United Kingdom · best-of list
The 12 Best Restaurants in the United Kingdom
All 12 restaurants our route editors picked in the United Kingdom, across 6 destinations, gathered in one list. Each one is a stop on a route you can open and copy into a trip.
Our curated picks
12 restaurants in the United Kingdom, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Bath 2 picks
Sally Lunn's
Bath · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route
Tea room in one of Bath's oldest houses, serving its namesake light bun.
Photo: Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & Museum · Google
The Scallop Shell
Bath · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route
Fish restaurant known for crisp fish and chips and daily seafood specials.
Tip: No bookings for small groups; go early.
Photo: The Scallop Shell · Google
Edinburgh 2 picks
Oink
Edinburgh · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route
Hog-roast rolls carved from a whole pig in the window.
Tip: Add haggis and apple sauce; cash or card.
Photo: Randy Shaw · Google
The Kitchin
Edinburgh · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route
Tom Kitchin's Michelin-starred Leith restaurant cooking seasonal Scottish produce.
Tip: Book weeks ahead; lunch menu is better value.
Photo: Lokal_Profil · CC BY-SA 3.0
Fort William 2 picks
Ben Nevis Inn
Fort William · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route
Converted stone barn at the Achintee start of the Ben Nevis path, with real ales, hearty food and glen views.
Tip: Book dinner ahead; walk-ins struggle in summer.
Photo: Ben Nevis Inn · Google
Crannog Seafood Restaurant
Fort William · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route
Pier-end seafood restaurant overlooking Loch Linnhe.
Tip: Book dinner and ask for a window.
Photo: Crannog at Garrison West · Google
Inverness 2 picks
Rocpool Restaurant
Inverness · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route
Modern bistro by the river, a local favorite for dinner.
Tip: Book ahead, especially on weekends.
Photo: Follow My Step Into My World · Google
The Mustard Seed
Inverness · On our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route
Riverside restaurant in a former church with Scottish produce.
Tip: Ask for the balcony; the early menu is good value.
Photo: The Mustard Seed Restaurant · Google
London 2 picks
Borough Market
London · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route
London's oldest food market, packed with cheese, oysters, pies and street food stalls.
Tip: Come hungry on a weekday; Saturdays are crowded.
Photo: Øyvind Holmstad · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dishoom Covent Garden
London · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route
Bombay café-style restaurant known for bacon naan rolls, black daal and chai.
Tip: Breakfast has the shortest wait.
Photo: Dishoom Covent Garden · Google
The Cotswolds 2 picks
Daylesford Organic Farm
The Cotswolds · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route
Organic farm shop, café and bakery in converted barns near Kingham.
Tip: Lunch fills by 12:30; arrive early or book.
Photo: Daylesford Organic · Google
The Wild Rabbit
The Cotswolds · On our London, the Cotswolds & Bath route
Stone-built inn in Kingham serving seasonal British cooking with farm produce.
Tip: Book dinner ahead, especially on weekends.
Photo: The Wild Rabbit · Google
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the restaurants in the United Kingdom?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 12 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of the United Kingdom has the most restaurants on this list?
The picks are spread widely: 6 destinations are represented, and none has more than 2.
More lists for United Kingdom
Best restaurants nearby
Destinations on this list
- Bath 2 on this list
- Edinburgh 2 on this list
- Fort William 2 on this list
- Inverness 2 on this list
- London 2 on this list
- The Cotswolds 2 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.