A meal and a drink for £20 or less at our Best Local Restaurants 2025
Published 22 July 2025

Forget London! For some of the best Korean food in the UK, stay in Bristol and visit Kyu Jeon and Duncan Robertson’s modest but wholly authentic restaurant – a quirky, cramped space in Stokes Croft (known for its Banksy-esque street art, independent shops and lively nightlife). The best seats are on the ground floor; otherwise, descend to the basement dining room, where rough stone walls, chalkboard menus and the clattering of chopsticks give the place an air of friendly, authentic bustle.

The menu changes regularly, but there’s always banchan – those little plates of pickles, vegetables and other morsels that are the backbone of a Korean meal. With their range of flavours and textures, these little marvels of perfection are quite unique. Other not-to-be-missed delights range from a salad of Korean cabbage with toasted seaweed and pine nuts to a combo of spicy braised tofu with king oyster mushroom and Chinese greens, while fish might include Porthilly oysters with 'kimchi ice' or spicy monkfish with mussels and chrysanthemum leaves. But there's one dish that has captured everyone's imagination – tongdak (crisp-skinned wood-roasted chicken stuffed with sticky rice and served with tangy pickled mooli and dipping sauces).

As for dessert, variously flavoured Jersey milk soft-serve vie with a light matcha and chestnut tiramisu. Korean beer, exotic cocktails and soju (Korea's classic fermented spirit) are available alongside a brief list of around a dozen wines that will take you to places you wouldn’t expect to visit in a Korean restaurant.

Just off Saffron Walden's main square, this family-run spot nods to its warehouse origins with high ceilings, polished concrete floors and functional tables and chairs – all nicely softened with candles and linen napkins – and taps into the appetite for a keenly priced, compact menu that’s reliant on good ingredients rather than look-at-me flourishes. Staid and provincial, it isn’t. As one diner reported: ‘It feels like a bit of London coolness on our doorstep.’

Drop in for coffee and cake from 9am, or later on for a simple Italian-style lunch, an aperitivo or a full evening meal. Small plates anchor the offer – the likes of steak tartare with truffle crisps or potatoes jazzed up with the savoury funk of anchovies. Cured chalk stream trout is drizzled with a feisty chilli oil and the satisfying crunch of hazelnuts, while lentils are cooked down to scoopable consistency (with lasagne crisps) and topped with fresh peas and ricotta that balance the earthy savouriness with some springtime zip. If you're really hungry, a dish of homemade pasta sorts that out pronto: slips of fettuccine are dressed with butter and sage, bucatini alla carbonara is luxuriously rich, and the cacio e pepe is ‘heavenly.’ Desserts keep it simple, with tiramisu perhaps lining up next to a seasonal sorbet or a chocolate and almond torta caprese with boozy cherries on the side. 

There is vigorous applause for the Negroni made with red vermouth from the Chater's Vault distillery next door, and a 125ml pour of Noble Rot’s Chin Chin vinho verde is an appealing £7 entry point on the wine list. You could happily stray further, too – perhaps towards a delicious Grüner Veltliner from Austrian natural-wine stars, Martin and Anna Arndorfer. Service is every bit as warm as Chater’s is cool.

Hebden Bridge has always been a hotbed of laid-back cafés and cake shops, but a chic, boho wave has rippled through the stone-built town centre of late: one well-travelled visitor almost felt their compass needle juddering towards Hoxton. That said, the town is still Yorkshire through and through, and here is a place that suits it to a nicety – ‘unfailingly reliable, unerringly delicious, unremittingly relaxed … and brilliant value, too’.

It helps to pronounce Coin in the French manner, as it's on a corner site – a flatiron wedge of a building that was once (what else?) a bank. The decor also lends itself to that high-end vibe, with exposed brickwork, ironwork and plenty of space between the wooden tables. Young, casually dressed waiting staff are a delight, and are efficiently on top of their game.

