Dining Out

Updated 17th August 2011







Cheltenham has an abundance of excellent restaurants, causal dining and bars, all within a short walk or taxi journey. We do recommend making a reservation as early as possible - especially at weekends.







From the famous Michelin starred to more modest choices - there is a cuisine and price to suit most.







Le Champignon Sauvage



David Everitt-Matthias and his wife Helen have been running the restaurant since 1987. In that time they have been quietly amassing a range of accolades including:-2 stars - Michelin Red Guide







2 stars - Harden’s Guide.







4 AA rosettes.







Good Food Guide 2007, 8/10 rating.







(GFG County Restaurant of the Year 2005).







Catey Chef of the Year 2007.







National Chef of the Year.







Egon Ronay Dessert Chef of the Year.







Decanter Restaurant of the Year.







18/20 Matthew Fort, "The Guardian"







[book well in advance 01242 573449, or visit www.lechampignonsauvage.co.uk







Lumiere



COTSWOLD LIFE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2011 – second year running. If you had set your heart on dining at Le Champignon Sauvage, and were unable to obtain a reservation, try Lumière and be impressed. For that special occasion, a small intimate restaurant offering an interesting menu, with dishes prepared to a very high standard. It is personally run by Jon and Helen [January 2009]. We have enjoyed dining at Lumière during the last few years and Jon and Helen have worked hard to significantly improve an already good restaurant to excellent standards. We personally recommend their tasting menu. Jon has been a professional chef for the past 12 years, with a background in Michelin Star hotels, Gastropubs and similarly highly rated restaurants, including Lords of the Manor, Lower Slaughter and The Castle House Hotel, Hereford. He has also worked at The Fat Duck. His focus is firmly on great ingredients and bold flavours with an interesting use of unusual ingredients and combinations. He excels in being able to put a new and interesting twist on traditional dishes and bring them into the twenty first century. [Tel: 01242 222200, or visit www.lumiere.cc ]







EQ



EQ [tel: 012424 250540], www.spif.co.uk/eqrestaurant a smart casual fine dining restaurant located in Winchcombe Street on the north side of Cheltenham. 35 minutes walk from Beaumont House or 10 minutes drive – but worth the short trip! EQ specializes in fish but certainly ensures that meat lovers are catered for as well. Sally Hadfield the Manager makes regular trips to the nearest large fish market to ensure that fresh top quality fish and shellfish are always on the menu. Her cousin owns the Restaurant and they have a talented young chef who is making a name for himself on the Cheltenham scene.







Brosh



Brosh is a modern Middle East Restaurant established in Cheltenham in 2004 by Chef Raviv Hadad and partner Sharon. Wednesdays to Fridays they offer a Mezze Bar which is Eastern Mediterranean Tapas. Virtually all items form bread to ice cream is prepared fresh on the premises using locally sourced and as far as possible organic ingredients. We have an Iranian friend who visits Cheltenham once or twice a year and he is amazed with the authenticity of the food. We always enjoy to eat here.







Not inexpensive, but consistenly good food and something different.







[Tel: 01242 227277 or visit www.broshrestaurant.co.uk/index.html ]







The Daffodil



The Daffodil [tel: 012424 700055], www.thedaffodil.com a smart casual fine dining restaurant located in an old cinema with an open kitchen positioned on the stage. Just 15 minutes walk from Beaumont House in the fashionable Suffolks area. Food standards are constant and we have noticed improvements on an already good standard during the last year, but service can be a little slow at busy times. We continue to receive positive comments back from guests. On Mondays visit if you like live jazz; always a sell out – so pre-book. The Daffodil is closed on Sundays.







Bistrot Coco



An exciting addition to the Cheltenham restaurant scene. Informal and reminiscent of a typical Parisian Bistro. Michelin star-winning hotelier Marcel Frichot and renowned head chef Tim Hayward draw on over 40 years’ experience to create a stunning new menu every season. From tantalising meat and fish dishes to mouthwatering desserts, their food is defined by a passionate commitment to traditional values and the highest quality ingredients.







Traditional French regional cuisine or “Le Terroir” is has evolved from the passion of generations for quality in wine and food created from local produce. At Bistrot Coco food is defined by commitment to those traditional values and the highest quality ingredients. From classic French dishes like Coq au Vin, Poule au Pot and Confit de Canard, the restaurant prides itself on the quality of its proud terroir, ‘original cooking’, tradition. Recommend their onion tart as a starter – the best that we have tasted!







