Leading Bistros in the UK

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

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

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

5/6 Landgate, Rye, East Sussex  

The Landgate Bistro offers a friendly welcome to anyone who decides to dine in small Georgian restaurant close to Rye’s medieval gateway. The majority of the ingredients used... more

17 Jubilee Street, Brighton, East Sussex  

Settled into its new home at myhotel, in the people watching spot on Jubilee Street in Brighton’s North Laines, The Chilli Pickle serves regional Indian cuisine in modern... more

5 Royal Well Place, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire  

A no nonsense approach has been taken to the decor and menu in this restaurant influenced by the French bistro cuisine espoused by Elizabeth David. Stripped wood floors,... more

61 Banbury Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire  

Founder of the Browns restaurant chain Jeremy Mogford’s restored grade II listed Victorian conservatory restaurant is something of an Oxford institution. The beautifully light... more

Darley Road, Stone Edge, Chesterfield, Derbyshire  

Enjoying an enviable location on the edge of the Peak District National Park, the Red Lion Pub and Bistro is set in a beautiful old building, which has retained much of its... more

The Zetter, St John's Square, 86/88 Clerkenwell Road, London  

Chef Bruno Loubet is back in town with Bistrot Bruno and back impressing the critics after his self-imposed exile in Australia. The menu is refreshingly simple but... more

Glasgow, Glasgow City  

One Devonshire Gardens has long been one of Glasgow's best dining addresses. Now part of Hotel du Vin, this elegant oak paneled dining room offers a more refined experience... more

Trumpington Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire  

Set in the midst of the cobbled, historic splendour of this iconic British city is the Cambridge Hotel du Vin’s Bistro du Vin has an op where you can enjoy the modern... more

Mousehole, Cornwall  

Overlooking the harbour of the preposterously picturesque fishing village of Mousehole, 2 Fore Street serves up well-rendered modern European dishes in a homely setting.... more

5 Chapel Row, Bath, Somerset  

Owner Jean Pierre Auge has been entertaining his regulars with his bad jokes for over thirty years and has helped to make Beaujolais a perennial neighbourhood favourite. The... more

49 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire  

Husband and wife team Michael and Sarah Bedford moved from the nearby Trouble House to open this Bistro and deli in summer 2007. Michael Bedford has worked with some of the... more

2 Herne Bay Road, Tankerton, Whitstable, Kent  

You won’t find a 500-strong wine list here – or indeed any wine. But you can bring your own, along with a good appetite to enjoy this tiny restaurant close to the sea. The... more

New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire  

With its smoky cream walls hung with countless pictures, simple wooden tables and chairs and polished hard wood floor, Bistro du Vin offers modern European cooking in classic... more

6 High Street, Bishops Waltham, Southampton, Hampshire  

Housed in a converted port cellar beneath the high street of Bishops Waltham in Hampshire, The Wine Bar and Bistro enjoys low ceilings and tasteful decor which combine to... more

Ship Street, Brighton, East Sussex  

Open all week, and under the tutelage of Head Chef, Rob Carr Bistro du Vin is at the heart of our hotel, a classic, French styled and informal setting for lunch, dinner, to... more

89 The Mount, York, North Yorkshire  

Housed in a converted 19th century orphanage in the Mount area close to York’s historic centre, Bistro du Vin offers modern European cooking in classic Parisian bistro-style... more

1 Paston Place, Brighton, West Sussex  

The eponymous Sam worked at a number of top London restaurants before returning to his native South Coast to open Sevendials in the Seven Dials area of Brighton back in 2001,... more

2 Long Street, Belton, Loughborough, Leicestershire  

You'd hardly know this smart bar and brasserie was once a pub. Now its all polished floors, cool white tones and leather tub chairs; in short this is a place for wining and... more

1 Chandos Road, Redland, Bristol  

This unassuming bistro in an affluent suburb of Bristol is home to longstanding local culinary hero Stephen Markwick. His Mediterranean influenced, weekly changing menu... more

