, at Root, one of the South West’s most celebrated restaurants. Root’s ethos revolves around promoting sustainable food and fostering direct trade between local producers, suppliers, and chefs. This commitment to sustainability and local sourcing is not just a marketing gimmick but a core principle that shapes the menu and wider operations, particularly their celebration of seasonal vegetables.
Here, prettily presented plates which vibrate with the colour of fresh produce and don’t sacrifice anything on flavour that just keep coming. We particularly love their wicked way with barbecued leaves and greens; right now, a charred hispi cabbage is served dressed Caesar salad-style, and the results are (predictably) magnificent. Perhaps even better, and singing with the season, is a mushroom and lentil kiev, giving new meaning to the Come Dine With Me favourite of garlic butter mushrooms. It sits on a pillowy cloud of celeriac puree, and sits under a tumble of piquant pickled shiitake. The balance of this one is perfect.
If the weather’s looking good (yep, we realise we’re feasting on late autumnal bits here), try to nab a seat out on the small terrace area; it boasts fantastic views of the harbourside.
Idealfor shelling, sucking and slurping your way through Spanish prawns in a variety of preparations…
Please; just one more meal in a shipping container before we leave this shimmering corner of Bristol. And so it is to Gambas, another of Wapping Wharf’s heavy-hitters.
A tapas bar (well, shipping container) that puts all things prawn on a pedestal, there are a few better ways to spend an evening than here, with your sleeves rolled up and your inhibitions down, sucking the head juice out of some salty, blistered wild red prawns.
Keep that blistered, off-bitter vibe going with stunning Cornish sardines that are tossed on the plancha and served with a simple dressing of garlic, parsley and lemon.
For those not in thrall to the rusty flavours of the sea, there’s still plenty to enjoy from Gambas’ De La Tierra (‘of the earth’) section of the menu, which despite its rather lofty subheader, is essentially a catalogue of tapas bar classics. The fried aubergine with molasses is exceptional.
It’s also great to see Idiazabal – the smoky, gamey Basque soft cheese – on the menu here. It represents a fine way to finish a meal that’s been all about luxuriating in shellfish.
Ideal for trying Bristol’s most enduring Michelin-star…
Weirdly for a city which, until recently, was decorated with several, Bristol now only boasts two Michelin stars. One of those (and certainly of of Bristol’s best restaurants) is here, at Bulrush.
The brainchild of chef George Livesey, whose natural talent and innovative approach to cooking have earned him widespread acclaim, it’s a joyous affair. His classical training with the Roux brothers and stints at L’Enclume and St John is evident in the elegant nine-course menu here (clocking in at an eminently reasonable £90, incidentally), which showcases his mastery of precision technique and refined, defined flavour.
The restaurant’s name, Bulrush, is intriguingly derived from a type of marsh plant, Scirpus lacustris, traditionally used for making mats and chair seats. This reflects the restaurant’s ethos of simplicity, authenticity, and a reverence for nature, an outlook highlighted further still in the whitewashed brick dining room.
There’s no bells and whistles here, that’s for certain, with all eyes falling on the plate and its celebration of just one or two bang-in-season ingredients. That’s not to say that flavour combinations here aren’t innovative and, occasionally, thought-provoking; an amuse bouche of crab paired with chamomile-adjacent pineappleweed is a wonderful case in point. Ditto the current headliner course of duck breast cooked to a perfect blushing pink cuisson and sitting beside a fermented peach, giving the most beautiful balance is umami richness and complex acidity.
The wine flight is just as carefully composed, and well worth the £65 for a raft of interesting, intricate primarily new world offerings. For us, Bulrush is the best fine dining experience in Bristol, and one we keep going back to time and time again.
Ideal for some of the country’s best fish and chips, enjoyed next to a shimmering body of water…
This newly-opened, family-run establishment, sitting by the Cumberland Basin and enjoying fantastic views of the water, is the brainchild (not their actual child – he’s the eponymous Noah) of dynamic husband-and-wife duo Dan and Joie Rosser. Their passion for showcasing the best of British seafood is palpable in every dish they serve, whether it’s the exemplary fish and chips that is Noah’s signature or the Cornish lemon sole, grilled whole on the bone.
Either way, rest assured that this is as fresh as fish comes, sourced from day boats from Devon and Cornwall and cooked sympathetically and with maximum respect. All you need now is a bowl of fluffy, thick cut chips and a beer or two. Aaaah; I think we might just stay here awhile.
Ideal for an expertly conceived ‘Britalian’ dining experience…
Another family-run operation named after the co-owners’ son; Sonny Stores.
Here, River Cafe alumnus Pegs Quinn and his wife Mary Glynn run one of the city’s most cherished recent openings, with a broadly ‘Britalian’ menu showcasing fantastic local produce cooked with reverence in a tightly-packed, always busy dining room.
Though the building itself may be intimate, it houses a genuinely excellent dining experience. Not perhaps as pasta heavy as some of the other great Italian restaurants in Bristol, here the vibe is fresh, light and largely vegetable-led. All that said, perhaps our favourite dish in recent memory was an offal-based pasta dish; the superlative chicken liver ragu served over freshly made, perfectly al dente pappardelle and sitting under wafts of 24 month aged parmesan. What a gently funky, immensely satisfying dish.
Vegetarians will eat very well here, though, with the farinata (chickpea pancake) and charred friggitelli peppers particularly good, and the perfect accompaniment to a cold one, just as it’s done in Bel Paese.
The pizzettas are quite rightly the stuff of legend, too. If the taleggio with burnt onion, sage and hot honey, and a cheeky chilli bedded into the cheese, is on the menu, order it.
End with an affogato, just as we’re going to do (here the espresso is poured over creamy stracciatella ice cream), and you’ve got yourself one of the most gratifying meals in Bristol. So gratifying, in fact, that we might just need a minute…
Authenticity is the name of the game at this Redland institution, where the owners cite regular staff trips to Spain as the inspiration for their steadfast takes on classic tapas dishes.
If you’re hoping to simply swan in off the street like you were on a merry bar crawl in Seville, be warned; Bravas is reliably packed like Ortiz sardines pretty much every evening, except on Sundays, when it’s closed to recover from the week’s hangover. Fortunately, the place opens at midday and runs until midnight without pause for the remaining six days, so there’s always room if you arrive at a traditionally ‘off peak’ hour (4:47pm, if you’re asking). You can, of course, book ahead, but that rather kills the romance, don’t you think?
Anyway, the wait is richly rewarded, with highlights like cod bronzed from the plancha and served with a properly bracing mojo verde, or a really lovely little cazuela of chorizo braised in cider, the juices, as always, the best part. The patatas bravas from which the restaurant takes its names are a faithful rendition of a classic, too. A signature sherry negroni or two seals the deal, and has us still propping up the bar at close (sorry guys!).
Vietnamese food feels criminally underrepresented in Bristol, with many lovers of pho, banh mi and the rest often heading out of town and to the acclaimed Noya’s Kitchen in Bath for their fix of the good stuff.
The Saigon Kitchen is changing all that. Chef Trung, originally from a small fishing village close to Halong Bay in Vietnam’s north, is the man at the stoves here, delivering time-honoured, broadly Northern Vietnamese recipes to the Redland faithful.
Indeed, despite the restaurant’s name, it’s Hanoi’s streetfood that is most well represented here, with a very welcome, very delicious appearance of the iconic cha ca la vong a menu highlight. Here, chunks of white fish are marinated in galangal and turmeric before being fried in a tangle of spring onions and dill, the marinade turning the oil a delicious shade of brass. Enjoy with fresh rice noodles and heaps of herbs for one of Hanoi’s most lauded bites. The version here is superb.
Of course, there’s pho too, here the savoury, sparse Northern version that has the miraculous ability of dusting off even the most brutal of Walking Whirlwind hangovers. Even better is the bun cha, the essential Hanoi lunch dish of beautifully sweet and caramelised barbecued pork patties and slices of belly, fresh rice noodles and herbs, all brought together with a sweet and sour fish sauce dressing. Banging.
If it’s a hair of the dog kind of situation (not sure why we’re suddenly assuming it is), then the Saigon Kitchen is open from midday on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with bottles of Saigon and Hanoi beer (the former trumps the latter) available for £6.
Ideal for Italian small plates and interesting wines (hang on, haven’t we already said that? Bristol is that kind of place)…
Back in the older part of the city, close to the Hippodrome Theatre, Marmo is a hip (do hip people say ‘hip’?) osteria-cum-wine-bar that has quickly become a favourite among locals and national restaurant reviewers alike.
