With Burns Night just around the corner on January 25th, it’s time to plan the perfect celebration of Scotland’s beloved bard.
Whether you’re Scottish by birth, heritage, or simply appreciation, hosting a Burns Night supper is a delightful way to embrace tradition while drawing a dry, dour January to a close a few days ahead of schedule. Or, at the very least, it’s a fine reason to learn a few new recipes…
Setting The Scene: Creating Your Highland Haven
Transform your dining room into a cosy Scottish sanctuary in advance of the celebrations and in lieu of the bitterly cold weather outside (we assume, we assume). Layer your table with rich textures – think deep navy linens topped with touches of tartan. Scatter tealights in glass votives to create that magical Highland twilight ambience. For added authenticity, drape tartan blankets or scarves over chair backs, adding both warmth and style to your setting.
Traditional thistles make stunning centrepieces, but don’t feel bound by convention – arrangements of white heather, blue delphiniums, and purple stock flowers can create equally dramatic impact while honouring Scotland’s natural beauty.
Every great party starts with exceptional canapés, and a Burns Night celebration calls for miniature morsels that honour Scotland’s exceptional larder. From the smoky delights of Scottish salmon to the sharp tang of aged cheddar, these small bites set the tone for the evening ahead while giving your guests something to enjoy with their first dram or cocktail.
For an elegant start, consider delicate blinis topped with Scotland’s renowned smoked salmon. A whisky-spiked crème fraîche adds a sophisticated touch that perfectly complements the rich, smoky fish, while a sprig of fresh dill brings colour and freshness. These can be assembled in advance and kept chilled until your guests arrive.
Showcase Scotland’s exceptional cheese-making tradition with warm tartlets filled with caramelised onions and aged Highland cheddar. The sweet onions provide the perfect counterpoint to the sharp cheese, while fresh thyme leaves could add an aromatic finish, if you’re feeling fancy. These are best served warm, filling your home with an inviting aroma as guests arrive.
For a playful nod to the main event, consider haggis bonbons – crispy, breadcrumbed bites served with a whisky-spiked mayonnaise for dipping. These crowd-pleasers offer a perfect preview of the traditional feast to come and pair beautifully with both whisky and gin-based cocktails.
The centrepiece of any Burns Night celebration, haggis holds a special place in Scottish culinary tradition. This magnificent creation, a savoury blend of meat, oatmeal, and spices, deserves its moment of glory. While traditionally served whole and ceremonially addressed with Burns’ famous “Address to a Haggis”, modern celebrations can be more relaxed.
The key is treating this beloved dish with the respect it commands while ensuring it’s cooked to perfection. The result should be rich, warming, and deeply satisfying – exactly the kind of sustenance needed for a Highland winter’s night.
Ingredients:
1 high-quality haggis (around 900g will serve 6-8 people)
Whisky for flambéing (optional but impressive)
Method:
Wrap your haggis in foil, leaving room for expansion
Place in a pot of simmering water
Cook for approximately 45 minutes per 500g
Once heated through, carefully unwrap and transfer to a serving platter
For drama, warm 2 tablespoons of whisky in a small pan, ignite, and pour over the haggis at the table
No haggis is complete without its traditional accompaniments: neeps and tatties. This humble pairing of swede (yellow turnip to our Scottish friends) and potatoes might sound simple, but when prepared with care and finished with a luxurious whisky cream sauce, it becomes something truly magnificent.
The secret here is focusing on texture – smooth but not totally pureed, and certainly not gluey, with just enough butter to make them rich without becoming heavy. The whisky cream sauce adds a sophisticated touch that elevates this classic side dish to new heights.
Ingredients:
1kg Maris Piper potatoes, peeled
1kg swede, peeled and diced
150ml double cream
50ml single malt whisky
100g butter
Salt and white pepper
Method:
Boil potatoes and swede separately until tender
Mash potatoes with half the butter and season well
Mash swede with remaining butter
Warm cream with whisky, reduce slightly
Serve haggis with mounds of neeps and tatties, drizzled with whisky cream
Contemporary Cocktails With Scottish Spirit
The Highland Bramble
While whisky might be Scotland’s most famous export, the country’s gin game is equally impressive. This elegant cocktail celebrates both Scotland’s exceptional gin distilleries and its abundance of wild berries. The addition of heather honey syrup adds a subtle floral sweetness that speaks of Highland meadows, while the blackberry liqueur provides a rich, fruity depth. It’s a sophisticated serve that manages to be both refreshing and warming – perfect for starting your Burns Night celebrations.
Ingredients:
50ml Scottish gin
25ml lemon juice
15ml heather honey syrup
15ml blackberry liqueur
Fresh blackberries and thistle for garnish
Method:
Shake gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup with ice
Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice
Float blackberry liqueur on top
Garnish with fresh blackberries and thistle
The Burns’ Night Boulevardier
For those who prefer their drinks spirit-forward and complex, this whisky-based variation of the classic Negroni is sure to impress. By switching bourbon for Scottish single malt, we create a cocktail that’s both sophisticated and appropriate for the occasion.
The whisky’s natural warmth is beautifully complemented by the bitter Campari and sweet vermouth, creating a perfectly balanced drink that Burns himself would surely have appreciated. Choose a whisky with a hint of smoke for an extra layer of intrigue.
To round off your Burns Night feast, what could be more appropriate than Scotland’s most elegant dessert? Cranachan traditionally combines four of Scotland’s most beloved ingredients: cream, whisky, honey, and raspberries.
Our version adds the most gentle of fresh touches with the optional addition of dark chocolate shavings – a small twist that adds both visual drama and a pleasant bitter note to balance the sweetness.
The key to a perfect cranachan lies in the quality of your ingredients: seek out heather honey if you can find it, choose the finest Scottish raspberries, and don’t skimp on the whisky. Never, ever skimp on the whisky…
Layer cream mixture with raspberries and oatmeal in glasses
Top with chocolate shavings if desired
Entertainment Tips
No Burns Night is complete without poetry. Between courses, invite guests to recite their favourite Burns poems. “To a Mouse,” “A Red, Red Rose,” and of course, “Address to a Haggis” are classics, but don’t be afraid to include modern Scottish poetry too. Yep, we’ve kinda phoned it in at this stage… Must be the whisky.
The Morning After
Don’t forget to prepare a hearty Scottish breakfast for overnight guests. Think tattie scones, Stornoway black pudding, and perhaps a hair of the dog for those blessed hangovers in the form of a Bloody Mary made with peated whisky instead of vodka.
Remember, while tradition forms the backbone of Burns Night, there’s always room for personal touches and modern interpretations. The most important elements are good food, fine drinks, warm hospitality, and plenty of laughter—everything that Burns himself celebrated in his poetry.
If a restaurant’s impact is defined by its sense of time and place, then Potong, in the heart not only of Bangkok’s Chinatown but also the chef and owner’s old family home, feels like a beautifully poignant collision.
Here, the restaurant, family and building’s history adorns every wall, percolates in every fermentation jar, and ultimately graces every plate of chef Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij’s extraordinary tasting menu. All 20 of them.
If you can’t feel the history of the building simply by sitting a while within it, then the team at Potong won’t exactly let you forget it; dining here is an immersive experience, with all the information cards, QR code-accessible soliloquies, and sommelier speeches that takes to get the message across in the most subtle of ways.
That message has been heard loud and clear by the tastemakers. Potong was recently awarded a star (with a second surely on the way), as well as charting 35th in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list and named 88th in the world just last month.
Translating as ‘simple’, the vibe at Potong is anything but, with every detail meticulously constructed, all in the pursuit of the overall, enduring narrative. Indeed, all of this would feel frivolous if that narrative wasn’t built on a sense of authenticity, but at Potong, there’s some serious heritage to be found in these walls.
The 120-year-old Sino-Portuguese shophouse where the restaurant sits was, before Potong opened in late 2021, home to the family business, producing traditional Chinese herbal medicine including their flagship product ‘Potong’, which was aimed at helping menstrual cramps.
It’s hard to articulate quite how impressive the building is. The first floor, which once served as a storefront for the family’s dispensary, has been transformed into the elegant Potong Sino Bar. The upper floors feature beautifully preserved architectural elements, such as hand-painted wooden walls and an intricately designed shrine, all contributing to that enveloping dining experience that blends history with modernity, both in the room and on the plate.
The Opium Bar, which spans the fourth and fifth floor of the building, was in days gone by an area used to smoke opium, and once contained a huge Chinese daybed placed. Today, it is a drinking den,and, like the restaurant itself, is held in high acclaim, being featured in Asia’s 50 Best Bars. In the restaurant’s own words, the bar is ”ideal for an aperitif before a meal, after-dark experiences, or late-night soirees”. Cheers to that.
Each floor of this illustrious building is accessible via a tight, gravity-defying lift that needs to be ridden to be believed, the journey through the building’s history delivering you to the top floor for the beginning of an arguably even more rousing ride; the first snack of the tasting menu.
Every exit is an entrance to new experiences, indeed.
That snack comes in the form of the restaurant’s house charcuterie, a gossamer thin slice or three of cured pork that sits somewhere between chorizo and, of course, lap cheong; it’s sweet, spicy and blowtorched to order, the pork giving its fat to the airy radish cake it has made its bed on.
Next, it’s down a staircase you wouldn’t want to be too squiffy tackling (fortunately, it was just the one) and into an ornate but intimate dining room for the show proper. What follows is a menu that’s as carefully and cleanly composed as we’ve ever had the pleasure of submitting to, an intoxicating, healing procession of dishes that have echoes of the shop’s medicinal history and esteemed position close to Yarowat Road, as well as chef Pam’s Chinese-Thai heritage.
To unstitch the entire tasting menu would do a disservice to both future diners and the elements of authentic surprise that the chef weaves throughout the evening, but narrative threads of sentimentality and sustainability abound. The former – flavours of the chef’s childhood – are reinforced by a touching postcard from the chef to her grandparents; the latter most vividly told in the remarkable ‘a tree of palm’ dish. That was perhaps the highlight of the evening for us, a representation of every part of the palm tree in 5 phases, beautifully poised and, from a technical standpoint, faultless. Watch out for the finale lollipop – it’s got one hell of a kick.
A remarkable rillette dish hammers home Potong’s sustainability chops – the skeleton of a white pomfret from a previous dish arrives hard fried until crisp, any small strings and nuggets of flesh having been stripped off and turned into a luxurious pate that’s seasoned with gapi (fermented shrimp paste). You’re encouraged to take that skeleton and dredge it through the rillette; it’s gorgeous.
Sure, there’s a sense of the cadaver being dissected here, but it’s a powerful message of using every part of the fish. That particular white pomfret didn’t die in vain; its main fillet is served rolled into a ballotine of sorts, its edges seared to a crust over charcoal, its middle a perfect mi cuit. It arrives gently placed in an indulgent coconut cream and tamarind sauce with all the sweet, sharp interplay of a Thai red curry, just minus that familiar capsaicin hit. Hey, you can’t win them all…
Indeed, the Thai flourishes are more pronounced here than perhaps expected – one of the most striking dishes of the night was a pert, shucked oyster sitting atop an even perter nahm jim seafood, here the ubiquitous Thai sauce re-imagined as a black oil slick with aniseed notes reminiscent of black garlic. It was magic.
There’s plenty of modern European technique on display too, with chef Pam’s time spent at 3 Michelin-starred Jean Georges in New York showing its hand not only in that superb rillettes, but also in a perfectly proved brioche that’s been enriched with crab head meat, a mud crab roe emulsion served on the side for spreading. And spread we did.
Anyway, enough of the spoilers. You know it’s been a carefully considered, meticulously crafted procession of dishes when you’re still looking forward to the ‘main’ course, rather than dreading how full you’re increasingly feeling, and when the 14-day dry aged duck complete with a whole host of condiments hits the table, it’s impossible not to find that second wind.
Though the crisp, lacquered duck breast is the obvious centrepiece, it’s the supporting cast that truly ties the spread together. The one-two punch of a skewer of duck heart and liver sitting alongside duck brain that’s been steamed and served back in its skull is particularly good.
Yep, there’s that no waste ethos again, underlined in bold highlighter for all to see. For the more squeamish members of the squad, a ragu of duck leg served suspended in duck egg custard, chawanmushi-style, feels more conventionally crowd-pleasing. It’s all very delicious.
Tasting menus have fallen out of fashion somewhat in recent years, with diners growing tired of chefs wanting to show all of their skillset, ideas and inventions in one foul swoop. The tasting menu at Potong is a masterclass of how one should be – you leave feeling fed, sure, but also luminescent and inspired.
It’s an experience that feels light and free, the wait staff orchestrating a subtle dance via hidden earpieces, signing and hushed exchanges, the intricate, innovative, and, ultimately, highly evocative dishes never sacrificed in favour of the elaborate storytelling.
Finally, then, to dessert, and it’s a refrain that’s likely to linger long in the memory, the final celebratory flavours of Bangkok’s Chinatown – of chrysanthemum, lapsang souchong and Chinese dates – providing a refreshing, cleansing conclusion to a superlative meal.
Not before a fortune cookie to finish, however, and one that offered that italicised aphorism from several paragraphs previously. Every exit is an entrance to new experiences. And as we stepped back out into the belly of a particularly buzzing Chinatown, the night ahead and inviting us in, it felt a prescient statement indeed.
A 2025 Update: As the new year cranks into gear, chef Pam has unveiled her latest culinary venture, Khao San Sek. After an immersive journey across Thailand sourcing the finest ingredients, the Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024 and POTONG mastermind has created a concept that honours five cherished elements of Thai cuisine: rice, chilli, coconut, fish sauce, and palm sugar. The restaurant’s name itself plays on the reverence of Thai rice while symbolising transformation, promising diners a fresh perspective on traditional flavors delivered with Chef Pam’s characteristic precision. We’re looking forward to trying this one.
If you are thinking of selling up and moving on, then you’re probably already familiar with a few value adding estate agent tricks. You’ve got that bread baking in the oven, you’ve enhanced your kerb appeal, and you’ve taken down the family portraits.
We’re sure you’ll also know that renovations can be a reliable way to maximise your resale value and make your property stand out on the local housing market. However, while focusing on the cosmetic appeal will, of course, tip the scales in your favour, a more pressing priority for many buyers is how energy efficient a potential property is.
With gas and electricity prices soaring this year and predicted to continue into 2025, an energy efficient home has never been more valuable.
Indeed, making your home more energy-efficient can be a surefire way to increase your property value and attract eco-conscious buyers, and can boost your house price by 20%. Because green upgrades will reduce your home’s carbon footprint and slash your average energy bills, this makes sustainable homes highly sought-after on the property market.
Conscious, conscientious buyers don’t want to pay top dollar for a home that doesn’t manage to keep its environmental impact to a minimum. Moreover, homes that are less energy efficient are more expensive to run. So, if you’re looking to bolster the asking price of your home, read on for these 9 energy saving tips that will add value to your home.
Review Your Home’s EPC
First things first, get hold of your EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) and review it. There’s no point in making changes that won’t help your home. Your existing EPC will offer guidance on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home, as well as showing you just how much it costs you to heat and light the property, as well as the level of CO2 your place emits.
It’s an upgrade which strikes fear into the hearts of homeowners; the days spent showerless and the financial burden of a new furnance or boiler competing for the title of ‘most unwelcome domestic event’. But deploying foresight and installing a new boiler before the red light of death brings your current one to an abrupt end is a smart move for your home’s energy output.
An old furnace (more common in the US) or boiler (more common in the UK) can be a major source of energy loss in your home. Older boilers, because of both design and degradation, are far less efficient than newer models, with the former operating at around 60% efficiency while the latter is 90% energy efficient. By replacing yours with a new, high-efficiency model, you can decrease your energy usage and potentially save hundreds of pounds each year on your heating bill.
In today’s market, energy efficiency is a major selling point, and a new furnace can be a big selling point for potential buyers. If you’re considering replacing your old furnace, heater installation experts recommend consulting professionals to help you choose the right size and mode.
A programmable thermostat gives you the ability to automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on your schedule. This can help save money on your energy bill, as you won’t have to heat your home when no one is home. This upgrade is relatively inexpensive and easy to install, making it a cost-effective option for adding value to your home.
When installing a programmable thermostat, be sure to choose one that is compatible with your furnace. The latest furnaces have built-in programmable thermostats, but older models will require a separate unit. Any home buyer will appreciate the money-saving potential and convenience of a programmable thermostat, especially when it offers extra features like:
Multi-zoning – The ability to set different temperatures in different areas of your home
Wi-Fi connectivity – The ability to control your thermostat from your smartphone or other mobile devices
Home automation integration – The ability to connect your thermostat to other smart home devices, such as lights and security systems.
Making changes to your insulation situation to conserve the heat in your home in colder periods will, in turn, maximise your home’s energy efficiency potential and its value. Cavity wall insulation can save you up £160 a year while living in your property. But don’t just stop there, lagging jackets, which insulate your pipes, also improve the efficiency of your hot water tank. And here, every little helps.
We lose somewhere around 35% of our home’s heat through uninsulated or poorly insulated walls. That’s a huge number by anyone’s standards. Another chunk is lost through the roof if it’s not properly insulated, and another portion flies through windows that aren’t double-glazed. Which brings us to our next point…
Go Solar
‘Solar’ has been the watchword and one of the most omnipresent energy saving tips for some time now, evoking a modern, green image in the minds of potential buyers.
