19 Unique Restaurants in the Cotswolds (2025 Guide)

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I’m here to share 10 of the most unique restaurants in the Cotswolds. From charming countryside pubs to elegant fine dining, discover the best spots to eat in this beautiful region.

If you’re planning a trip to the Cotswolds, one of the most beautiful places in Europe, you’re in for a treat. Imagine indulging in a seasonal tasting menu with riverfront views, or enjoying a cozy afternoon tea at an upscale cafe. For a truly unique experience, don’t miss dining at The Wheatsheaf Inn, where rustic charm meets modern gastronomy during your stay in England.

As a foodie, nothing excites me more than uncovering restaurants that offer a little extra magic. The Cotswolds, truly a gem in the English countryside, has plenty to offer. These unique dining spots will leave you with more than just a full stomach—they’ll give you stories to share. Let’s dive into my top 10 favorite places you simply can’t miss!

👉 Pro Tip: The Tour and Tasting in the Cotswolds is a vibe—don’t miss the sparkling wine! Wear comfy shoes for the vineyard stroll and grab a bottle to take home—it’s the ultimate souvenir.

At a glance: The best places to eat in the Cotswolds

Before we begin, let me share some of the standout spots you absolutely shouldn’t miss. Here are some of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds for various dining experiences:

• Best for fine dining: 5 North Street
• Best for international flavors: Vegetus
• Best for seafood: Henry’s Seafood Bar & Grill
• Best for a romantic dinner: Amalfi Restaurant & Pizzeria

Now that we’ve covered some of the highlights, let’s get into the detailed reviews.

1. Wilder

• 📍 Location: Nailsworth 
• 💲 Price range: $100 – $180+ per person (Tasting Menu)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern British / Fine Dining / Foraged & Local
• 🔥 Standout Features: Michelin Green Star, hyper-local/foraged, intimate tasting menus.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ultimate foodies, sustainable dining fans, and unique Cotswolds.

Embark on a truly wild and wonderful culinary adventure at Wilder in Nailsworth! This acclaimed restaurant, boasting a Michelin Green Star for its sustainability, offers an intimate, chef-driven tasting menu experience that celebrates the absolute best of hyper-local and foraged Cotswolds ingredients.

Each course is a beautifully composed surprise. Expect dishes featuring foraged wild garlic, exquisite local game like venison, and perfectly prepared seasonal vegetables such as asparagus or celeriac in creative forms. The sourdough bread with cultured butter is also a highlight.

2. The Wild Rabbit

If you want quintessential Cotswolds luxury with a rustic twist, The Wild Rabbit in Kingham checks every box. Think honey-toned stone, beamed ceilings, open fires, and a bar that could charm anyone. The farm-to-table ethos dominates here, so expect outstanding produce on every plate. The Cotswold lamb is legendary, but don’t miss their wood-fired sourdough or the seasonal tasting menu, which always gets Instagram buzzing. The vibe is upmarket yet unpretentious – perfect for date nights or special family dinners. If you’re venturing that way, nip over to nearby Daylesford Organic for a post-lunch wander. I still daydream about their local cheese board and the way the staff somehow made fine dining feel like a warm hug.

3. The Porch House

• 📍 Location: Stow-on-the-Wold 
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $70 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: British Gastropub / Modern European
• 🔥 Standout Features: England’s oldest inn, historic charm, upscale pub fare.
• 🎯 Perfect For: History lovers, cozy pub dining, and refined Cotswolds gastropub.

Step back nearly a millennium and dine in what’s reputed to be England’s oldest inn at The Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold! Dating back to a claimed AD 947, this place oozes history from every ancient beam and flagstone floor.

You’ll certainly want to try their elevated takes on British classics. Reviewers frequently praise the fish and chips, the hearty Sunday roast (especially the beef), and seasonal game dishes like pheasant. The sticky toffee pudding is a favored dessert.

