Month: March 2017

Whether you’re on the hunt for some of the best vegetarian and vegan food in the UK, or craving tapas with a locally-brewed craft beer, eating in Sheffield is always a treat.

Where to eat in Sheffield if you’re a vegan

Vegan or not, you’d be crazy to give Make No Bones a miss. The venue alone is worth a visit – housed in the listed building Osborn Works, designed by the famous Sheffield architect William John Hale.

There – comfortably ensconced in the building’s pews in the light of a Victorian stained glass window – you can sample some of Sheffield’s best vegan food.

Make No Bones is run like a street food kitchen – just walk in, order and sit down. This is the vegan equivalent of a classic burger joint and dishes include Southern fried tofu burgers, paprika-laced potatoes, barbecued corn on the cob and homemade garlic bread drizzled in melted nut cheese.

Make No Bones also features a 100% vegan bar, so you can wash down your meal with wine, beer or cocktails – the choice is yours.

Where to eat in Sheffield for excellent craft beer

The birthplace of the UK craft beer revolution, a trip to Sheffield wouldn’t be complete without sampling some of the finest. If you love your ales, head to The Beer Engine on Cemetery Road.

Don’t let its out of the way location and unassuming facade fool you. Beer fans will be delighted by the regulars – which include Estrella, Oranjeboom and Bitburger – and the bar is also well stocked with continental lagers and cider. The adventurous should sample their rotating selection of eclectic guest ales.

The Beer Engine’s meat, veggie and vegan Sunday roasts are pub food par excellence, with braised red cabbage and celeriac mash and some of the finest cauliflower cheese in Sheffield. Chicken can be replaced with goat’s cheese wellington or kale and quinoa grill with pan-fried mushrooms.

Those who want a light meal should head to The Beer Engine in the evening for a menu of simple but delectable tapas. Try the butternut squash and gingered tomatoes with lime yoghurt – it’s unbeatable.

Where to eat in Sheffield if you want good value for money

Fans of global dining won’t be able to resist COSMO Authentic World Kitchen, where you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet selection of dishes for one set price.

Lovers of traditional English cuisine can choose succulent roasted lamb, beef and turkey from the carvery with vegetables and fluffy potatoes for a hearty roast. Those with more continental tastes are sure to love Neapolitan pizzas, cooked in a wood-fired oven for luscious smoky flavour, or the succulent olives, cheese and charcuterie at the deli.

You can find COSMO on St Paul’s Place in the heart of Sheffield – a convenient pit stop for those exploring the city. And the affordability of COSMO doesn’t stop at the food. They’re also partnered with Q-Park, so ask staff to get a 25% discount on your parking ticket seven days a week.

Where to eat in Sheffield if you like locally sourced produce

The Rude Shipyard make most of their food in-house and what they don’t is sourced from local independent farmers and bakers. Even their delicious coffee is locally ground, from family business Pollards Roasters, established in 1879.

It’s this commitment and care that makes The Rude Shipyard is one of the best places to brunch in Sheffield. It’s hard to resist their delicious full English breakfasts, available in delicious meat, veggie and vegan options.

They also sell a range of sandwiches, soups, wraps and salads with homemade hummus, all served with freshly baked sourdough bread. Whatever your diet, there’s something for you.

The Rude Shipyard is a cafe and a bookshop in one, with a whole section filled with self-published books by local writers. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a bowl of soup and a book on a cold winter’s day.

From traditional meat pies to contemporary hipster brunches, there are plenty of fantastic places to eat in Reading. You’ll be spoilt for choice.

Where to eat in Reading if you love a good pie

Named after the one of the most notorious figures in English legend, Sweeney and Todd’s produces excellent pies that aren’t cannibalistic in the least.

This pie shop – one of the oldest restaurants in Reading – is simple and brilliant. More than 20 award winning pie flavours are on sale at affordable prices. Sit in and eat them hot in the cosy restaurant interior or wrap them up and take them away.

Traditionalists will be delighted by classic fillings such as steak and kidney, lamb and mint and chicken and leek and vegetarian choices such as cheese and vegetable are equally mouthwatering.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of modern innovations such as cajun or chicken, chilli and chorizo for the adventurous. Those with truly traditional tastes will no doubt love the Victorian-inspired steak and oyster or the hearty flavours of venison and boar.

The menu also includes a pie called Sweeney’s…the ingredients of which are not disclosed!

Where to eat in Reading if you fancy a curry

If you love the tastes of South-East Asia, don’t miss a trip to COSMO Authentic World Kitchen.

COSMO elevate the all you can eat world buffet concept – they serve expertly-cooked food from all around the globe from Neapolitan wood fired pizza to Japanese Teppanyaki, but their House of Spice section is truly unmissable.

Taste a fragrant curry made with the freshest of ingredients, enjoy side dishes fragrant with saffron, turmeric and cumin and dip fluffy naans into delicate sauces, pickles and chutneys.

Where to eat in Reading if you’re a coffee lover

Workhouse was declared one of the best national caffeine destinations by both the Guardian and the Telegraph – and it’s no wonder. This independent cafe, run by expert Greg Costello, is a haven for bean fiends and the hub of Reading’s thriving speciality coffee scene.

