With so much to see and do in the Cotswolds, you’ll certainly work up an appetite during your visit. But whether you’re new to the Cotswolds, live in this wonderful destination, or a seasoned visitor, knowing the best restaurants in the Cotswolds is an absolute must.
So, today, we’ve picked out some of our favourite restaurants in the Cotswolds, from fine dining to country pubs, we’re here to cover everything you need to know.
Let’s dive in!
The Painswick
Where it is: Kemps Ln, Painswick, Stroud GL6 6YB
Offering some of the most delicious food around, The Painswick is snugly nestled into the hillside, with rolling valley views and cocktails to die for. As well as being a hotel that has frequently been described as “beautifully peaceful,” their food is deliciously distinctive and designed to be an entire eating experience. A quick glance at their feasting set menu will have you drooling, no doubt!
Whether you’re meeting up with friends or getting together with the whole family, their private fine dining experience is primed for hosting up to 16 people.
Head chef, Jamie McCallum has previously worked under Gary Rhodes at Rhodes 24 and as Anthony Demetre’s Head Chef at Wild Honey in Mayfair.
Believe them when they say that their food is certainly Instagrammable.
They also offer afternoon tea 12.00pm – 3.30pm (Wednesday to Saturday), Sunday lunch 12.00pm – 3.00pm and dinner 5.45pm – 9.00pm (Wednesday to Saturday). November to March, they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Bell
Where it is: Sapperton, Nr Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 6LE
An absolutely wonderful and award winning restaurant, The Bell is situated in the heart of the Cotswolds – in Sapperton. A must-visit for locals and travellers alike, The Bell is popular all round with walkers, riders, bikers and total foodies.
One of the first real ‘gastro’ pubs in the early 2000s, The Bell offers the very best regional and seasonal ingredients, specialising in British dishes, regional beers and cocktails to die for.
Forever popular with visitors and locals, many rave about their Sunday roast, but tables go fast, so booking is recommended. With cosy fires and a warm welcome, their delicious locally sourced dishes (and sample menu) include: Sherry parsnip soup, roast fillet of salmon and Jesse Smith’s Cotswold pork and herb sausages. Yum!
Like many other restaurants in the Cotswolds, The Bell also offers some very, very comfortable accommodation.
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Restaurant GL50
Where it is: 8 Well Walk, Cheltenham GL50 3JX
If you’re looking for informal fine dining, Restaurant GL50 is an absolute must-visit. If you’re seeking a unique fine dining experience, you’ll quickly be blown away by the innovating dishes and seasonal ingredients served at Restaurant GL50.
With a focus on local produce, GL50 visitors rave about their tasting menu, outstanding service and inventive dishes. A quick peek at their gallery and you’ll be drooling.
The Ebrington Arms
Where it is: Chipping Campden, Ebrington GL55 6NH
Nothing quite says the Cotswolds like roaring fires, a summer beer garden and rolling nearby hills. The Ebrington Arms has to be one of our favourite restaurants in the Cotswolds, but don’t just take our word for it. They have also been CAMRA North Cotswold’s Pub of the Year award-winners four times over.
But as well as being an award winning restaurant, they also have 4 star letting rooms available, although they do get booked up fast. Often described as “cosy” and “incredibly welcoming” by guests, The Ebrington Arms is easily one of the best restaurants, Cotswolds style!
Many guests rave about their Sunday roast, great food all round and rich flavours. If you’re a wine lover, you’ll really feel at home next to their open fire!
The Mahal
Where it is: Montpellier Drive, Cheltenham GL50 1TY
Situated by Eagle Tower in Cheltenham, The Mahal offers exquisite Indian dishes alongside superior service for a next level dining experience. One of the many award winning restaurants in the Cotswolds, visitors of the The Mahal report great things about their tasting menu, friendly staff and taste bud tingling cocktails.
They also offer private dining rooms for 16 to 65 guests! So whether you’re looking for a delicious romantic dinner for two, or a get together with the whole family, The Mahal is one of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds for luxurious, Indian cuisine.
Muse Brasserie
Where it is: 60 St George’s Place, Cheltenham GL50 3PN
Although predominantly classic French, Muse Brasserie in Cheltenham is often considered one of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds overall. It actually holds the top position as the best restaurant in Cheltenham, with locals and Cotswolds visitors going back time and time again.
Offering an array of dishes from all over Europe, Muse Brasserie combines incredible flavours from both India and the Far East, with a subtle twist. With many reviews highlighting their incredibly accommodating staff, wonderful service and delicious food, your taste buds will certainly be tingling!
The Falcon Inn
Where it is: New Street, Painswick GL6 6UN
The Falcon Inn sits opposite a quintessential English village church with its famous 99 clipped yew trees sitting in its grounds. First opened as a coaching inn in the 16th century, The Falcon Inn carries out the aims of the coaching inn to this day.
Those visiting can expect a delicious seasonal menu with locally sourced dishes and a genuine warm welcome from the manager. Many stopping by have noted their out of this world desserts, including the chocolate eclair with popping candy!
