Welcome to our Food & Drink Directory filled with the best places to eat and drink in The Cotswolds!
With a whole range of quality local ingredients and culinary talent right on its doorstep, The Cotswolds has rightly earned itself the reputation for being a destination for food lovers seeking tasty eats while dining out and shopping for beautiful produce. Here you will find everything from tantalising bakeries and delightful cafés to cosy pubs and Michelin star restaurants.
If you’re truly wanting to sample local delicacies, two foods which have been awarded Protected Designation of Origin status here in The Cotswolds are Single Gloucester Cheese and Gloucester Old Spot pork. You will find both on lots of menus across the area, as well as local favourites Stinking Bishop’s cheese, Bibury trout, Tewkesbury mustard and Hobbs House bread.
Below you will find our guide of places to eat in The Cotswolds and links to our more in depth journal posts if you wish to explore a particular foodie topic further.
Pubs
Image credit: The Swan
Pubs are in a class of their own in The Cotswolds. We highly recommend making the most of being in the rolling countryside and pairing a hearty pub lunch with a picturesque ramble across the Wolds. Tap here to read our journal post on the best pubs walks in The Cotswolds! However if you’re just looking for a local opinion on the best pubs in The Cotswolds, here is a shortlist sharing some of our favourites.
The Swan
The perfect mix of ‘hip meets homely’ there are eclectic furnishings mixed with country classic Farrow & Ball palettes and historic exposed stone walls and characterful beamed ceilings, plus the obligatory handsome fireplace at its heart. Offering sustenance all the way through from breakfast to dinner, it’s a great option for a weekend brunch, or Sunday roast. There are innovative modern takes on British pub classics, as well as great, sociable sharing options and a family friendly kids’ menu, too.
https://www.countrycreatures.com/the-swan
The Ebrington Arms
Awarded The Good Pub Guide's ‘County Dining Pub of the Year 2019’, the beamed-ceilings, high-backed wooden booths, wood-burning stove and authentic flagstone floor offer a cosy and inviting interior. Sourcing many of their organic ingredients from local suppliers and brewing their own ales in-house, this local favourite is a great destination for foodies and families alike.
www.theebringtonarms.co.uk
The Plough in Cold Aston
The Plough in Cold Aston is run by young couple Tom and Josie; with 2 small children of their own, they know a thing or two about creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for all generations. With a charcoal-fuelled oven in the kitchen, head chef Jonathon Grey can really bring to life the flavours in their locally sourced meat and fresh fish. www.coldastonplough.com
The Lion Inn, Winchcombe
In the village of Winchcombe you will find The Lion Inn a 15th century coaching inn. Welcoming everyone including dogs in the snug, bar and gardens, we love the menu that changes to work with ingredients from the season. In keeping with their ethos of keeping produce locally sourced, the inn invites locals to donate any excess produce in return for a drink and your name added by the dish used on the menu.
www.thelionwinchcombe.co.uk
Cafés
Image credit: Lynwood & Co
Whether you’re looking for a spot for tea and cake or somewhere to linger over a good cup of coffee while watching the world go by, there are plenty of independent cafés in The Cotswolds to choose from.
With sweet treats in mind, don’t miss a traditional afternoon tea while you're in the epicentre of all things English, either in a village tea room or the sumptuous surroundings of a country manor. Read up on the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds in our journal post here. Otherwise, check out a few of the best cafés in The Cotswolds below.
Temple Guiting Pantry
There's a great 1.5hr circular walk around the grounds of Temple Guiting Manor itself, ending conveniently at the front door of the Temple Guiting Pantry where you can refuel with their local produce focussed menus, from breakfast all the way through to afternoon tea.
www.templeguitingpantry.co.uk
Lynwood & Co
With cafes in Burford, Lechlade, Fairford and Carterton - this mini, independent chain of cafes have a really lovely, cosy vibe. Super friendly service with a great selection of cakes and local produce.
www.lynwoodandco.com
Pretty & Pip
Since its opening, Pretty & Pip, in Cirencester and has proved a popular spot for coffee and cake. The coffee is ethically sourced and you will find a selection of loose leaf tea alongside delicious cakes, bakes and artisan savouries. The secret garden, complete with beautiful wall art is perfect when the sun shines.
www.prettyandpip.com
The Old Prison
Quite literally a transformed former prison in Northleach, you can explore the old courtroom and cells whilst getting your morning caffeine fix. A quirky cafe with an amazing history, great for capturing the imagination of little ones!
www.theoldprison.co.uk
For a more detailed breakdown of cafés we love in The Cotswolds, check out our 10 best cafés in The Cotswolds journal post.
Restaurants and Bars
Image credit: Sam & Jak
Linger over a Michelin star meal, indulgent menus and tasty cocktails on an evening out to our top picks of great restaurants in The Cotswolds.