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4. The Potting Shed Pub

The Potting Shed in Crudwell is a spirited gastropub, styled with quirky garden touches that make it feel whimsical yet homey. Grab a seat by the fireplace or in the sun-dappled conservatory, and sip on a pint from local breweries. Menu highlights? The Scotch eggs are jaw-dropping – crisp, runny-centered perfection – and the Sunday roasts pull in the crowds from neighboring towns. The vibe is relaxed, family-friendly, and there’s always a happy buzz thanks to locals and travelers mixing it up over hearty fare. Walk off your meal at the adjacent parish church or lose time in the pub garden with a G&T in hand (they have a huge gin list). I can never resist snapping photos of their clever plant-pot cocktails – yes, really.

5. The Ebrington Arms

• 📍 Location: Ebrington
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $70 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern British / Gastropub / Country Pub
• 🔥 Standout Features: Historic village pub, roaring log fires, award-winning ales, seasonal menu.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Cozy pub lovers, Sunday lunch seekers, and fans of classic British food.

This isn’t just a pub; it’s the platonic ideal of a Cotswolds country pub. The Ebrington Arms is a gorgeous, 17th-century stone building that feels like a warm hug on a cold day. The air inside smells of roaring log fires and good ale, and the low-beamed ceilings are full of the happy, gentle hum of locals. It’s pure, unpretentious charm.

The food is elevated pub perfection, taking classics to a whole new level. You can’t go wrong with their incredible version of fish and chips, with the crispiest batter. People rave about the juicy Ebrington Arms burger, and for dessert, the warm, comforting sticky toffee pudding is non-negotiable.

6. The Old Butchers

You’d never guess this former butcher shop in Stow-on-the-Wold now serves up some of the region’s boldest, freshest plates. Seafood is a bit of a secret star here – the crab linguine and seared scallops are standouts, but locals rave about the moreish duck hash too. Interiors feel both cool and cozy – think exposed stone, fun art, and tables that invite lazy, chatty lunches. Try their signature Bloody Mary if you love a spicy hit. Stow’s antique shops and indie boutiques are steps away, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely meal before some treasure hunting. I left full, happy, and plotting my return – especially for their homemade ice cream.

7. Henry’s Seafood Bar & Grill

• 📍 Location: Cirencester
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Seafood / British / Modern European
• 🔥 Standout Features: Fresh/sustainable seafood, stylish/contemporary decor, popular local spot.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Seafood lovers, upscale casual dining, and fresh quality fish.

Dive into a sea of fresh, flavorful seafood at Henry’s Seafood Bar & Grill in Cirencester! This stylish and contemporary spot is renowned for its commitment to sourcing high-quality, sustainable seafood, transformed into delicious modern British and European dishes.

You’ll be thrilled by their selection of fresh catches. Popular choices include the classic fish and chips (often with haddock or cod), perfectly cooked scallops, and their amazing seafood platters piled high with oysters and prawns.

8. Bistro du Vin Cheltenham

Bistro du Vin in Cheltenham is classic French dining with a dash of English eccentricity. Leather banquettes, vintage posters, and open kitchens set the scene for Parisian bistro vibes. The côte de boeuf is legendary for sharing, and the tarte Tatin is pure, caramelized heaven. It’s fab for a romantic night out or a grown-up treat before a show at the Everyman Theatre (which is just a stroll away). Pop in for the prix fixe lunch, too – it’s excellent value. I was genuinely surprised by their wine list – there’s quirky little numbers tucked alongside the French grand dames, and staff are great at suggesting pairings.

9. Amalfi Restaurant & Pizzeria

• 📍 Location: Nailsworth
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Italian / Pizza / Traditional
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Italian family recipes, wood-fired pizzas, charming trattoria.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Pizza perfectionists, classic Italian fans, and cozy family meals.

Mamma mia, get ready for an authentic taste of Italy in the heart of the Cotswolds at Amalfi Restaurant & Pizzeria in Nailsworth! This charming spot is all about traditional Italian family recipes, serving up incredible wood-fired pizzas and classic pasta dishes.

