Top Dining Spots Across the UK
From leisurely Lake District suppers to perfect dishes in Pembrokeshire, here’s where the TV chef tucks in when he’s on the move.
28 September 2024
Matt Tebbutt – perhaps best known for his role as host of Saturday Kitchen – is a chef and television presenter but also, above all else, an avid eater. “It’s simply too hard to pick just a handful from all the great restaurants in the UK, and I meet so many brilliant chefs when hosting Saturday Kitchen every week,” he tells us. Therefore, it was no mean feat when we asked him to share his favourite places to eat across the country. “I’ve narrowed it down by picking my top five from a couple of road trips I took with my wife Lisa last year,” he says. “Even that choice proved somewhat difficult because we now have such a wealth of great food in this country, with some amazing chefs creating fantastic dishes using superb, locally sourced seasonal ingredients. These five were terrific dining experiences and especially memorable for being in such beautiful parts of the country, and all at some of the best hotels I’ve stayed in, meaning you can just roll into bed after an excellent dinner.”
Source at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
“Source at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House is a one Michelin-star culinary masterpiece overseen by executive chef Ollie Bridgwater, formerly of Heston Blumenthal’s renowned Fat Duck. Bridgwater’s precision and creativity are evident in the two evening tasting menus – each dish is a testament to sustainability, seasonality, and culinary artistry.”
Who comes here?
“Locals and visitors looking for an indulgent, fine dining experience. Its reputation for excellence has also attracted media and food critics, contributing to its well-deserved Michelin Star status.”
Best table in the restaurant
“Definitely outside! The outdoor seating offers beautiful views of the gardens, and it’s the perfect way to soak up the atmosphere.”
Best time to come
“I’d say the ideal time to visit is in June or July when the weather is perfect for enjoying the outdoors. That said, if you prefer a quieter, more scenic experience, autumn is absolutely breathtaking, with the Lake District’s vibrant fall colours on full display. No matter when you go, though, if you can splurge on one of Gilpin’s spa lodges, you will not be disappointed; these are at a ridiculously fabulous level of luxury.”
Dish to order
“I have to mention the pre-starter, the warm, savoury doughnut, lobster, and goose liver were suitably rich and very naughty. My favourite dish was the Cornish monkfish, cauliflower, and sake butter sauce, which was cleverly constructed and delicious.”
The Clunie Dining Room at The Fife Arms
“The contrast between The Clunie Dining Room and the rest of The Fife Arms (a hotel in the Scottish Highlands) – rich with heavy tweed and Victorian charm – is striking. For those staying longer, there’s more to explore: The Flying Stag pub is great for a casual pint and pub grub, while Bertie’s whisky bar offers an exceptional whisky-tasting experience, named after Edward VII and reflecting the hotel’s rich history.”
Who comes here?
“The Clunie Dining Room attracts a diverse crowd, from guests enjoying cocktails in Elsa’s bar, known for its striking shocking pink décor, to visitors exploring the hotel’s other offerings.”
Best table in the restaurant
“If you’re making a trip, be sure to ask for a table under the large windows overlooking the River Clunie, which crashes down over the rocks alongside the hotel in a dramatic fashion. It’s also the best spot to survey the amazing artwork displayed in the dining room, something the hotel is famous for.”
Best time to come
“I’d suggest visiting between June and August. A winter visit is ideal if you want to fully embrace the Scottish winter with cosy fires and warming whiskies.”
Dish to order
“The standout for me was definitely the Raw Orkney scallop with buttermilk and pickled cucumber. Also, their Scottish breakfast was the best I’ve ever had, so don’t miss that if you’re staying for the night.”
The Dining Room at Whatley Manor
“A bit closer to home and, because of that, likely to become a regular haunt of ours is Whatley Manor. The restaurant is idyllic and inviting in all its Cotswold-stone loveliness, with some amazing ornamental gardens and a kitchen garden to walk off the extra calories. What’s more, the restaurant’s sustainable practices are second to none, and it deserves all the attention it’s getting in terms of future-thinking cooking and foraging practices.”