The kitchen, led by Cosmo Sterck, focuses on a concise seasonal menu of Italian dishes that are both flavourful and beautifully presented. The wine selection, curated by Lily Sterck, has some interesting, sometimes exclusive drops, with several available by the glass.
Whilst Jay Rayner was certainly right to call Marmo ‘an absolute corker’ (not a comment on their inept opening of those interesting drops, we hope), you might need a second opinion. Find it in our roundup of Bristol’s best Italian restaurants, if the mood takes you.
Ideal for serious Jamaican cooking and a rum list that’ll make your head spin…
Sitting pretty at the livelier end of Stokes Croft, Caribbean Croft has been doing things its own way since 2017. Every dish here comes from Ms Cat’s recipe book – family secrets passed down through generations that you won’t find anywhere else in Bristol. And yes, we have been coming here so much lately that we’re now on first name terms with the owner…
The curry goat is exceptional – tender meat that’s had hours on the stove, in a sauce that’s more about warmth and depth than raw heat. Still, that chilli heat does undulate, bringing about a gentle sweat on the brow rather than making your actual hair follicles hurt. A plate of peppered Appleton coconut steak shows similar patience in the kitchen, the meat given time to properly take on the rum and coconut milk it’s cooked in. The gravy alone is worth the admission fee (there’s isn’t one, and we don’t know why we said that).
For smaller appetites, the saltfish fritters are spot on – crisp, light, and lifted by red onion and scotch bonnet. Follow those with ackee and saltfish, Jamaica’s national dish done proper here with seasoned callaloo and green banana on the side.
What sets Caribbean Croft apart, though, is that rum collection. We’re talking over 100 bottles, ranging from easy-sipping standards to serious aged stuff that climbs past £40 a shot. The bar team knows their stuff – let them guide you through it. Their signature Caribbean Croft cocktail blends three different rums with grapefruit and cranberry, while the Guinness punch is a proper taste of Jamaica.
They’re open late (11pm most nights), but the kitchen closes at 9:30pm except Sundays when everything winds down at 7pm. Book ahead for dinner – this place fills up fast, especially on weekends when they open from noon.
Ideal for attentive service and plates of Mediterraneanlove and lightness…
We’re massive fans of Bristol’s premier prawn purveyors over at Gambas in Wapping Wharf, as we’ve made clear in this article already. So, when we heard that Mark Chapman, a man with a significant tenure as Gambas executive chef under his belt, and wife Karen had opened COR in Bemmy in late 2022, our interest wasn’t just piqued; it was aroused.
To say that COR found its feet fast would be an understatement. It was recognised by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand only a few months after opening, the red book rightly remarking on the restaurant’s ‘contagious positivity’. This bright, breezy outlook is found both in the room and on the plate, with tender, perceptive service a hallmark here, and dishes that represent something of a love letter to the Mediterranean, seen through a British lens and delivered with flair and creativity.
The seasonal canelé is a signature, and a lovely, anchoring way of checking in with where Bristol produce is currently at. Right now, that burnished, striated pastry cylinder has been filled with whipped goat’s cheese and wild thyme. It sits in a pool of vivid magenta-hued beetroot, and it’s one perfectly poised mouthful.
You could order one of these, a plate of Wye Valley asparagus with lemon butter sauce, and some Roman-style artichokes, and be very happy indeed, luxuriating in just how perfectly Spring-like and seasonal your order is, but that would be to miss out on the show stopping larger plates.
The Iberico pork presa blushes pink in a way that would scare your ma but eats beautifully, with its accompanying panzanella salad of Isle of Wight tomatoes and marinated anchovies. A little quince jam sends everything on its way and into the arms of the waiting sourdough, no doubt smeared with COR’s amazing black garlic butter if you’ve got any sense.
Another firm favourite on a recent visit was the Hereford beef onglet with burnt shallot, hazelnut beurre noisette, gorgonzola and jus, the enjoyably chewy steak revealing its rich, brooding flavour more with every bite.
Pasta is done superbly here too, unsurprisingly. A dish of tagliolini with Dorset clams, bottarga with calabrian chilli had my dining partner positively cooing, its drifts of cured fish liver adding umami and funk in all the right places.
Yep, COR is a place where the finer details have been taken care of, where the cooking is truly out of the top drawer, but the vibe remains refreshingly laid back and casual, which is exactly what you want from a neighbourhood restaurant, don’t you think? Not just one of the 23 here, COR is perhaps our very favourite restaurant in Bristol.
Ideal for exceptional Italian regional cooking in the most intimate of settings…
Mark and Karen Chapman’s second Bristol venture (their first being that there COR from just above) has fast become one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants since opening in April 2025. Operating from a single shipping container at Wapping Wharf (just. one. more. please.), RAGU represents a love letter to Italian cooking that’s earned national praise from the likes of Grace Dent, who declared it her “new favourite restaurant of 2025”.
The compact space features just six tables plus bar seating with direct views of the open kitchen, where executive chef Vyck Colsell works her magic. The container setting might sound restrictive, but the energy is palpable, the buzz intimate and exciting.
Start with the Roman artichoke fritti, a glorious heap of golden globes that arrive glistening from the fryer, each one concealing tender hearts within their crisp shells. A dollop of silky aioli provides the perfect piquant counterpoint, and it’s the kind of dish that makes you realise how rarely artichokes are treated with proper respect in this country. That’s a shame, ’cause they’re fucking delicious.
The shoulder of lamb with pea ragu, salsa verde and pecorino is comforting thing. The meat, slow-braised until fork-nudge-tender, sits atop a mixture of sweet peas (braised until browning and all the better for it) and pancetta that tastes distinctly of spring even in the depths of winter. The salsa verde cuts through the richness with its bright acidity, whilst shavings of aged pecorino add that essential sharp, salty note. We wish they were open Sundays, as it carries the same comfort as the very best roast dinner.
For something altogether more delicate, the cipollotti onion with caprino fresco from Piedmont is sublime. The sweet baby onions are charred enthusiastically over coals until just-bitter and caramelised, and paired with creamy goat’s cheese that’s been finished with grape must, creating a dish that manages to be both rustic and refined. It’s the sort of plate that reminds you why Italian cooking is so revered – seemingly simple combinations that reveal layers of satisfying flavour with each bite.
But perhaps the star of the show is the fennel sausage from Tuscany, broken up and nestled with fregola, and finished with an assertive potato crumb and gremolata. The sausage, lightly fermented and funky, sits up nicely against the nutty fregola. That potato crumb might sound like an affectation, but it adds a textural element that lifts the whole dish, whilst the bright gremolata prevents things from becoming too heavy. It’s an absolute triumph, and soup enough that all you need is a spoon to eat it.
Don’t skip dessert. The tiramisu with orange and nutmeg has already achieved a certain following amongst Bristol’s food-obsessed, and rightly so. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you close your eyes and sigh with satisfaction.
The wine list focuses on natural and biodynamic producers from across Italy, with several interesting bottles available by the glass. What’s not to like here?
With most dishes under £20, RAGU offers exceptional value for cooking of this calibre. Bookings are recommended but walk-ins are actively encouraged – it’s the kind of place that welcomes everyone from solo diners seeking an aperitif to families wanting a full Italian feast.
Souk Kitchen has established itself as a standout destination in Bristol’s dining scene, offering a menu that thoughtfully combines Middle Eastern and North African culinary traditions with high-quality local ingredients. It’s a match made in heaven.
Sitting pretty opposite the always-rammed Tobacco Factory Theatres in ever-buzzier Southville (Sonny Stores, also part of our list of Bristol’s best restaurants, is just two minutes down the road if you’re up for a tasty one-two punch), SOUK Kitchen is perhaps a restaurant best enjoyed in the daytime. During the lunch hours, the room feels light and bright, a vibe that feels in synergy with what’s on the plate.
The restaurant is renowned for its freshly flavoured, punchy but comforting dishes, such as the Anatolian lamb yahni and the chicken tagine with ginger and prune, which showcase the depth and diversity of the regions’ flavours. The ever-changing seasonal menu ensures a fresh and dynamic dining experience, with the mezze selection always a treat.
The popular weekend brunch features robust options like the Tunisian shakshuka, alongside a well-executed bloody Mary. SOUK Kitchen’s dedication to local sourcing is evident, with meats and breads procured from nearby suppliers, reflecting a commitment to community and quality.
Following its success, SOUK Kitchen expanded with a café and deli in Clifton, mirroring the original location’s menu and offering the added convenience of a retail space for their unique spice blends. The mothership is still the one we’re drawn to, however.
