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. Hobsons Patisseries

    $

    Visitors and locals alike head for the half-timber Hobsons Patisseries to indulge in the famous savory pies or scrumptious afternoon teas. Just a couple of minutes walk from Shakespeare’s Birthplace, it’s an almost obligatory lunch stop.

    1 Henley St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6PT, England
    01789-293330

    Known For

    • Delicious cakes and pies
    • Cheap eats
    • Low-key afternoon tea
  • 2. Lambs of Sheep Street

    $$

    Sit downstairs to appreciate the hardwood floors and oak beams of this local epicurean favorite; upstairs, the look is a bit more contemporary. The updates of tried-and-true dishes include herb-crusted rack of English lamb and panfried calf's liver with creamed potato, wilted spinach, pancetta, and crisp shallot. Desserts are fantastic here, and daily specials keep the menu seasonal. The two- and three-course fixed-price menus (not available for Monday lunches) are good deals.

    12 Sheep St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6EF, England
    01789-292554

    Known For

    • Good-value set meals
    • One of the oldest buildings in Stratford
    • Modern twists on British classics

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Mon., Reservations essential
  • 3. The Townhouse

    $$ | Coffee

    Theatergoers tucking into an early supper to the strains of the piano in the bar, grandmothers enjoying afternoon tea, and couples lingering over candlelit suppers can all happily be found at this restaurant with rooms, which is part of the Brakspear Brewery. Chefs source the best ingredients locally where possible and serve up dishes such as oven-roasted duck breast and whole grilled plaice. There is also a good value pre-theater menu (£15 for two courses and a glass of wine for £3.50), which even includes steak.

    16 Church St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6HB, England
    01789-262222

    Known For

    • Good-value pretheater menus
    • Chic decor
    • Sunday roast with all the trimmings
  • 4. Hathaway Tea Rooms

    $ | Coffee

    For the perfect Stratford-upon-Avon break, duck into the quaint Hathaway Tea Rooms, housed in a 17th-century building on the High Street. These tea rooms are reputedly the oldest in Stratford and serve a selection of tea, scones, and sandwiches, or you can go all out and get one of the generous afternoon teas. The decor is slightly tired, and it's not the best afternoon tea you will have but the service is first-rate and it is still rather quaint.

    19 High St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6AU, England
    01789-264–022

    Known For

    • Quintessential afternoon tea
    • Tasty scones
    • Wide variety of teas and preserves to take home
  • 5. Hussain's

    $$

    The luxuriant marigolds in the window might draw you in, but locals will tell you it's the Indian dishes that are the real appeal here. The extensive menu lists plenty of balti and rogan josh choices; for a little less heat, try the tandoori chicken with mild spices, cream, ground almonds, and mixed fruits, or increase the heat a bit with jhinga bhuna (king-size prawns in a spicy tomato sauce with onions, green peppers, and coriander). Wash it all down with Cobra draft beer.

    6A Chapel St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6EP, England
    01789-267506

    Known For

    • Range of tandoori specialties
    • Local curry-house atmosphere
    • Prompt, friendly service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Wed.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Le Bistrot Pierre

    $$

    There's always a satisfied hum in the air at this large, modern, and bustling bistro, part of a small chain, that’s close to the river. It’s French and the menu makes that known; olives from Provence, sausage from the Beaujolais region, pâtés, mussels in a Roquefort sauce, beef bourguignon, and rustic French cheeses all appear. Croque monsieur (toasted ham and cheese sandwich) is a popular lunchtime dish. Vegetarians and kids are well catered for, and the service is amicable and attentive.

    Swan's Nest La., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 7LT, England
    01789-264804

    Known For

    • Regional French cuisine
    • Riverside dining
    • Good menu for kids
  • 7. 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.
  • 8. The Dirty Duck/The Black Swan

    $

    The only pub in Britain to be licensed under two names (the more informal one came courtesy of American GIs who were stationed here during World War II), this is one of Stratford's most celebrated and consistently rated pubs, attracting actors since the 18th-century days of thespian David Garrick. Along with your pint of bitter, you can choose from the extensive pub-grub menu of fish-and-chips, steaks, burgers, and grills; there are also good-value light bites. Now part of the well-established Greene King Inns family, the biggest draw here is the lovely veranda that overlooks the theaters and the river.

    Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6BA, England
    01789-297312

    Known For

    • Classic English pub atmosphere
    • Reservations-only for dinner
    • Veranda overlooking the river
  • 9. The Opposition

    $$

    Hearty, warming meals are offered at this informal, family-style restaurant in a 16th-century building on the main dining street near the theaters. The English and international dishes win praise from the locals. There’s a good range of light options and fixed-price menus as well. Make reservations a month ahead in summer.

    13 Sheep St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6EF, England
    01789-269980

    Known For

    • Historical setting
    • Plenty of vegetarian and healthy options
    • Summertime crowds

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 10. The Vintner

    $$

    The imaginative, bistro-inspired menu varies each day at this café and wine bar set in a 15th-century building. Tempting British and European-style dishes include confit leg of duck bigarade with dauphinoise potatoes and seared beef fillet Stroganoff. To dine before curtain time, arrive early or make a reservation. The building, largely unaltered since the late 1400s, has lovely flagstone floors and oak beams.

    4 and 5 Sheep St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6EF, England
    01789-297259

    Known For

    • Inventive pretheater menu
    • Historic setting
    • Excellent wine list
  • 11. 33 The Scullery

    $$
    Closed Permanently

    This small restaurant has attracted quite a following thanks to its fresh, seasonal ingredients. This is British cooking at its best and includes good options for seafood, game, and vegetarian dishes. The menu changes with the seasons, but try the crab salad if it's available.

    33a Greenhill St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6LE, England
    01789-205–700

    Known For

    • Buzzy atmosphere
    • Seasonal ingredients
    • High-quality British dishes

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 12. Il Moro

    $$
    Closed Permanently

    Chef Massimilliano Melis takes pride in serving up Italian dishes with a Sardinian emphasis in this slick, family-run restaurant. You could start with an aperitivo on the roof terrace (in summer), followed by fresh-pea-and-fregola (pasta made with semolina) soup, and then move on to pork with pecorino cheese, pancetta, and arugula salad. Try a Sardinian dessert wine or homemade truffles to round off the meal. It also offers pretheater set menus (for lunch or early evening).

    27 Henley St., Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6QY, England
    01789-415770

    Known For

    • Aperitivos on the roof terrace in summer only
    • Sardinian-style Italian food
    • Location close to Shakespeare’s Birthplace

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.

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