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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.
Sit downstairs to appreciate the hardwood floors and oak beams of this local epicurean favorite in one of the town’s oldest buildings; upstairs, the look is a bit more contemporary. The updates of tried-and-true dishes include herb-crusted rack of English lamb and pan-fried calf's liver with creamed potato and crisp shallots. Desserts are fantastic, and daily specials keep the menu seasonal. The two- and three-course fixed-price menus (not available for Monday lunches) are good deals.
One of Malvern’s best restaurants specializes in creative French cuisine with a contemporary English edge and top-notch English produce. Start with the Severn and Wye Valley smoked salmon before sampling the Herefordshire fillet of beef or the twice-baked mature Godminster Cheddar soufflé. It also does a very good afternoon tea. The restaurant is part of the Cotford Hotel, which has pleasantly traditional rooms.
The dark-wood paneling, antique furniture, thick curtains, and intimate lighting of this 16th-century hall make this a distinctive dining spot for Modern British cuisine. Chef Adrian Badland and his partner Miriam Lawley (the keen eye behind the exquisite and tasteful makeover) offer a cracking roast dinner and other hearty but elevated dishes featuring local Shropshire produce. It has some charming, luxe guest rooms, too, that are very well priced.
Although there are lovely rooms in this 1850s Victorian redbrick building near Ludlow Castle, the main draw is the food. Two modern dining rooms, The Terrace and the Orangery, have lovely views (the former of a garden, the latter of the countryside), and both serve high-quality, seasonal dishes such as pea and asparagus risotto or rack of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes. The lounge bar is a great spot for pre- or post-dinner cocktails.