The drinks, including a wonderfully floral quince martini and very grown-up tasting blood orange margarita, complement the vivid, vibrant food with a similarly creative touch. What a lovely restaurant SOUK Kitchen is, and certainly of Bristol’s best.
As much as we’d love to keep eating around Bristol’s best restaurants until we actually die, we’re pretty stuffed, sleepy and ready to phone in this last entry to our rundown.
All you need to know about Spiny Lobster on Whiteladies Road is that it’s both a fishmongers and grill, with all the freshness and smoke that suggests. Indeed, the fish and shellfish here is sourced daily from Brixham in Devon, and the charcoal grill is always burning. It is, quite simply, a glorious place to dine for those who live all things seafood.
There’s a particular kind of misery reserved for first-time skiers who’ve booked the wrong resort. You know the signs: icy nursery slopes positioned directly beneath a chairlift of confident locals, instruction delivered in rapid-fire French to groups of fifteen, and that sinking feeling when you realise the only way back to your hotel involves a red run you’re absolutely not ready for.
Indeed, the wrong resort can turn what should be an exhilarating week into an expensive exercise in humiliation, cold toes and seriously considering whether you might just stay in the hotel bar for the remaining four days.
The good news is that plenty of European resorts have built their entire reputation on making beginners feel welcome rather than merely tolerated.
But what actually separates a good beginner resort from a bad one?
It starts with the bunny slopes. You want magic carpets and short chairlifts rather than long, exposed drag lifts that seem specifically designed to deposit you face-first in front of an audience. The terrain progression matters too: a gentle step from greens to easy blues, rather than that alarming moment when you finish the baby slope and discover your only option is something called ‘The Wall’.
Ski schools should offer English-speaking instruction in groups small enough that you’ll actually get some attention, and the resort layout should make navigating back to your accommodation intuitive rather than requiring a search party. Transfer times, lift queues, on-mountain dining costs, whether you can walk to the lifts or need a bus every morning: all of it adds up to the difference between a holiday you’ll want to repeat and one you’d rather forget.
Here’s where to find the resorts that get it right.
Pila, Italy
Ideal for families and nervous first-timers who want everything compact and fuss-free…
Pila sits at 1,800 metres in Italy’s Aosta Valley, a purpose-built hamlet where most accommodation sits within genuine walking distance of the lifts. The beginner areas at Baby Pila and Baby Gorraz use magic carpets rather than drag lifts, which makes an enormous difference when you’re still working out which foot goes where. The nursery zone at Baby Pila is free to use, so you can spend your first morning getting comfortable before committing to a full lift pass.
What makes Pila work for nervous skiers is the terrain layout. Wide, forgiving blues fan out from the village, and the mountain funnels you naturally back to the same spots rather than accidentally depositing you somewhere terrifying. A new ten-person gondola opening for the 2025/26 season connects the base to 2,700 metres in around 13 minutes, with views taking in Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. The gondola link to Aosta town is useful for mixed groups: non-skiers can wander Roman ruins and cobbled streets while you’re working on your snowplough.
Ideal for couples and families wanting gentle terrain without paying French prices…
La Thuile shares a lift-linked ski area with La Rosière in France, but the Italian side delivers what beginners actually need: wide, uncrowded blues, reliable snow and mountain restaurant prices that won’t require financial counselling afterwards. The nursery area sits near the village, and once you’re linking turns confidently, the network of mellow blues towards Les Suches lets you loop the same lifts until everything clicks.
The village itself is unpretentious in the best sense. Evening options tend towards relaxed dinners rather than aggressive après-ski, which suits families and anyone who’d rather not navigate a packed bar in ski boots.
Ideal for beginners who want excellent English-speaking instruction and room to progress…
Having built one of Europe’s strongest reputations for teaching beginners, Soldeu’s ski school employs a significant number of British instructors, which removes the language barrier that can make lessons frustrating. The TC8 Soldeu gondola deposits you directly at a dedicated beginner area with well-groomed greens and blues, and the wider Grandvalira ski area means stronger skiers in your group can explore 210 kilometres of terrain while you’re building confidence on the nursery slopes.
El Tarter, a few minutes along the valley, offers the same ski area access with a quieter village atmosphere. Many hotels in both resorts sit close to the lifts, and several include spa facilities, which makes a tangible difference after a day of concentration and controlled falling. If you’re searching for ski holidays for 2026 that combine quality instruction with genuine value, Andorra consistently delivers. A six-day first-timer bundle covering lift pass, equipment and lessons typically runs around £350 to £400.
Canillo, Andorra
Ideal for families with young children who need a calm, contained base…
Still within the Grandvalira system, Canillo occupies the quiet, family-focused corner. A gondola climbs directly from the village to dedicated kids’ zones and gentle slopes, and the atmosphere prioritises early nights over late bars. Several hotels offer themed family rooms and pools, which goes down well with younger children who need entertainment beyond skiing.
Because you’re on the same Grandvalira lift pass, stronger skiers can range across the full area while beginners stick to the softer terrain. Everyone reconvenes at the same gondola base, which keeps logistics manageable.
Ideal for mixed-ability groups where beginners want space while confident skiers need challenge…
It might seem an odd recommendation for beginners given its reputation for serious terrain, but Alpe d’Huez maintains one of the largest dedicated nursery areas in the Alps. The Les Jeux zone sits directly above the village, offering wide, gentle greens with few drag lifts and dedicated slow zones. The Les Bergers area adds more progression options once you’re comfortable.
Crucially, Alpe d’Huez offers a dedicated beginner lift pass covering nursery slopes and easy progression runs, so you’re not paying for glacier access you won’t use. The resort claims over 300 days of sunshine annually, which isn’t just marketing: good visibility makes an enormous difference when you’re still learning to read the terrain. Confident skiers in your group can tackle the famous 16-kilometre Sarenne run from Pic Blanc while you stay on the sunny lower slopes.
Les Gets, France
Ideal for families driving to the Alps who want traditional French character and friendly slopes…
Within the larger Portes du Soleil area, Les Gets maintains a traditional village atmosphere. The Mappys beginner zone sits deliberately away from faster traffic, with magic carpets and four gentle slopes designed for concentration rather than survival. Once you’re ready for more, the Chavannes sector offers clearly marked greens and blues that won’t suddenly become something frightening.
The village itself rewards wandering, with independent shops and restaurants rather than the identikit offerings of purpose-built resorts.
Val Cenis, France
Ideal for beginners who want to clock up mileage on very gentle terrain without the crowds…
Val Cenis flies under the radar compared to the famous French names, which works in beginners’ favour. The headline attraction is L’Escargot, a green run of around ten to twelve kilometres often cited as one of Europe’s longest beginner-friendly pistes. It winds gently enough that you can actually practise technique rather than just controlling speed, and the resort atmosphere is noticeably more relaxed than the high-rise alternatives.
Your first ski holiday shouldn’t feel like an endurance test. As the guys at Interski Holidays so sagely tell us, the resorts that genuinely work for beginners share certain characteristics: nursery slopes serviced by magic carpets rather than intimidating drag lifts, clear progression from gentle greens to easy blues, English-speaking instruction in manageable group sizes, and mountain layouts that don’t require expert navigation to find your way home.
Get the resort right and your first week on snow becomes the start of something you’ll want to repeat, rather than just another excuse for a holiday. Although, if the latter is more your thing, you might want to check out our guide on the best things to do in Méribel beyond the slopes. Bonne glisse!
Sometimes the temptation is just too hard to bear. The laundry basket is full, you’ve a party on the approach, and the high street has ‘Sale’ signs on every corner. New clothes now, and worry about the cost later, right?
But in recent years it’s become increasingly publicised that this throwaway, casual attitude to our consumerism needs to change. In fact, the fashion industry is “the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined“, according to Earth.org.
For both cost and eco-conscious fashionistas, the first step to an ethical and sustainable wardrobe is to take every step necessary to ensure your clothes have longevity; simply better for the planet and for people. With that in mind, here are 6 great ways to make your clothes last longer.
Step Up Your Sewing Game
If you’ve been prioritising quantity over quality in your clothes buying (more on that later), then you’ll probably be aware of the modern concept of ‘skimpflation’, which has seen consumers observe a drop in quality in all manner of services and products as prices rise and the cost of living bites.
The quality of clothes has certainly suffered, with items shrinking after a single wash, bobbling after a single day being worn, and experiencing wear and tear quicker than ever before.
Hands up if you’ve thrown away a shirt after a button falls off, or a pair of jeans after you tore the knee? Us too, and we’re ashamed of it. Leave that shame at the door; it’s time to get skilled with the sewing machine. Whether you’re adding a shiny button to that beloved shirt or sewing up that rip in your jeans, being handy with the needle and thread can really help you extend the wardrobe-life of your clothes.