Different seating areas. Some tables have high chairs – so do specify when you make a reservation.







[Tel: 01242 534000 or visit http://bistrotcoco.co.uk/ ]







Montpellier Bar, Brasserie & Art Gallery



Newly opened in August 2011. A diverse menu of quality ingredients. We ate as a family sampling various dishes. All met our expectations. On Fridays and Saturdays their menu will feature fresh oysters and fish – sadly not currently available during the week. The Gallery on the first floor features work by both local and international artists.







Reservations for parties of less than six not accepted.







Tel: 01242 534000 or visit www.themontpellier.co.uk ]







The Tivoli



The Tivoli [tel: 01242 285799], www.tivolicheltenham.com a new gastro style pub located 15 to 20 minutes walk from Beaumont House. Part of a small chain setting high standards. Interesting varied menu offering appropriate value for money. A welcome arrival in Cheltenham







The Langton



The Langton [tel: 01242 258941], www.thelangton.co.uk a gastro style pub located outside the town centre and 10 minutes drive from Beaumont House. Interesting varied menu offering appropriate value for money. Good off street parking.







The Royal Well Tavern



The Royal Well Tavern [tel: 01242 221212], or visit www.theroyalwelltavern a gastro style pub located in the town centre. A good menu offering an interesting selection of seafood. We enjoyed some of the best cooked fish that we have ever tasted – just cooked – just perfect! Good desserts and they promote a Sunday brunch – although we have not tried it ourselves.







Morans Eating House



Morans Eating House [tel: 01242 581411]. We always receive positive comments from guests about Morans. It is the nearest Western style restaurant within walking distance.







Exmouth Arms



A local pub for reasonable meal for the business traveler is the Exmouth Arms which is a 10 minutes walk from the Beaumont. The menu is limited, but the quality is appropriate for what is charged. You are not served with reconstituted indifferent quality frozen food.







The Beehive



The Beehive is the only pub in Cheltenham featured in the Michelin "Eating out in Pubs" guide and the Time Out magazine's "Eating out of London" guide. They describe themselves as: informal, vibrant, eclectic, great meeting place with a good atmosphere. Our view, an independent, traditional Cheltenham pub with local ales and great British food hidden in the heart of Montpellier in Cheltenham just 15 minutes walk from Beaumont House. www.thebeehivemontpellier.com







Après



Situated in the new Brewery complex adjacent to the multi screen cinema in the town centre. Bar and Eatery serving meals of a quality that exceeded our expectations when we visited in July 2008. We stopped by for a pizza and pasta before watching a film.







The Muffin Man



The best place for morning coffee, lunch or afternoon tea in town, hidden away in a lower ground floor location close to the bus station, is the Muffin Man one of Cheltenham's best kept secrets.







Thatchers



Another recommendation for an informal lunch, morning coffee etc. whilst shopping is Thatchers 101 Montpellier Street [behind the Ladies’ College]. Service is quick but not too professional. Food quality very good. Their fluffy omelettes are excellent! Open Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.







Simpsons Fish and Chips



We are sometimes asked by overseas guests where they can enjoy English fish and chips. The first English fast food? Simpsons can probably claim to serve the best fish and chips in Cheltenham and it is part of a chain of three, with the benefit of dine in seating. Large cod at £4.90 and large chips at £2.05 is very good value considering the quality that we hope that you will enjoy! 10 minutes drive from Beaumont House with easy parking – 73 – 75 Priors Road GL52 5AL [tel: 01242 521694].







The Mayflower



Probably the best Chinese restaurant in Cheltenham. However, on occasions service can be very slow, although the quality of food makes it worth the wait. [tel: 01242 522426].







Ruby



The owners of Ruby would probably say that they are the best Chinese restaurant in Cheltenham. A recent change of chef has in our view seen a fall in standards. Still worth a visit, but not as good as it was. An added bonus, just 15 minutes walk from Beaumont House. Tel: 01242 250909 and web site www.rubycantonese.co.uk







Daphne Restaurant



They describe themselves as offering fine Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. We have eaten there once and would return. Our impression is that they offer home cooked dishes of generous portion size. We enjoyed their kebabs and seafood risotto. It is run by the owners Ilhan who runs front of house whilst his wife Funda cooks. Visit their web site www.daphnerestaurant.com [tel: 01242 577299].







Thai Emerald



This is our favourite Thai restaurant situated in the town centre offering very authentic Thai food, and good service. Always popular and advisable to book. [01242 522004].