An inspired and ever-changing sharing menu has plenty of modern brasserie energy, opening perhaps with a clutch of Lindisfarne oysters with lemon and Tabasco or a plate of yellow fine beans, Isle of Wight tomatoes, potato and capers. Wandering into the more robust precincts of the repertoire, one might stumble on gammon with new season’s leeks braised in Sheppy’s cider, while side orders of crispy Maris Peer potatoes with tomato salsa or puffed choux chips dusted in finely grated Parmesan should definitely not be passed up. There are also plates of excellent artisan charcuterie and cheeses (served with quince jelly and a Sevilla cracker). Classic desserts major on set creams and custards.

Fondue Sundays with Bloody Mary chasers sound like fun, likewise the adventurous list of low-intervention wines. In short, ‘Coin has the character, quality and consistency to keep drawing you back… whether it's just for a vermouth, a glass of wine or a long lazy meal with friends’.

There's no lack of smart dining pubs in North Norfolk, but a brilliant neighbourhood bistro? Head to Cromer for a refreshing change of format and a dose of cosmopolitan cool. Opened in 2024 by Daniel Goff (fresh from 15 years running the Dun Cow in Salthouse) and local artist Ruth Butler, their transformation of a former butcher's shop has lifted the spirit of the seaside town and amassed legions of firm fans.

A bar at the front serves as an informal drop-in, perhaps for a frosty Fino Martini and snacks of warm brioche buns, oysters and gildas – a line-up to rival any in the capital. But Ruth’s colourful paintings and a welcome full of warmth and personality will lure you into the smart, blue-hued dining room at the back.

There’s simple elegance to a menu in tempo with the seasons and littered with the best of Norfolk’s produce and beyond. Cromer crab might appear in a dainty tart with samphire, in a soufflé with shellfish bisque, or in crispy fritters with crab chutney, while larger plates take in local line-caught sea bass or a guinea fowl suprême with a knockout tarragon brioche pudding and sauce vin jaune. A mention must go to the superb-value £15 lunch specials, perhaps steak haché with peppercorn sauce and a generous side of excellent parmentier potatoes, plus a glass of wine. 

The enthusiasm inspired by Fino’s perfect pitch gets neighbouring tables talking, not least when it comes to dessert. Our lemon posset was extraordinarily good; artfully tangy with Norfolk strawberries in their sweet, fragrant prime. But so was the gently warm, gooey treacle tart with a short buttery crust. Drinks uphold the theme of approachability, with a 460ml Lyonnaise pot heading up the bottle list for exploration, while a line-up of unfiltered sherries is a nod to the restaurant’s namesake. ‘I feel incredibly lucky to have Fino open on my doorstep,’ said one of many readers who wrote in to sing its praises. We couldn’t agree more.

The sophisticated big sister to Slad’s Woolpack Inn, this all-day bistro marries a modern European menu with a decidedly old-world French vibe. Large windows flood the long, narrow white room with light, while linen-draped tables, black leather banquettes, rich mahogany sideboards and a parquet floor evoke the understated elegance of a bygone era.

The menu is arranged as a series of sharing plates of escalating size, brought in order, so that one might start with an oyster or oeuf mayonnaise from the snacks, before a more substantial dish of clams with Tropea onion and asparagus or beef tartare with pommes allumettes. Portions are generous, with the final dishes (maybe a butterflied mackerel scattered with agretti and bottarga) the size of a conventional main course.

Will Rees (formerly head chef at Wilsons in Bristol) and Oliver Gyde spin magic from sustainably sourced local ingredients, including salad leaves grown in owner Dan Chadwick’s walled garden at nearby Lypiatt Park. Lashings of grass-green olive oil, presumably not locally produced but none the less delicious for it, enriches many dishes and looks so pretty against the white plates. The standout from the short dessert menu is a decidedly grown-up apple tarte tatin, caramelised to within an inch of its life and served with crème fraîche.

Should you wish to take advantage of the impressive list of low-intervention and artisanal wines, Stroud train station is a mere stumble away. Service from the team of young, passionate staff brims with pride and enthusiasm.