Installing solar panels not only reduces the environmental impact of your home; over time, they may well also lower the cost of energy use, too. With a suggested lengthy lifespan (at least 25 years) saving on bills and the planet certainly makes installation an appealing option to new buyers.
When considering your EPC (Energy Performance Certificate), your certificate will likely be promoted from a D to a band B through the installation of panels, which would likely amount to around £16,000 for your place’s value. Those lower bills we previously mentioned also make financial sense.
Replace Old Windows
Replacing old windows with double or triple glazed options can be another easy way to reduce cold drafts and minimise heat loss. Indeed, double glazing can increase the value of your home by 10%.
Moreover, the warmth that double glazing adds to your home means your heating bills will be dramatically reduced – you can save around £110 a year – another bonus for potential buyers who are analysing the value of your property via its energy efficiency, , with recent data showing increased interest in everything from new homes in Hampshire to renovated townhouses in Manchester.
Do remember; always be scrupulous with your search and request a few quotes before settling on a supplier.
Add LED Lighting Throughout
Making the switch to LED bulbs throughout your home is a relatively low-cost upgrade that can have a significant impact on both energy consumption and buyer appeal. LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer. While the initial investment might be higher than regular bulbs, the long-term savings are substantial – potentially up to £40 per year on electricity bills. Modern LED options also come in a variety of color temperatures, allowing for customizable ambiance that appeals to prospective buyers.
Install A Smart Energy Monitor
A smart energy monitor is a modern addition that can significantly boost your home’s appeal to tech-savvy buyers. These devices provide real-time feedback on energy usage throughout your home, allowing residents to identify energy-hungry appliances and adjust their habits accordingly.
Many smart monitors can break down energy usage by appliance and time of day, offering valuable insights into consumption patterns. This level of transparency and control over energy usage is increasingly attractive to buyers who are conscious about their environmental impact and monthly utility costs.
Upgrade Your Appliances To Energy-Efficient Models
While this requires a larger upfront investment, replacing old appliances with energy-efficient models can substantially increase your home’s value and appeal. Focus on major appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers, looking for those with high energy efficiency ratings. Modern energy-efficient appliances can use 10-50% less energy than older models, resulting in significant yearly savings. When marketing your home, these newer appliances serve as tangible proof of the property’s energy-efficient credentials, making them a valuable selling point for environmentally conscious buyers.
Here’s a painful truth: Most online stores fail within two years. A key reason? Picking the wrong technical foundation and getting locked into a platform that either costs too much or can’t scale with the business. Here’s an unvarnished look at what today’s major e-commerce platforms offer, based on merchant experiences.
WooCommerce: Best For WordPress Veterans
WooCommerce claims a massive share of the e-commerce market by transforming WordPress sites into full-featured stores. While the core plugin costs nothing, it sits at the higher end of our pricing scale once you factor in essential premium extensions, development costs, and hosting requirements.
The platform appeals particularly to content-first businesses who already use WordPress and need granular control over their store’s functionality. Most WooCommerce merchants end up investing heavily in development, but gain the ability to modify every aspect of their store without ongoing platform fees.
The platform stands out in several areas:
Plugin Ecosystem: Access to tens of thousands of WordPress plugins lets merchants implement almost any functionality. Premium extensions for subscriptions and bookings multiply your capabilities but come with annual license fees.
SEO Advantage: Deep integration with leading SEO tools provides granular control over product schema markup, sitemaps, and meta tags. This WordPress compatibility gives WooCommerce stores a natural edge in organic search visibility.
Cost Structure: Initial development costs run into four figures for professional implementation, but ongoing expenses remain modest. Most specialised hosting providers offer WooCommerce-optimised plans at mid-range prices.
BigCommerce: Built For High-Volume Sales
BigCommerce positions itself in the mid-to-upper pricing tier, with costs scaling based on sales volume rather than features. This transparent pricing model means you get enterprise-level capabilities from the start, unlike competitors who charge extra for basic functionality.
The platform excels at handling complex product catalogs and high transaction volumes without requiring significant technical expertise. For growing businesses graduating from basic platforms, BigCommerce offers a sweet spot between functionality and manageable monthly costs.
Notable strengths include:
Multichannel Integration: Native connections to major marketplaces and social platforms enable inventory and order syncing across Amazon, eBay, Instagram, and more. The unified dashboard streamlines management across all sales channels.
B2B Features: The B2B Edition includes customer-specific pricing, quote management, and company accounts. While premium features carry additional monthly costs, they deliver substantial value for B2B operations.
Performance: Built-in performance optimisation and reliable uptime support high-volume stores processing thousands of transactions daily.
Adobe Commerce: For Complex Business Rules & Custom Features
Commanding the highest price point among our reviewed platforms, Adobe Commerce (formerly Magneto) targets enterprise-level businesses with complex requirements. The platform’s steep learning curve and substantial hosting needs contribute to its position as the most expensive option.
However, for businesses processing millions in annual revenue, Adobe Commerce’s ability to handle intricate business logic, multiple storefronts, and complex B2B scenarios can justify its premium pricing. The platform particularly shines in environments where custom development budgets exceed six figures annually.
Key capabilities include:
Multi-Store Management: Control multiple brands, markets, or B2B/B2C operations from one backend. Support for complex organisational structures with separate catalogs, pricing, and customer segments comes standard.
Enterprise Security: Built-in PCI compliance, two-factor authentication, and regular security patches protect your operation. A dedicated security team monitors potential vulnerabilities.
B2B Tools: Native support for company accounts, custom catalogs, and quote management makes Adobe Commerce particularly strong for B2B commerce.
Wix: Quick Setup, Limited Scaling
Wix enters the e-commerce space at the lower end of the pricing spectrum, making it an attractive starting point for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. The platform’s e-commerce plans cost notably less than specialised e-commerce solutions, though this affordability comes with transaction fees on lower-tier plans.
Despite its budget-friendly positioning, Wix has evolved beyond basic store creation to offer sophisticated marketing tools and automation features that rival more expensive platforms. The platform particularly appeals to visual-minded entrepreneurs who prioritise design control over advanced selling features.
Standout features include:
AI Design Tools: Wix ADI generates complete store layouts based on your business type, cutting setup time significantly.
Business Suite: Built-in tools handle appointments, memberships, and email marketing. The mobile app lets merchants manage operations on the go.
App Market: While not as extensive as WooCommerce, Wix offers hundreds of vetted applications. Most premium apps have moderate monthly fees.
Squarespace: Design-First, Commerce Second
Occupying a unique middle ground in pricing, Squarespace more than basic website builders but less than dedicated e-commerce platforms. The platform has carved out a niche serving creative professionals who need both portfolio and selling capabilities. While its commerce features lack the depth of specialised platforms, Squarespace compensates with superior design tools and integrated marketing features. This hybrid approach makes it particularly cost-effective for service-based businesses that sell products as a secondary revenue stream.
Distinguished by:
Design Tools: Mobile-optimised templates with sophisticated typography and spacing. Advanced image handling ensures products look compelling across all devices.
Marketing Integration: Built-in email marketing, social media tools, and SEO features work in harmony. The analytics dashboard tracks performance across channels.
Content Features: Strong blogging and portfolio tools support content-driven commerce through lookbooks, galleries, and editorial features.
The Bottom Line
The key is approaching platform selection with a clear understanding of your technical capabilities and growth plans. Rather than seeking the ‘best’ platform, focus on finding the one that matches your specific operational needs and budget constraints.
The true expense of an e-commerce platform runs deeper than monthly fees. WooCommerce offers a free core plugin, but expect four-figure investments in development and customisation. Magento requires significant upfront investment but can prove cost-effective at scale by eliminating per-transaction fees that plague smaller platforms. Even simpler solutions like BigCommerce start with modest monthly subscriptions but often demand investment in additional apps and integrations to match competitor features.
Complex e-commerce operations often warrant specialist support, particularly for multi-channel selling or B2B requirements. Liaising with an eCommerce marketing agency in London can prevent costly mistakes when configuring inventory syncing, automated pricing rules, or ERP integration. Success hinges on understanding your technical capabilities and growth trajectory before committing to a platform.
Focus on finding the solution that aligns with your operational requirements and budget constraints rather than chasing the latest features.
Clearer complexion? Heavier wallet? Energy levels through the roof? Concentration retur……
Hey, you! Yes, you. Back in the room. For many who have been doing (enduring) Dry January, the positives of a spell spent away from booze have been welcome, surprising, and at times, a little concerning; the new outlook and fresh feeling has led us to wonder just how bad we’ve been feeling the rest of the year.
The science seems to agree. According to the guys at Alcohol Change, the benefits begin even in this first week; you’ll likely be sleeping more soundly and as a result, energy levels will be up. The second week sees a certain sense of a ‘fog lifting’, and in the third, things get real; you might notice weight shifting and exercise having a greater impact. What’s more, you may well sense a sharpness at work which you hadn’t felt for a while. Finally, in the fourth week, even your risk of certain diseases will have fallen. Need we go on?
Actually, we will go on. Because why stop there, at one week? There are many more goals to meet and gains to be made by continuing this Dry January thing onwards through February and into the rest of 2025.
Whether you’re planning on giving up drinking completely or this period of abstinence has convinced you to change your relationship with alcohol into a more gentle, mindful approach, then there are some small changes you can enact to your everyday to make the transition smoother and easier to maintain. With that in mind, here are 5 lifestyle changes which will make sustaining Dry January easier, IDEAL for a life without all those hangovers.
Live Within A Strict Routine
For so many, it seems like the temptation to drink strikes most directly when we’re feeling listless and uninspired. A gloomy day outside with little on the agenda often leads to us filling up a glass just to fill in some hours. Many former drinkers who gave up successfully suggest that it’s essential to have a strict, scrupulous routine, particularly in those first few months, to prevent the mind from wandering into the bottle shop.
Even something as simple as getting up and going to sleep at the same time every day instills a sense of discipline and builds resilience. Having breakfast, exercising at a consistent, scheduled time, working within set, rigid hours and always having an activity lined up for the evening can all contribute to you keeping focused on your goals and, let’s face it, distracted from your vices.
But Take Things Gradually
If you didn’t ‘do’ Dry January, then don’t view the month as a failure in your goal to cut down. Every day is a new opportunity to get healthier, then focus with your eyes facing forward, rather than regretting what’s passed.
What’s more, many have pledged to cut back, rather than cut out, and that’s commendable, too.
It’s important to set goals which are manageable, so each day can be treated as a potential success. Simple steps can help make cutting down easier. Many swear by ‘dinner drinking’; that is, to only allow yourself a drink during dinner, allowing for a leisurely, sociable relationship with alcohol to develop.
Others buy in a spirit measuring cup, to make sure their g’n’ts at home don’t turn out to be quadruple strength. Some simply keep only the drink they want for the evening in the house. Whatever works for you is, of course, the best way forward.
As the team at the OAD Clinic, who offer addiction treatment in London caution, if you have a more serious alcohol problem and are physically dependent, then it’s essential that you don’t cut out drinking wholesale, in one go. They explain that, if you do so, you could be risking your health, and may be prone to withdrawal symptoms, which include chills, aches, irritability, nausea, headaches, mood swings and more.
If you’re in this position, it’s best to seek professional help rather than doing things alone. The NHS have a page dedicated to Alcohol Support, including help with finding alcohol addiction services in your area. Do check it out.
Don’t Just Cut Out, Feed In
Abstinence and asceticism is all well and good, but if you’re not feeding back in, and nourishing your body and soul, then you’re less likely to be successful in giving up or cutting back on alcohol.
This thing is best realised in a wholesome, holistic way. By adopting a healthy, balanced diet (with a few treats thrown in, of course!) and exercising regularly, you’re going to feel the benefits of less alcohol consumption are magnified.
You’ll likely be feeling dehydrated from excessive alcohol, so drink water religiously – experts recommend 4 litres a day – to redress the balance. Endeavour to enjoy a diet rich in fruit and vegetables (ideally, 7 a day), as well as beans, pulses, eggs and oily fish.
It’s recommended that you base your meals around a starchy carbohydrate, such as pasta, rice or potatoes, preferably in its whole grain form, as this promotes a slow release of energy and, fascinatingly, is essential for serotonin production. For many who have become reliant on alcohol to lift their mood, getting the brain’s happy chemicals back in balance is essential.
Drink Less But Drink Better
Cutting down on alcohol needn’t mean the total denial of pleasure in your life. Many have found joy in simply drinking less, but ensuring the alcohol they’re drinking is of a higher quality. This mindful approach to drinking makes sustaining a healthier relationship with booze much easier to maintain, and that’s what you want from this thing, right?
Alternatively, there are some fantastic low or no ABV beers, mocktails, non-alcoholic spirits and wines, and ‘occasion’ drinks designed to take the place of booze in social settings. These can be a wonderful way to still see friends and enjoy a celebratory tipple, minus hangovers and the rest. Our favourites include Rochester Ginger Drink, Seedlip Spice ’94 and Hip Pop kombucha drinks, the latter of which are considered by many to be a superfood (yep, we know it’s a drink).
Alcohol consumption is an expensive, time consuming habit, especially for heavy drinkers. We’ve all spent a day on the sofa, groaning and lamenting, but when those wasted days become a regular thing, it’s a problem.
Let’s dial down into the digits; it’s estimated that the average household spend on alcohol is just under £1000 a year. But problem drinkers spend way more. If you were to consistently have three or four drinks a day, then that spend could be tripled. Just think about the things you can do with the money. A holiday, or two, a new wardrobe, a weekly treat at a fancy restaurant, gifts for family…the list goes on.
We’re all entitled to the odd duvet day. Each and every one of us deserves a little downtime, low, lazy and lounging with a takeaway and a Netflix doc on the box. But booze amplifies the frequency and force of these days, and can make us a far less productive, creative unit as a result.
So, cherish those extra hours and get productive. Or, use the extra money to treat yourself! You deserve it. Once you have time and money on your hands – you know, the stuff you used to blow on booze – then you’ll find a sense of freedom you were previously lacking everywhere you look. Embrace it!
*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are physically dependent on alcohol, stopping suddenly can be dangerous or life-threatening. Please consult your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your alcohol consumption. If you are experiencing alcohol dependence, contact your doctor or local addiction services for professional support and guidance.*
We think it’s safe to say that Northcote Road occupies something of a unique position, both in geographical terms and in the minds of the average Londonder.
Sprawling from Battersea to Balham but certainly not Clapham, it’s a buzzy, populated street that’s pedestrianised and almost continental on the weekend, with action, activity and al fresco dining all taking place along the strip.
Yet, it also feels strangely superficial; every other shop could be a JoJo Maman Bébé, and for a road of such obvious affluence, at first glance the dining options are a little predictable; all mid-level chains and Gail’s bakeries.
But scratch the surface just a little harder, and amongst those ever-presents are a handful of fantastic food purveyors, producers and restaurants doing some truly great grub. If you’re wondering where to eat on Northcote Road, Clapham Junction, then here are the best restaurants.
Porchetta & Grill
Ideal for a porchetta sandwich that will transport you to the Italian countryside in one bite…
Yep, we realise just 7 or so words ago we said ‘restaurants’, but the first place to eat on our list isn’t actually one of those. Instead, it’s a compact, black trailer, parked outside Joe & Juice and serving some of the best porchetta in the city.
Here, the proposition is simple; unctuous Umbrian porchetta with crisp crackling, served either in a semolina dusted ciabatta or over polenta and vegetables. Rustic Roman sausages, heady with fennel seed and white pepper can also be supplemented; now that’s a sarnie worth heading south of the river for. Come to think of it, we’d swim the river for one of these.
Image via Porchetta Grill Facebook Page
With the main ingredient expertly prepared by Giovanni Morinello, an Italian butcher with 30 years of experience, you’ll be in very safe hands here.
Just back from the Northcote Road and a five minute walk from Porchetta and Grill, you’ll find the edge of sprawling Wandsworth Common; the perfect place to tuck in to your sandwich in peace. You can thank us later!
Ideal for a warm and welcoming Italian restaurant…
From here on in you’ll start to notice a theme, that the majority of the best places to eat on Northcote Road are Italian. And that’s no bad thing when you’ve got a neighbourhood resident as good as 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. It’s a place where Italian’s come to feel Italian in London.
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 the food aficionados 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.
Ideal for Neapolitan pizzas with a broad range of toppings and comforting bowls of pasta…
Nope, this isn’t a restaurant that exists solely in the metaverse (tech heads, stand up), but rather, the best wood fired Neapolitan pizza you’ll find on Northcote Road.
The second branch (yep, still confused by the name) of the popular King’s road pizzeria, Made In Italy 3.0 does a fine selection of pizzas at the more traditional end of the spectrum, with all the usual boxes ticked concerning San Marzano tomatoes, Caputo Tipo double zero flour, fierce cooking temperatures, and an origin story that starts in Southern Italy, the home of proper pizza puritans.
The thing that makes Made In Italy unique is their cheese factory, housed in Battersea and producing handmade mozzarella and burrata every day. Run by a third generation Italian cheesemaker, this ensures an incomparable freshness in the final product and results on the street.