The jewel in Workhouse’s caffeine crown is their sweet, strong and full-bodied Guatemalans – the first coffee they sourced and specially recommended by the Guardian Less than 2% of soil on the planet has the correct profile to grow Workhouse Guatemala and the coffee, perfumed by just the right amount of vegetation and volcanic silt, is truly exceptional.

And Workhouse isn’t let down by its menu. Their exquisite coffees are complemented by a range of sandwiches and cakes. Make sure you try the sausage rolls.

Where to eat in Reading for brunch

Wholesome, locally sourced food and a comforting atmosphere make Cafe Yolk the ideal pit stop, offering simple, good quality meals for brunch or lunch. Their speciality, toasted sourdough with smashed avocado and salsa with – you guessed it! – a poached egg is delicious.

Those with a sweet tooth also have plenty of treats to enjoy. Cafe Yolk serve French toast with a wealth of toppings, from indulgent bacon and maple to the banoffee-inspired banana and salted caramel.

There are few better ways to spend a cold winter’s day in Reading than a trip to Cafe Yolk, keeping cosy with a hot caramelised apple and cinnamon waffle and a cup of their excellent coffee.

Where to eat in Reading if you love pubs

Located in Reading town centre, The Greyfriar of Reading is unmissable for pub lovers. Traditionalists will be delighted by the quintessential English pub atmosphere and the exciting range of classic ales, lager and cider.

While The Greyfriar sources its beer from all over the world it’s also the perfect place to drink a local brew, with plenty of independent Berkshire breweries represented on the menu.

The Greyfriar is also at the forefront of the gin renaissance and juniper lovers will be truly delighted by the extensive menu. With 35 types of gin permanently in stock and 5 rotating ‘guest’ gins, whether you love perfumed florals, tart citrus or aromatic spice, there’s something here for every palate.

Food is served Monday to Friday from midday until 3, making this charming pub the perfect place for a weekday lunch.

If you’re looking for the best places to eat in Aberdeen, you’ll be spoilt for choice with some of our favourites which should not be missed.

Whether you’re new to the city or you’re familiar to the food scene, there’s sure to be something to suit you.

Where to eat in Aberdeen for a hip atmosphere

With its art-lined walls and beautiful view onto the Green, the trendy Cafe 52 is the perfect place for an affordable meal at any time of the day.

If you decide to lunch at Cafe 52, make sure to sample one of their selection of exotic croissant fillings, including goat’s cheese with garlic tomatoes and onion and herb marmalade, and smoked mackerel pate with cucumber and garden salad.

The cafe also doubles as a restaurant, with excellent quality mains at just £10 as well as a mouthwatering selection of tapas, cheeses and wines if you’re peckish. The young, teetotal or designated drivers should opt for the homemade strawberry juice.

Although the homemade chips are delicious it’s Cafe 52’s parsnips fried in honey and sea salt that are a must-order if you fancy a little something on the side.

Where to eat in Aberdeen for affordable luxury

From the BBQ grill and authentic Japanese teppanyaki to the fruit and cream filled bite-sized patisserie, COSMO Authentic World Kitchen proves that the all-you-can-eat buffet experience can be luxurious.

Choose from a wide variety of delicately handcrafted dishes. Sample mussels cooked to perfection; dip crusty homemade bread in perfumed fennel-infused sauces and enjoy a little fizz on the side.

Those with Mediterranean tastes can savour cheese boards and charcuterie with bowls of Sicilian nocellara olives and fresh salads. COSMO’s bar is well stocked with wine and soft drinks alike – if you’re looking for the perfect complement to your cheese, you won’t be disappointed.

Where to eat in Aberdeen for comfort food

The American-style Angus & Ale offer hungry customers a menu of perfectly executed diner classics including juicy burgers, back ribs and buffalo chicken with chunky sweet potato or rosemary chips. It goes without saying that guests should visit with an empty stomach!

All Angus & Ale beef is dry-aged on the bone for 28 days and cooked on charcoal for a rich and smoky flavour. If you’re feeling lavish opt for one of the two and three course bistro deals, which come with a glass of red or white wine on the side.

Although this is a carnivore’s paradise, vegetarians will be delighted by the piquant jalapeno and chickpea fritters and the deliciously gooey four cheese macaroni (to which meat eaters can add a array of toppings, including pulled pork, black pudding and brisket).

Where to eat in Aberdeen for a unique dining experience

Inspired by the Japanese concept of izakaya – pubs that serve several courses of sharing dishes accompanied by alcohol – Yatai manages to capture the flavour of Japan in the heart of Aberdeen.

Although this little independent restaurant has a range of excellent dishes on traditional menus, it also offers guests the chance to dine ‘omakase’ (which translates as ‘trust us’) style – and this is where Yatai really comes into its own.

Pre-book a table and tell the restaurant your budget, likes, dislikes, restrictions and intolerances as well as those of your guests. Then you need only arrive and Yatai will serve you with dishes from a tailor-made menu. You can also specially request dishes should you wish to do so.

Enjoy soft shell crab, sashimi, spicy gyoza dumplings and bowls of noodles in fragrant broth. Yatai also serve their delicious dishes with a full complement of Japanese drinks, including plum wine, loose leaf sencha and a rotating selection of sake.

For more information about where to eat in Scotland, please check out the following guides:

Where to eat in Edinburgh

Where to eat in Glasgow