Leading Modern European Restaurants in the UK

Goring-on-Thames, Berkshire  

Idyllically tucked away between the Oxfordshire downs and River Thames, the Leatherne Bottel serves elegant food in polished surroundings. In summer, lunch is enjoyed on the... more

31 West Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire  

This gem of a neighbourhood restaurant has an intimate, colourful interior with white napery and comfortably seating. Chef-patron Michael Macdonald serves local, daily-sourced... more

20 High Street, Broadway, Worcestershire  

You're in safe hands in this smart restaurant with rooms; the owners spent a couple of decades running Cotswolds hotels, a fact reflected in the professional service. Exposed... more

Aykley Heads House, Aykley Heads, Durham  

A rustic Gallic farmhouse charm is apparent in this bistro style restaurant on the outskirts of Durham. Pine floors and furnishings and white washed walls complete the look... more

26/28 Burton Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire  

Situated in the historic cathedral quarter of Lincoln, this former bakery dating from the Victorian era has been transformed into a stylish yet informal restaurant and deli.... more

3 Tower Lane, Off Tower Street, Taunton, Somerset  

Darren Sherlock and Rita Rambellas’s two floor operation in a 17th century townhouse focuses on seasonal, local food. The modern British menu may include diver-caught scallops... more

34 Charlotte Street, London  

When taking your seat in this neutral toned Fitzrovia restaurant you are at first greeted by a giant pink gerbera emblazoned on a dinner plate. Marcus Eaves is a young chef... more

1 Buckingham Place, Seven Dials, Brighton, East Sussex  

This wedge shaped building in Brighton's trendy Seven Dials area used to be a banking hall. But since chef Sam Metcalfe opened his laid back modern bistro in 2001, you can... more

Staddlebridge, Northallerton, North Yorkshire  

“It’s like a Bordello in here” might be your reaction as you walk into the gilded dining room with its chandeliers, twinkling in the candlelight. Don’t worry, eccentric owners... more

Holbeck Lane, Windermere, Cumbria  

Boasting breathtaking views over Lake Windermere and the Lakeland Fells, Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel Restaurant and Health Spa is nestled amongst acres of natural beauty... more

High Street, Lavenham, Suffolk  

You might carry a picture in your head of your ideal English countryside inn. No doubt it will have oak beams, cosy nooks with open fireplaces and squashy sofas to fall into... more

Llanddewi Skirrid, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire  

This simple white washed inn at the side of a winding Welsh country road is a genuine gastronomic landmark. In the 1960’s, Franco Taruschio bought an authentic taste of Italy... more

The Strand, Barnstaple, Devon  

The Old Custom House offers guests the opportunity to dine downstairs at wooden tables and chairs in laid back bistro style, upstairs in the smart, panelled dining room or al... more

25 Station Approach, Dorridge, Solihull, West Midlands  

The Forest, which has been open since 2001, is a privately owned hotel with a bar, restaurant and 12 boutique, en suite, bedrooms. The bar with its comfy sofas and separate... more

22 High Street, St David's, Pembrokeshire  

You’ll find a relaxed, mixed crowd in this converted house in the Pembrokeshire coastal town of St Davids. Surfers in shorts and flip flops might find themselves sitting next... more

Station House, Station Road, Plumtree, Nottinghamshire  

Twice voted ‘Midlands Restaurant of the Year’, Perkins has a reputation as both a popular local restaurant and one that Nottingham city folk happily make the journey for.... more

Grosvenor Road, Chester, Cheshire  

Michael Caines's stylish restaurant at Abode Chester features floor to ceiling windows with fantastic views of the Cheshire countryside and the Welsh hills beyond. There is... more

College Road, Windermere, Cumbria  

Husband and wife team Chris and Jo Blaydes' passion to marry food with wine comes through loud and clear in their Windermere village centre restaurant that housed in a lovely... more

12 St George Street, London  

Wild Honey prides itself on offering excellent food at reasonable prices. The restaurant has wood panelled walls and wood flooring giving it a warm and intimate feel. The... more

St David's Hotel & Spa, Havannah Street, Cardiff, Cardiff Area  

The superb Tempus at Tides Bar and Restaurant is situated within the famed St David’s Hotel and Spa, the pinnacle of Cardiff style and class. Wonderful views across Cardiff... more

11 Kings Road, Cardiff, Cardiff Area  

Patagonia is a family-run restaurant, just east of Cardiff city centre, serving modern European cuisine. Dishes are full of flavour and are creatively put together using good... more

Prysten House, Finewell Street, Plymouth, Devon  

A 15 century merchant’s house (the oldest in Plymouth) provides an atmospheric setting for the Tanner brother’s accomplished cooking. TV stars they may be, but they served... more

88 Chesil Street, Winchester, Hampshire  

This handsome 18th century building used to be a pub. Exposed beams and brickwork and chunky wooden tables still give the place a homely feel, but the focus now is firmly on... more

12 Ashton Lane, Glasgow, Glasgow City  

There’s lime and vanilla mash, potato fondant and roast garlic crushed potatoes but not a chip in sight at this ironically named Glasgow stalwart. Eat upstairs, downstairs or... more