With so many chains dominating the centre of Winchester, it's refreshing to discover James Harris and Nicole Yeoh’s impeccable Malaysian restaurant, just a 10-minute walk away. The couple have taken over the Green Man pub and created an inviting, welcoming space. Serene, confident and much-loved locally, it’s a draw for those dining for pleasure, or when a relatively informal meal is in order – several tables were tucking into the £13 early-evening express dinner of 'night market' fried chicken (or oyster mushrooms) with jasmine rice and a sweet-sour mango and cucumber salad when we visited.

The menu, divided into small and large plates, combines carefully sourced British ingredients with a fusion of Chinese and Malay culinary traditions from Nicole’s Nyonya heritage: chargrilled beef satay, for example, showcases medium-rare Hampshire bavette steak that’s been marinated in galangal, ginger, tamarind and sweet soy butter, accompanied by a wonderful wild garlic sambal (foraged by James). South Coast day boats provide the seafood for dishes such as hot-and-sour poached monkfish tail, or there could be a vivid pairing of Wye Valley asparagus with burnt tomato and garlic confit sambal.

A highlight of our visit was char sui pork neck (from Sussex), marinated in Cantonese BBQ sauce and grilled to perfect tenderness, with hoisin and black cherry glaze, orange chilli sauce and English pak choi. Desserts are in a similar vein, from banana spring rolls to pandan burnt Basque cheesecake served with Hampshire strawberries. The bar offers keg, cask or bottled beers and a creative selection of vibrant cocktails, while everything on the enterprising spice-friendly list of global wines comes by the glass or bottle. 

Tucked away in a small courtyard off Angel Row, this new venture from veteran Nottingham chef Dan Coles occupies the lofty hidden unit that previously housed Kushi-Ya. Inside, it’s still a sparse space with lots of original beams, bare brick and cast iron radiators, plus posies of dried flowers to soften the mood. Dishes arrive ‘well-staggered’ from the tiny open-to-view kitchen, with the emphasis firmly on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Snacks set the tone, from crusty soda bread served with Marmite butter or whipped cream cheese and chives to plump, juicy skewered sausages with a sweet marmalade glaze and mustard dipping sauce.

To follow, there’s a choice of meat, fish and vegetable dishes highlighting rather than obscuring the quality of the produce on offer. A serving of perfectly cooked, pearlescent cod came with a spot-on hollandaise sauce and crunchy samphire, while a well-rested, blushing hanger steak showed similar restraint, with some asparagus and a dill-flecked sauce gribiche as bedfellows. Dessert might bring crème brûlée or a parsnip cake with honey butterscotch and stem ginger ice cream, although we were bowled over by a richly flavoured but feather-light chocolate mousse accompanied by whipped Chantilly with spikes of sour cherry livening up the whole shebang. 

To drink, Cidentro cider from Melton Mowbray, plus beers from Nottingham’s Neon Raptor, Thornbridge and other local brews, line-up alongside cocktails and a slate of reasonably priced wines. There’s a genuine neighbourhood feel to the place and value for money is assured, especially with the option of a one-course weekday ‘worker’s lunch’ (Wed-Fri) including a glass of wine or beer. Regular themed nights and special Sunday lunch sessions involving Midlands drinks specialists add to the local fun.

They outgrew their cupboard-sized unit in Marchmont almost as soon as they opened – now you'll find Pomelo tucked half-a-mile along the road in Sciennes, replacing Jess Dennison Elliott's eponymous southside café. The new site is only marginally bigger, but the dark-walled dining room squeezes in a few more covers in a less communal format than before, plus a couple of tables out on the pavement. It's a cosy, slightly rustic space, flooded with the enticing aromas of whatever's cooking in the back.

With the relocation, chef-owner Jun Au (ex-Castle Terrace and the Grain Store) has broadened Pomelo's offer, moving beyond the biang-biang noodles that originally flagged him on the city's culinary radar. While you'll still hear a happy 'slap slap slap' as the next batch is stretched out in the kitchen, there’s much more to delight the senses. Walk-in lunches (Wed-Sat) offer a snapshot of the greatest hits from their early days: the crispy fried chicken sandwich gains a sweet, punchy heat from its gochujang coating, while those stretchy, slightly chewy belt-sized noodles are still just as delicious, served with tender, heavily spiced pork, and soused in an intense garlic and chilli sauce. Also check out Pomelo's Sunday brunch offer.