Using patches of fabric (again, more on that later) is a brilliant way of mending holes. Moreover, you can breathe new life into old clothes by using embroidered patterns or brightly patterned patch designs. If you’re not so skilled at sewing but are still keen on the ethos of repairing rather than buying then consider taking your clothes to a tailor instead.
Re-Purpose & Re-Fashion
Don’t stop at mending clothes that have become worn and torn. Repurposing items already in your wardrobe or upcycling old clothes that are still in good condition but not necessarily in fashion is a smart, savvy way to readdress your wardrobe and redress yourself.
If you’re handy with the old thread and needle, you could repurpose old items and turn them into something new and groovy in no time. Indeed, giving a new lease of life to a benched item of clothing will extend the longevity of your clothes limitlessly. And that’s exactly what you’re here for, right?
Why not update old clothes to respond to different times of year? Ensuring your wardrobe is always up to date and in season, you could deploy a patch of bee fabric to mark the arrival of spring and the onset of pollen. Or, how about embroidering the outline of a Norway spruce on an old sweatshirt instead of buying anotherChristmas jumper that you’ll only wear once? The possibilities are endless!
Your throwaway items don’t even have to become a new piece of clothing to keep your environmental credentials intact. You could take your old jumpers and turn them into a quilt, for instance, so think outside the box.
Rotate Your Wardrobe Regularly
Just as you wouldn’t wear the same pair of shoes every single day (as this causes excessive wear and tear), the same principle applies to your entire wardrobe. Rotating your clothes gives each piece time to ‘rest’ between wears, allowing fabrics to recover their shape and elasticity. Create a system where you cycle through similar items – for instance, if you have multiple work shirts, ensure you’re not always reaching for the same one.
Nowhere is this more important than with items worn daily out of necessity, like school uniforms. The experts at Clive Mark, specialists in durable schoolwear, recommend having multiple pieces to rotate between – a practical and economical choice for parents that significantly extends the life of each garment.
This practice is also essential for items like knitwear, which can become misshapen if worn repeatedly without rest. Additionally, proper rotation prevents certain areas of clothing (like the elbows in sweaters or the seat in trousers) from wearing out prematurely due to constant use.
The more you wash your clothes, the more they fade. Indeed, we’ve all felt the disappointment of a favourite t-shirt shrunk or warped by too hot a wash or lengthy spin cycle.
Hot washes and even hotter tumble dryers can shrink, fade and ruin your clothes, so unless it’s visibly dirty or makes your nose twitch from the smell, don’t wash them. If you do need to, then air-drying remains the best choice for extending garment life.
As a rule of thumb, try to wear your garments three times before putting them in the laundry basket (and with jeans, even nine or ten times!). What’s more, you should sort your washing out properly to maintain the quality and appearance of your clothes, and we don’t just mean separating darks from whites; keep light fabrics away from heavy ones and soiled garments away from less soiled, for starters.
There’s plenty more to consider in washing machine best practice; don’t overload washing machines; wash jeans inside out to prevent colour fading; make sure all zips are done up, stick velcro together and tie drawstrings to avoid catching them catching the drum. The list goes on.
And remember that there are dry wash products out there designed specifically for clothes which revive your clothes from being just-worn to just-washed, helping to extend the life of your clothes with a simple spritz, all by reducing the need to wash your clothes in the first place.
Finally, for larger, more precious pieces, dry cleaning makes sense. Doing so can help in extending your clothes’ lifespan as it avoids fibre damage and shrinkage which often occur with regular washing. This method of cleaning also carefully removes stains and maintains the original colour and texture of your garments, keeping them looking as good as new for longer.
Quality, Not Quantity
Fast fashion, where clothing has become a single-use purchase, destined for landfill after just one wear, is a major problem and needs to be acknowledged as such. The impact this has on the environment doesn’t need to be spelt out, but the impact on your bank balance can be a little more complicated.
Though cheaper clothes are, on the face of it, kinder to your wallet, if they’re becoming unwearable after only a couple of washes or outfit changes, then it’s clear that they don’t represent a smart investment after all. There is, in fact, a whole socioeconomic theory devoted to this concept; the ‘boots theory’.
”A really good pair of leather boots cost $50. But an affordable pair of boots, which were sort of OK for a season or two and then leaked like hell when the cardboard gave out, cost about $10.
“Those were the kind of boots Vimes always bought, and wore until the soles were so thin that he could tell where he was in Ankh-Morpork on a foggy night by the feel of the cobbles.
“But the thing was that good boots lasted for years and years. A man who could afford $50 had a pair of boots that’d still be keeping his feet dry in 10 years’ time, while the poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet.”
Whilst the theory is used here to cast a light on socioeconomic unfairness and inequality, we can also use it to inform our shopping habits. If you are able to invest a little more in a quality piece of clothing, you’ll likely see greater longevity from the item, which will, in turn, be kinder to your wallet. Result!
Master Proper Storage Techniques
Cheap wire hangers or even cheaper plastic ones aren’t good for your clothes or the environment. And we’re here to talk about both. This is because they don’t support your wardrobe items properly and can even cause misshapen shoulders. Prevent hanger-related clothing incidents by investing in quality, non-slip hangers. You should also store clothes in cool, dry places away from natural sunlight.
Beyond just using quality hangers and avoiding direct sunlight, there’s a whole science to storing different types of clothing. Knitwear should be folded rather than hung to prevent shoulder stretching. Delicate items like silk blouses should be stored in breathable garment bags to protect them from dust while allowing air circulation.
For seasonal storage, clean your clothes thoroughly before packing them away, and use cedar blocks or lavender sachets instead of mothballs – they’re natural alternatives that keep moths at bay without harsh chemicals. When storing jeans, fold them with the legs aligned and avoid hanging them by the belt loops, which can cause distortion. For shoes, invest in shoe trees to maintain their shape and absorb moisture, significantly extending their lifespan while preventing odours and deterioration.
And with that, we hope your wardrobe is looking as fresh and environmentally-friendly as possible this season!
The minimalist wardrobe is a testament to this philosophy, proving that you don’t need a closet bursting at the seams to look stylish and feel confident. Instead, a carefully curated collection of versatile, high-quality pieces can serve you far better. With all that in mind, here are the only 12 items you’ll ever need for the ideal minimalist wardrobe.
The Classic White Shirt
A crisp, white shirt is the backbone of any minimalist wardrobe. It’s the chameleon of clothing, effortlessly adapting to any occasion. Pair it with the jeans we’re just about to talk about for a casual brunch, or tuck it into a pencil skirt for a professional meeting. Opt for a high-quality fabric that feels comfortable and looks pristine, even after multiple washes.
The Perfect Pair Of Jeans
Jeans are the epitome of versatility. A well-fitted pair in a classic blue or black can take you from day to night, from casual to smart-casual. Brands like Levi’s and Citizens of Humanity have built their reputations on timeless cuts that flatter without chasing trends.
The little black dress (LBD) is a sartorial powerhouse. It’s the answer to your “I have nothing to wear” dilemmas. Whether you’re heading to a dinner party or a business event, the LBD is your faithful companion. Choose a simple, elegant design that can be dressed up or down with accessories. Because, after all, styling your LBD is half of the art…
A Tailored Blazer
A tailored blazer is a must-have for any minimalist wardrobe. It adds a layer of sophistication to any outfit, making it perfect for those occasions when you need to make an impression. Choose a neutral colour like black, navy, or grey for maximum versatility.
A Pair Of Dress Shoes
No minimalist wardrobe is complete without a pair of elegant dress shoes. Whether it’s a classic pair of black heels for the ladies or polished oxfords for the gents, these shoes are your ticket to instant sophistication.
They’re perfect for formal events, important meetings, or any occasion where you need to put your best foot forward. Choose a design that is comfortable and timeless, ensuring they’ll be a staple in your wardrobe for years to come.
The Polished Pencil Skirt
A pencil skirt is another indispensable item in a minimalist wardrobe. Its sleek silhouette and classic appeal make it a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down with ease. Whether you’re heading to the office or out for a dinner date, a pencil skirt can be your go-to choice. Opt for a neutral colour like black or navy, and ensure it’s a comfortable fit that flatters your figure. Or in our eyes, you can never go wrong with a classic leather pencil skirt.
Even minimalists can make a statement. A bold piece of jewellery, a designer handbag, or a vibrant scarf can add a pop of personality to your outfit. Remember, the key is to choose one statement piece and let it shine.