Alongside more traditional toppings like margherita and diavola, you’ll find some more fascinating offerings like ‘Crokke’ which is billed as a cheeky pizza featuring crocche, the famous Neapolitan street food and another entitled ‘Carbonara Pizza Porn’ – and nope, we don’t know why the word ‘porn’ appears like this on the menu sporadically either, but we’ll let that one slide…
This Italian restaurant in Clapham also caters for those non-pizza fanatics in the group (yes, there are such people). On our last visit we had a bowl of gnocchi pomodoro – a simple yet incredibly satisfying no-frills dish if ever there was one. We could eat it every day.
Ideal for classic Thai curries and regional specialties…
So far, it might feel like Northcote Road is London’s very own Little Italy (though, officially, this is an area in the south west corner of Clerkenwell), and sure, the dominance of Italian restaurants here is stark. But there’s also capable Thai food being cooked on Northcote Road that’s well worth your time if you’re not in the mood for more pizza.
Rosa’s Thai has outposts all over London – yep, we did say Northcote Road is dominated by chains – with the restaurant gaining popularity for its affordable, properly punchy Thai dishes with origins from across The Kingdom. The Clapham branch has found a home on Northcote Road, and it provides welcome respite from the dough-based offerings that define the rest of the strip.
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 and palate. 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.
As their website boasts, over 1.6 million Pad Thais have been served by the restaurant group. We’re a little embarrassed to admit just how many of that number were us.
After that brief, spicy respite, we’re going for another Italian, this time at Buona Sera which has been serving the good people of Clapham for over a quarter of a decade.
Meaning ‘good evening’, this is actually a spot best enjoyed in the late afternoon sun, as the restaurant has plenty of outdoor seating (even on a weekday) and a sunny disposition to match it.
These guys have been in the same spot for thirty years, and have finely honed their simple yet satisfying offering. With a sprawling menu of capable pasta plates, as well as some simple starters perfect for picking as you watch the world go by, Buona (autocorrect attempted to change that to ‘buoyant’, which would be rather fitting) Sera is a lovely place to while away a few hours.
Ideal for massive quarter slices of sourdough pizza with sturdy puffed crusts…
Breadstall is a mobile unit that sits just a few strides down the street from Porchetta & Grill, but the proposition here is slightly different; nominally it’s a pizza joint, but there are other edible treats to be found here, too.
In fact, though the quarters slices of sourdough pizza with a sturdy puffed crust that makes them ideal for taking away are Breadstall’s biggest seller, taking pride of place at the forefront of their display of the day’s wares, we’re here for the freshly baked focaccia and ciabatta, which are generously filled and tasty as you like (ours is a fried chicken, rocket and mayo, thanks for asking).
That’s not to say the pizzas aren’t fantastic, and with Breadstall delivering, Londoners can now get a slice of this little corner of South London straight to their door.
For a no fuss, no frills fish and chips restaurant, Seafare Fish Bar is one of Northcote Road’s true gems. Though the bulk of the business is the takeaway trade, Seafare has a cute patio outfront which is ideal for basking in the sun if the weather’s right.
Back inside and into the vats of bubbling rapeseed oil (which the restaurant recycles into biofuel), all the fish here is sourced daily from Billingsgate Market, with a choice of cod, haddock, plaice, rock, squid and scampi pleasing the pesci crowd, with a light, delicate batter.
Sides are reassuringly traditional, with the wally a real whopper and the gravy thick and proper. Chips tread that most welcome line between crisp and soggy that all chippy connoisseurs are well versed in, and the mushy peas actually taste of peas rather than vinegar.
And that’s all you can ask for from your local chippy, right?
Ideal for South Indian feasting that’s a different proposition to your old-school curry house …
Residing in the former Ve Kitchen site, Tamila brings something genuinely different to Northcote Road’s dining landscape. From the team behind Islington hits The Tamil Prince and The Tamil Crown, this is their first outpost south of the river, and it’s a more casual affair than its gastropub siblings up north.
Perhaps with a slice of the Dishoom morning market in their crosshairs, there’s a keen focus on South Indian breakfast and brunch here – the masala dosa arrives as a crisp, golden scroll accompanied by coconut chutney and sambar that puts most of the road’s brunch offerings to shame. The medhu vadai (savory lentil ‘doughnuts’) are worth crossing postcodes for, striking that perfect balance between crisp exterior and fluffy middle.
Come evening, the kitchen shows its real muscle. The Thanjavur chicken curry is worth ordering for the sauce alone – complex, aromatic, and crying out to be mopped up with their exceptional rotis, while the Chettinad lamb curry brings that lovely, undulating chilli heat without sacrificing on nuance or deliciousness.
The drinks list is equally considered, featuring Indian-spiced takes on classic cocktails alongside their own Tamila lager, which is a drinkable, pleasant enough drop. The success of this Northcote Road venture has already prompted a second site opening in King’s Cross this month, but there’s a already buzz about this original that suggests it’ll become a neighbourhood fixture for years to come. We’re certainly not complaining.
Okay, we accept this is neither a restaurant nor quite on Northcote Road (the A205 separates the two), but we’re not going to let a little pedantry get in the way of what is arguably London’s greatest sausage roll.
Yep, at Slice Street Bakery on St. John’s Road, you’ll find one of the most generously proportioned, beautifully seasoned, properly fatty portions of minced pork based nirvana that we’ve ever had the pleasure of sinking our teeth into, all gorgeous mouthfeel and salty deliciousness. And whilst £4 might seem like a hefty price tag, this is a real piece of work, weighing as much as a newborn baby and, in many ways, even cuter.
Slice Street also do excellent sandwiches – the fried chicken with a kind of buffalo sauce dressing is particularly lovely – and Roman pizza slices for those looking for a lunch spread to make any colleagues or family members jealous. Great stuff, indeed.
We had to finish with something sweet and Italian, in keeping with the road’s preferred cuisine. At the award winning Oddonno’s Gelati, the gelato is at its best when it celebrates a singular ingredient, ramping up the characteristic flavour of that ingredient to dizzy new heights.
In fact, Oddonno’s pistachio gelato is regularly acknowledged as one of the best single scoops in the city, with Time Out London saying back in 2010 that ‘’the pistachio is some of the best you’ll ever taste’’. That same pistachio also received two gold stars at the 2009 Great Taste Awards. After several balmy evenings spent strolling the strip in the company of the fabulous flavour, we have to agree.
Firstly, let’s address the Thai elephant in the room with a cheery ‘’sawadee krap’’ and an acknowledgement; Bangkok could give you the meal of your life on just about any street corner or down any soi, all for the cost of a Snickers bar back home.
But in such a sophisticated city – and cuisine – chock-full of decadence and deliciousness, it would be rude not to consider the fine dining side of things from time to time, with a whole host of world class restaurants here offering a truly Thai take on haute cuisine that’s elegant yet playful, precise but intuitive.
With 18 Thai restaurants in the city earning starred status in the latest Bangkok Michelin Guide (announced just last week, in late November 2024), the options for eating out at the finer end of the spectrum can be overwhelming.
Well, we’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to, ascending the Scoville Scale and feeling the breath of the wok on our necks, to bring you these; the best Thai fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants in Bangkok.
Samrub Samrub Thai
Ideal for meticulously researched, creatively composed modern Thai dining…
Is this intimate, counter-only, impossible to book restaurant/private kitchen the best Thai restaurant/private kitchen in the world? Whatever you want to call it and whichever superlatives you wish to throw at Samrub Samrub Thai, it is seriously good and worthy of all of them.
The master at the stoves of this compact, counter-dining affair is chef Prin Polsuk, who has some serious pedigree in the world of Thai fine dining, having been the head chef at Nahm in London when it won its Michelin star, the first Thai restaurant in the world to have been bestowed with the honour.
He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of his country’s cuisine, and at Samrub, he seems to have his heart set on expanding it even further, with the dishes here sourced from a veritable vault of historic scripts, tomes and chapters.
The results, whether in the buttery, tender-as-you-like grilled beef dressed in delicate Satay-like sauce or intricately stuffed sweetcorn, filled with minced chicken and baby corn then reconstructed, are nothing short of spectacular. Oh, and you’re allowed to ask for seconds!
That generous sentiment exemplifies the family-style nature of this brilliant restaurant, with Polsuk’s wife Mint running the front of house operations and chef Prin working the counter, doling out shots of homemade banana liquor and soliloquies on the history of some of the dishes he’s just set in front of you. Often, their young son will join diners too, crawling across the counter and generally charming everyone in his wake!
In short, Samrub may well be the world’s best Thai restaurant…
Ideal for trying Thailand’s hottest, most difficult to secure reservation…
Or, is it? And speaking of impossible to book, chef Supaksorn Jongsiri’s love letter to the farmers, fishermen and producers of Southern Thailand is reportedly the most coveted reservation in the Kingdom, and it’s easy to see why.
Though it’s only been open for five years, this place has been the talk of the town – no, country – for nearly as long. Proudly sourcing ‘99.9%’ of their ingredients from the south, and supporting countless farmers and fishermen in the process, as well as cooking most of the food in clay pots, you’d be forgiven for thinking this traditional ethos wouldn’t translate into a 22 course tasting menu of fine dining.
You’d be wrong; this, quite simply, is some of the finest Thai food out there, period. You’ll have to run over hot coals to get a table, but if you’re lucky enough to do so, it’s worth burning your feet for. And mouth; the food is spicy, and all the better for it. Than hai im, na khrap!
Ideal for familiar Thai dishes delivered in surprising, highly innovative ways…
Even before chef Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam became the world’s first Thai female chef to be awarded two Michelin Stars, she was a famous face across the country, having emerged victorious on the inaugural season of Top Chef Thailand.
It’s an immense credit to the chef’s skills and vision that those two massive accolades don’t even prepare you for the culinary journey at her pioneering restaurant Baan Tepa. Close to the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bang Kapi, you get a sense of anticipation building as you enter the restaurant, which is housed in an elegant villa that’s owned by Chef Tam’s grandmother, Lady Suwaree Debhakam. The space still retains many of its original features, along with its warming, welcoming spirit. Out back, there’s a large garden which feeds the kitchen’s inventive dishes with its living library of organic flowers, herbs and spices.
Yep, there’s a sense that this meal will nourish the soul as well as invigorate the senses, and so it turns out; despite plenty of ‘cheffy’ flourishes and ultra-modern tekkers, there’s a familial, grounding narrative running through the 9 (and then some) course tasting menu.
Expect on-the-surface familiar dishes that come with a surprise or two, such as the ‘Fishtake’ – a play on the beloved Thai fish cake, here featuring giant Trevally fish and Shiitake mushrooms (we won’t spoil the surprise), or the whimsically named ‘Crab Crab Crab!’, which showcase the chef’s talent for blending familiar ingredients in creative ways. Again, we won’t spoil the surprise.
Later on, the highlight ‘Anatomy of a River Prawn’ dish shows off an enormous specimen sourced from Ayutthaya, blessed with a massive pool of its smoked head juices, and served with arguably the best nahm jim seafood we’ve ever tasted. It’s this anchoring of ultra-modern technique with recognisable, faithfully delivered elements that makes Baan Tepa so captivating. Those two Michelin stars, we think, are richly deserved.
Ideal for a taste of one of the world’s most influential Thai restaurants…
Aussie chef and Thai food oracle David Thompson’s Nahm earned a Michelin star, a first for Thai cooking, when in its previous incarnation in London, and the Bangkok version rightly followed suit in Michelin’s inaugural Bangkok guide at the end of 2017.
Though Nahm London closed due to the lack of quality fresh Thai ingredients in the capital, and the compromise that forced on the cooking, there’s no danger of the produce being found wanting at the Bangkok rendition.
Here, the premium ingredients used shine through, whether that’s the wagyu beef used in the enthusiastically seasoned stir fry, the peppery wild ginger deployed across the menu, or the freshly pressed coconut cream that defines this luxurious style of Thai cooking.
Though David Thompson has since moved on (more of that in a moment), the iconic restaurant remains in very capable hands, with revered chef Pim Techamuanvivit now in the (very) hot seat, keeping the flavours bold, robust and refined, but giving the dishes her own spin, recalling childhood memories of special meals and the joy of sharing with family.
Should you be keen to sample the complexity of the Nahm kitchen but for a fraction of the price of the normal dining experience here, then the khanom jin lunch deal is a steal.
For 1’100 baht – equivalent to 25 quid-ish – you get canapes loaded with wild prawn and white crab meat and delivered in the most graceful style, followed by coil of khanom jin (lightly fermented rice noodles) and an accompanying sauce, dressing or curry, the latter of which features blue swimmer crab, and is something of a signature here. Finish with desserts that utilise that just-pressed coconut cream, and you’ve got yourself a truly indulgent meal for under £30.
Ideal for sampling the latest fine dining venture from the ‘Godfather of Thai food’…
No writer worth their Red Boat fish sauce could faithfully pen a paean to fine dining in The Kingdom without mentioning chef David Thompson. And whilst we realise you’re already acquainted with him from the brief mention above, at Aksorn, the acclaimed Aussie oracle on all things Thai food seems to have found his most succinct expression yet on what makes the cuisine so profoundly delicious.
Here (fittingly house in an old bookstore) the chef combs through historic recipe books – mainly from a defining period in Thai culinary history between 1940 and 1970 when the cuisine was going through seismic changes of modernisation and cross-cultural influence – to source inspiration for Aksorn’s dishes, with some menu items unheard of outside of this very special kitchen on Charoen Krung Road.
All that said, it’s often the most simple dishes that land the knockout blow. On a previous visit, stir fried sugar snap peas were sweet and smoky, managing to straddle a freshness and umami-heft brilliantly. They wore their stir fry sauce as you might the lightest linen jacket – so good.
And as with any David Thompson restaurant, a procession of superb deserts pick up star billing. The man sure does have a sweet tooth; not that we’re complaining when the coconut cream is this luxurious, the jasmine candle’s perfume just the right amount of pervasive, and the sweet/salty balance familiar to any Thai sweet lover so intricately poised.
With a regularly changing menu reflecting a different era, recipe book or chef, we can’t wait to see where Aksorn goes next.
For properly old school, refined and regal Thai fine dining, with all the bells, whistles, pomp and ceremony of the Royal courts of The Kingdom as a backdrop to your evening, you can’t do much better than Methavalai Sorndaeng, a Phra Nakhon institution still going strong after six decades.
It’s a real special occasion sort of place for Thai folk of a certain age, and you’ll see old married couples, suited, booted and moonlight-silver haired, enjoying timeless preparations of dishes like rich red curry of duck and pineapple, or intricate tartlets of diced potato, carrot and sweetcorn, that still somehow manages to come up tasting decidedly Thai.
The gold embroidered furniture and crooner louchely leaning on a grand old piano to serenade the dining room only serve to emphasise the vibe here. Resign yourself to its charms; it’s irresistible.
For all these opulent associations with royalty and glamour, Methavalai Sorndaeng is an eminently affordable Michelin-starred experience, with larger dishes rarely pushing past the 500 THB mark (around £12) and many considerably cheaper. With very drinkable wine served simply – just choose between red or white, and always by the glass – the value for money here is striking.
Oh go on then, we’ll stay for just one more song…
*Sadly, Methavalai Sorndaeng lost its star in the 2024 Thailand Michelin Guide*
Ideal for a truly exceptional Thai tasting menu experience…
Thai food aficionados were devastated when, at the height of the COVID crisis, Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava and Dylan Jones announced they were closing Bo.lan after more than a decade of defining contemporary Thai restaurant food, citing the financial toll of the pandemic as a major driver in their decision.
But in the greatest comeback since Lee Zii Jia’s remarkable win at the Thailand Open in 2022, Bo.lan is back, bookable and – whisper it – better than ever. For a fixed price of 4’800 THB, guests can once again enjoy the zero-waste, zero-compromise cooking of these two very talented chefs, running Thursday through Sunday.
The setting remains delightfully unchanged – a warming timberclad converted home (the swimming pool on the way to the loos always feels tempting after a few Nonthaburi meads) set back from the unrelenting intensity of Sukhumvit Road, adorned with traditional Thai decorations that set the perfect scene for what’s to come.
A recent visit, some seven years on from our last meal there, found the kitchen on song and in perfect harmony. Bo.lan is still one of the best culinary-focused evenings you can have in the Thai capital. Wholesome, nourishing, at times even educational without being annoying, the cooking is homely but precise, refined without being ‘elevated’, and always, always delicious,
Highlights from the most recent Kingdom-spanning menu included a Southern style curry of Tankun chicken, clams and cashews, all murky depth and assertive complexity, and a funky black Khorat beef stir-fried in shrimp paste relish. Even the rice options show a deep respect for the primary product, with both organic Gaba rice from Sri Saket and jasmine rice 105 from Yasothorn the star around which the six or seven sharing dishes orbit.
Their signature drinks programme also maintains a distinctly local character, featuring house-infused ya dong (traditional Thai herbal liquor) and Thai cremant rubbing shoulders with more Old World selections.
There’s a well-orchestrated but pleasingly casual sense of flow to the evening, too, transitioning you through the restaurant’s different spaces just when you might be feeling restless. Things start in a separate lounge with a welcome drink, and petit fours (free flowing, generous and endless) are served back in that lounge at the end of the meal.
It’s a meal bookended by booziness, too: It starts with honey mead made in Thailand and ends with a complementary shot of the ya dong, proffered as you make your way for the door, leaving a taste of something special lingering long after Bangkok’s signature humidity has once again begun to stick to your shirt.