In the evening, the kitchen ramps up its ambitions. Modelled as a Chinese family dinner, it features a range of small plates bringing together Asian and Western culinary techniques, ingredients and flavours. On a recent visit, a pleasingly intense trio of vegetable banchan was followed by Au’s fish-fragrant take on a Sicilian caponata. After that, there might be roast duck with kumquats and cauliflower or a beautifully cooked fillet of coley crowned with a hugely aromatic Cantonese curry, closer to a heavily spiced vegetable ragù than a light sauce. Like much of the menu, the flavours are huge, bold and satisfying, regardless of whether the dish is an authentic homage, or something a little more out of the ordinary. To drink, pick from the short, all-natural wine list or try one of the cocktails listed on the blackboard.

One of the ‘coolest’ places to move to in 2025 (according to The Times), Newnham’s recently elevated reputation rests more than a little on the opening of this fantastic boutique bistro and bottle shop. Beautifully restored from its previous incarnation as a Post Office, the formerly derelict building remains artfully distressed – think bare plaster ceilings and rough wooden floors – yet very stylish. Owners Ben Thompson and Florence de Maré are both successful designers, and it shows. Head chef Fred Page, most recently of Marle at Heckfield Place, commands the room from behind a high-top counter surrounding his open kitchen. You can sit at that counter, or at a scattering of tables around the room – there are no bad spots here. 

Likewise, there are no bad choices on Page’s weekly changing menus, which show a deep love and respect for the abundant local produce in this overlooked corner of Gloucestershire – some of which comes from the owners’ nearby smallholding. Everything is made in-house, from the cordial in your rhubarb Bellini to the unbelievably crispy olive oil-soaked spelt rolls, and Page’s small plates tease out the very best from his chosen ingredients. Feast on a snack-sized, oozingly rich pig’s head croquette with a tart, tarragon-infused sauce ravigote, a plate of perfectly executed, lemon-scented chard and ricotta ravioli, or a hearty bowl of zarzuela with monkfish, octopus and cockles. If you can resist a hunk of local cheese with homemade chutney and bara brith, pudding could be strawberry and elderflower meringue. Excellent-value lunchtime deals are also available. 

Wines by the 175ml glass or 375ml carafe are chalked on a blackboard, or you can choose something special from the additional 'premium' list. This is, of course, a bottle shop, so there’s plenty more choice on the shelves behind you. Delightfully warm, personal service makes you feel like an old friend – or, at least, a very welcome new one. 

It's hard to spot the location and the muted signage of this small restaurant in a parade of shops on the edge of a fast-moving, heavy-duty arterial dual carriageway. Note that parking is limited, but a nearby Metro stop encourages alternative access. A few modern posters and prints, a large mirror, some pot plants and a lively buzz give Stretford Canteen a homely if rather utilitarian feel. A blackboard lists daily specials but the actual menu gives no indication of the size of the plates – price should be your guide. For one regular, it's a 'shining light in a small suburb that needs and deserves a reliable, high-quality restaurant.'

While sharing is the name of the game, the overall style is traditional French bistro. They’ve rightly kept popular dishes such as deep-fried panisse fingers with tarragon mayo, and a concern for provenance shows in ingredients such as Isle of Wight tomatoes or Curing Rebels saucisson. Otherwise, the main menu roams from charred baby gem with beurre noisette and capers or oyster mushrooms with vermouth, tarragon and potato pavé to pork shoulder with fennel choucroute and mustard or pan-fried trout with chickpeas and rouille. There's also a generous serving of ex-dairy beef sirloin au poivre, cooked medium-rare, with plenty of savoury depth and texture.

Those wanting something quick during the day can also drop by for buckwheat galettes, French toast, croques and bowls of French onion soup. A short wine list shines the spotlight on French regional producers, with occasional forays into Germany and Spain. And, finally, praise is due to the little publicised fact they have fed a local homeless man for years – happily now off the streets.