10/13 Grosvenor Square, London  

Perched on a high stool at the glamorous polished bar you may be persuaded to drop your regular tipple in favour of one of Maze’s adventurous cocktails – perhaps a beetroot... more

Gorey Hill, Gorey, St Martin, Jersey  

Located on the east coast of Jersey, Sumas offers Casual fine dining in a contemporary setting. The dining room is light and airy, with white stone walls, whitewashed wood... more

Ednam, Kelso, Scottish Borders  

Emphasis is placed on the talents of chef Jacqui Kelly in this elegant, rural retreat whose restaurant is open to guests and non-residents by appointment. The attractive,... more

9 Conduit Street, London  

Algerian restaurateur, Mourad Mozouz of Momo fame let his imagination run free in the creation of the surreal, sumptuous Sketch, set over two floors of an 18th Century... more

35 Swan Street, West Malling, Kent  

Contemporary meets classic at The Swan in West Malling set in a 15th century coaching inn where blonde wood floors, neutral walls, original restored beams and contrasted by... more

23 Dormer Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire  

Fancy dinner cooked by Gucci’s former private chef? Then head to this intimate, modern dining room with clean lines and splashes of colour provided by contemporary art. The... more

1/5 West Street, London  

Despite the behind the scenes changes of management a few years ago this theatre land stalwart continues to draw the stars of stage and screen in their droves. There's a touch... more

15 Westland Place, London  

Although this very buzzy Italian is partly run by the apprentices working under Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Foundation scheme for disadvantaged young people, you’d never guess it. ... more

78 Commercial Quay, Leith, City of Edinburgh  

No, that’s not a spelling mistake; this popular casual fine dinning restaurant is named after its young chef and owner Tom Kitchin. With a surname like that, he was destined... more

Port Appin, Appin, Argyll & Bute  

With roaring fires in the lounges and and views of Loch Linnhe and the Morvern mountains behind in the restaurant you will not forget you are in remote, rural Scotland. Head... more

16 Westgate, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire  

Singer’s restaurant is located in characterful bow windowed house in the heart of Tadcaster. An interior themed on popular music sports simple dark wood tables, named after... more

17 Main Street, North Queensferry, Fife  

Diminutive by name, diminutive by nature. There’s room for just 24 people in this simply decorated dining room with its white washed stone walls and smart wooden tables and... more

Chagford, Dartmoor, Devon  

This intimate twenty six-seat restaurant with rooms is tucked away just off the village square in the charming village of Chagford, making the perfect retreat after a day... more

21a Norfolk Square, Brighton, East Sussex  

From humble beginnings Ben McKellar’s small culinary kingdom has grown to include four restaurants of which the unassuming Gingerman was the first. A stylish yet intimate... more

85 Kenwyn Street, Truro, Cornwall  

In 2005, Nigel and Melaine Tabb relocated their fifteen year old establishment from Portreath to this former pub. Now the smartly appointed thirty seat dining room is a... more

Toot Baldon, Oxford, Oxfordshire  

Gary and Jenny Witchalls have lovingly refurbished this 300-year-old country pub with a sun soaked glass extension, chunky leather sofas, bear brick walls and terracotta... more

65 High Street, Arundel, West Sussex  

Finding a 16th century carved walnut Florentine ceiling in a converted Regency townhouse in West Sussex is a surprise. But you won’t be distracted by it long once you tuck... more

152/154 Hills Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire  

Alimentum has an all-star cast with Mark Poyton as Chef Patron, who joined Alimentum from two Michelin-starred Midsummer House in 2009 and Kyle Shimmon, ex- Le Manoir aux... more

The Talland Bay Hotel, Porthallow, Cornwall  

There’s view of the sea and the delightful and beautifully maintained garden from this wood paneled hotel dining room. There’s modern British cooking on the menu conjured from... more

1 Silver Street, Winteringham, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire  

Owner Colin McGurran ensures commitment to the highest of standards at Winteringham Fields. Luxurious ingredients abound on the ambitious menu; roasted lobster is indulgently... more

Great Western House, 18/20 Station Road, Reading, Berkshire  

Part of a nationwide group of glamorous, eccentrically designed boutique hotels, Malmaison Reading offers reasonably priced, modern European food right in the city centre. The... more

50/54 Henderson Street, Leith, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh  

The Plumed Horse is an award winning restaurant on Henderson Street, a continuation of the Shore. It serves adventurous Scottish cuisine with an abundance of rich flavours... more

Southborough Common, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent  

As you might expect from a restaurant named after one of the top chateaux in France, Montrose offers a cracking list of French wines to accompany chef Richard Hard modern... more

Waterfront, Darley Abbey Mill, Darley Abbey, Derby, Derbyshire  

Housed in a former cotton mill, the dining room has a sleek modern air with its Venetian blinds, polished floors and high-backed chairs upholstered in contrasting tones.... more

47 Liverpool Road, Birkdale Village, Southport, Merseyside  

Michael’s is an unassuming, cosy neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Birkdale village. Chef proprietor, Michael Wichman, sources the finest ingredients and local seasonal... more

ABode Glasgow, 129 Bath Street, Glasgow, Glasgow City  

BarMC and Grill is located on the lower level of ABode Glasgow, with its own street entrance. This is a fabulous night venue that combines a late-night lounge bar with a... more