With opening hours still tight, some forward planning is required to land a table. If you’re not able to get a seat, then all is not lost; Bo.lan’s more casual sister restaurant Err is just around the corner, close to Thong Lor BTS station. All the Err signatures are here; expect whole crispy chicken skin, the finest grilled naem this side of Nakhon Phanom, and cute as you like pickled garlic cloves. Yes!
*Though Bo.lan doesn’t currently hold a Michelin star, it has previously and will surely again*
Ideal for a progressive menu of Thai-Chinese fare from one of Asia’s hottest chefs…
At this restaurant, family and building legacy hangs proudly in the air. It can be tasted in the fermentation jars and felt on every plate of Chef Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij’s incredible tasting menu of innovative Thai-Chinese cuisine, of which there are a whopping 20 dishes. Instead of keeping you here, check out our full restaurant review of Potong. Be prepared to have your appetite teased and tempted!
And some good news to start 2025; chef Pam has just announced the opening of a new restaurant! Called Khao San Sek, it’s a more approachable, a la carte format here, though expect similar precision in the delivery. We can’t wait to try it!
Now, after all that fine dining here are our picks of the best street food in Bangkokfor those keen to get in touch with the other side of Bangkok fine dining.
There’s something real synonymous feeling about the traditional Sunday Roast and the Georgian city of Bath. In this storied, honey-hued city, there’s a sense of homeliness and heritage that chimes so well with the time-honoured tradition of eating fuck loads of meat with loved ones and drinking ‘till ruddy faced.
Whether you’re a student reluctantly receiving your parents for the day, a hungover rugby fan looking to refuel and forget last night’s misdemeanors, or a tourist looking to settle into one of Bath’s beautiful pubs for the afternoon, you’ve come to the right place for proper guidance. Here are the very best Sunday Roasts in Bath.
*Owing to the popularity of enjoying your Sunday Roast out in this corner of the UK, and because of the popularity of Bath with tourists, you’ll likely need to book in advance for all of the pubs and restaurants on our list.*
Chequers, Rivers Street
Chequers has long been a bastion of British hospitality in Bath, boasting a history that stretches back to 1776. Sitting pretty on resdiential Rivers Street and just a short stroll from the Royal Crescent and the Circus, this gastropub serves up a Sunday Roast that is deeply rooted in tradition yet feels refreshingly modern. With its cosy ambiance focused around a welcoming central bar that’s the beating heart of the dining room, and replete with wooden beams and open fires, it provides the quintessential setting within the quintessential city to enjoy a roast dinner.
Images via Chequers instagram
With a Michelin Bib Gourmand plaque proudly nailed to the entrance and regularly named as the best Sunday lunch/roast dinner in Bath, the chefs at Chequers take immense pride in their craftsmanship. Their roast beef is sourced from prime Hereford herds and aged to perfection, the chicken has roamed freely in nearby Castlemead, and the pork belly comes from the esteemed Middle White. Each hits the table with carefully curated accompaniments to bring out their best side – horseradish and watercress, celeriac remoulade, and baked apple compote, respectively, if you’re asking.
The catch-all trimmings are a league apart – think fluffy, crisp duck fat roast potatoes, and lovingly prepared, seasonal veg that retains just the right amount of crunch.
The pièce de résistance is unquestionably their signature Yorkshire pudding, a glorious golden dome that is the epitome of comfort food. Homemade gravy with a depth of flavour extracted from, you know, actual bones rather than gravy granules, seals the deal. You’ll want to request refills of this one…
The Sunday Roast at Chequers runs from midday until 8pm, with the roast beef and trimmings priced at £24.
Just outside Bath city centre lies the Hare & Hounds, a gem of a pub with a prime position on high (well, at the top of Lansdown Road) with breathtaking views of Bath’s surrounding countryside and down to the city itself. The two mile trek to the pub – all uphill – takes around an hour and represents the perfect excuse to build up an appetite for the H&H’s Sunday Roast (not before one of their famous lamb scotch eggs, mind).
Images via Hare & Hound Instagram
A lavish affair of the usual suspects, plus an apricot and chestnut roast for the vegans in the group, the roasted pork loin is particularly good here, replete with a sheet of puffed, bubbling crackling that’s just about as good as it gets. The appearance of cauliflower cheese, blistered and burnished on top and silky beneath, helps further the case for this being one of Bath’s very best Sunday Roasts.
But really, it’s the views that seal the deal here. The dining room has massive windows that bathe the space in natural light during that Sunday lunch slot, sure, but when the weather is kind, there’s no better place to dine al fresco than the Hare & Hound’s terrace, admiring the Somerset landscape and rewarding yourself with another cloudy cider for the road. You did earn this one, after all.
This one runs from midday until 10pm. The roast pork and accompaniments is priced at £18.50.
Back in town and over by the picturesque Royal Victoria Park, The Marlborough Tavern has long been one of Bath’s most cherished pubs, with a history dating back over 200 years and a frontage of fading Bath stone to prove it. The fact that it does excellent pub food is just a bonus!
With its two AA rosettes and inclusion in the Michelin Guide, you can expect a mighty fine roast dinner here, all in warming, welcoming pub surroundings – thick blond wood table, brown leather banquettes, the lowkey hum of locals popping in for a frothy pint…the works.
It’s a laid back atmosphere that somewhat belies the quality of the cooking coming out of the Marlborough Tavern kitchen, the roast beef rump arriving blushing pink – to make the boys wink – and beautifully marbled. It’s served with seasonal vegetables, naturally, and a red wine gravy that’s luscious and glossy, the product of a well managed reduction rather than a gacky roux. It coats that beef rump and its accompanying roasties just right. Regardless, you’ll want an additional side of the truffle and parmesan fries, muttering “double carbs” by way of an excuse/acknowledgement, if you wish.
For the vegetarians, the sweet potato, spinach and mushroom is much more than a mere afterthought; it’s a perfectly formed puck of crisp pastry and well-balanced, just giving vegetables. A vegetarian version of the gravy is just what you need to slather all over it.
In summer, there’s plenty of pleasant outdoor seating to settle into, if you can get over the idea of eating a Sunday Roast in the sun, you sick sort.
The roast dinner at the Marlborough Tavern is served from midday until 8pm, with the beef priced at £23.
Set against the backdrop of Bath’s historical charm, and slap bang in the centre of this handsome city, The Elder offers a Sunday Roast experience that tastefully intertwines traditional British cuisine with modern gastronomic finesse. Located within the charismatic walls of the Indigo Hotel, the establishment prides itself on championing local produce and nose-to-tail eating – expect dishes featuring high-quality, locally-sourced meats, where every cut is given the respect it deserves.
All of this should come as no surprise with a chef/owner of Mike Robinson’s pedigree behind operations. Co-owner of the acclaimed Harwood Arms in Fulham, London’s first and only Michelin-starred pub, which has set a benchmark for excellence in serving British game and wild food, as well as being the man behind the excellent Woodsman in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Robinson knows a thing or two about meat cookery.
No wonder the roast dinner at the Elder is held in such high acclaim, then. Served in the restaurant’s adjacent Brasserie Beau, it’s a refined affair, priced at £28 for slow roast sirloin with all the trimmings, but this premium reflects the calibre of the produce, make no mistake. Robinson’s signature touch is perhaps most evident in the starters, with a wild boar scotch egg a dish very much on brand. Don’t worry if you think things are getting too ‘cheffy’ – roast spuds and seasonal vegetables are part of the main spread here.
While indulging in this feast in a dining room of soothing racing greens, classic Chesterfield leathers and paintings of hunting scenes (what else?), you can’t help but admire how The Elder seamlessly merges Bath’s genteel heritage with modern-day culinary excellence. It’s a dining room you won’t want to leave.
Oh, but before you do leave we should mention that The Elder simply isn’t a place where you skip dessert. The pastry team have a superb touch, with the sweet stuff delivered with true finesse. Though the restaurant’s incredible souffles aren’t part of the menu (a travesty) since the roasts were moved over to the brasserie, there’s still plenty to enjoy; a recent tarte tatin was an exemplary version of a classic. The whole restaurant inspires this kind of confidence, quite honestly.
The Elder’s Sunday Roast runs from 12.30pm until 3.30pm and 6pm until 9pm. The beef is priced at £28, with all the trimmings included.
Though we think it’s something of a push to call Walcot Street ‘Bath’s Artisan Quarter’, there are a couple of murals up along the drag, as well as some more interesting charity shops and a flea market, so we’ll give them that. It’s all relative, after all…
Anyway, on Walcot Street you’ll find a damn good Sunday Roast over at Walcot House, a sprawling, multipurpose venue where chic decor meets industrial elegance, forming the backdrop for a leisurely meal that could easily stretch out for hours.
So, stretch it out; a starter of rock oysters with a wellmade Bloody Mary kicks things off perfectly, and dusts off that hangover that the majority of diners are seemingly suffering from.
Yep, this is one you feel comfortable lingering over as you order that second bottle, the vibe unhurried and the clientele getting progressively looser. On the plate, prime cuts of locally-sourced meats with their rightful relishes (horseradish, mint salsa verde, apple sauce…you know the drill), a parade of organic vegetables, and lashings of homemade gravy (which comes in its own jug – rejoice!), are all executed with aplomb. There are also a couple of larger sharing beefs to luxuriate over if you’re coming with a stacked, spendthrifty squad. The dry-aged chateaubriand with bearnaise is a real treat and, frankly, what Sundays are made for. And yes, that was us gnawing on the bone like a caveman last weekend.
For something lighter, pescatarians (or, you know, just people who fancy a change) are well catered for at Walcot House, with the ray wing and Cafe de Paris butter – a menu item that seems to be everywhere right now – on the list for next time.
Now, how about that third bottle? Actually, the oddly fussy House Rules strictly prohibit ‘continuing drinking’. Perhaps it’s on to the next one…
The Sunday Roast here at Walcot House is served from midday until 4pm, with roast prices ranging from £20 to £27.
A recent(ish) addition to Bath’s culinary scene that’s had several national restaurant critics cooing, Beckford Canteen’s light and bright dining room provides the ideal setting for a laid back but refined Sunday Roast.
Don’t be put off by the proasic-sounding menu here (Who needs flowery descriptions of roast dinners, anyway? Except perhaps you, if you’ve gotten this far through our article), as what matters is what’s on the plate, and at the Beckford Canteen, it’s carefully sourced (and sauced), carefully roasted chicken breast, pork belly and beef sirloin.
The real point of difference of the Sunday Roast here are the – purists, look away – confit potatoes, these lovely, layered things that have been cooked low and slow in duck fat before getting a final crisping up in the pan. A real labour of love, they’re as good as the iconic Quality Chop House version, if not better. There are few better bites in the city than these when positively bathed in the excellent Beckford Canteen gravy.
For a further point of difference in a roundup that’s getting dangerously repetitive, why not end with the cheeseboard, composed of local cheeses? The piquant, crystal-heavy Montgomery Cheddar is particularly good.
Owing to the restaurant’s relationship with the excellent Bottle Shop up the road, the winelist here is a real treat.
Beckford Canteen’s Sunday Roast is served from midday to 6pm, with the roast beef clocking in at £29.
Just a 10-minute drive from the city centre lies Newton Farm Foods, a family-run gem that perfectly embodies the farm-to-fork ethos that makes a British Sunday roast so special. To be enjoying that ethos actually sitting on a, you know, farm, certainly adds to the experience…
Set on the picturesque Duchy of Cornwall Estate (hey, perhaps the King could provide some sausages for brekky from his own digits), this fourth-generation working farm offers a dining experience that connects you directly with the source of your Sunday lunch – quite literally, as you can spot their South Devon, Aberdeen Angus and Hereford cattle grazing in the surrounding fields.
The Sunday roast here is served in The Parlour, their licensed café space that manages to sit somewhere in that sweet spot between rustic charm and contemporary comfort. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light and offer sweeping views across the Duchy Estate’s rolling countryside – proper Somerset pastoral scenes that make you feel like you’re starring in your own BBC period drama.
The meat is, unsurprisingly, the star of the show here. The rare roast rump of Newton beef comes from cattle that have spent their entire lives grazing these very pastures, raised with regenerative farming practices that not only talk the talk, but trot the trot and taste the taste, too. For the indecisive (or the simply greedy), the Combi Roast offers both the beef and their slow-roasted pork belly – the latter being a particular triumph with its perfectly crisp crackling.
All roasts come with the full array of trimmings: properly crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings that look like they’ve been inflated with a bicycle pump (in the best possible way), seasonal vegetables including a rather lovely carrot and parsnip mash, and braised red cabbage that adds just the right amount of sweet-sharp contrast. The cauliflower cheese, available as a side, is worth the supplementary spend – it arrives blistered and bubbling, exactly as it should be.
For those seeking alternatives to the traditional meat options, their handmade nut roast shows the same care and attention as its meaty counterparts, while the roast fillet of cod with mussel and samphire cream offers a delicate alternative. There is also steak, which got us thinking; there should always be steak as a Sunday lunch option.
Booking is essential here – the combination of field-to-fork credentials, generous portions, and that wholesome, family-farm atmosphere makes this a popular spot with both Bath locals looking for the briefest escape from a city that very rarely feels like it needs escaping. Pro tip: leave room for dessert – everything’s made in-house and the pastry chef clearly knows their way around a pudding.
The roast dinner at Newton Farm Foods runs from midday until 3:30pm, with the roast beef priced at £20.95. The Combi is £24.95.
Located just a Bath stone’s throw from the historic Abbey and the Roman Baths, The Salamander could easily be dubbed the quintessential Bath pub, with a style that’s quirky and idiosyncratic but traditional all at the same time, a line-up of local ciders that you’d need a packet of Omeprazole to take down, and, of course, a fine Sunday Roast.
Here, you’ll find slow-roasted topside of Hereford beef, braised pork belly, a vegan nut roast, sure, but you’ll also find a rare outing for roast lamb, seemingly less popular on the menus of Bath’s best Sunday Roasts than the Big Three. At The Salamander, it’s a shoulder, studded with rosemary and garlic and roasted for 12 hours until silky and giving. In terms of trimmings, cumin roasted beetroot is something of an outlier, but a welcome one at that.
A simple dessert of affogato (two scoops here!) picks you up, dusts you off, and helps you out the door.
This one runs from midday to 6:30pm, and clocks in at £21.95 for a slow roast lamb shoulder.
We end on a roast that’s a little out of town but worth the walk to enjoy. Climb the hill behind Bath Spa station and seek out The Bear Inn, a stylish community pub with a 250-plus history that knows its way around a roast dinner.
Their private dining space is perfect for gatherings, and for sports fans, there’s Sky Sports to catch the games. The roasts here – chicken (complete with pigs in blankets!), beef, porchetta, or vegan wellington – are served with all the trimmings, including Yorkshire pudding (except for the vegan option), making it a feast fit for those who have made the 20 minute walk into more rural Bath.
And hey, if you want to imagine that Carmy has cooked your Sunday lunch for you, then please do; we’re already doing the same thing!
The Sunday Roast at The Bear Inn runs until 7:45pm, and starts at £19.
Cursory mentions of nut roasts and sweet potato wellingtons be damned! Plant-based eaters, we haven’t forgotten about you. Instead, here’s a handy guide to the best vegetarian food in Bath. For all those in a meat coma, you might find relief there, too.
Did anyone see that fascinating news story about the invention of the world’s whitest paint, which could help cool an ever warming earth? Able to reflect 98% of sunlight, it’s predicted that the paint could reduce the need for air conditioning in the future. Incredible!
That said, it’s going to be at least a little while until the paint is on the market. Until then, in countries which need air conditioning, it’s essential that we maintain our units to ensure they’re working to their maximum efficiency, thus reducing the strain they’re putting on the planet.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, air conditioning is used in 87% of US homes, and accounts for, on average, 12% of the energy expenses in a home. In summer, that number can go up to 70%.
To lessen your unit’s impact on the environment (and your energy bills), there are steps you can take to ensure your air conditioner is running efficiently, some requiring professional intervention and some simply needing behavioural change.
Before we look at how to maximise the efficiency of your air conditioner, here’s how you can identify that it isn’t running to its full potential:
A significant change in usage costs or energy bills
Unusual sounds
Inconsistent temperature in a room
An ice build up on your AC
A curious odour
Your unit is blowing out warm air
The on/off cycle occurs more frequently than normal
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, or you want to be prepared in case of any eventuality, then read on; here are 5 maintenance tips to maximise your air conditioner’s efficiency.
Be More Conservative With Your Thermostat
A rare case where being more conservative is actually being more liberal (being more efficient with your heating and cooling because you’re worried about climate change… Hmmm, that gag doesn’t really work), being a little more judicious with your thermostat settings can save you money and energy. While this might sound counterproductive, the air conditioner needs a break, and cutting it just a couple of degrees of slack can help hugely.
Some people take to adjusting the thermostat every time they leave the house and then doing it again when they get back, or turning it down at night. This is tedious and often inefficient work. Instead, you can replace your thermostat with a smart version. According to the US Department of Energy, at least 20% of home cooling costs can be saved by getting a high-efficiency, smart-running unit to replace an antiquated, less efficient conditioner.