A Piece Of Versatile Knitwear
A piece of high-quality knitwear is a minimalist’s best friend. It’s perfect for layering in colder months and can be paired with jeans for a cosy yet chic look. When it comes to investment pieces, the sweaters from Tara Irish Clothing are the kind of knitwear that only improves with age; crafted from pure wool using traditional techniques, they’re built to last for decades rather than seasons. Opt for neutral colours to ensure it complements the rest of your wardrobe.
A Timeless Trench Coat
No minimalist wardrobe is complete without a timeless trench coat. This classic piece is not only practical for unpredictable weather, but it also adds an air of effortless elegance to any outfit.
Burberry may have invented the icon, but brands like Arket and COS offer excellent alternatives at more accessible price points. Choose a neutral colour like beige, black, or navy to ensure it matches with everything in your wardrobe.
A Pair Of Reliable Black Trousers
A pair of well-fitted black trousers is a versatile staple that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Whether you’re heading to the office or out for a dinner date, black trousers can be paired with a blouse, a casual t-shirt, or even a chic blazer. Opt for a comfortable, high-quality fabric that maintains its shape after multiple wears.
A Quality White T-Shirt
The humble white t-shirt is perhaps the most hardworking piece in any minimalist wardrobe. It’s the foundation upon which countless outfits are built; worn alone with jeans for effortless weekend style, layered under a blazer for smart-casual polish, or tucked into that pencil skirt for a modern take on office dressing.
The key is investing in quality. Look for a substantial cotton or cotton-blend fabric that won’t turn transparent or lose its shape after a few washes. A slightly heavier weight tends to drape better and last longer. Whether you prefer a classic crew neck or a more relaxed V-neck, find a cut that sits well on your shoulders and you’ll reach for it more than almost anything else in your wardrobe.
An Essential Pair Of White Trainers
Finally, and pulling together the whole damn outfit and article, white trainers are the unsung heroes of a minimalist wardrobe. They’re comfortable, stylish, and can be paired with almost anything. Whether you’re running errands or exploring the city, white trainers provide the perfect balance of style and comfort. Choose a classic, clean design that won’t go out of fashion.
Common Projects set the standard for minimalist sneakers, though Veja and Superga offer the same clean aesthetic without the premium price tag.
The Bottom Line
Building the ideal minimalist wardrobe doesn’t require an endless array of items. Instead, it’s about investing in a few key pieces that are versatile, high-quality, and truly representative of your personal style. Remember, minimalism isn’t about deprivation; it’s about finding joy and freedom in simplicity. So, embrace the minimalist wardrobe and discover the power of less.
Nicknamed the Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland is so much more than the title of a Robert Frost poem. It is, in fact, home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes and visual spectacles on the planet, from the psyche-shattering Northern Lights to the vast, humbling Blue Lagoon.
Yep, although the island is famously tight knit, with a population of under 400’000, it’s surprisingly expansive size-wise, covering over 100’000 square kilometres of surface.
How, then, to hone down a holiday here into one manageable sightseeing extravaganza?
Among its many attractions, the Golden Circle stands out as a must-visit route for any traveller. This 300-kilometre loop starts from Reykjavík and encompasses three main locations: the Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and Geysir geothermal area. However, there’s more to this revered part of Iceland than just those three iconic sites. Here are ten of the best places to visit in Iceland’s Golden Circle.
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir, or Thingvellir in English, showcases a tapestry of historical and geological significance. Home to the oldest existing parliament in the world, Alþingi, established in 930 A.D., Þingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
On the geological side, visitors will be awed by the visible Mid-Atlantic Rift, where two tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart, creating a spectacular canyon known as Almannagja. One of the must-dos here is to take a stroll between these North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It’s not every day that you get to walk between two continents!
Þingvellir is home to Silfra, a fissure filled with crystal clear water. If you’re an adventure lover, consider signing up for a scuba diving or snorkelling excursion in Silfra, though do mind the cold, of course.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Few places can boast of as much geothermal activity as the Geysir (actually pronounced ‘gusher’ rather than ‘alwight geezer?’) area. With its exploding geysers, the most famous being Strokkur, bubbling mud pools, and the sweet smell of sulphur permeating the air, this is nature at its most volatile. Don’t miss the star of the Geysir Geothermal Area, the Strokkur geyser. It erupts every 6-10 minutes, shooting hot water up to 30 metres in the air.
Most travellers choose to rent a car in Iceland, and doing so means you can visit early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the tourist rush. This also offers better lighting for your photos.
Known as the Golden Waterfall, Gullfoss is one of the most compelling sights in Iceland. Experience the power of nature as millions of litres of glacial water thunders down a double-tiered waterfall right before your eyes.
One of the more unique, up-close-and-personal ways to take in Gullfoss is on a buggy tour. Doing so offers unparalleled views of the glaciers and lakes, and is an experience that needs to be lived to be believed.
On clear, sunny days, witness a sparkling rainbow enveloping the waterfall, making it worthy of its golden moniker. When visiting Gullfoss during the so-called ‘Golden Hour’, just imagine the metallic sheen on everything!
If you’ve spent the morning gawping at geysers and waterfalls, Friðheimar offers a welcome change of pace – and a chance to get warm. This family-run farm, located between Geysir and Gullfoss, has become one of the Golden Circle’s most beloved stops, and for good reason.
The star attraction? Tomatoes. Thousands upon thousands of them, growing year-round in vast greenhouses heated by Iceland’s abundant geothermal energy. The farm produces around 370 tonnes annually, which is rather impressive given Iceland’s reputation for, well, not being Mediterranean.
The on-site restaurant invites guests to dine among the tomato vines themselves, tucking into bowls of homemade tomato soup with freshly baked bread. The more adventurous can try tomato beer or tomato ice cream. Watch the resident bumblebees (around 600 of them) going about their pollination duties as you eat – it’s all rather hypnotic.
Beyond the greenhouses, Friðheimar breeds Icelandic horses, those famously sturdy, sociable creatures known for their unique gaits. Between May and September, the farm hosts horse shows where you can see these five-gaited animals put through their paces. Year-round, visitors can pop into the stables to meet the horses up close.
The restaurant is open daily from 11:30am to 4pm, but booking ahead is essential as tables fill up quickly. The farm shop stocks tomato jam, cucumber salsa and other souvenirs if you want to take a taste of Iceland home.
Kerið Crater Lake
This vividly striking volcanic crater lake pulsates with shades of vibrant aquamarine, starkly contrasting with the burnt red of its caldera walls. Perfectly round and rimmed by a walking path, Kerið Crater offers epic views from every angle and is particularly sublime at sunset or sunrise.
While visiting the Kerið Crater in Iceland, make sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes and approach the rim slowly, as the edges can be slippery and crumbly but offer the best panoramic views. Get there early or late to avoid crowds and enjoy the stunning contrast of the reddish volcanic rock, the lake’s deep blue water, and the green mossy sides, which is especially beautiful during those golden hours of sunrise or sunset.
While not as internationally renowned as Gullfoss, Faxi holds its own charm. This wide, serene waterfall on the Tungufljót river presents a departure from the more trafficked areas of the Golden Circle. The fishing ladder installed on its side adds a unique human element to this tranquil piece of paradise. If you’re lucky, you might spot some salmon jumping upstream!
While many tourists flock to the Blue Lagoon, true connoisseurs of geothermal soaking prefer the older, more authentic Secret Lagoon. This natural hot spring offers an opportunity to unwind in its soothing waters amidst an exquisite green landscape.
Like many hot springs in Iceland, it’s recommended to book your tickets in advance as spots can fill up quickly. And do be aware that you’re expected to shower before entering the lagoon, as is custom in Iceland.
Langjökull Glacier
Langjökull Glacier, the second largest ice cap in Iceland, offers a unique icy adventure. When visiting, remember to dress in layers and wear waterproof clothing, sturdy hiking boots, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen to protect against snow glare. It’s best to explore the glacier on a guided tour, which can include snowmobiling, ice cave exploration, or even a trek across the glacier.
Take your time hiking to the ice caves – the terrain can be challenging, but the views are breathtaking. Ensure your camera is always ready, especially for the vivid blue hues inside the ice caves.
Efstidalur II
Keen on experiencing the authentic Icelandic farm lifestyle? Hey, who isn’t? Efstidalur Farm offers a unique opportunity to engage with local farm life – witness dairy production, pet the horses, and relish the fabulous Icelandic homemade ice cream, as well as Iceland’s beloved skyr and even farm-produced feta cheese.
