Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England Restaurants

Stratford has many reasonably priced bistros and unpretentious eateries offering a broad choice of international fare; Warwick and Kenilworth both have good restaurant options. Birmingham has good international restaurants but is probably most famous for its Indian and Pakistani "curry houses"; you'll find good choices both in the city center and out of town. The city hosts the annual Taste of Birmingham Festival in July. In the rest of the Midlands, casual spots dominate, although Ludlow has some exceptionally good restaurants.

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  • 1. Arkle at the Chester Grosvenor

    $$$$

    This sophisticated restaurant within one of Chester's most resplendent hotels is a real splurge of an experience, but completely worth it. The tasting menu, which features delicious British ingredients such as native lobster with Isle of Wight tomatoes or Scottish mussels will delight and surprise.

    Eastgate St., Chester, Cheshire West and Chester, CH1 1LT, England
    01244-324024

    Known For

    • Delicious tasting menus
    • Glamorous and decadent dining room
    • Fine British ingredients

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
  • 2. Purnell’s

    $$$$ | City Centre

    Business moguls and sophisticated foodies alike can be found sampling an aperitif in a comfy armchair before moving to the sleek, slate-floor dining room at this establishment run by a Michelin-starred chef. Located in a Victorian terracotta and redbrick building, this is where chef Glyn Purnell creates his adventurous modern British fare. In addition to a few à la carte options, you can choose from a couple of different, whole-table tasting menus, depending on how adventurous you’re feeling. The "Purnell’s Journey" option includes haddock and eggs served with cornflakes, alongside monkfish masala. Chef Purnell is also finally turning his hand to vegan cooking and he also runs a bistro and cocktail bar (Purnell’s Bistro and Ginger’s Bar) on Newhall Street, which is a good deal more affordable. Prices at lunchtime are half what they are in the evening.

    55 Cornwall St., Birmingham, Birmingham, B3 2DH, England
    0121-212–9799

    Known For

    • Innovative take on British cooking, including some impressive tasting menus
    • Tables booked up two months in advance
    • Affordable lunchtime prices

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Tues.
  • 3. The Walrus

    $$$$

    Run by chef couple Ben and Carla, half the excitement here lies in the ever-changing menu, which is genuinely committed to using local and seasonal produce. All the vegetables come from the restaurant's walled garden in nearby Ford, and the resulting dishes are impressive. Set menus make the price easier to swallow.

    2 Lower Claremont Bank, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 1RT, England
    01743-240005

    Known For

    • Local produce
    • Low-key fine dining
    • Friendly service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.
  • 4. Chez Jules

    $$

    Once a fire station, this bustling bistro is now unashamedly French and rustic, with red-and-white-check tablecloths and a menu chalked up on the blackboard. Start perhaps with some moules marinières (mussels cooked in a white-wine-and-onion sauce) or French onion soup, followed by grilled sea bass or a classic rib-eye steak with Café du Paris butter. The two-course, prix-fixe menu is a great value at £16.95.

    71 Northgate St., Chester, Cheshire West and Chester, CH1 2HQ, England
    01244-400014

    Known For

    • Rural French cooking
    • Dishes that change daily
    • Good value set menus
  • 5. Restaurant Severn

    $$

    At this discreet restaurant set back from the main road in the center of Ironbridge, the concept is simple: locally sourced produce and modern techniques are combined to serve up a twist of British classics and European favorites. Start with the chicken liver parfait with gingerbread and cherry compote, before moving on to the wild mushroom risotto. Round off your meal with a selection of local cheeses, washed down with the wonderful wine on offer. The set menu (£32 for two courses, £39 for 3 courses) is reasonably priced.

    33 High St., Ironbridge, Telford and Wrekin, TF8 7AG, England
    01952-432233

    Known For

    • British classics with a modern slant
    • Personal service
    • Fabulous wines

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed.
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  • 6. Sorrento

    $$

    Family run, this Italian restaurant takes a respectable, old-fashioned approach to service. The menu of traditional favorites is cooked from family recipes and includes main dishes such as veal sirloin grilled with rosemary and garlic butter and black linguine with crab-claw meat and scallops. There’s also a hearty risotto of the day. Upon arrival, sip an aperitif in the lounge before being escorted to your table for a silver-service, white-tablecloth meal. Pre-theater dinners are good value.

    8 Ely St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6LW, England
    01789-297999

    Known For

    • Alfresco dining in summer
    • Family restaurant for over 30 years
    • Old-fashioned table service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.

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