Smart thermostats automatically adjust the temperature according to the schedule that you set. Some models lower or raise the temperature when they detect the presence or absence of someone in the house. What’s more, you can even adjust the temperature remotely if you connect the smart thermostat to your WiFi.
You should always be on the lookout for issues with your AC’s thermostat, which is just as likely to go bad as any other air conditioning and can lead to many other issues within the AC system.
Signs to look out for in a faulty AT thermostat include it running non-stop, displaying an obviously incorrect temperature reading, and refusing to shut down entirely.
Walk around your house and pay close attention to the vents of your internal air conditioners; have they accumulated any large concentrations of dust, debris or other blockages? The best way to prevent clogged drain holes or leaks is through regular air conditioning maintenance.
Accordingly, it’s essential that you (or you have a professional) remove any debris from the air supply vents to maximise their airflow. Vacuum any dust and debris away from the supply vents as a matter of course, but if you’re keen to go further, you can also have the unit cleaned by a professional. This will maintain steady airflow.
Blockages don’t only occur within or attached to the vent. Nearby items such as furniture should be kept away from vents, too. If possible, rearrange your furniture so it’s not blocking airflow and preventing a direct channel into the room. Doing so will ensure that you don’t have to use the air conditioner longer than you would have to if there was no item blocking it.
On the flip side, it’s essential you reduce the likelihood of air escaping, too. Running your AC with the windows open is obviously a mistake, but it’s also a good idea to check for air leaks under doors and around your window seals.
Schedule A Maintenance Appointment
To improve efficiency and lower the cost of energy consumption in the home, schedule a maintenance appointment with a professional air conditioner repair service, who can identify the exact issue (or issues) which is causing your AC unit to not run at its full potential.
Even if your unit is running smoothly, twice-yearly maintenance is recommended to ensure there are no underlying issues which could effect the capability of your air conditioning in the future.
Aside from air-con issue diagnosis, services you should expect from a maintenance expert include aircon gas top up, chemical wash, aircon leaking water and aircon post-service inspection, all of which can help your unit run more smoothly.
Be Sensible With Household Appliance Use
Electronics and appliances around the home generate and circulate heat, as well as consuming energy even when not in use, so it’s a wise move to put them on sleep mode whenever you’re not using them.
What’s more, on particularly hot days, it might be worth sticking to salads! This is because using your oven consistently (or, for that matter, your dishwasher, washing machine or tumble dryer) can generate a significant amount of household heat.
Though the effect on your air conditioning will be minor, every little helps.
Look for exposed ductwork in your basement, garage, loft or utility room. If you find any exposed ductwork, add insulation; this can help make your AC system more efficient. This is because when ducts are left exposed, cool air is leaked to the surrounding area, and the targeted heating and cooling of your AC is lessened in impact.
Sometimes, the duct may be disconnected, with this mostly happening in crawl spaces and attics. When this occurs, airflow is reduced as the ducts are restricted. To avoid this, ensure you check the ducts often and make sure they are connected as they should be.
The Bottom Line
Keeping your AC unit running efficiently requires both proactive and reactive measures. Alongside household habitual changes, regular maintenance can help your air conditioning run to its full potential.
Though Bath has long been associated with affluence and a certain tendency to the high-falutin, as well as it being one of the UK’s most attractive places for both domestic and international tourism, its restaurant scene has only recently begun to match the city’s fine reputation.
But over the past ten years or so, Bath’s culinary map has become populated with a string of restaurants where the cooking is confident, the prices are reasonable, and the vibes more in tune with what’s happening in London than perhaps any other city of its size here in the UK.
That said, amongst all the hip, happening openings, sometimes all you really want is a pizza. Should you be in Bath and wondering where to eat the best pizza, we’ve got you covered…
The Oven
Ideal for authentic canotto-style Neapolitan pizzas with the occasional twist on a topping…
This little corner of South West England isn’t too blessed with seriously good pizza options, so we’ll jump right in with The Oven, which is, in our minds, the premium pizza spot in the city.
The oven in question, central to the restaurant not only in name but in its prime position in the dining room, is manned by pizzaioli Fabrizio Mancinetti, with the pizzas here loosely based on the Neapolitan canotto style.
Translating as ‘dinghy’ and defined by their imposing, inflated crusts, the dough at The Oven boasts the requisite heft to carry some generous toppings, whether that’s the Sicilian sausage, mushrooms and toasted walnuts, or the goat’s cheese, caramelised red onion, rocket and pine nuts. Yes, nuts on a pizza; trust us, it works.
Ideal for romantic date nights over upscale Italian-American pizza…
Bath’s Bosco bills itself as being ‘inspired by the best pizzerias of Naples and New York’. Having spent plenty of time in the former, we’d venture that Bosco has little in common with the rustic restaurants of Dalle 500 Cupole.
The vibe here, with its marble counter seating, dark wood and brass, instead calls to mind a New York speakeasy.
The pizzas – the bit you’re here for, of course – land somewhere in between the two cities, boasting more structural integrity than a Neopolitan, sure, but also drier than a keenly adorned New Yorker. There’s a central wood-fired oven at play, and the resultant puffy crusts, blistered and burnished in all the right places, make for an eminently satisfying eating experience.
Indeed, on its day these are fine pizzas indeed, boasting premium ingredients imported from the markets of Milan and Rome. Owing to that tendency towards the dry we mentioned, the best pizzas to order here are those that are a little more fully loaded. A case in point is the excellent Calabria, which is hot from ‘nduja and lusciously, liberally anointed with both mascarpone and fior di latte. The tomato base and roasted red onions bring some much needed sweet piquancy. It’s a fine pizza; arguably the best in Bath, quite honestly.
Owing to the dimmed lights and hushed tones of the place, Bosco is one of the city’s most romantic spots for a date night. During the day, the courtyard, a perfect sunspot, thrums with activity, cheer and chatter. The excellent house negronis certainly do no harm whichever way you’re playing it.
Ideal for popular, approachable pies in historic Victorian railway surroundings…
Housed in the historic Green Park station – now populated with a whole host of great independent traders – comes Bath Pizza Co., a simple, walk-up to the window affair that happens to sling some of the best pizzas in town.
The now-closed landmark that houses these excellent pizzas boasts an elaborate Victorian railway glass roof, offering shelter from the elements when the semi-alfresco nature of the dining here is threatened by rain. They even have massive heaters for those feeling the cold during winter. That said, when the sun is shining, there’s nowhere more pleasant to eat in Bath.
In case there’s any danger of you forgetting the history of your illustrious surrounds, you’ll find Bath Pizza Co. right next to the old ticketing hall, though dining carriage fare this ain’t.
Instead, these guys were not only National Pizza Awards finalists in 2021, but were also named the ‘Independent Pizza Restaurant of the Year’ by the Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Association (PAPA), the only formal trade body in the UK representing the Italian food and drink industry.
That’s some serious pizza pedigree, but you’ll be pleased to hear that this is a casual dining spot, with no bookings required. Get yourself a drink from the next door Brasserie Bar and settle in for a great pizza with a side order of history!
Address: Green Park Station, 2-3 Westmoreland Station Rd, Bath BA1 1JB
Ideal for digestible, dietary-friendly pizza bases…
Dough Pizza, close to Bath’s historic Pulteney Bridge, offers a different proposition to the traditional pizzas (or rather, bases) so far installed on our list, in that it’s a customisable affair, allowing diners to choose from a variety of inventive, inclusive doughs, including hemp, seaweed, turmeric and a gluten-free option, all of which appear on the ‘Specials’ section of the menu.
A family-run operation with roots in Puglia, the pizzaiolo here is Emiliano Tunno, a man with pedigree in inventive pizzeria openings across the world, and a mission to make pizzas accessible to all, regardless of their dietary requirements or preferences. We just love the V for Vegan, which sees a khorasan wheat dough topped with vegan cheese, beetroot ‘carpaccio’, courgettes and capers. It’s wonderful.
For a quick, grab-and-go lunch, the pucce – a type of warm southern Italian sourdough bap – are excellent here, too. Divided into regions, our favourite is the Sorrento, which features grilled peppers, aubergines and courgettes, fior di latte mozzarella and rocket. Just delicious.
You’ll find a second branch on Kingsmead Square.
Address: 14-16 The Corridor, Bath BA1 5AP, United Kingdom
Address: 9 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Ideal for casual pizza and pints in a classic pub garden…
We end our tour of the best pizzas in Bath in the garden of the Bell Inn, enjoying a slice from what is quite possibly the smallest pizzeria on the planet.
Run (or should that be ridden?) by Angel Ganev, this portable pizzeria sees the budding pizzaiolo pull a miniature oven across the city, delivering pizzas to the hungry masses. Currently stationed at Walcot Street’s Bell Inn, flavours are refined and simple (we imagine there’s not much fridge space for more elaborate toppings!), with the sobrasidita a particular favourite in the IDEAL office. We always add some sliced jalapenos – you should, too!
Pair it with a pint of the pub’s excellent, CAMRA-approved real ale, and settle in for an evening of good drinking and eating.
Address: 103 Walcot St, Bath BA1 5BW, United Kingdom
Ideal for reliable, wallet-friendly sourdough pizzas with a little railway arch ambiance…
The curved iron walls and exposed brick of Bath Spa station’s railway arches now house Franco Manca, where the rumble of trains overhead adds to, rather than detracts from, the space’s raw appeal. Yes, it’s a chain. And yes, an ever-accelerating omnipresence has lead to a kind of standardisation where the standard is noticeably lower than the Brixton Market days of 2008, when their first site’s dedication to faithfully Neapolitan pizza helped kick-start London’s pizza renaissance. But this is still a decent pizza, and one at a remarkably good price-point in today’s economy.
The setup here is stripped back – both in decor and menu. Seven pizzas plus a specials board might seem sparse, but that focus helps keep costs down. Their sourdough bases, proved for 20 hours and fired at 450 degrees in their hulking Neapolitan ovens, have a distinctive tang that’s impossible to fake. The resulting pizzas sport those telltale charred bubbles that pizza geeks obsess over, while remaining light enough that you won’t need to be rolled out the door.
At £6.95 for their most basic pizza, the prices feel like they’ve time-travelled from 2010. The no. 2, their margherita (upgrade to buffalo mozzarella for £3 if you’re feeling flush), proves they can do the classics well, even if it isn’t the finest pizza you’ll ever eat. They get a touch more experimental; Franco’s Favourite features an Amatriciana sauce base, crispy pancetta and pecorino romano D.O.P, and is enjoyably salty.
The terrace in Brunel Square might even catch the evening sun, while you keep one eye on your train and one on the pizzaioli spinning dough.
The Real Italian Pizza Co: A short stroll from the historic Roman Baths, this compact, family-run pizzeria probably won’t give you the best pizza of your life, but if it’s pizza you’re craving (you are; that’s why you’re here) and you can’t get a seat at another restaurant on a tourist-filled day in Bath, then The Real Italian pizza Co will do the job.
Open since 2007, the British-Italian ownership duo of Timothy Coffey and Francesca Addabbo aimed to showcase the pizzas of Addabbo’s childhood in Italy; crisp, light and satisfying.
Image via The Real Italian Co
16 years on, we think it’s safe to say they more or less succeeded in their mission, with a second Real Italian Pizza Co. now open in nearby Cardiff. Try their take on a Full English Breakfast in pizza form (yes, really), which sees Italian sausage, bacon, mushrooms and a fried egg sitting atop the restaurant’s signature tomato sauce and naturally leavened, quick-fired dough. Thankfully, no baked beans make it onto this one.
And if, somehow, you’ve still got room for another course or two, do check out Upstairs at the Landrace, which is only a short walk from all of our selections here, and a brilliant restaurant indeed.
When the bard William Shakespeare wrote, “If music be the food of love, play on,” he may not have been referring to Stratford-Upon-Avon’s dining scene, yet his words resonate perfectly with the town’s current culinary landscape.
This picturesque medieval market town, set in the heart of England’s Shires, has long welcomed tourists keen to immerse themselves in the history of the world’s most famous playwright, and with such footfall, fine food naturally follows.
From quaint country pubs and cosy tea rooms all the way to Michelin-starred restaurants, each establishment narrates a poetic tale of taste and texture.
Shakespeare himself said that “Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people”, and in Stratford-Upon-Avon, you can expect to find all this and much more.
With that in mind, here’s where to eat in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Woodsman
Ideal for sophisticated game dining in a historic Tudor setting…
You could argue that the Woodsman is the restaurant that most embodies the spirit of Stratford-upon-Avon’s historical roots, all while offering a contemporary dining experience. It’s quite the proposition.
Sitting pretty on Windsor Street, the restaurant is reminiscent of the character Nick Chopper from the play The Woodsman. This character, a mortal woodsman cursed by the Wicked Witch of the East, is a symbol of resilience and determination, much like the building which houses the restaurant, which is Grade III listed and has been standing in this spot since 1500.
The mind behind the menu here is chef and restaurateur Mike Robinson, whose work with wild British game and fish has earned him a string of accolades at the Harwood Arms in London and the Elder in Bath. That’s some serious pedigree, and the premise is similarly straightforward here; sustainably sourced produce cooked with an almost prosaic precision.
Right now, with game season in full swing, the Woodsman is on song. Fallow deer sourced from the prestigious Bathurst Estate, is cooked until blushing, and served with a sticky, sumptuous faggot of the brilliant beast’s liver and heart. An attitude of no-waste, nose-to-tail permeates the menu, with a tartare of that same deer an option on the starters. Paired with a spiced peach ketchup, it’s a one-two punch of deer-based deliciousness that feels like a must-order.
Perhaps unsurprisingly for a restaurant in thrall to protein, the Sunday roasts here are excellent and quite possibly the best in Stratford-upon-Avon. They’re excellent value, too, with starters (that tartare is currently an option), the main event – a choice of rare Hereford beef rump, roast Bantham chicken or slow roast Berkshire pork belly, plus all the trimmings – and dessert clocking in at just £42.50 per head. If the apple and blackberry crumble is on, do not miss it!
Ideal for refined countryside dining worth the short drive from town…
Just a short drive from Stratford-upon-Avon, nestled in the chocolate-box hamlet of Armscote, The Fuzzy Duck offers a rather different proposition to the town’s urban eateries. Owned by Adrian and Tania Slater – the latter being the creative force behind luxury soap company Baylis & Harding – this beautifully renovated country pub strikes that rare balance between sophisticated dining destination and cosy village local.
Since its transformation in 2013 from what they playfully refer to as an ‘Ugly Duckling’, the restaurant has established itself as one of Warwickshire’s most charming dining spots. Recognised with 2 AA Rosettes and a mention in the Michelin Guide, the menu here celebrates the flavours of the Cotswolds with both finesse and accessibility – exactly what you want from a modern country pub.
Currently, the kitchen team is turning out some properly accomplished cooking. A starter of pan-seared scallops with roasted celeriac purée and orange butter shows real refinement, while the Fuzzy Duck’s chorizo scotch egg with café de Paris mayonnaise offers a sophisticated take on a pub classic. Warming to a theme here, the braised pig cheek with parsnip purée and black pudding croquette is a masterclass in nose-to-tail cooking that would make Fergus Henderson proud.
Main courses maintain this high standard, with locally-sourced meat taking centre stage. The rack of lamb, served with hasselback potatoes and a roasted cauliflower purée, is a particular triumph. Meanwhile, the kitchen’s treatment of Todenham Manor Farm’s 8oz sirloin – accompanied by all the classic steakhouse trimmings – demonstrates their respect for prime local ingredients. The Sunday roast here has a fine reputation, too.
Leave room for pudding if you can – the Baked Alaska with raspberry ripple ice cream and Italian meringue is worth the indulgence, while the blackberry panna cotta with poached blackberries and stem ginger cookie offers a lighter, equally accomplished finale. For coffee and booze lovers (almost everyone, then), the affogato – featuring vanilla ice cream, an espresso shot and your choice of premium liqueur from the likes of Kahlua, Amaretto, or Cotswolds distillery cream – provides a particularly sophisticated way to round off your meal.
What sets The Fuzzy Duck apart is its ability to be both a destination restaurant and a welcoming local pub, with attention to detail apparent in seemingly innocuous details like the satisfying weighty steak knives and fine selection of locally brewed beers. It’s these thoughtful touches that make The Fuzzy Duck worth spreading your wings for.
Ideal for elegant pre-theatre dining with river views…
Sitting directly opposite the Royal Shakespeare Company theatres, No 44 Brasserie at The Arden Hotel presents refined dining with a theatrical flair. Having earned 2 AA Rosettes, this elegant waterside restaurant manages to strike that delicate balance between special occasion destination and relaxed local favourite.
The setting is undeniably impressive; housed within the sophisticated Arden Hotel, the restaurant benefits from a prime position on the banks of the River Avon. A recent refurbishment in 2019 has given the space a fresh, contemporary feel, while the addition of an all-weather terrace means you can dine al fresco whatever the British weather throws at you.
Head Chef Chris Butler’s menu pays homage to modern British cuisine with a French accent. His cooking demonstrates both technical skill and restraint, perhaps best exemplified in dishes like the signature Arden ‘mille feuille’ fish pie – a refined take on the humble comfort classic. The kitchen’s commitment to seasonal, local produce shines through in plates like the Cotswold lamb, while vegetarians are well-catered for with considered options like a fine, funky wild mushroom gnocchi.