Skálholt Cathedral
For something a little different to end on, we’re checking out Skálholt Cathedral, a significant historical site situated in the Golden Circle, and an architectural symbol of Christian significance, embodying the country’s spiritual heritage.
The cathedral, a place of serene tranquillity amidst Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, has served as a vital ecclesiastical centre since the 11th century. It also marks the location where the first school, a precursor to modern universities, was founded.
A visit to Skálholt Cathedral offers a blend of history, culture, and spirituality. You can walk beneath its towering stained glass windows that playfully dance with the light, depicting biblical narratives that inspire awe.
Delve into the crypt below the cathedral, housing the remains of mediaeval bishops, a sombre yet fascinating representation of Iceland’s Christian past. Don’t miss the unique opportunity to attend orchestral or choral concerts here, where superior acoustics meet an ethereal setting, creating unforgettable auditory experiences. The nearby archaeological site, where small ruins and relics from the past are on exhibit, is also worth exploring, offering a captivating snapshot of bygone eras.
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Iceland’s Golden Circle?
The Golden Circle in Iceland is a tourist route that features some of the country’s most stunning and unique landscapes, and it can be visited at any time of the year, depending on your preferences.
The summer months (June through August) provide the warmest weather and the longest days (up to 24 hours of daylight around the Summer Solstice in June), allowing ample time for exploration. The landscapes are lush, all trails are open, and driving conditions are optimal. However, this is also the busiest time of year, so expect more crowds at popular sites.
Autumn (September through November) is a lovely time to enjoy the fall colours, and there’s also less crowd than in summer. The weather can be irregular, ranging from mild to chilly, and daylight hours start decreasing.
Winter (December through February) brings a snowy, icy charm to the Golden Circle. The waterfalls can partly freeze, creating breathtaking ice sculptures, and geyser eruptions against a snowy backdrop make for Instagram-perfect pictures. Road conditions can be more challenging, and daylight is limited to a few hours, making planning essential. However, you have an excellent chance of seeing the Northern Lights during this period.
The spring months (March through May) are when the snow starts to thaw, and days grow longer. The tourist crowds aren’t as large during this time, but unpredictable weather and road conditions can occur.
Every season boasts its unique charm, and the ‘best time’ very much depends on what you’re hoping to experience. If you’re nervous about driving in winter conditions, or want to dodge larger crowds, the shoulder months of spring and autumn might be best. For long, warm days and green landscapes, consider a summer trip. For snow-dusted vistas and a chance to see the Northern Lights, winter may be the perfect choice.
Of course, it’s the attractions and adventures in between that make the Golden Circle an epic drive and experience. Consider renting a campervan for this road trip to remember. In both summer and winter, it’s possible to rely on a particularly campervan as both your transportation and accommodation. How blissful does that sound?
When Exactly Is Golden Hour In Iceland’s Golden Circle?
We know you’ve been wondering this since we brought up Golden Hour back in the Gullfoss section…
Well, in summer (around June solstice), Golden Hour in Iceland could be around 3:00-4:00 AM for sunrise and again around 10:00-11:00 PM for sunset.
In winter (like around December solstice), the sun is barely above the horizon during midday. So, the magic light may come between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
These spots are just glimpses of what the magical land of Iceland has to offer, and they will surely leave every explorer in awe. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a disarming wanderer, the Golden Circle waits for you with its timeless, captivating charm.
Winter is coming, and with it, those three words will be used to start every seasonal based article from now on…
Sadly, when winter comes, so do issues with our skin; the cold weather means that our skin needs more love and attention compared to the previous seasons. Those who are conscientious about their skincare routines will have already switched up their products and procedures, changing up their cosmetics to accommodate seasonal shifts in temperature, humidity and the rest.
Sometimes, one of the defining looks of the season is one that’s not welcome; our dry and chafed skin. This is down to myriad factors, some environmental and some behavioural, which all seem to collide as party season cranks into gear, a time when we would most love to avoid skincare issues. Fortunately, there are things you can do to mitigate the appearance of dreaded winter skin; here are 10 expert tips on tweaking your skincare routine for winter.
Beware The Perils Of Party Season
Sleep, hydration, drink and diet…all crucial elements of a holistic approach to keeping your skin healthy, and all elements that truly suffer over the winter party season. If you’re to keep your skincare routine ticking over and maintain a glowing, radiant appearance, then it’s essential that you don’t let standards slip in terms of sleep, in particular.
Your skin creates new collagen while you sleep, helping your skin repair itself and leading to a more plump appearance. So, don’t neglect getting a regular 7 to 9 hours, even when the temptation to go for another round of festive drinks is strong.
Avoid Products That Strip Off The Skin’s Natural Layer Of Protection
The harsher conditions of the winter months can damage our precious skin, so it’s vital that you’re not stripping off the skin’s protective layers with equally harsh products.
Be especially cautious when applying alcohol based toners; they tend to strip the skin of natural lipids and proteins that moisturise our skin, which we need much more of during winter, when indoor heating dries out our skin excessively.
Daily use of exfoliating cleansers risk similarly damaging the skin, with the temptation in winter to go harder on the process to remove excess dry, flaky skin. But if you exfoliate too often in winter, you’ll only exacerbate the problem, stripping off that natural protective layer. Sadly, this can become a vicious circle, so during the colder months, switch up to a gentle milk based cleanser.
Audit Your Arsenal & Check Expiry Dates
As you swap out your summer serums for winter-ready replacements, it’s worth taking a moment to audit your existing skincare arsenal. Winter is a long season, and you want to ensure that the products you’re relying on will see you through to spring without losing their efficacy.
When selecting which products to prioritise during the colder months, paying attention to expiry dates on cosmetic packaging is crucial. Many active ingredients, particularly those in serums and treatments, can degrade over time, becoming less effective or, in some cases, irritating to the skin. There’s little point investing in a hyaluronic acid serum to combat winter dryness if it’s going to expire in January.
Get into the habit of checking the PAO (Period After Opening) symbol—that little open jar icon with a number followed by ‘M’ – which indicates how many months a product remains effective after opening. If you’ve got a rich winter moisturiser that’s been lurking at the back of the bathroom cabinet since last year, it might be time to let it go and invest in something fresh.
Don’t Neglect SPF Just Because It’s Cold & Cloudy
Just because you haven’t seen any evidence of the sun in weeks and you’re stepping out with only your face peeking out from under several layers, doesn’t mean you should neglect to wear sunscreen with SPF protection.
Though there are naturally fewer UV rays around in winter, they can still be strong enough to age your skin; remember that you can still damage your skin, even if you’re not getting burnt or tanned. SPF plays a huge role in healthy, happy skin, and during the colder, darker months, an SPF factor of around 15 should be sufficient.
During the winter, more water vapour can be lost through your breath, causing you to lose valuable moisture. And that’s before we consider our diets and drinking habits during the party season. With alcohol and caffeine being diuretics and abundantly consumed over December, it’s essential that you replenish yourself with water regularly to ensure your skin is properly hydrated.
Dehydrated skin takes on a dull, uneven appearance, and fine lines are often more visible. So, make sure you’re drinking at least 8 cups a day of the good stuff.
Be aware that the ubiquity of central heating use in the colder months, and the dry air they can lead to domestically, can also bring about dehydrated skin. Sustain a sufficient amount of moisture in the air in your home with a humidifier or dehumidifier, and prevent your skin from drying out.
Use A Heavier Moisturiser
Of course, hydration doesn’t only apply to what you’re putting in your body; you also need to hydrate your skin topically with added vigilance over winter. During the colder months, our skin tends to produce less natural oil, so it’s a good idea to switch to a heavier moisturiser ideally containing either hyaluronic acid or glycerin; these products help keep all the moisture locked into your face rather than losing it to the elements.
Eat More Antioxidants
The foods you eat can make a big difference to your complexion, too. There’s increasing scientific consensus that foods high in antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties are great for keeping our skin looking radiant. This is particularly important to bear in mind during winter, when our diets can get a little, shall we say, erratic.
So, make sure you’re including so called ‘superfoods’ that are high in antioxidants, such as blueberries, cranberries, artichokes and dark chocolate (rejoice!), as well as foods with lots of Vitamin C and E, which are believed to fight the appearance of fine lines. Foods high in these vitamins include citrus, strawberries, broccoli and kiwi. Finally, food boasting omega-3 is thought to firm up the skin and preserve collagen; oily fish, in particular, is fantastic for this.
Consider Cold Therapy For A Seasonal Boost
Whilst it may seem counterintuitive to expose yourself to even more cold during winter, controlled cold exposure through treatments like cryotherapy can actually benefit your skin.