4 New Street, Padstow, Cornwall  

If you can't get into TV chef Rick Stein's famous Seafood restaurant, then walk a few yards up from the harbour to his buzzy bistro. Simply laid bare topped tables, white... more

11 Duke Street, Padstow, Cornwall  

This unassuming bistro in a side street a few yards from Padstow harbour has been packing them in for over a decade. Owner Adrian Oliver flits between the tiny kitchen and the... more

Parabola Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire  

Housed in a fine Regency-style building in Cheltenham’s elegant Montpellier district, Bistro du Vin offers modern European cooking in classic Parisian bistro-style... more

12 Sadler Street, Wells, Somerset  

With its smart olive green and white interior and bare, chunky wooden tabletops, The Old Spot manages to be both stylish and informal. Framed menus from top class restaurants... more

110 Hanover Street, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh  

The Dogs is an informal eatery that doesn’t believe in frills or fuss. It champions good British produce and isn’t afraid to use the cheaper cuts of meat and lesser known... more

The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead, Bristol  

With its smoky cream walls hung with countless pictures, simple wooden tables and chairs and polished hard wood floor, Bistro du Vin offers modern European cooking in classic... more

Allan House, City Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear  

With its smoky cream walls crowded with wine related art, simple wooden tables and wood flooring, Bistro du Vin offers modern European cooking in classic Parisian bistro-style... more

Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent  

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, teh Hotel du Vin & Bistro offers a menu rooted in classic European cuisine with a contemporary edge. A simple but classic menu... more

Church Street, Birmingham, West Midlands  

With its smoky cream walls hung with countless pictures, simple wooden tables and chairs and polished hard wood floor, Bistro du Vin offers modern European cooking in classic... more

11 Bistro Place, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh  

With its smoky cream walls crowded with wine related art, simple wooden tables and wood flooring, Bistro du Vin offers modern European cooking in classic Parisian bistro-style... more

Thames Street, The Quay, Poole, Dorset  

With its smoky cream walls crowded with wine related art, simple wooden tables and wood flooring, Bistro du Vin offers modern European cooking in classic Parisian bistro-style... more

32/34 Sandygate Road, Crosspool, Sheffield, South Yorkshire  

On the ground floor, well known local chef and owner Richard Smith has gone the “bistro' route. Dark wood panelling, chocolate brown banquettes and dark stained wood floors,... more

7 Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Southport, Merseyside  

Tiled floors, panelled walls and red banquettes create an authentic French provincial bistrot atmosphere in this cosy and popular venue. This family run restaurant offers a... more

16 St Andrews Street, St Ives, Cornwall  

A well-loved local haunt popular with regular visitors St Andrews Street Bistro is prized for its buzzing atmosphere, and bohemian decor. Set back from the main drag in St... more

Wyken Hall, Stanton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk  

This converted 16th-century barn is set amid gardens, woods and even a noted vineyard on the beautiful Carlisle estate. There’s an all day café serving breakfast, cakes and... more

7 Fossgate, York, North Yorkshire  

You might expect to find a 'bistro moderne' in Manhattan (where the term originated), less so in the historic city of York. But that's what chef and owner Jeff Baker has... more

Prospect Place, Harrogate, North Yorkshire  

With its smoky cream walls crowded with art, large central brown leather banquette and polished hard wood floor, Bistro du Vin offers modern European cooking in classic... more

14 Southgate Street, Winchester, Hampshire  

With its smoky cream walls crowded with wine related art, simple wooden tables and chairs and pine flooring, Bistro du Vin offers modern European cooking in classic Parisian... more

97/99 Wyeverne Road, Cathays, Cardiff, Cardiff Area  

This contemporary bistro has been flying the Welsh culinary flag for over twenty years. Chef Paul Lane sets out his stall early in the meal with “A Taste of Wales” themed... more

360 Byres Road, Glasgow, Glasgow City  

There is an air of a French alpine bistro to this restaurant with its wood clad walls and deep red upholstered chairs. Although the menu is inspired by French classics the... more