A wise choice involves trying one of their amazing wood-fired pizzas, like a classic Margherita or a spicy Diavola. Their homemade pasta dishes such as lasagna or carbonara, and flavorful antipasti like calamari fritti, are also fantastic.

10. The Bell at Sapperton

Set in the tiny village of Sapperton, The Bell is every bit the archetype of a Cotswolds country pub, but with killer food and real ale to match. The menu is full of comforting classics – think venison pie and sticky toffee pudding – but with ingredients sourced from just down the road. The garden is gorgeous in summer, dotted with wildflowers and oversized umbrellas. Tunes tend to be relaxed, and locals fill the place with proper country pub banter. Bring your muddy boots for a pit stop after exploring the nearby Sapperton Tunnel and canals. I’m still telling friends about the sausage rolls here – hands down the best I’ve tasted.

11. Waterside Kitchen & Bar (De Vere Cotswold Water Park)

• 📍 Location: Walters Lake
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern British / Gastropub / Lakeside Dining
• 🔥 Standout Features: Stunning lakeside views, contemporary British, relaxed hotel dining.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Scenic lakeside meals, relaxed upscale casual, and nature with good food.

Dine with beautiful lakeside views at Waterside Kitchen & Bar. This spot offers a relaxed yet stylish setting to enjoy contemporary British cuisine and gastropub favorites while overlooking the serene water.

Consider trying their fresh fish dishes, like the pan-fried sea bass. Hearty burgers, classic Sunday roasts, and the sticky toffee pudding are also popular choices if you’re visiting. It’s a fantastic option for a scenic meal.

12. The Circus Restaurant

Just a stone’s throw from Bath’s iconic Royal Crescent, The Circus Restaurant takes modern British cooking and gives it soul. Menus rotate constantly but always champion the best from Somerset and the Cotswolds. My last visit, the wild mushroom risotto was studio-level creamy, and the roast haunch of venison was a knockout. It’s got a low-lit, intimate feel – perfect for lingering over good conversation and better wine. Post-dinner, wander the crescent at dusk before heading back for their famous sticky date pudding. The staff remember regulars, and after one visit, you’ll want to become one of them. This spot is the kind of hidden gem I almost don’t want to share.

13. Habibah

• 📍 Location: Cheltenham
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Middle Eastern / Lebanese / Mezze
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Lebanese/Middle Eastern, vibrant meze, warm/inviting.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Middle Eastern food lovers, sharing small plates, and cultural culinary.

Embark on a delicious journey to the Middle East at Habibah in Cheltenham! This vibrant spot serves up authentic and incredibly flavorful Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine, perfect for sharing and savoring. The air is fragrant with exotic spices.

You absolutely have to try their amazing selection of meze, including creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and crispy falafel. Their succulent grilled kebabs (especially the lamb kofta) and flavorful shawarma wraps are also highly recommended.

14. The Royal Oak Tetbury

This organic pub in Tetbury has managed to stay utterly cool while rooted in village tradition. There are mismatched tables, tongue-in-cheek local art, and pints poured with sincerity. The menu’s a riot of seasonal colour – the wild garlic gnocchi in spring is a personal favorite, while the wild game burger is talked about for miles. There’s live music many weekends (get there early for a good seat), and sleepy village lanes to explore right after. Clarence House, home to King Charles, is walkable too. I’m obsessed with their sticky ginger cake – order it with local ice cream, and thank me later.

15. La Bobina

• 📍 Location: Cirencester & Faringdon
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Spanish Tapas / Wine Bar
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Spanish tapas/pintxos, extensive Spanish wine/sherry, lively/convivial.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Sharing Spanish small plates, wine/tapas lovers, and fun sociable meal.

¡Salud! Get ready for a fiesta of authentic Spanish flavors at La Bobina! This bustling spot is all about the joy of sharing, with an extensive menu of delicious, traditional tapas and pintxos that will transport you straight to Spain.

