The West Country Restaurants

The last several years have seen a food renaissance in England's West Country. In the top restaurants the accent is firmly on local and seasonal products. Seafood is the number one choice along the coasts, from Atlantic pollock to Helford River oysters, and it's available in places from haute restaurants to harborside fish shacks. Celebrity chefs have marked their pitch all over the region, including Michael Caines in Exeter and Dartmoor, the Tanner brothers in Plymouth, Rick Stein in Padstow and Falmouth, Mitch Tonks in Dartmouth, and Jamie Oliver in Newquay. Better-known establishments are often completely booked on Friday or Saturday, so reserve well in advance.

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  • 1. Goodfellows

    $$

    This little restaurant near the cathedral adds a continental touch to quiet Wells. French and Mediterranean influences are at the forefront of the lunch and dinner menus, which showcase seafood dishes such as crayfish salad, tuna carpaccio, grilled sea bass with asparagus, and roast fillet of hake with couscous. Other choices include roast duck breast with stir-fried vegetables and Lebanese spiced minced lamb. Desserts intersperse French patisserie items (like choux bun with Chantilly cream) with such enticements as affogato and pistachio frangipane and strawberry tart. There are set-price lunch and dinner menus too, including a five-course seafood menu (£65).

    5 Sadler St., Wells, Somerset, BA5 2RR, England
    01749-673866

    Known For

    • Mediterranean-style dishes
    • Popular with fish aficionados
    • Tasty desserts

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Tues., and Thurs. No dinner Sun.
  • 2. The Fountain Inn

    $

    Slightly off the tourist track but only a few minutes from the cathedral, this classic gastro-pub offers a winning combination of traditional decor lightened with tasteful modern touches and great, locally sourced food. The eclectic menu includes such standout dishes as Madras chicken curry, confit of duck, and beer-battered haddock. It may appear small at first sight, but there's a second dining area with a similarly cozy feel upstairs. Good local ales are served at the bar.

    1 St. Thomas St., Wells, Somerset, BA5 2UU, England
    01749-672317

    Known For

    • Warm, intimate atmosphere
    • Extensive menu with some great English classics
    • Good range of beers, including local ales

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner Sun.
  • 3. The Good Earth

    $

    This vegetarian café and restaurant is perfect for breakfast, coffee, or a light lunch. Order at the counter and find a space in one of the three rooms—all simply furnished with rustic-style benches and tables and local art on the pastel-colored walls—or in the walled garden. Apart from pizzas, quiches, jacket potatoes, and house-baked rolls and cakes, the chalkboard might include such dishes as cauliflower cheese with roast potatoes and red wine gravy or mixed grain salad with roasted carrot and fennel. The whole food shop next door offers a range of picnic ingredients, too.

    4–6 Priory Rd., Wells, Somerset, BA5 1SY, England
    01749-678600

    Known For

    • Wholesome vegetarian food
    • Great cakes
    • Local community vibe

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No dinner
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