Curry Corner



Curry Corner [tel: 01242 528449], or visit www.thecurrycorner.com a family business serving authentic Bangladeshi food. Visited by the rich and famous: Michael Palin, Sir Richard Branson and Rick Stein have all dined here. We believe the secret to their great tasting food is the fact that they grind their own spice and only use quality sourced ingredients. On the down side we found prices a little too high and the portions a little too small for what was on offer. The one time that we visited service was very muddled.







Spice Lodge



Unusually located for such an ethnic restaurant in a smart Regency Villa at the foot of Eagle Tower and within 15 to 20 minutes walk of Beaumont House [01242 226300] offering an exotic blend of Thai and Indian dishes, recently being crowned "Winner British Curry Awards Best in the South West". Guests recieve 10% discount when booking through us and will not be disappointed! www.spicelodge.com or email dine@spicelodge.com







Indian Voojan



Situated in fashionable Montpellier, approximately 20 minutes walk from Beaumont House, a cut above other Indian Restaurants for food quality, décor and service. [Tel: 01242 228882]

Italian and Spanish Restaurants

Jamie's Italian



An addition to Jamie Oliver’s chain of Italian restaurants. Located in an old Court House which has been converted with much consideration to the history of the building. It opened in July 2011 to mixed reviews but believe that this is mostly due to initial teething problems. We have had guests compliment and complain. We have not yet visited, but have eaten at the Leeds Restaurant more than once and have been quite satisfied. The downside is that you may have to wait and extended time. No reservations taken for tables of less than 8 in the evenings. [Tel: 01242 500193 or visit www.jamieoliver.com/italian/cheltenham ]







Gianni Ristorante and other Italian Restaurants



The next best of the independents is Gianni Ristorante, 1 Royal Well Place [Tel: 01242 221101]. The menu reminds us of the 1980’s. A lot of heavy sauces and cream. However, the food quality is good for the prices charged. Tends to be little noisy – so not the place for a quiet romantic meal for two.







We have recommended other independent Italian restaurants in the past, but on return visits they have disappointed and more importantly disappointed our guests. The chains such as Ask in Montpellier and Zizzi [tel: 01242 252493] located in a deconsecrated church, between Beaumont House and the town centre offer reasonable value and a more casual environment. Zizzi is child friendly.







La Tasca



A Spanish tapas restaurant and bar located in the town centre at 70 Regent Street [01242 220775]. Part of a small chain offering a wide inexpensive menu which represents good value for money. Best described as a fun family restaurant which features live music on some nights. If you crave authentic Spanish food, La Tasca is NOT the place to visit.

Hotels and Pubs within a 35 minute drive

Washbourne Court, Lower Slaughter



We first visited this von Essen Hotel for Sunday Lunch in April 2010. We were delighted with the food quality, service and value. In their main restaurant a 2 course Sunday lunch is £18 and £22 for 3 courses. If you are touring the Cotswolds, look no further for a great lunch. Tel: 01451 822143 and web site: www.washbournecourt.co.uk







The Severn and Wye Smokery



The Severn and Wye Smokery [tel: 01452 760190], currently no web site. An established smoke house, brasserie and delicatessen on the outskirts of Westbury on Severn about 35 minutes drive from Beaumont House. Dining tables, which you may have to share, are located in the delicatessen. You can watch staff preparing fish for smoking through viewing windows. If you do not enjoy fish, you will leave hungry. From a small menu they serve top quality fish dishes which some fine dining restaurants may only aspire to. Recommend as stop off on route or on the way back form the Forest of Dean. Take a cool box and buy some fish to take home – wide variety available.







Hollow Bottom, Guiting Power



Sadly we have not visited Hollow Bottom yet [we need more days off!], but have received positive comments from guests. Tel: 01451 850392 and web site: www.hollowbottom.com











The Colesbourne Inn, Gloucester, GL53 9NP



We have enjoyed three visits to the Colesbourne Inn. Their bar food menu delivers excellent value for money, whilst some guest may consider their a la carte menu expensive, considering the quality delivered, still good value.







Tel: 01242 870376 and web site: www.thecolesbourneinn.co.uk







LATEST - JUNE 2010 - NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT, GOOD WRITE UP IN LOCAL PAPERS, NOT TRIED BY BEAUMONT HOUSE.











These are just a small selection. There are many other excellent restaurants in Cheltenham. We will be pleased to send you a dining out guide when you book accommodation. Please do ask!