Pre-theatre dining is, naturally, a speciality here. The kitchen’s three-course offering at £30 represents excellent value, especially considering the calibre of cooking. Better still, theatre-goers can pop back post-performance to indulge in their dessert – a civilised touch that feels very Stratford.
For something a bit different, the restaurant’s ‘shareables’ concept encourages a more sociable style of dining. The idea is simple: order 5-6 small plates between friends and share the lot. It’s a clever way to explore the menu without committing to a single main course, and perfect for those who suffer from chronic menu envy.
The Champagne Bar adds a dash of sparkle to proceedings, making No 44 an equally appealing spot for a celebration or pre-show tipple. Throw in the restaurant’s views over the RSC theatres and river, and you’ve got yourself one of Stratford’s most complete dining packages.
Ideal for a charmingly authentic 1940s afternoon tea experience…
Back in Stratford-Upon-Avon proper, and just 50 metres from the renowned Royal Shakespeare Theatre, The Fourteas offers something utterly unique in Stratford’s dining landscape – a chance to step back in time to 1940s Britain. Housed in a remarkable 500-year-old townhouse, this isn’t merely another themed café; it’s an immersive experience that manages to hit all the right notes without falling into pastiche.
The authenticity here is striking. The restaurant’s carefully curated 1940s memorabilia creates an atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and genuinely atmospheric, while staff in period dress add to the theatrical experience – fitting, given the proximity to the RSC. The gentle sounds of The Andrew Sisters and Judy Garland provide a perfect backdrop to what is undoubtedly one of Warwickshire’s most characterful dining spaces.
The menu, cleverly presented as a ration book, belies the austerity of its inspiration. The kitchen’s flagship offering is the Ivor Novello Afternoon Tea (£29), a generous spread that includes an expertly curated selection of sandwiches – from classic smoked salmon and cream cheese to coronation chicken and the delightfully English cucumber and dill. A homemade fruit scone with strawberry preserve and proper Cornish clotted cream follows (they serve it the Cornish way here, cream on top – though they diplomatically note the Devonian preference for cream under the jam!).
Alongside, their exclusive house blend tea is a proper cuppa, while the selection of loose-leaf options shows real dedication to their craft. For special occasions, you can upgrade your afternoon tea with a glass of Prosecco (£35) or Champagne (£40) – because who says rationing can’t be glamorous?
For something more substantial, the all-day dining menu offers some genuine delights. The Croque Monsieur (£12.50) is a proper affair – fresh local ham and Emmental cheese on toasted white bloomer, topped with a mustard cheese sauce and served with mixed leaf salad and fries. The Lancaster Bomber Burger (£18) is another triumph, featuring a 5oz beef brisket smash burger loaded with cheese, chargrilled tomato chutney and streaky bacon.
Breakfast here is equally accomplished. The Full Monty’s Breakfast (£15) is everything you want from a morning feast – two Barry’s sausages, two slices of bacon, baked beans, flat mushroom, two hash browns, grilled tomato, toast, and your choice of eggs. There’s a well-considered vegetarian version too (£14), replacing the meat with plant-based alternatives.
The restaurant’s Spitfire Room upstairs offers a VIP lounge experience for groups of 10-22, popular for everything from birthday celebrations to post-wedding gatherings (the registry office is conveniently just 500 metres away). The attention to dietary requirements is noteworthy too, with gluten-free scones, cakes and sandwiches available throughout service.
What makes The Fourteas truly special is its ability to maintain its theme without compromising on quality. This isn’t just a gimmick – it’s a properly good tea room that happens to transport you to a different era. Whether you’re catching their ‘Vera Lynn Cream Teas’ (including both sweet and savoury variations at £9.50) or settling in for a full afternoon tea service, The Fourteas offers a dining experience that’s both unique and genuinely accomplished. In a town that trades heavily on its history, here’s a relatively modern addition that feels like it’s been here forever.
Ideal for casual European dining with broad appeal…
A local favourite that always pulls in the day trippers too, Loxley’s offers a mix of British and European gastropub-adjacent cuisine that’s got enough variety to satisfy all members of the squad.
Last year named in Open Table’s Top 100 UK Restaurants, the restaurant’s interiors are as eclectic as the menu, with plenty of foliage and flora (both painted and real!) defining the dining room.
On the plate, the eclecticism is there again, though committed with good taste and refinement; Welsh rarebit rubs shoulders with tempura prawn tacos on a menu of appealingly light, vibrant dishes. For something even more laid back, the lunch menu takes the form of a relaxed bistro, with moules frite, steak burgers and caesar salad all served Mondays to Saturdays, 12 to 4pm.
If you are settling in for the evening, however, Loxley’s wine bar adds a sophisticated touch, making it an ideal spot for a romantic dinner or sophisticated debrief with friends over the restaurant’s popular Mediterranean sharing board.
This stylish, compact formerly Michelin star spot – the only in the town when it held one – is arguably Stratford-upon-Avon’s crowning dining destination. Chef Paul Foster’s commitment to seasonal, local, and sustainable ingredients has yielded a thrilling menu that’s as delightful to the palate as it is to the eyes, all tight, intricate plates that celebrate just a couple of ingredients a time to their full potential. It’s magic.
He continues to evolve his cooking style at Salt, while his wife Rhiain expertly manages the business side of things. Together, they have created a dining experience that is both relaxed and refined, a rare combination that sets the restaurant apart from its peers in town.
Though the full evening tasting menu is certainly at the premium end of the market, clocking in at £115 per person, Salt are currently offering a four course set autumn menu for just £65, which, when considering the quality of the cooking here, is a real steal. And, in fact, the real deal…
Ideal for family-friendly Mediterranean fare in Tudor surroundings…
Sitting pretty in the heart of Stratford-Upon-Avon on historic Sheep Street, and housed in one of the town’s oldest buildings dating back to the early sixteenth century, possibly during the reign of Henry VIII, Lambs Restaurant is something of a Stratford institution.
Boasting original features and open beams, it’s a lovely dining room to settle into, and that’s before the fresh, broadly southern Mediterranean fare hits your table. Go for the salt cod fritters with saffron aioli to start, providing a saline, rusty kick that pairs beautifully with a glass of white Alvarinho. Follow with a herb crusted rack of lamb, served blushing, and adorned with a glossy rosemary jus, and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous meal.
Lambs is a great place to take the kids, with a children’s menu of affordable, satisfying options (the sausage and mash is a crowd pleaser), and attentive staff who can deal with a boisterous dining room with grace. One of Stratford-upon-Avon’s most treasured restaurants, make no mistake.
Ideal for authentic Neapolitan pizza from genuine Italian pizzaiolos…
The best pizza in Stratford-upon-Avon is without doubt found over at Corte Campana. Only open for a year, the restaurant has already established itself as a firm local favourite due to their authentic Neapolitan pizzas, the work of restaurateur Christian Porzio, from Naples, and his two esteemed pizzaiolo, Vincenzo Crudele and Sergio Boschetto, hailing from Bari and Naples respectively.
Available by-the-slice (only when ordering Margherita, Marinara, Diavola or Bianca), as a proper pizza, or as a ½ or full metre affair, toppings are restrained and elegant, with the Bufalina perhaps our favourite order. With a puffed, airy crust and gently sloppy base, it’s a delight.
Ideal for family-run Italian dining with regional specialties…
We’re sticking around in Stratford’s very own Little Italy for a fully blown Italian meal next, just a minute’s walk from Corte Campana, at Sorrento. This family-run restaurant is well known locally for its regional Italian dishes, friendly service, and cosy atmosphere. The pasta, in particular, is ace.
Established in 1984 on Ely Street, Sorrento is just a short four-minute stroll from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, making it the ideal spot for a pre-theatre bite. At the helm of Sorrento’s kitchen is father and son duo, Antonino and Adriano De Angelis. The pair take immense pride in crafting fresh, ingredient-led dishes, exemplified by the excellent salads and antipasti served here.
Particularly good is the house bresaola, aged for 3 months especially for the restaurant in the Italian village of Valtellina, and topped simply with rocket, sun dried tomatoes and generous shavings of top-quality parmesan. It would be rude not to follow with some pasta, and the line-up here is reassuringly compact and confident. During summer, there are fewer better dishes in town than Sorrento’s spaghetti alle vongole; a briny, slippery delight of a bowl. All you need alongside is a glass of the house Pinot gris and a seat on the patio, and there are fewer more pleasant places to be on the planet.
Ideal for comforting bistro classics at neighbourhood-friendly prices…
When a neighbourhood bistro has garnered a ubiquitous pet name, you know it’s a place that will welcome you in with open arms and feed you capably. And so it is at The Opposition, known locally – affectionately – as the Oppo.
From the same team that gave us Lambs from just a few paragraphs earlier, and found on the same Ship Street, there’s no sense of rivalry between the restaurants. In fact, the Oppo’s menu is a little more homely and comforting, with the cakey, sliceable lasagna a hit with just about everyone who tries it. The double-carb completer of a side of garlic focaccia certainly does no harm before a cheeky finisher of sticky toffee pudding truly finishes you off.
With mains rarely topping £20 and a set-lunch and pre-theatre menu of three courses clocking in at just £26.50, the Oppo is an inclusive place to dine, which is exactly what you want from your cherished neighbourhood restaurant. Just don’t make us choose between here and Lambs!
Ideal for generous Greek feasting with market square views…
Whilst Stratford-upon-Avon is undeniably picturesque, it’s always nice to be transported to the Mediterranean once in a while, and that’s the proposition over at El Greco on Rother Street.
This Greek restaurant, nestled in one of the town’s most beautiful historic buildings, offers delightful views over the Market Square and Minories. A family-affair, chef Patron Dimitrios is at the stoves here, with his wife running the dining room and son also currently learning the trade, peeling spuds and washing glasses.
image via @el.greco.stratforduponavon
The move here is so obvious that dining in El Greco is an effortless, decision free experience; for just short of £30, the restaurant’s 22 course signature menu, of mezze, moussaka, souvlaki and so much more, is a table-filling dream. You’ll need a dining companion, as this one’s available for two people at a minimum, but let’s be honest; who’s tucking into a feast this expansive solo, anyway?
Ideal for plant-based refreshments near Shakespeare’s birthplace…
After all that feasting, we end somewhere a little more wholesome – dietarily speaking, at least. Centrally located right next to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the Plantarium Cafe is a great place to refuel after exploring the town (or eating your way through Stratford-upon-Avon’s best restaurants, as we just have!).
It’s all plant-based here, food and milk-wise, with a selection of filling sandwiches defining the menu. The caramelised onion and stringy vegan cheese toastie is a favourite. The made-fresh-daily cake selection is great, too.
And it’s on that rather nourishing note that we will bid you farewell; we’re in need of a lie down!
Whether you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast or a foodie, Stratford-upon-Avon has something for everyone. That said, if you came here looking for where to eat in London’s Stratford, then we’ve got you covered for that, too.
Poetic license with specificity of location acknowledged just this once, it’s time to explore South London’s best roasts. Because let’s face it, on the Sabbath Day, when hangovers and Sunday Scaries loom and linger, it’s quite the treat to defer responsibility to the city’s best chefs for your favourite meal of the week.
Sunday roasts, the quintessential British celebratory feast, are best enjoyed in a traditional British pub, preferably in front of a roaring fire, with good British ale and even better friends. Although no roast will ever compare to your mum’s, if you live in South London, these 8 come pretty close.
Harwood Arms, Fulham
Served 12pm to 8:15pm
London’s only Michelin-starred pub has held its star since 2010, and for good reason. Co-founded by Brett Graham (owner of 3-Michelin starred The Ledbury) and Mike Robinson in 2009, and tucked away in Fulham’s backstreets, this isn’t your typical gastropub – though you’d be forgiven for thinking so at first glance.
The warm wooden interiors and unfussy British comfort create a cosy, countrified haven, while subtle touches like ostrich feather lampshades and a deer’s head on the wall hints at something rather special. In summer, strawberries and radishes grow on the rooftop, ready to supply fresh ingredients to the kitchen. The wine list is seriously impressive, ranging from English sparkling wines to Georgian reds and even the premium delights of a 1988 Bordeaux.
Head chef Joshua Cutress crafts a set Sunday menu showcasing seasonal British ingredients, with two courses at £64 or three at £79. Start with their legendary venison Scotch egg at £9 – an absolute must – or try the vegetarian Glamorgan version. The roast selection, served for two to share, features Belted Galloway sirloin (£7.50 supplement per person) with horseradish cream, or perhaps Iberian pork (from Graham’s own pigs) with apple sauce and crackling. Since this is a place famed for its game cookery, the smartest order might be the slow-cooked deer shoulder, wrapped in bacon and served with a punch perfect horseradish cream.
Each roast arrives with Yorkies, roast potatoes, baked carrots, cauliflower cheese and seasonal greens, just as it should be. Save room for their sophisticated desserts – the apple parfait with shortbread and hazelnuts was a triumph on a recent visit.
Book well ahead – this place fills up fast, especially for Sunday service.
Since 2010, The Canton Arms has been a beacon of exceptional, ultra laidback pub dining under the guidance of Chef Patron Trish Hilferty and Charlie Bousfield. Part of a small independent group including the Anchor & Hope in Waterloo (more of them soon) and The Clarence Tavern in Stoke Newington, this pub has a particular claim to fame in the wet sales department – their house-made Vin d’Orange, crafted throughout the year but particularly special during the winter months when blood oranges and bitter Seville oranges are in season. It’s such a good drop, and one we return to time and time again.
While the front bar bustles with locals enjoying their real ales, the dining room serves up some of South London’s finest seasonal fare to folk who have made the journey especially. Their rare roast Dexter beef comes in at just short of £30, and is served with crisp roasties, green beans and watercress. But it’s their sharing dishes that truly shine – the pheasant and smoked ham pie for two costs £56, while their legendary seven-hour Salt Marsh lamb shoulder with potato and olive oil gratin (£130, feeds five) is worth gathering the troops for.
Don’t skip their starters – the brown crab and Westcombe cheddar tart is sublime, and the house cocktails deserve attention too, particularly the assertive Bloody Mary and their house-made Canton damson gin Negroni. You could, of course, order both…
Finally, Canton Arms desserts are a must. Their sticky toffee pudding served with clotted cream is a sticky, brooding affair that will leave you sated in body and soul – not exactly ready to take on the week ahead, but certainly soothed enough to find some relaxation in your Sunday evening.
Since 2014, this Victorian pub has been transformed into something rather special under Chef Director Mike Davies, who cut his teeth at the legendary Anchor & Hope (we keep promising: more of that place in a moment). While the decor remains understated – think stripped wooden floorboards that click-clack pleasingly under high heeled foot, and the occasional chalkboard to remind you where you are – the food speaks volumes.
Their individual roasts include a perfectly executed roast chicken with greens, pecorino crème fraiche and roast potatoes, pitched at a reasonable £24. The sharing options are when things get celebratory – try the roast pork with sandy carrots and burnt apple sauce at £54 for two, or the slow-roasted mutton with greens, mint and pinenut sauce at £56 for two (£72 for three). There’s also a laughably good sharing pie of beef, ale and bone marrow, if you fancy going just a little off piste with your Sunday lunch.
Either way, begin with a vermouth and soda, and their house charcuterie with quince and mustard, which as a duo will set you back £20. It’s a lovely, light way to start a meal that’s going to get very filling, very fast.
Established in 2003, this Waterloo institution sits conveniently close to The Young Vic Theatre. The oxblood walls and weathered wooden tables set the scene for what’s to come – skilled but unpretentious cooking that won’t break the bank. In the two decades since it first opened, reassuringly little has changed, making it a perfect pre- or post-theatre destination.
The atmosphere remains decidedly unfussy – wine is served in tumblers rather than traditional glasses, maintaining its proper pub credentials. Colourful artwork hanging on the walls by Aldous Eveleigh lends a modern edge. The drinks selection includes craft beer on tap from Brewpoint brewery, and wine by the glass starting at an eminently reasonable £4.75.
Anyway, we’re here for Sunday lunch, so let’s focus our attentions on that. The Anchor and Hope’s roast aged Swaledale beef rump at £35 is thoughtfully put together, blushing and generous, and arriving with gratin dauphinois (because it doesn’t always have to be roasties, right? RIGHT?), beetroot, watercress and horseradish.
The sharing plates are where the kitchen truly flexes its muscles. Or rather, rests its muscles while the oven does the hard work of slow cooking larger joints to giving, gutsy perfection. Try the suet-crusted Swaledale steak pie at £60 for two, or the seven-hour lamb shoulder with roots and gratin dauphinois (because who needs… Hang on; we’ve said that bit) at £74 for two.
The wild venison and hazelnut faggots with red wine, roots and ceps at offer something delightfully different. They’re served with mash. At this point, you realise there isn’t a single roast potato on the Anchor and Hope Sunday menu, but the food is so good, so handsome and so generously seasoned, that it doesn’t even bother you.
True to its name, this Borough Market stalwart takes Sunday lunch seriously. Under Executive Chef Paul Shearing’s watchful eye, the Roast kitchen champions seasonal and sustainable ingredients via the medium of, erm, roasting, all with stunning market and St. Paul’s Cathedral views to boot.