From their ever-popular Balfour wines to their sirloin steak, Head Chef Simon delivers an incredible Cotswolds experience through locally sourced dishes via a well-crafted menu.
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The Old Butchers
Where it is: Park street, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1AQ
One of the most popular restaurants in the Cotswolds, The Old Butchers’ store was reinvented in 2005 by Pete and Louise Robinson, turning a former butcher’s shop into a casual dining room experience with an extensive menu to suit all tastes.
Their delicious menu includes the likes of Twice Baked Souffle, Prawn Cocktail and Bloody Mary Sorbet and drool-worthy Tempura Oysters. With a menu that changes daily, The Old Butchers seeks out fresh local produce and seafood.
Please note, their maximum table size is six people. And since the restaurant is relatively small, they do not have space for prams, but a highchair can be requested upon booking.
The Potting Shed
Where it is: The Street, Crudwell SN16 9EW
The Potting Shed is certainly worth a visit to experience Cotswold dining at its best. Perfectly placed in the beautiful Cotswolds triangle of Tetbury, Malmesbury and Cirencester, it is considered a top country dining pub with an out of this world Sunday roast.
With their menus changing to reflect the best of seasonal produce, treat yourself to the likes of black pudding scotch egg with mustard mayonnaise or the renowned Potting Shed burger with Sriracha relish, slaw, French fries and cheddar cheese. Delicious!
You can book a table online for ease, with Sunday lunch served between 12-3.45pm.
The Double Red Duke
Where it is: Bourton Road, Clanfield, Bampton OX18 2RB
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in the Cotswolds, The Double Red Duke certainly has to be on your must-visit list! Located in the pretty village of Clanfield, this restaurant has its menu focused around a cosy open fire, with an atmosphere of red leather bar stools, a plant-filled conservatory and velvet fern-green banquettes. There’s simply no denying the mouth-watering goodness of their rump steak, served with triple-cooked chips and Bearnaise sauce.
If you’re not too full up from your main, don’t skip on pudding either – with the likes of raspberry pavlova, warm chocolate cake with salted caramel ice cream and damson Bakewell tart on offer.
As well as the welcoming atmosphere, you’ll also be met with plenty of options, including pub grub, a main menu, Sunday lunch and a kids menu.
The Chequers
Where it is: Church Road, Churchill, Chipping Norton OX7 6NJ
Situated in the heart of Churchill, The Chequers is a gastropub with beautiful wooden beams and candle-lit antique tables. As well as good food, you’ll also be met with locally brewed beers and ales, including Cotswold Lager on tap and bottles of Old Hooky.
If you can, nab a table by the inglenook fire and soak up the wonderful atmosphere as you indulge your taste buds in some wonderful food.
Take a peek at the menus online and prepare yourself to arrive nice and hungry!
The Lamb Inn
Where it is: High Street, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire OX7 6DQ
From the same owners as The Bell Inn, The Lamb Inn opened in 2021, offering super comfortable accommodation as well as delicious food. With a menu similar to its big sister, get ready to indulge on the likes of curried beetroot, goats curd and mint, or test your hunger with a roast chicken, pig in blanket and bread sauce. Yum!
Trust us when we say, you don’t want to skip pudding either!
The Kingham Plough
Where it is: The Green, Kingham, Chipping Norton OX7 6YD
If you’re looking for deliciously fresh local produce, seasonal ingredients and a modern British menu, you’re going to love The Kingham Plough. With classic dishes including fish pie and a ploughman’s board overflowing with all the must-have goodies, their menu is not to be missed.
This wonderful country pub in the heart of the Cotswolds is easily one of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds, with not only great food, but luxurious accommodation to match.
The Coconut Tree
Where it is: 59 St Paul’s Road, Cheltenham GL50 4JA
It all started in 2016 for The Coconut Tree, where five young Sri Lankans opened a street-food joint in Cheltenham. Bringing together high-spiced foods, great music and an informal setting, their inventive food offering became a major hit. So much so, they now have a number of outlets elsewhere.
While this may not be your usual dining experience, switching fine dining for wooden benches, paper-towel roll napkins and cosy seat cushions – it’s easily one of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds.
The Wild Rabbit
Where it is: Church Street, Kingham, Chipping Norton OX7 6YA
In true Cotswolds restaurants style, The Wild Rabbit is an incredible 18th-century stone pub with not only delicious fine dining, cocktails and a terrace, but pub rooms and cottages too.
Using the finest seasonal goodies, you can expect to dive fork first into the likes of Daylesford Blue panna cotta, smoked salmon tartare or a roast loin of Wootton estate venison.
Ready to dine at some of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds?
From organic ingredients to stunning views and seasonal menus, there are so many wonderful restaurants in the Cotswolds to choose from. Whether you’re seeking a romantic intimate dining room or a place for muddy boots with your four-legged family member, these famous hotels and restaurants always have delicious seasonal produce on offer.
Get ready for not only good food, but out of this world food from some of the tastiest restaurants in the Cotswolds.