Who comes here?
“It’s a real mix of diners from the local area and further afield. It’s a restaurant that everyone will enjoy, with a real mix of delicious dining options and seasonal produce.”
Best table in the restaurant
“Whatley has various dining options, which is always good if you’re staying somewhere for more than one night and want to try something more informal on your second day.”
Best time to come
“Given the seasonal nature of the menu, I’d be keen to visit as the seasons change, experiencing new dishes throughout the year inspired by whatever’s going on in the kitchen garden. I’m planning to return soon to try the Sunday lunch at Grey’s as we get into the autumn weather.”
Dish to order
“Chef Ricki Weston has created some incredibly unique seasonal dishes here, so the menu changes frequently. The Girolles with braised onions, wild garlic, duck egg, and fermented mushroom sauce stood out for me. This is just one example of Ricki’s clever use of ingredients, maximising the flavours of these simple but top-quality produce.”
Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall
“I’d never been to Yorkshire before, apart from passing through, and I was really glad we made an effort to finally get there. Everything about Grantley is impressive, from the insanely long but stunning driveway to the building with the perfect club/library bar. It was a real pleasure to meet the head chef Shaun Rankin finally; what a nice guy. It really felt like all his dishes were inspired by their location in the North of England, but with a stunningly inventive twist. The service is absolutely immaculate, and the restaurant is incredible.”
Who comes here?
“It’s an incredibly busy restaurant, with so many diners that have either travelled miles to visit or have the restaurant on their doorstep (lucky them!)”
Best table in the restaurant
“It’s impossible to pick a bad table here.”
Best time to come
“All year round – although, I do think that it’s the perfect location for those cosier winter months with its big fireplaces and plush interiors.”
Dish to order
“It’s hard to pick one dish here, but a couple that needs a mention are the bread and butter dripping beef tea, which sounds so simple but only works with the very best ingredients, and the Veal sweetbread, horseradish, celeriac, verjus, which was right up my street.”
The Fernery at The Grove of Narberth
“The Grove of Narberth is another place we’d been told a lot about, and it’s not a million miles from where we live, so it was surprising that it took us so long to finally get around to visiting. Narberth is renowned for being a holiday destination for foodies, and we did come home with armfuls of treats from the local delis and wine shops. The Grove is all about celebrating its locality in Pembrokeshire, and nowhere is this more obvious than in the cosy, Welsh-pub-style bar where you can enjoy pre-dinner cocktails, including a Welsh martini. The main restaurant, The Fernery, is definitely a hidden gem, with a very relaxing vibe reflected in the décor of leaves, mosses, and ferns. It feels lovely and informal but with extremely slick service. It’s easy to see the effort made by the team to source local, seasonal ingredients at their peak freshness.”
Who comes here?
“It’s really renowned among foodies in the local area, and it really does celebrate the local area – you tend to see an influx of travellers on the weekends and local diners during the week.”
Best table in the restaurant
“It’s just dawned that all the places I’ve picked have two or more dining options, which, as discussed, is perfect for me, as being as greedy as I am I often attempt lunch and dinner out in a day! Here at The Grove they have the Artisan Rooms for more relaxed dining and also the Beach House not too far away in Oxwich, another famous Pembrokeshire institution.”
Best time to come
“On my visit, we were somewhat unlucky with the weather, but the warm welcome made up for it and it means we’ll need to head back soon to explore more of the gardens and local beaches during the summer months.”
Dish to order
“When it comes to favourite dishes, I have to pick the whole tasting menu, as you’d be crazy not to order this. It worked so well as an entity, and each dish flowed into the other seamlessly – the wines were well chosen to pair perfectly. The way The Fernery is decorated very much brings the outside in, so whichever table you select, you’ll be surrounded by nature.”
