Month: March 2017

Are you planning to head to Southampton but you’re not sure where the best places are to eat? From a quick pit stop to a five-course meal, the city of Southampton has plenty of delicious options for everyone to enjoy.

Where to eat in Southampton if you love cafe culture

That Lovely Little Cafe is every bit as sweet as it sounds. This charming coffee shop is the perfect place for a caffeine pit stop, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself spending a couple of hours sampling the extensive menu alongside your coffee.

Although That Lovely Little Cafe has plenty of sandwiches, cakes and quintessential coffee shop fare, it also offers brunches and even roasts on Sundays, with every dish made fresh to order.

There’s only one downside – it’s always full. Although you can take your food away (perhaps to the nearby New Forest as a picnic if you’re feeling adventurous) go early if you’d like to stop for lunch and soak up the atmosphere.

Where to eat in Southampton for a classic French bistro

Carnicero cook their impressive array of French-inspired dishes with only the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients, meaning that their fruit and vegetables are always in season and their dishes are full of rich flavours.

Seafood lovers in particular will be delighted by the array of fish dishes, freshly caught from local waters. The seafood linguine with mussels, crayfish and king prawns is one of the finest dishes on the menu – don’t miss the chance to sample it.

If you’d love a romantic night out for two or an elegant meal with friends, visit Carnicero on a Sunday night, when you can enjoy live music. Drink in the culture and enjoy your food with a glass of wine in the flickering candlelight, while a pianist serenades you.

Where to eat in Southampton for the best street food

For some of the best wood-fired pizzas in Southampton, pay a visit to It’s a Pizza Thing – you won’t be disappointed.

This street food truck sells a delicious selection of freshly-cooked pizza, including the famous Meat Feast – a pizza heaped with every conceivable kind of meat and topped with garlic sauce. It’s a Pizza Thing also sells sides of garlic bread along with a range of savoury and sweet (read: chocolate-filled!) calzone.

The truck is parked on Adelaide Road just outside the South Western Arms, with which it has an agreement. Order your pizza and head inside the pub to complete your feast with a pint of locally-brewed ale.

Where to eat in Southampton for variety

If you can’t make up your mind what to eat or you are entertaining several guests, there’s only one thing for it. Head to COSMO Authentic World Kitchen, where you’ll find dishes from around the globe cooked in front of you.

COSMO elevates the all you can eat global buffet concept to new levels, with dishes from every continent on the menu. Can’t choose between curry with naan bread, a traditional English roast or a Mediterranean cheese platter? You don’t have to!

For the truly indecisive, mini versions of all the main dishes are available so that you truly can sample everything. COSMO’s bar stocks an equally wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, so there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy.

 

Where to eat in Southampton for Vietnamese food

You know the food must be good when reviews say that the food here is the best outside Vietnam! Pho Vietnam is a a great place to choose for a more unusual meal in Southampton and some authentic pho.

This restaurant is a firm favourite with locals and has a huge following of fans and regulars. You can bring-your-own alcohol with a corkage charge, so you can celebrate a special occasion by bringing a bottle of champagne.

Choose from flavoursome and automatic dishes such as summer rolls, tender caramelised pork, Vietnamese curry, rice rolls and pancakes and Vietnamese salad. The desserts are equally as popular – the exotic Pandan cheesecake is a favourite.

If you’re new to the area or simply looking for somewhere different to eat, Derby offers a choice of cafes and restaurants which are sure to suit every diner.

From traditional treats to a truly theatrical dining experience, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the city.

Where to eat in Derby for a top-notch pub experience

Finalists in the 2018 Derby Food and Drink Awards, The Exeter Arms serves pub classics like burgers and chips, fish and chips, deep-fried chicken and steak alongside more unusual dishes such as pheasant risotto and Sri Lankan curry.

The menu boasts plenty of twists on gastropub cuisine, including the Derbyshire Tapas Board – a selection of sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, chipolatas in mustard and honey, black pudding, pickled onions and chips, garnished with piquant piccalilli.

There’s also a small but impressive selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu, including the truly show-stopping halloumi avocado burger with sweet potato fries.

This is definitely one to book beforehand – The Exeter Arms’ reputation precedes it. Expect a packed pub with a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.

 

Where to eat in Derby for high-class Indian dishes

A restaurant to make takeaway curry houses pale into insignificance, Anoki is all about delivering a fine dining Indian experience.

Housed in the opulent Old Picture Hall – the domed ceiling of which has a truly Eastern feel – the restaurant is nothing if not atmospheric. The staff are clothed in traditional Indian outfits for a truly authentic feel.

When your order arrives, it more than lives up to the setting. Fragrant curries and perfectly cooked dishes of succulent meat dressed in traditional sauces of tamarind and mint are guaranteed to delight your palate.

Despite the restaurant’s glamour, it doesn’t fail to deliver on English curry staples such as the classic chicken and lamb tikka or seekh kebab, which are served in generous portions.

Get there early or be prepared to park some distance from the restaurant – Anoki’s car park isn’t quite as accommodating as its waiters!

 

Where to eat in Derby for a truly theatrical dining experience

If you like your meal served with a flourish, head to COSMO Derby. This all you can eat world buffet is located within the former Gaumont Cinema – one of the most beautiful historic buildings in the city.

The Gaumont Cinema was first built in 1934 in the Art Deco style and COSMO have taken every care to preserve its character, even keeping the original cinema seats for their guests.

Nowadays though, it is COSMO’s team of chefs that wow audiences, with live cooking stations that showcase everything from the quintessential English roast to fresh teppanyaki dishes and delicious desserts.

With the entire COSMO experience costing as little as £7.99 for a weekday lunch, COSMO Derby is definitely the place to be.

 

Where to eat in Derby for a traditional treat

Foodies should head to the ideal opportunity to sample a local treat at the Derby Pyclet Parlour. The pyclet is a flat, free-form pancake made from crumpet batter and loaded with delicious toppings.

Traditionally made by working people who could not afford the metal rings necessary to create a thick, spongy crumpet, the humble pyclet has since been elevated to a delicacy in its own right – and you shouldn’t leave Derby without trying one.

From luxurious smoked salmon and horseradish cream to goat’s cheese, chorizo and red pepper, there are plenty of pyclet toppings to try, with gluten-free and dairy-free options also available. Those with a sweet tooth shouldn’t miss the chance to sample a pyclet topped with jam or Nutella.

 

Where to eat in Derby for a quirky meal

The Wonky Table in Derby offers a friendly and relaxed ambience with European-influenced food freshly prepared in their kitchen – with a quirky twist! Try stuffed yorkshire puds or a yorkshire pudding wrap with ‘wonky mushrooms’. They pride themselves in using as much locally supplied produce as possible.

Vegetarian options here are creative and abundant like the walnut, hazelnut, and pepper stuffed wellington with melted brie. They even put on regular vegetarian evenings.

They also do quirky themed afternoon teas – perfect for birthday parties and hen dos.

The Wonky Table also have Winston the Wonky Wagon which is available for private hire and is often seen at local events. For the summer months, the restaurant has a ‘secret garden’ complete with red telephone box and wall murals.