You’ll certainly want to order a variety of their fantastic tapas – the gambas al ajillo (garlic prawns), classic patatas bravas, and savory chorizo a la sidra are always crowd-pleasers. The albondigas (meatballs) are another favorite.

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16. The Five Alls

This hooded, honey-stone coaching inn in Filkins is one part stylish pub, one part cozy retreat from the world. The vibe inside: deep sofas around roaring fires, country prints, and a bar worth lingering at. The menu rocks local game and bold Mediterranean touches – I’d cross counties for their slow-braised ox cheek or the wood-fired flatbreads topped with wild mushrooms. Garden seating calls in summer, and there’s a great walking trail circling back from the pub. If you love sticky toffee pudding, don’t make the mistake of sharing. The old coaching-yard setting is impossibly photogenic. I’ve spent long afternoons here just watching golden hour roll in over the lawns.

17. Cucina di Amalfi

• 📍 Location: Minchinhampton
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Italian / Amalfi Coast Inspired / Seafood
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Amalfi Coast flavors, fresh seafood/pasta, charming/intimate Italian.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Italian seafood lovers, romantic dinners, and taste of Amalfi Coast.

Be transported to the sunny shores of the Amalfi Coast at Cucina di Amalfi in Minchinhampton! This charming and intimate Italian restaurant specializes in the fresh, vibrant flavors of Southern Italy, with a particular focus on delicious seafood and homemade pasta.

A meal here means savoring their incredible fresh seafood pasta, perhaps with clams or prawns (linguine allo scoglio). Their perfectly grilled whole fish or the calamari fritti are also fantastic. The tiramisu is a classic way to finish.

18. The Rectory

Bordering Malmesbury, The Rectory Hotel & Restaurant has major “country house with an edge” energy. Formality takes a back seat to languid lounging – think rattan sofas, garden views, and a glass of English fizz by the pool. The ever-evolving menu fuses classic British and Mediterranean plates (their spiced heritage carrots and monkfish with saffron butter are musts). The walled garden is magic in summer evenings. Fancy a stroll? The charming market town of Malmesbury is a flat, easy walk away. Insider tip: go for sundowners when the light hits the old rectory stone just right. Last visit, I was blown away by the genuinely thoughtful service.

19. 5 North Street

• 📍 Location: Winchcombe
• 💲 Price range: $60 – $100+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern British / Fine Dining / Tasting Menu
• 🔥 Standout Features: Michelin-starred (check current), intimate/chef-owned, exquisite seasonal tasting.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Serious foodies, special occasion splurges, and refined Cotswolds fine.

Experience culinary artistry in the charming Cotswold town of Winchcombe at 5 North Street. This intimate, chef-owned restaurant is renowned for its exquisite modern British cuisine, often presented through sophisticated tasting menus that showcase seasonal, local ingredients.

Each dish is a beautifully composed masterpiece. While the menu is ever-changing, expect delights such as perfectly cooked local game like Cotswold lamb, delicate fish preparations such as brill, and inventive vegetable dishes. The soufflé is often a highlight.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Cotswolds’ best restaurants

Still unsure about where to eat in the Cotswolds? Our FAQs have all the answers.

What food is the Cotswolds famous for?

The Cotswolds is famous for its local produce and traditional dishes. You’ll find plenty of delicious offerings like Gloucestershire Old Spot pork, Stinking Bishop cheese, and Bibury trout. Don’t miss the famous Cotswold cream teas!

What is the most unique restaurant in the Cotswolds?

The most unique restaurant in the Cotswolds has to be Wilder in Nailsworth. With an ever-evolving tasting menu inspired by local producers and foraged ingredients, it promises a dining experience like no other, making it one of England’s must-visit places.

Can I eat international cuisine in the Cotswolds?

Absolutely! The Cotswolds offers a range of international cuisines. From the plant-based Middle Eastern delights at Vegetus to the authentic Italian flavors at Amalfi Restaurant & Pizzeria, and the Spanish tapas at La Bobina, there’s something to satisfy every palate, making it a must-visit for European experiences.