Though traditionally associated with scar treatment, cryotherapy has evolved far beyond its origins to become a comprehensive skin-boosting treatment. This non-invasive procedure, which involves brief exposure to extremely cold temperatures, has gained popularity amongst those seeking to rejuvenate their winter-worn complexion.
When paired with other gentle treatments such as LED light therapy or ultrasound, cryotherapy can help reduce inflammation and tighten pores, giving your skin a natural lift just when it needs it most.
Don’t Forget Your Neck & Décolletage
It’s all too easy to focus solely on facial skincare during the colder months, but the delicate skin of your neck and décolletage deserves equal attention. These areas are particularly vulnerable to the harsh winter elements, especially when we’re bundled up in wool scarves and high-necked jumpers that can irritate the skin.
Apply your winter moisturiser all the way down to your chest, and consider using a specially formulated neck cream to maintain the skin’s elasticity. Remember to extend your SPF protection to these areas as well—they’re just as susceptible to UV damage as your face, even in winter.
Vital Vitamin D
Speaking of vitamins, the NHS suggests that ‘’During the autumn and winter, you need to get vitamin D from your diet because the sun is not strong enough for the body to make vitamin D.’’
This is particularly pertinent when considering skincare, as Vitamin D is also essential in helping our skin repair itself, playing a key role in skin protection and rejuvenation. Though Vitamin D is present in a variety of foods, such as oily fish, liver and egg yolks, it can be hard to get sufficient amounts in winter. The NHS recommends that some people may need to take a 10mg supplement daily between October and early March.
The Bottom Line
Winter needn’t spell disaster for your skin. By making a few strategic adjustments to your routine – switching to gentler cleansers, upping your hydration game both inside and out, and ensuring your products are still fit for purpose – you can maintain a healthy, radiant complexion throughout the colder months.
The key is being proactive rather than reactive; don’t wait until your skin is already suffering to make changes. Start tweaking your routine now, and you’ll thank yourself come spring.
Known for its rich contributions to art, architecture, music, sport, film, and television, Leeds has long been a cornerstone of Yorkshire’s contemporary culture. The city’s cultural scene is deeply rooted in its history, dating back to its development as a prominent market town during the Middle Ages.
As the Industrial Revolution swept across England, Leeds transformed into a major mill town, with industries such as wool, flax, engineering, iron foundries, and printing playing significant roles in its growth.
The city’s cultural prowess extends beyond industry and commerce, of course. Leeds has been home to many notable artists and sculptors in its history, including Kenneth Armitage, John Atkinson Grimshaw, Jacob Kramer, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Edward Wadsworth, and Joash Woodrow.
The city’s art scene was further enriched by The Leeds Arts Club, a radical modernist arts organisation that existed from 1903 to 1923. This club was instrumental in promoting German Expressionist ideas about art and culture, staging early British exhibitions of work by European expressionist artists.
Leeds’ cultural landscape also includes a thriving music scene, with bands like Gang of Four, Chumbawamba, The Cribs, and Soft Cell hailing from the region. It is home to Opera North, Northern Ballet, and The Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and hosts the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition annually.
In a city of such cultural prowess, a lively and innovative food scene only naturally follows suit, and the culinary landscape of Leeds is equally impressive, with a strong emphasis on both locally produced ingredients and multicultural influences.
Today, we’re exploring the very best the city has to offer; here are our favourite places to eat in Leeds, the Capital of the North.
Bavette
Ideal for a true taste of regional French cooking in suburban Leeds…
Horsforth has developed a solid little dining scene in recent years, and Bavette is a big part of why. This neighbourhood bistro on Town Street deals in bold French cooking, rooted firmly in the regions and seasons of its inspiration.
On a cold and windy Tuesday evening in Horsforth, the place was absolutely rammed – and with good reason; there’s something true, generous and straight-as-a-die about the cooking here. The menu leans heavily on the Southwest, with the Gascony influence particularly pronounced. Case in point: the Magret de Canard for two, a sharing dish that’s become something of a signature here. Landaise duck breasts arrive pink in a pool of sticky red wine jus spiked with prunes and armagnac that have been steeping together for a fortnight.
Salade LandaiseMagret de Canard
Alongside comes a salade Landaise – confit leg shredded through leaves dressed in walnut oil, with gésiers, walnuts, green beans and crispy skin doing crouton duty – plus tomatoes and potatoes confit in duck fat. It’s a celebration of a single ingredient done six ways, and it’s magnificent, the salad boasting more meat than it needs to. There’s that generosity we spoke about.
The lamb boulangère pithivier is a thing of beauty, too – lamb is cooked down to an almost-paste, and mixed with anchovy under a golden, domed pastry. The accompanying lamb jus is a lip-smacking affair. Someone in the kitchen knew Yorkshire folk would swoon over a pie and gravy, we think.
Lamb boulangère pithivierBraised Cuttlefish
Starters like hand-dived Scottish scallop with garlic and parsley butter or steak tartare with bone marrow butter set the tone for a kitchen that knows its craft. Equally compelling was an opener of braised cuttlefish with fennel, tomato and red wine sauce, served with anchoïade and crostini – tender pieces of cuttlefish bathed in a rich, copper sauce that tastes of the Mediterranean, the salty punch of anchovy cream and grilled bread providing the perfect foil to the sweet depth of the braise.
Expect to pay premium prices for Leeds; that pithivier is £34, the sharing duck pushing £80, but it’s well worth it. This is, quite simply, the best restaurant in Leeds.
Desserts are on brand: tarte tatin with calvados crème anglaise, or a French cheese plate featuring the likes of St. Nectaire and 24-month Comté. The wine list does what you’d hope, with some big, bruising reds in the £50 region your best bet here. You’ll need to be stretchered out after this one, sure, but you’ll be looking up at the night sky pissed, full and happy when you are.
Bavette is open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner, with lunch service added on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Ideal for enjoying a long and languid Italian lunch…
Zucco is a gem of a neighbourhood restaurant now in its second decade, this Italian restaurant is a place built for a long, languid lunch of snacks, sharing plates, and lingering over dessert and digestifs.
Bring a few friends; the menu at Zucco is stacked and inviting, ready to satisfy even the most fickle members of the squad with crowdpleasers like crisp, salty fritto misto, polpette and spaghetti (pleasing to order that one out loud, too) and a vast selection of pizzette, bruschetta and focaccia.
For something a bit more special, Zucco runs a monthly taster menu – January’s lands on the 20th, with six or so courses for £65 a head. These events tend to fill up fast, so keep an eye on their Instagram for announcements. Day to day, though, ordering à la carte remains the move here; a gorgeous nduja and burrata pizzetta, perhaps, followed by king scallop, prawn and squid risotto, flavoured with saffron. There’s a generosity of spirit to the whole place which is infectious, with the dining room buzzing every night of the week, except Mondays, when Zucco closes.
Ideal for a Mexican seafood feastin somewhat incongruous surroundings…
It can be tough to find true, authentic Mexican food in the UK. It’s also tough to find Lupe’s Cantina Mexicana, whose bright yellow brickwork and rainbow coloured outdoor benches sit in the most incongruous surrounds of suburban Burley, sharing the road with BP garage and a bathtub specialist.
Once you do track his cantina down, though, you’ll be lifted up by chef Rudy’s gorgeous rendition of his native Veracruz’s local dishes, as well as drawing from the wider palate of the Mexican culinary canon.
Though we’re neither near the sea or Mexico, it’s in the seafood section of the menu that Lupe’s really shines, introducing a number of brothy, uplifting dishes that area little less familiar to the UK than they deserve to be. The sietes mares is especially good. Here, slices of scallop, prawn, haddock chunks, clams and mussels bob about in a light, limey broth that’s turned a pleasing shade of copper from the addition of tomatoes and guajillo chilli.
Perhaps even better is the mejillones, another soupy number of mussels and a cloudy, creamy white wine-spiked sauce. Topped with caramelised onions, avocado and coriander, all you really need on the side is a serving of white rice, perhaps some black beans, and you’ve got yourself an immensely satisfying, invigorating lunch that feels both healthy and indulgent. After that hour or two of escapism, you’ll feel like the world – or, at least, this little corner of suburban Leeds – is your oyster.
Ideal for Michelin-approved Indian vegetarian food from a Leeds institution…
A family-run establishment, Prashad has been serving superbly spiced Gujarati vegetarian dishes since 1992 (in its original venue) and now in its third decade, the restaurant has never felt more vital.