The Dining Room, Whatley Manor
With outstanding views across formal gardens set in a classic English country manor, the Dining Room boasts the new Michelin Green star for recognising Sustainable Gastronomy, and is among the first to be recognised in the UK in 2021. With bespoke sample menus for vegetarians and pescatarians too, this is definitely a treat meal out and a dining experience to cherish. The head chef, Ricki Weston, appointed in January is looking forward to developing his recipes and evolving a new dining offering.
www.whatleymanor.com/eat-drink/the-dining-room/
The Royal Oak, Whatcote
Boasting one Michelin star The Royal Oak is run by husband wife team Solanche and Richard Craven. With a ‘farm to fork’ ethos, the menu includes foraged flora, organic produce and game from neighbouring estates. The Royal Oak is definitely not your typical pub visit but a unique opportunity to enjoy a truly seasonal menu that’s in harmony with The Cotswolds’ natural beauty.
https://www.theroyaloakwhatcote.co.uk
Sam & Jak, Cirencester
Recently opened, Sam & Jak is a restaurant and wine bar in Cirencester serving modern British and European food. Named after chefs and owners Sam Edwards and Jak Doggett, both already have an established reputation in The Cotswolds as owners of The Upton Firehouse in Burford. We love the rich flavours and creative dishes on their menu including wild boar arancini, black truffle and ricotta gnudi and pecan pie croissant pudding.
You can check out more recently opened food spots in The Cotswolds in our journal post here. Each one opened despite lockdowns and uncertainty at the time and are still thriving!
The Maytime Inn, Asthall
The Maytime Inn is located in the gorgeous Windrush Valley, next to the River Windrush, and has impressive views of the Oxfordshire countryside. For outdoor dining, from Wednesday to Saturday they serve up wood-fired pizza and have a garden bar serving artisan gin, Cotswold Brewery beer and unique wine from Château Lèoube, their sister estate vineyard in French Provence. The restaurant offers a seasonal á la carte menu in addition to pub classics and sandwiches, all sourced locally and freshly made by award-winning chefs.
https://www.themaytime.com/
For a full breakdown of the best bars in The Cotswolds if you’re looking for somewhere special to enjoy some creative tipples, check out our journal post here.
Farm Shops
Image credit: Daylesford Organic
With its miles of rolling countryside, it’s not a surprise that we have a delightful choice of farm shops right on our doorstep selling everything from cheese, milk and freshly baked goods to seasonal fruit and vegetables. Here are some of our favourite farm shops in The Cotswolds.
Daylesford Organic
A perennial favourite with us, and many Cotswolds residents, Daylesford Organic in Kingham is not just a great coffee stop - come for the local, organic produce served in the cafe, restaurant and bakery but stay for the restorative Bamford spa, modern country interiors inspiration and creative workshops and day retreats. A great local institution for a reason.
https://www.daylesford.com/loc...
Blockley Village Shop & Cafe
Blockley Village Shop and Cafe sits in the heart of the village, arguably one of the most beautiful villages in The Cotswolds. Well-stocked and with something to please everyone, it is well-worth a visit. Visit their Facebook page here.
The Farm, Stratford Upon Avon
Initially home to hundreds of fruit trees and producers for the likes of Mr Kipling and Waitrose, The farm struggled to survive and was reborn as a thriving farm shop now housing a collection of artisan food producers, farm shop and delicatessen. The farm supports local brands and independent suppliers from the surrounding area.
https://thefarmstratfordshop.c...
Frochester Fayre Farm Shop
Owned and run by the Pinker family, who have farmed here for over a hundred years, you will find sustainability practices such as limited food miles and shoppers encouraged to bring their own containers at Frocester Fayre. Alongside the butcher and on-site kitchen, the farm shops sells local artisan produce such as delicious tray bakes and delicious hot food straight from the oven.
www.frocesterfayre.co.uk
Farm shops are a great way of supporting our local farmers and artisans here in The Cotswolds all year round, however do check out our journal post sharing the best farmers markets in The Cotswolds where you can meet and support lots of producers and small businesses.
Jesse Smith, Cirencester, Tetbury, Burford & Northleach
Jesse Smith is a family owned business and has been in Cirencester since 1808. Three generations of the Hawes family have run Jesse Smith butchers since the 1957 and now have shops in Love Lane and Black Jack Street Cirencester, Tetbury, Burford and Northleach which are under W J Castle. A new Jesse Smith Food Hall in Elkstone is coming Summer 2022. www.jessesmith.co.uk
Food Festivals
Image credit: The Big Feastival
Food festivals are back on the calendar for 2022! A great opportunity to sample local food and drink while enjoying a day out or a weekend camping in the gorgeous countryside, don’t miss out on these top foodie events in The Cotswolds.
Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival
This annual event is held in Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham and entry tickets include select wine talks, chef cooking demonstrations, drink experiences, street theatre, festival music and children’s entertainment. Local produce including ale is always popular at this event!
cheltenhamfooddrinkfestival.co.uk
Tewkesbury Food and Drink Festival
Tewksbury’s festival boasts over 40 different stalls with traders selling lots of different food and drink for you to sample. Pick up a few snacks and dishes before kicking back in the festival garden to enjoy the buzz of the crowd and watch the world go by. For updates on when to buy tickets, visit their Facebook page.
The Big Feastival
Taking place on Alex James’ Farm just outside Kingham, The Big Feastival is a guaranteed weekend of good food and lots of fun. Bringing awesome talent from the UK’s music scene and Michelin starred chefs showing off their skills live on stage plus award-winning street food, it’s a true celebration of food and music!
https://thebigfeastival.com
Wilderness Festival
For a proper camping festival experience, head to award-winning Wilderness Festival, set among the lakes, forest and parkland of Cornbury Estate. The festival celebrates food, music, learning, literature and rejuvenation whilst enjoying these idyllic Cotswolds surroundings. Food lovers will particularly enjoy top chefs overseeing long table banquets.
https://www.wildernessfestival.com