Their 42-day aged Hereford beef comes in at £36.50, complete with a braised beef croquette, horseradish sauce and a viscous, glossy gravy. The Herdwick lamb saddle is the same price, and arrives with braised lamb shoulder and mint sauce, while the signature Saddleback pork belly at £30 includes all the trimmings plus pigs in blankets. Decisions, decisions…
For something truly special, their Shorthorn beef Wellington at £45 with truffle mash potato and madeira sauce is worth every penny. Vegetarians aren’t forgotten – there’s a nut roast that we’re assured is a satisfying thing. It’s paired with maple roast carrots, braised red cabbage, and tenderstem broccoli.
Don’t skip their truffled cauliflower cheese to share at £12 – it’s legendary. Don’t skip our full review of Roast, either.
The striking red-brick Victorian building that houses The Laundry is a local landmark, with ‘SANITARY STEAM LAUNDRY’ still proudly emblazoned across its facade, promising an afternoon that’ll freshen you up rather than fuck you over. Which is kind of what you want from a leisurely Sunday lunch, don’t you think?
It’s a gorgeous, historical spot for a Sunday roast south of the river. The building served as a commercial laundry for 119 years before its thoughtful transformation, with many original features preserved, including art and books from its previous life.
Enough of the history lesson, if you can call it that, you’re here for the roast. The Laundry’s 28-day aged Hereford sirloin just tips the £30 scale, and comes with creamed horseradish and a flamboyantly risen Yorkshire pudding. The meat is served a perfect pink, with enough of a fat cap for real depth of flavour to be imparted. It’s superb.
Equally good is the rolled roast pork belly and its perky apple sauce, again £30. It boasts a crisp and crunchy border of crackling that would have local resident Jay Rayner getting a little hot and steamy under the collar. Vegetarians are well-served with a roast squash and sage tart that’s given intrigue via miso caramel chestnuts. At £24 it’s not cheap, but it’s a vast improvement on a half-baked nut roast.
The drinks selection is enough to have you pulling a sickie on Monday morning – their house cucumber-infused Margarita and a marmalade-fired Old Fashioned both slip down far too easily. For the abstainers, there’s local kombucha alongside creative non-alcoholic options like a Virgin Wasabi Mary.
All roasts arrive with exemplary roast potatoes, glazed carrots, minted peas and – crucially – bottomless gravy (we’ve tried to push our luck with this one, but the wait staff were unflappable in their generosity). Whatever you do, add on the macaroni cheese with cheddar and gruyère gratin for an extra tenner, then retire to their heated terrace for another of those sweet and citrusy marmalade Old Fashioneds.
While technically just across the river, some things are worth walking on water for. This Chelsea gem serves up award-winning roasts under Executive Head Chef Iain Smith’s direction. Overlooking the Thames and Cheyne Gardens, with scenic views of Chelsea Embankment Gardens and the iconic Albert Bridge, No. Fifty has experience hosting royals and stars of the stage and screen, but that doesn’t mean the vibe is stifling or exclusive. Quite the opposite in fact; there’s a pleasing din to Sunday lunch service here, the mood buoyed and brightened by hanging foliage, plenty of natural light, and a bustling bar that overlooks the dining room.
Cumbrian chicken arrives succulent and golden, while the 42-day aged Hereford beef is a study in perfect timing, sliced thick and arriving a perfect pink. Their signature Saddleback pork belly brings with it crackling that shatters just so, but it’s the showstopping Shorthorn Beef Wellington that draws the most admiring glances from neighbouring tables, that pesky natural light spotlighting it a little too well. It’s a premium £45, but it’s worth every penny.
The drinks list impresses with an extensive range of spirits and cocktails – try their signature Cheyne Rose (vodka, rose liqueur, lychee juice, and egg white) at £9.50, or their Burnt Pear Old Fashioned at £10. As a digestif, the house limoncello is just the right side of bracing.
Dogs are welcome on leads – a proper Chelsea touch. Interestingly, these guys offer their roasts on Saturdays too.
This beautifully restored Victorian corner pub, a stone’s throw from Gipsy Hill station, puts a strong emphasis on well-executed roasts while keeping prices surprisingly reasonable for South London. The building, dating from the mid-1800s, has an intriguing past – in a former life, it was a boxing gym, and the pub takes its name from a steam (there’s that word again) train.
Serving their roasts from 12-8pm, The Great Southern offers both craft and classic options at the bar – think a nicely poured Guinness alongside rotating real ales and ciders. For the commuters among us, there’s even a live feed of train times from the nearby station to save you fumbling with your phone.
While perhaps less refined than some of the other roasts on our list, their Sunday offering is a bargain in this city and in this economy, including a choice of roast leg of lamb, roast chicken, or roast rump beef, all for under twenty quid. For the particularly hungry, their ‘mega roast’ at £21 offers a generous sampling of chicken, pork belly and beef on one plate. You know you want to…
That family-friendly pricing includes kids’ portions at £7.50, and the enormous beer garden makes this perfect for family Sunday lunches. You know what? We might just stay here a while…
Until recently, Britain’s favourite seaside town (don’t @me Blackpool) wasn’t exactly blessed with fantastic pizza restaurants. With the popularity of fish’n’chips on the pebbles permeating every lunch and dinner choice, the humble pizza was marginalised, pushed to the back of the inappropriate fan ovens of Pizza Hut, Papa Johns et al.
Fortunately, that’s changed. Brighton now boasts some of the best pizza restaurants around, with wood fired ovens at 500°C churning out authentic Neapolitan style pies in just minutes. New Yorkian ‘by the slice’ joints are also enjoying some well deserved popularity in the city.
So, if you’re looking for the best places to get your pizza fix, whether it’s Neapolitan, Roman or New Yorker, and are wondering where to eat the best pizza in Brighton and Hove, then read on; here are the best pizza restaurants in Brighton & Hove.
Wild Flour Pizza, Ovingdean
Ideal for highly digestible dough, inventive toppings, and a seriously scenic alfresco dining spot…
Now that the weather’s warming up, one of our favourite things to do on a lazy, languid weekend in Brighton is to take a coastal walk out of the city centre, stopping to peruse the marina and fantasise about living on a houseboat, before strolling the striking Undercliff Walk a while. Then, we cut inland and uphill along Greenways in Ovingdean, all before looping back down into Brighton, with all the sweeping views of the city and sea tha entails. Heaven.
If that walk culminates in a seat on the picnic tables at Ovingdean’s Wild Flour Pizza, then it’s an even better day. We’re reluctant to call this place a ‘hidden gem’, as it’s hugely popular and rightly so, but its position outside of Brighton proper does help these premium pizza slingers retain an air of exclusivity.
Whisper it; this is one of Brighton’s very best pizzas, with a light and digestible dough that has enough structural integrity to hold up to the generous, sometimes inventive toppings deployed here. Significantly sturdier than their Neopolitan cousins, there’s still a lightness of touch at play here which we adore, the dough a labour of love and learning from owner Chris that has culminated in pure magic on the pizza paddle.
This is exemplified in the sometimes weekly special The Lebanese One, which sees a traditional tomato base and mozzarella given heft and funk from aromatic braised lamb and a lively, sharp chilli sauce. It’s a beautiful balancing act and a lesson in restraint; at no point does this pizza (which has already earned cult status in the city) get too heavy. If it’s on – there’s that air of exclusivity again – order it.
Don’t sweat if you pitch up and it’s not; the ever-present Seafood One is arguably even better, boasting marinated anchovies, capers and olives, and all that salty piquancy that the best pizza Napolis do. As you breathe in the sea air in this beautiful space, there’s no pizza – or place – that feels more appropriate. Heaven.
Ideal forfinding authentic Neapolitan pizza, whatever corner of the city you’re in…
Nine years after the original Fatto a Mano opened on Brighton’s London Road, two more outposts have opened (one in Hove and one in the city’s North Laines) and world domination seems the only next logical step. Each restaurant is packed every day of the week and it’s easy to see why.
The pizzas are as authentic as they come; wood fired quickly, so the cheese remains delicate rather than singed, the dough soft and pillowy not burnt and crispy, with a blistered crust and restrained, respectful toppings, true to the Italian tradition. The name translates as ‘handmade’ in Italian, and that’s certainly the vibe here; everything is made from scratch and with love, and it shows. It’s great value, too, with no dish over a tenner.
Even if pizza isn’t your thing (how have you got this far into the article, by the way?), Fatto a Mano has some excellent starters and sides to see you well fed; their aubergine parmigiana, in particular, is ace.
Fatto a Mano offer delivery all over Brighton and Hove. And, testament to the quality of the pizzas here, there are now two Fatto a Manos in London, in Covent Garden and Kings Cross.
Nanninella has been through almost as many rotations as Brighton’s famous observation tower in its 5 years on Preston Street. From authentic Neapolitan pizzeria to takeaway-only spot, then a post-COVID panini purveyor, before coming full circle (much like our seafront’s most iconic attraction) to its current incarnation as a traditional trattoria with pizza at its heart.
What’s remained wonderfully consistent throughout these transformations is the calibre of cooking at Nanninella (not to mention the reliably warm welcome from Sergio and family), with premium, imported Italian ingredients shining through in everything they serve up.
The pizzas are simply gold-standard; blistered, burnished and traditional, just as they should be. Don’t skip the traditional deep-fried street snacks either – the frittatina di pasta (deep-fried bucatini filled with bechamel, smoked mozzarella, roast ham and more) is a perfect example of Neapolitan street food done right, presented with authenticity on those clever, circular draining racks you see all over Naples. The vibe inside, all brightly coloured tiles and a view into the hot glow of the pizza oven, frames a hospitable, enjoyable place to spend time.
Our favourite pizza here – and in the whole of Brighton, in fact – is the provola e pepe, which uses smoked mozzarella and freshly ground black pepper to great effect. Yours for £13.50 and worth every penny. Any pizza featuring their premium imported fresh burrata is equally wonderful. Whichever guise we find this guy in, Nanninella is our favourite pizza restaurant in Brighton, floury hands down.
Ideal for breaking away from Neapolitan traditions with indulgent Detroit-style squares…
In a city swimming with Neapolitan pizzas, Cutie Pies brings something deliciously different to the paddle. Operating from the historic Star & Garter pub (a Victorian boozer that once hosted Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin, no less), these rectangular Detroit-style beauties are redefining what we expect from our pizza in the city.
The USP here is immediately apparent – these aren’t your typical round affairs (yep, we realised we’re rather labouring the point now). Instead, expect deep-dish dreams with gloriously crunchy bases and cheese pulls that would make any Instagram influencer fake that their weeping with joy.
Cutie Pies’ signature XXL Pepp Monster (already a double award winner) is a thing of beauty, featuring a pepperoni-crusted base that’s loaded with marinara, mozzarella, double pepperoni, and finished with a drizzle of hot honey and roast garlic mayo. It’s designed to serve 3-4 people, though we won’t judge if you tackle it solo – though for £43 and surveying the size of the damn thing, that would be mental and we are judging you.
For something a bit different, the Cutie Patootie (not a nice one to order out loud) combines chicken shawarma with fire-roasted peppers and kebab shop chillies – it shouldn’t work, but somehow it really does. Plant-based pizza lovers are particularly well served here too; with a vegan chef at the helm, the meat-free options aren’t mere afterthoughts but carefully crafted alternatives.
Don’t skip on the loaded fries; they are half of the name, after all. The Cutie Fries topped with marinara, mozzarella and their signature tangy red pepper ranch sauce are the perfect accompaniment to these hefty squares. And if you’re feeling particularly decadent, the garlic bread dippers (house-baked focaccia style bread with garlic butter and sea salt) are worth every guilty bite.
Address: The Star & Garter, 16 Kings Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1NE
When London institution Pizza Pilgrims announced that they were opening only their second restaurant outside the capital in Brighton in the summer of 2022, the city’s pizza aficionados might have been forgiven for asking ”is this really necessary?”
We already had two successful, homegrown pizza chains in Fatto e Mano and VIP Pizza, and Nanninella had redefined just how good pizza can be in this corner of South East England.
How wrong we are; the Brighton branch of Pizza Pilgrims has been a triumph, with superb pizzas rubbing shoulders with a fun and frivolous first floor in the restaurant dedicated to foosball tables and arcade games. How could this ever not succeed in a city so well known for its fun-loving spirit?
Pizza Pilgrim’s mantra is ‘In Crust We Trust’, and they stay true to this pledge with a base of lightness, chew, a hint of sourness and the requisite heat blisters that are the hallmark of a true pizza from Southern Italy. Our favourite order? It’s got to be the Double Pepperoni with Spicy Honey, a combination that works just beautifully.
Idealfor tasty rectangular pizzas right by the pebbles…
Very Italian Pizza…yep, it’s infuriating that’s it’s not called VIPizza, but there ya go. In fact, it’s sometimes stylised as PizzaVip, which makes things even more confusing. Regardless, since the first two joints on our list are collection only, and because the pizzas at VIP are lovely, we think it’s safe to say that these guys do the best pizza delivery in Brighton. Of course, you can dine in, too, at their restaurant on Old Steine Road, if getting out of your pants to get elbows deep in dough is your thing.
Image Via VIP Facebook Page
The pizzas here tick all the boxes you want from an ‘authentic’ offering; wood fired at high heat, a sourdough going back generations, a farm in Naples which provides the ingredients, San Marzano tomatoes, Caputo double zero flour…it’s all there and it’s all poetic AF. The result is something very delicious indeed. Don’t be put off by the huge menu; though pizza paradox of choice is a very real thing indeed, just go with your gut. It’ll thank you later.
In May 2021, VIP Pizza opened their second offering in Brighton’s excellent beachside food market Shelter Hall, under the name ‘Amalfi’. Though it’s now left the market, we miss its presence on the pebbles.
Idealfor crisp sourdough pizzas in a neighbourhood gem of a spot…
Tucked away off Western Road, on Cross Street, is Pronto In Tavola, a tiny Italian restaurant which packs a big punch. Though they may not have a proper wood fired oven, the vibe is so wonderfully chaotic, authentic and charming that we’re willing to overlook that.
Opening times are unpredictable, wine bottles with candle wax dripping down the sides flicker, traditional Italian folk and opera plays, and chef Nino chats enthusiastically with guests over the pass or on the phone. Oh yes. What’s more, the pizzas are genuinely great, as is their arancini and gnocchi. An absolute blast of a neighbourhood restaurant.
Ideal for groundbreaking, genuinely delicious plant-based pizzas…
Something a little different and a lot ‘Brighton’ to finish with. Purezza is the UK’s first plant based pizzeria, doing vegan, gluten free sourdough, ‘pioneering’ pizzas which don’t sacrifice on flavour. That’s partly because of the huge wood fired (nine times and counting) oven which is the centrepiece of the restaurant in Kemptown, and also in no small part down to their intriguing flavour combinations.
Purezza, meaning ‘purity’ and sounding a bit like pizza (that was the thinking behind the name, right?) use a surprisingly tasty rice based mozzarella, and heaps of delicious seasonal veg to great effect. If plant based is your vibe, or even if it isn’t, Purezza won’t let you down. They’ve proved themselves in a crowded market confidently.
If you’re after a pizza more in the New York style, then the (currently) delivery only Original Toby’s is quite comfortably the best of its kind in town.
The 12 inch pizza ‘pies’ boast a sturdier crust than their Italian cousins – here, adorned with freshly grated parmesan – and a base designed to support Toby’s super generous toppings.
Though a Toby’s Pizza is certainly one time we actively enjoy a hefty topping of meat on our pie, the absolute classic order here has got to be the charred courgette, which is a real winner.
Since their inception during lockdown (an opening we were incredibly grateful for during that surreal first stretch), the menu has grown, but one mainstay is the Original Toby’s dips, ideal both for that delicious crust we mentioned, and the fried potato skins. To really hammer home that American sensibility, we’re hopelessly devoted to their hamburglar dip….purists be damned; it’s amazing.
During Summer 2022, Toby’s were slinging their pizzas by-the-slice at Bison Beer North Laine. Brighton’s favourite craft brewery and one of the city’s best pizzas? It was a match made in heaven!This has too now ceased operating, but keep an eye out for more Toby’s around town soon.
Changed your mind on your dinner options? Or still hungry after your pizza? Or perhaps you’re planning tomorrow’s meal and are looking for noodles in Brighton? Aren’t we all? Well, check out our 6 IDEAL places to eat noodles in Brighton for, well….the clue’s in the name isn’t it?
Could there be a more fitting place for fish, chips, pickled cockles and the rest than Brighton? A quintessential seaside town, but with a food scene and collection of restaurants to rival any city on these shores, if it’s fish you’re after, fine dining or folksy, then this is the place for you. We’ve filled our bellies with the good stuff (it’s a hard life) to narrow down our recommendations to just a handful; our favourite places to eat seafood in Brighton and Hove.
Riddle & Finns, The Lanes
A Brighton institution, this one. Established in 2006, and drawing inspiration from high end, counter seating oyster bars in New York, Riddle and Finns is nominally a ‘champagne and oyster bar’, but it’s actually far more than that. The menu is globetrotting; there’s bouillabaisse, risotto, cerviche, sashimi and a carpaccio (from Venice) with a Thai dressing…hmmm. Fortunately, the vibe inside is unfussy; think white marble countertops easy to wipe down between sittings.
