The best Cotswolds restaurants

A taste of the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is a well-established UK culinary hotspot. With such beautiful and abundant surrounding countryside, it’s no surprise that the region is renowned for its delicious seasonally inspired cooking crafted with the finest ingredients fresh from nature’s larder.

Here are 12 of our favourite AA Rosette restaurants to visit on your Cotswolds getaway.

Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham

Warmly decorated with striking artworks, Le Champignon Sauvage gives off an intimate feeling with a refreshing lack of pretension. Now in its fourth decade of operations, the cooking is a delicious cross between the ‘terroir’ and modern French, with fabulously original touches.

Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter

This immensely charming 17th-century former rectory offers guests 3 AA Rosette dining at The Atrium. With just 14 covers, booking ahead is advised ­– its exciting seasonal tasting menu, enjoyed in the restaurant’s unique space, has all the components for a memorable evening.

Lumière, Cheltenham

Lying just off Cheltenham’s famous leafy promenade, the elegant Lumière was opened by Chef Jon Howe and Restaurant Manager Helen Howe in 2009. Choose between a six- and eight-course tasting menu, and enjoy bold flavours complemented by an award-winning wine list.

MO, Broadway

Dormy House’s latest addition is an intimate and interactive dining restaurant that showcases creative cooking, unexpected ingredients and just a hint of fabulous food theatre. The eight-course tasting menu is offered to just ten guests at a time for a truly special experience.

Restaurant Hywel Jones by Lucknam Park, Colerne

Lucknam Park is a beautiful, symmetrical Palladian mansion and the perfect setting for its dining room, which hosts Hywel Jones’ sophisticated cooking. Guests can enjoy an unforgettable dining experience, aided by the finest ingredients and fullest of flavours.

The Back Garden, Broadway

Dormy House’s The Back Garden celebrates locally sourced, naturally inspired and inventively prepared cooking, all served in tune with the rhythms of nature. Sustainability and seasonality form the backbone of the restaurant’s philosophy, with every dish showcasing the best of the region.

The Bybrook at The Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe

Everything at The Bybrook is underpinned by quality. Enjoying the most beautiful of settings, the restaurant’s talented chefs craft elegant dishes with delicious local ingredients, all enhanced by expertly matched wines.

The Dining Room, Malmesbury

Experience food full of personality at Whatley Manor’s The Dining Room. Headed up by Executive Chef Niall Keating, the menu showcases accomplished modern cooking inspired by Asian influences. Expect phenomenal precision and flavours, all achieved with sustainability in mind.

The Feathered Nest Inn, Nether Westcote

Located in the picturesque village of Nether Westcote, this stylishly converted former malt house serves up top-quality food accompanied with incredible views. The menu is rooted in modern British cuisine, created with innovative ideas and appealing combinations.

The Slaughters Manor House, Lower Slaughter

The Slaughters Manor House’s sophisticated dining room is a light and airy space adorned with delightful original features. Head Chef Nik Chappell originally studied fine art, which is apparent in his picture-perfect dishes – guests can choose between the set menu and an eight-course tasting menu.

The Wild Rabbit, Kingham

Allied with the Daylesford Estate, this wisteria-draped Cotswold country inn takes a natural and organic approach, bringing a contemporary twist to Cotswolds fine dining. The open kitchen contributes to the Dining Room’s playful and dynamic atmosphere, with the theatre of the chefs always on show.

Wilder, Nailsworth

Situated in the quirky market town of Nailsworth, Wilder provides diners with a fittingly unique eight-course surprise tasting menu which changes daily. Expect beautiful dishes with a strong focus on flavour, paired with a perfectly matched wine.