In a converted Drighlington pub (roughly equidistant between Bradford and Leeds), spread over two floors, you’ll find some of the finest food from the Indian subcontinent anywhere in the UK, with flavours precise yet vivacious, and portions properly generous.
Prashad’s prowess hasn’t exactly gone unnoticed; the restaurant was featured on this year’s BBC’s ‘The Hidden World of Hospitality with Tom Kerridge’, as well as listing in the Good Food Guide. Perhaps even more prestigiously, Prasha holds both 2 AA Rosettes and a Michelin Bib Gourmand award.
Prashad is closed on Mondays, open for dinner Tuesdays to Fridays, and open for both lunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays.
Ideal for plant-based streetfood from the Indian subcontinent, bang in Leeds city centre…
Should you be seeking your fix of vegetarian Indian street food a little closer to Leeds City Centre, then Bundobust is your guy. A collaboration between Mayur Patel (whose parents own the aforementioned Prashad) and craft beer entrepreneur Marko Husak, Bundobust offers a modern take on vegetarian Indian street food paired with a selection of craft beers.
Testament to the success of the concept, the restaurant now boasts four locations across the North and Midlands, but it’s at the original here on Mill Hill, just a three minute walk from Leeds Station, that we’re dining in today.
Don’t miss out on the classic Mumbai snack bhel puri. Studded with pomegranate jewels and piquant from tamarind chutney, it’s a textural delight, with broken samosa pastry and puffed rice bringing plenty of crunch. For something heartier and more fulfilling, the chole saag (a chickpea curry of sorts) is knockout, too. Clocking in at £8.25 and coming with a side of freshly puffed puri, it’s one of the best value plates in the city.
Even better value is the express lunch here, with two dishes available at a reduced rate, Monday to Friday until 4pm.
Wash it all down with a pint of Bundobust’s Peela pale ale, and you’ve got yourself a superb meal for under £20. God it’s great up north.
Bundobust is open daily from midday until late, with slightly shorter operating hours on Sundays.
Ideal for minimalist Nordic-influenced tasting menus in Chapel Allerton…
On Stainbeck Corner, Hern has evolved into one of Leeds’s most compelling restaurants. Chef Rab Adams, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu before stints at Hedone (remember that place?! So awkward but so delicious) and Gordon Ramsay’s Chelsea flagship, brings a stripped-back approach to seasonal cooking that lets ingredients shine with minimal intervention.
The restaurant matches its culinary philosophy – white-painted exposed brick and natural light create an unfussy backdrop for Adams’ precision-driven plates. The eight-course tasting menu (£70) might include wild sea bass with bergamot beurre blanc or barbecued leeks with butter beans and burnt lemon, but even seemingly simple dishes like their sourdough with cultured butter showcase the kitchen’s dedication to impeccable, faithful technique.
The wine list at Hern focuses exclusively on organic and biodynamic European producers, thoughtfully arranged by style rather than region. For those skipping alcohol, their bergamot and mint soda makes a refreshing alternative.
The four-course ‘short menu’ at £45 offers a more accessible entry point and can accommodate dietary requirements with advance notice – though the full tasting menu is fixed. Book ahead, especially for weekend dinner service when the small dining room fills quickly.
Hern is open Wednesday through Saturday, with an à la carte menu on Wednesdays and set menus Thursday to Saturday. Dinner from 6pm, last table 9pm.
Ideal for late-night ramen and karaoke on The Headrow…
Occupying a bustling stretch of The Headrow, House of Fu has established itself as Leeds’s go-to spot for ramen, rice bowls, and revelry under one roof. The ground floor channels Tokyo energy with its counter seating and efficient service, while upstairs, the Hello Bar hosts DJs and karaoke rooms for post-dinner entertainment.
Chef Ben Iley, who spent nine years in Tokyo honing his craft, has created a menu that balances tradition with playfulness. The spicy tantanmen (£15) has become a signature – its rich chicken and pork broth layered with spiced mince, pak choi and crunchy chili oil. For something lighter, the yuzu chicken ramen brings brightness through citrus and coal oil, topped with chicken chashu and katsuobushi.
Images via @hellohouseoffu.com
You should let the sides get a look in, too. Their gyoza (£7 for six) come in pork or shiitake and kale variations, while the cucumber salad with miso, garlic and chili oil is refreshing and assertive, equally. A few house-made sodas and craft cocktails – the Yuzucello (£9.50) with prosecco and sake is ace – keep the vibe going.
A set menu at £22.50 includes sharing sides and a main, with the option to add frozen cocktails or sake. During happy hour (4-6pm daily), cocktails are two for £13.
House of Fu is open daily from 11:30am, with slightly earlier closing on Sundays at 8pm.
Ideal for the best of Yorkshire produce, cooked over flames…
Just one wing of the multifunctional events space Headrow House, OX Club specialises in high-quality cooking over flames using the best of Yorkshire produce. What more could you want?
The restaurant is known for its wood-fired dishes, with a menu that balances robust flavours with delicate touches. On a recent visit, a grilled sardine dish, paired with local rhubarb and pickled radish, was as pretty as a picture. For the carnivores, a whopping 600g Dexter beef wing rib chop sits proudly alongside roasted bone marrow and beef fat bearnaise. Sure, you’ll need to be stretchered out after taking it down, but as you stare at the ceiling from your pallet, you’ll feel very satisfied indeed.
Don’t forget to save room for their exquisite desserts – the now ubiquitous burnt Basque cheesecake is done very capably here, and is accompanied by more rhubarb (well, we are in Yorkshire after all!).
OX Club is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. From Wednesday to Friday, the restaurant is open for dinner only. On Saturday, you can dine from midday until 10pm and on Sundays, OX Club is just open for lunch.
Ideal for a pre-show meal of confidently composed pub classics…
When it was announced that popular gastropub The Reliance was to close earlier this year, Leeds residents were devastated.
Fortunately, the buyers of the site know a thing or two about running a cosy, welcoming pub that does confidently cooked plates, having run acclaimed Harrogate establishment Three’s A Crowd since 2019.
And so, the second iteration of Three’s A Crowd has already fallen on its feet and hit its stride, with a relaxed dining room serving up the likes of pheasant and guinea fowl terrine, sloe gin cured salmon, pig cheek ragu over pappardelle.
With prime position just off Lovell Park and a couple of minute’s walk from the Grand Theatre and Opera House and the Leeds Playhouse, this one’s ideal for a pre (or post) show meal.
Three’s A Crowd is open daily from midday until late.
One of the very best Keralan restaurants in the city – and conveniently located near Leeds train station – Tharavadu offers a wide variety of southern Indian dishes. Look out for their crab cooked in coconut sauce, fluffy lentil-fried doughnuts, and smooth vermicelli pudding with cardamom and saffron, in particular.
Closed on Sundays, Tharavadu is open for the rest of the week for both lunch and dinner.
Ideal for a regularly changing menu of lesser known cuts and concise combinations…
What started as a humble greasy spoon on North Street has transformed into a proper grown-up bistro under the guidance of owners Stu and Jo. After a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised over £42,000, The Swine That Dines has spread its trotters and relocated to a larger site in Headingley, rebranding as The Swine Bistro in the process.
The new 40-cover dining room on Otley Road – complete with stone floors, low beams and views into the open kitchen – gives the team the space they always deserved. Executive chef Stu Myers and head chef Kirsty Cheetham (formerly of The Queen o’t’Owd Thatch, twice winner of the Observer Food Monthly Best Sunday Lunch award) focus on small-plate dining, with a regularly changing menu featuring unusual cuts of meat and crisp, concise combinations.
Naturally, there’s plenty of piggy bits on the menu, from terrines to homemade sausages with lentils and watercress, but vegetarians can dine well here, too. The twice-baked Comté cheese soufflé is an early favourite from the new kitchen.
The weekday lunch menu (two courses for £23, three for £27) offers solid value, while Sundays bring proper roasts to the table – a first for the team.
The Swine Bistro is open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, and Sunday for lunch.
Ideal for local cheeses, charcuterie and an impressive selection of wine and craft beer…
Somewhat surprisingly bearing no relation to The Swine That Dines, since opening in 2012 Friends Of Ham has become a must-visit for Leeds-based food lovers. Known for its wide range of charcuterie and local cheeses, this craft beer and wine bar also boasts an impressive list of craft beers and wines. Their platters are perfect for sharing and are best enjoyed with a cold beer in hand, which, incidentally, we’re off for now…
But we’re not done yet. In fact, we’re catching the train an hour or so east, and heading over to Leeds’s noisy neighbour Manchester. When we alight, it’s to one of the great places to eat near Manchester Piccadilly. Care to join us?