Accordingly, we think, it’s best to stick to the ‘traditional’ stuff, like their ‘fruit de la mer’, including cockles, whelks and clams from local waters. It’s a particularly enticing prospect in the evening, where from outside you can see the chefs at work and the whole place is illuminated with flickering candles which beckon you in. If you can’t get a table here, they also have a second joint Riddle & Finns On The Beach, sitting atop Shelter Hall on the beachfront.
Head towards the big blue from the city’s famous Lanes, get to sea level and next to the pebble beach you’ll find a collection of tables and chairs, a statue of a portly, bearded fisherman, and Brighton Smokehouse. With the mise en scene set so succinctly, and the smell of smoked fish permeating the outdoor seating area, it’s time to refer to the specials chalkboard for what’s good.
For us, nothing beats a smoked kipper roll and a fresh lemonade from the adjoining shop on a crisp, sunny day. We’ve also heard good things about the fish finger sandwiches from a neighbouring diner. It’s that kind of place; convivial and relaxed, and the perfect seaside brunch.
English’s is Brighton’s oldest seafood restaurant, and like a fine wine (or an ikejime mackerel hung in a salt chamber), it’s only getting better with age.
Sitting pretty across three former fishermen’s cottages in the city’s iconic Lanes, English’s has been helmed by the Leigh-Jones family since 1945, and there’s a keen sense of history in these walls. Huge paintings in the dining room, depicting fancily dressed frivolity from years gone by, set the scene beautifully for a seafood feast.
On the plate, old school classics like lobster thermidor and sole à la meuniere feel like the most appropriate order, and both arrive perfectly conceived, the sole in particular a glorious specimen, pulling away from the bone to reveal the very lightest of pinks, just as it should be, and needing little more than a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of parsley to send it on its way.
Owing to its position right in the mix of things, you’ll want to book ahead if you’re keen to get a lunchtime table at English’s, when the bulk of the Brighton Lanes footfall is galloping through, hungry for a taste of the sea. They’ll find it here.
Address: 29-31 East St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1HL
From the same team as the Salt Room, and though first and foremost a steak restaurant, the chefs at the Coal Shed have a wicked way with fish too, the restaurant’s charcoal grills used to glorious effect on thick tranches of bar-marked brill or monkfish tail on the bone; the best way to cook such a cut, make no mistake.
Both seafood and flame are just as well celebrated on the Coal Shed’s smaller plates, with a recent visit revealing the dish of the day to be the restaurant’s pile of shell-on grilled wild prawns, all blistered and burnished and dressed in a tumble of peanut XO, coconut and coriander. Roll your sleeves up, as this one gets messy!
Though the restaurant has recently relocated to shinier, swankier venue a little further set back from the seafront, the good value of its predecessor remains, with set lunch, pre-theatre and ‘Charcoal Lunch Grill’ menus all providing options that clock in at under £30 for a generous, wholesome meal.
Address: Clarence House, 30-31 North St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1EB
Consistently named Brighton’s best restaurant, though actually in Hove, chef and owner Duncan Ray has created a glorious homage to everything seafood in this small but sophisticated 20 cover restaurant. Be warned; it’s purely a dinner affair, Tuesday to Saturday, and you’ll need to book well in advance to secure a coveted seat, but the effort is well worth it. That’s because it’s only the finest, freshest fish, sourced as locally as possible and cooked with the respect you’d expect. It’s a no choice tasting at around the £85 mark, but the price tag is fair. There’s also a shorter, cheaper lunch menu, priced at just £35.
Already the proud owner of 3 AA rosettes, a Michelin star surely isn’t far away.
The best part of the sojourn to Brighton? Finding a seafood shack or two. You just love to see it when satiating your appetite beachside. Brighton Shellfish and Oyster Bar isn’t a ‘bar’ in the sense of cocktails and blokes wearing loafers with no socks, but rather a beach shack doing lots of traditional British seaside treats that any seafood lover lusts after.
Flogging cockles, whelks and winkles and more, all shellfish is laid out and visible in tubs and on ice, and the place feels as old school as it gets. Just lovely. Accordingly, dressings sit on a metal table to the side of the till, with Tabasco, vinegar, gherkins et al for dressing your oysters to your own requirements. You did order the oysters, right?
Equally, the £7 lobster roll or bap with gherkin and cayenne pepper mayo is an absolute steal. They have seats to the left, perched on the pebble beach, making this a great choice for a picnic with a cool (not cold) beer in a plastic pint glass from nearby pubs seeming the perfect accompaniment.
On the same stretch as Brighton Shellfish and Oyster Bar you’ll also find Sea Haze, another seafood shack that peddles all the good briny things, as the undulating waves soundtrack your experience and the aroma of the sea breeze makes it all nostalgic. Part of a local fishmonger opposite, there are a few wooden tables here and a view of the sea to keep things interesting. What more could you want?
You can’t miss the place – there’s a giant lobster out front who goes by the name of Larry. He beckons you in with those fit-for-purpose pincers, and it’s impossible to resist. It’s a family run affair here, with a good selection of different types of seafood including whelks, cockles, mussels, oysters – all plump, sweet and salty. You can also get your fix of jellied eels here, and sometimes you’ll even find octopus, simply boiled for three minutes and pickled in white vinegar.
The seafood shack boasts a proud heritage in the United Kingdom, selling affordable seafood across the country, designed to be eaten on the go with nothing more than a toothpick as crockery. If you’re fond of seafood and salty air, Brighton’s seafood shacks should be on your list. Don’t be fooled by this particular shack’s tiddly size; they offer some of the freshest seafood in town. Just watch out for circling seagulls, who’d love a whelk or two given half the chance.
Family owned and family focused, this one, with secret batter recipes discussed in hushed tones but the clatter of kids (drawn in by a great children’s menu) decidedly not hushed. We love this kind of place. There’s a takeaway, ‘express’ menu and also a lengthier, restaurant one – expect to see 15 types of fish on the restaurant menu at any one time – and a devoted dedication to sustainable sourcing. It’s a 5 minute walk from the beach if you’d like to enjoy your fish’n’chips to the sound of the lapping sea, but if the inclement bluster or threat of seagulls puts you off, there’s also ample indoor seating.
They are the previous winner of the prestigious Fish and Chips awards and as one of the top 25 chippies in the UK.
Housed in a residential area in a working class part of Hove, this is still no doubt a pub acting as the neighbourhood living room, but just with a sterling focus on doing really interesting shellfish dishes.
There’s two menus. One, an evergreen, with seaside town favourites like potted shrimp, oysters with pickled, brunoise shallot, and a quarter pint of cockles. The other lets the chef’s creativity (and love for travel) run wild, with lots of South East Asian flourishes.
On our last visit, Malaysian prawns with lentils caused orange stains on the finger nails and purrs of appreciation on the lips, and clams in a clear dashi broth was clean and lively. Staying true to their pub (formally the Bell) origins, they have a microbrewery in the basement which results in their own beer ‘Larrikin’ on tap. If it doesn’t tickle your fancy, there are around 120 other beers to choose from. An absolute gem.
The Salt Room’s website claims it as ‘Brighton’s best seafood restaurant’; a bold claim, indeed, but it’s not far off. Part of a group of three – the Coal Shed in Brighton and one of the same name in London – this is a place which ticks all the boxes for great fish cookery; sustainable sourcing and simplicity. The menu resists the urge to globe-trot, and this time, we think that’s welcome.
Inside, it’s a surprisingly cavernous space with a good buzz and young, enthusiastic staff. The restaurant is compartmentalised neatly and cleverly, with lots of different spaces and areas, so the buzz carries through the restaurant and acoustically it works.
Anyway, we’re here to talk about fish, right? The grill is used liberally and it’s all the better for it; good news for the whole fish destined to be blistered and burnished on it. Saying that, perhaps the best thing on the menu is the salt cold fritters with whipped cod’s roe; yep, as saline as that sounds, and delicious too.
Keep an eye out for Burnt Orange, another restaurant from the group found in The Lanes. Here, it’s all about grown up drinks and small plates that have been kissed by the grill, with the flamed sea bream already garnering plaudits from Brighton’s foodies.
There are fewer better places to sit back and have a cold one and a plate of calamari than Cafe De La Mer, which sits right on Brighton’s beachfront, overlooking the pebbles and within earshot of the live music playing at the Brighton Music Hall.
Whilst a cover version of Valerie rings out across the promenade, tuck into freshly fried, flour dusted whitebait with nothing more than a squeeze of lemon, or a plate of scampi with a ramekin of ketchup and a side order of sea air. Whilst this isn’t necessarily the best seafood in Brighton, it’s certainly one of the best times you’ll have here, and a true, quintessential seaside experience. Cheers to that!
Whilst it might feel a little eccentric to name a fishmonger that’s a bracing hour’s walk along the esplanade from Brighton beach proper as one of Brighton’s best places to eat seafood, it would remiss of us not to mention Brighton and Newhaven Fish Sales, such is the quality of their produce.
An absolute class act of a fishmongers and an asset to any city, BNFS supplies many of the region’s top restaurants (including several on this list) with some of the freshest seafood you’ll find anywhere in the country.
With a fleet of over 50 fishing vessels (including seven exclusive to the shop) and 200 fishermen landing their catch 24/7, this is seafood at its most direct. Their quayside shop, located at the eastern end of Shoreham Harbour near Hove Lagoon, gives you unprecedented access to the day’s catch, from Dover sole and plaice to brill, turbot, and seasonal specialties like cuttlefish.
What sets BNFS apart is their deep connection to the local fishing community, dating back to the 1970s when a Brighton fisherman established the business to ensure fair prices for the local fleet. Today, they maintain that ethos while operating one of the most impressive sustainable fishing operations on the South Coast.
While it might be a sometimes windy walk from the city centre, it’s worth the journey to see the fishing boats coming in and to pick up whatever’s best that day. The onsite shop also sells some excellent smoked trout and eel, boquerones, dressed crab and marinated octopus, perfect for a picnic on the pebbles. You know what? We might just join you for that one…
Address: Basin Rd S, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN41 1WF
When it comes to choosing and hanging art at home, the rules of engagement can be more complex than one might think. The right piece can aesthetically elevate a room, create a focal point, or even reveal a bit about your personality. On the flipside, hanging a work of art haphazardly can deflate the impact that the piece could potentially make in the space.
Indeed, displaying art is not just about hammering nails in walls and hanging your favourite pieces in the first spot you lay eyes on. To curate an art-filled space that is harmonious, visually appealing, and reflects your personal style, you need to follow some rules. Whilst we’re well aware that great art is often about breaking them, here are 11 golden rules for displaying and hanging art at home.
Balance A Gallery Wall
When creating a gallery wall or photo canvas grouping, balance is key. Not every piece has to be the same size, but they should visually balance each other out. Start with your largest piece as the focal point, and work outwards, filling in with smaller pieces. Maintain about a 2 to 3 inches gap between each frame for a cohesive look.
Implement The 57 Inches On Centre Rule
The 57 inches on centre rule is an art gallery standard for hanging artwork, employed worldwide. In simple terms, this rule suggests that the centre of any artwork should be 57 inches off the ground. The reasoning behind it is straightforward—it places your artwork at human eye level (average human eye height is 57 inches), providing an optimal viewing angle for most people.
It should be noted that this doesn’t account for significantly high or low ceilings and the scale of the furniture around it, so it’s always important to consider the specifics of your space.
Mix Artists & Eras
Whether it’s a framed Van Gogh reproduction, a collection of Gustav Klimt prints, or even an original work by your favourite local artist, don’t feel constrained to stick to one period or style. Some of the most engaging wall displays seamlessly blend different artistic movements—perhaps a Rothko-inspired abstract print alongside a classical Turner landscape, or a bold Kandinsky reproduction next to contemporary photography.
Even mixing mediums, such as pairing a Monet with traditional Japanese woodblock works by Hokusai, can create fascinating visual dialogues within your space. The key is to trust your instincts; if the pieces resonate with you personally and share some connecting element—be it colour palette, subject matter, or emotional tone—they’re likely to work well together.
Use The ⅔ Rule For Grouped Artwork
When it comes to hanging a group of artworks, the ⅔ rule comes in handy to maintain balance and create visual harmony. This rule suggests that the group of pictures or artworks should cover around ⅔ of the wall space available, whether over a piece of furniture or a blank wall. Not only does this maintain visual weight, but it also helps you accurately judge the space required for your art grouping.
Think Vertically
Consider the height of your ceilings when hanging art. If you have high ceilings, take advantage of the vertical space by hanging taller pieces or stacking artwork. Remember to maintain that 57 inches centre rule for the bottom piece and build up from there.
On the subject of stacking, here are some crucial pieces of advice for doing just that:
Spacing: Typically, you should leave 2 to 5 inches between each frame when you are stacking artwork. This depends on the size and style of the pieces; smaller pieces generally need less space, while larger ones need more.
Sizing: Consider the sizes of the frames when stacking. Mixing different sizes can create an eclectic, casual look, whereas using all the same size for a more formal, organised feel.
Alignment: Decide on the alignment of the artwork. It can all be centred, or if you’re going for a more modern look, you could have the artwork staggered.
Balance: Try to balance the visual weight of your artwork. If you have a large piece next to two smaller pieces, the smaller pieces can be stacked to balance out the larger one.
Theme: For a cohesive look, the artwork should have a unifying element. This could be a common colour scheme, subject matter, or style of frame.
Anchor Point: Start by hanging the centrepiece at that magic 57 inches eye level we keep mentioning.
Grounding: If you’re stacking artwork from the floor to the ceiling, don’t leave a large gap at the bottom. The first piece should be just a few inches above the baseboard to ground the arrangement.
Safety: Make sure all stacked artwork is securely anchored. If one falls, others could also fall and break. More on safely hanging your artwork a little later, by the way…
The size and scale of your artwork should complement the furniture around it. A good rule of thumb is to fill ⅔-¾ of the wall space above your furniture with artwork. So, if your sofa is 84 inches long, the artwork or group of artworks should be approximately 56 to 63 inches wide, thus maintaining a pleasing proportion.
The Rule Of Three
Whether you’re arranging a trio of artworks, a set of three prints or partitioning your wall into thirds for a single piece, the rule of three can enhance the overall look. Grouping objects in odd numbers is more visually enticing, and trios feel more natural and less contrived than even-numbered arrangements.
The Power of Pairings
All that said, pairs can sometimes provide the balance a room needs. When hanging a pair, treat them as a single unit during the measuring process. Symmetry works well with pairs – keep 2-5 inches between the pair and centre them as a unit within their given space.
Lighting Is Key
Even the most stunning artwork can lose its charm if not properly illuminated. Spotlighting or using picture lights can accentuate your artwork and make colours pop. If possible, hang your art where it can get plenty of natural light, but avoid direct sunlight as it can fade the artwork over time.
Consider Sightlines
Lastly, consider sightlines. How does the piece look from different vantage points? You want the art to enhance the space, not just look good from one spot. So, consider the views from doorways, windows, and other rooms, ensuring your artwork is visually appealing from various angles.
Rotate Your Art Seasonally
Lastly, just as you might change your home decor with the seasons, consider rotating your artwork to keep your space feeling fresh and dynamic. This not only gives different pieces a chance to shine but also allows you to appreciate your collection in new ways throughout the year. You might choose to display brighter, more vibrant pieces in the spring and summer, and switch to more subdued, cosy artwork in the autumn and winter. This practice can also help preserve your artwork by reducing prolonged exposure to light and environmental factors.
Dischidia oiantha white diamond plants hanging on a wooden ladder by picture frame mockups on the floor
Maintain Safety Measures
We said lastly, but safety first (and last) and all that, so…
While aesthetics is the priority, safety comes in a close second when hanging art. Here are some appropriate steps to ensure your artwork hangs safely:
Choose the right spot: Before you start, determine where you’d like to hang your artwork, ideally using the golden rules we’ve already presented to you in this article!
Use the right hardware: Depending on the weight of the artwork, you might need different hanging hardware. For heavier pieces, you should use wall anchors or picture hangers that are rated for the weight.
Find a stud: If possible, try to hang your artwork on a stud in the wall. This is the safest and most secure place to hang something heavy. You can use a stud finder to locate the studs.
Mark your spot: Once you’ve decided where the artwork will go, make a light pencil mark on the wall where the centre top of the artwork will be.
Measure and calculate: Determine the distance from the top of your artwork to its hanging mechanism (a wire, hook, etc.). Measure down that distance from your pencil mark and mark that spot. That’s where you will install your hanger.
Use a level: For optimum safety and aesthetics, ensure your artwork is level after you hang it. You may need to adjust slightly after hanging if it’s not completely level.
Avoid direct sunlight and humidity: To maintain the integrity of your artwork, avoid hanging it in places with lots of direct sunlight, high humidity, or extreme temperature changes
Secure the artwork: For larger pieces or in areas of high traffic, consider using wall protectors or bumper pads placed on the back of the artwork to help keep the piece in place.
Consider professional help: If you’re not confident in your ability to hang the artwork, consider hiring a professional. This is especially true for valuable or significantly heavy pieces.
The Bottom Line
Remember that these rules are not set in stone — they should serve as guidelines, which are sometimes, of course, meant to be broken and rearranged. Remember that your home is your personal space, and your art should reflect your own unique aesthetics and creative vision. Happy hanging! Hmmm, that sounds a bit odd, actually.
