The best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around

Often, the best restaurants are clustered in these areas to attract locals and tourists alike, and invite those just passing by to walk in. But nowadays, I find myself more drawn to the humble neighbourhood restaurant.

No longer just for the local community – diners are becoming increasingly willing to travel far and wide for a table at these establishments. Neighbourhood eateries are usually smaller and more intimate, offering lunch or supper that feels closer to eating like a local than being thrust into a thronging crowd of tourists in the middle of the city. And while this feeling is particularly evident in London, a number of neighbourhood restaurants serving incredible food can be found all across the country.

These are the best ones to visit on your next staycation.

Chakana, Birmingham

The neighbourhood: Moseley This modern Peruvian restaurant is located in the small-but-artsy suburb of Moseley in southern Birmingham.

It's owned and run by Peruvian-born chef Robert Ortiz, who brought London’s Lima its first Michelin star in 2014, and co-owner Steve Dickinson. The space is lively and welcoming, the food vibrant and the menu largely gluten-free. Here, diners will find classics like zesty ceviches and creamy causa, as well as Peru’s lesser-known culinary delights including Andean potato stew, made with spuds grown at an altitude of 3,500 metres in the Peruvian Andes; steamed cod with yuca stew and kiwicha, a superfood grain native to the country; suckling pig with a chocolate sauce and charapita chilli; and more.

Address: 140 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8HT Website: chakana-restaurant.co.uk

Palmito, Brighton and Hove

The neighbourhood: Brunswick Town

Smack bang between Brighton and Hove lies Palmito, a tiny, slightly chaotic restaurant that everyone wants to literally squeeze into. There are only 20 seats in here, so expect to be rubbing shoulders with your table neighbours.

It’s difficult to really advise anyone on what to order in Palmito as chefs and founders Kanthi Thamma, from South India, and Diego Ricaurte from Ecuador, tend to play things fast and loose, drawing culinary inspiration from whatever tickles their fancy from week to week and depending on what is available on the market. As Grace Dent put it in her 2023 review, diners “go on a journey” when they visit the restaurant, and it would seem to be a journey to all of Ricaurte’s favourite culinary destinations.

The menu may not be predictable, but many dishes are vegan, and the menu is split between vegetarian and vegan dishes, fish plates and meat-forward dishes, so there’s something for everyone. Address: 16 Western Road, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 1AE

Website: palmito.co.uk

Wilson's, Bristol

The neighbourhood: Redland Located on what is said to be perhaps the best culinary street in Bristol, Wilson’s on Chandos Road is small yet mighty.

The farm-to-table restaurant, which was awarded a Michelin star in 2025, has been feeding people and championing zero-waste kitchen practices since 2016. It was founded by Chef Jan Ostle and his partner Mary Wilson, and you may recognise Wilson’s from Apple TV+’s culinary documentary series Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars. The intimate space houses big ambitions in both food and sustainability.

The couple have their own “market garden” just 20 minutes away from the restaurant, where they grow their own produce. In the kitchen, anything we would normally consider destined for the compost bin is brought back into the menu through preserving, fermenting, and other ways to minimise waste.

Oste and Wilson approach their restaurant as an extension of their home and will happily chat with customers and passers-by about their food, which changes with the seasons. Address: 24 Chandos Road, Redland, Bristol BS6 6PF

Website: wilsonsbristol.co.uk

Pompette, Oxford

The neighbourhood: Summertown Husband and wife duo Pascal and Laura Wiedemann opened their charming French restaurant and wine bar Pompette – meaning tipsy in the language of love – in late 2018 as a way of spending more time together after the birth of their son two years prior.

But despite the romantic notion behind the restaurant’s story, Pompette doesn’t do dimmed lights, candlesticks and white tablecloths. Instead, the restaurant feels relaxed and bustling, with quirky and interesting art covering the exposed brick walls and mismatched tables giving it a casual, unbothered atmosphere, a place where everyone is free to be themselves.

The Wiedermanns focus on seasonality and cooking everything from scratch, and their menu draws inspiration not only from France but from across Europe, so expect dishes like English summer salad with fresh produce like radishes, beetroot, cucumber, peas, broad beans, and more; Turkish-style stuffed aubergines; classic steak frites; and French cheeses or English strawberries for dessert. Address: 7 S Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JL

Website: pompetterestaurant.co.uk

Queen of Cups, Glastonbury

The neighbourhood: Near St John's Square Queen of Cups is not strictly a neighbourhood restaurant, but it is located off Glastonbury’s main street of organic herb shops, crystal and sage sellers, and witchcraft supplies, so we’re counting it as one.

Set within a 17th-century coaching inn, the Queen of Cups – named after the tarot card that symbolises feminine energy and empathy – serves Middle Eastern fare inspired by executive chef and founder Ayesha Kalaji’s Jordanian roots. Kalaji uses local produce and ingredients to create dishes such as horaa osbao, a vegan Syrian lentil dish from Damascus; brik au truite, her own take on a Tunisian dish of trout wrapped in crispy, delicate brik pastry with a gloriously runny egg and olives waiting inside; and grilled Nabulsi cheese with Persian black lime honey, crunchy preserved lemon skins and wild za’atar. Go for the incense boutiques – stay for the Queen of Cups.

Address: 10-12 Northload St, Glastonbury BA6 9JJ Website: queenofcups.co.uk

Belzan, Liverpool

The neighbourhood: Wavertree

If a Liverpudlian friend says “I know a place”, they are most likely talking about Belzan (and if they’re not, then this is your time to shine). In the student enclave of Wavertree, this “friendly neighbourhood bistro” is exactly that – cosy, welcoming and the kind of place you want to spend a few hours in with good company and even better food and wine.

Founded in December 2017 by owners Chris Edwards and Owain Williams and chef Sam Grainger, Belzan is creative, ambitious and unpretentious in its menu, a balance rarely struck that works really well here. Must-orders include their signature Guinness rarebit potato, a multi-layered cheesy wonder smothered in a tangy tomato and herb dressing; deviled ox cheeks with parmesan polenta and bitter leaves, if in season; or any whole fish dish that is on the menu depending on the time of year you visit; it changes often but is always delicious.

Address: 371 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 3JJ Website: belzan.co.uk

Lucky Lychee at The Green Man, Winchester

The neighbourhood: St Michael Winchester does not immediately come to mind when thinking of culinary hotspots in England, but Lucky Lychee has certainly put it on the foodie’s map.

This Malaysian restaurant is located in The Green Man pub on Southgate Street, immediately south of Winchester’s city centre. It was named Britain’s best restaurant by The Good Food Guide in 2025 and continues to gain praise from restaurant critics and discerning diners.

Lucky Lychee was founded by Nicole Yeoh and James Harris in 2020. Together, they bring flavours from Yeoh’s hometown of Penang, Malaysia, which is famed as one of the world's best food capitals. The menu changes each month, but you can rely on their roti-focused brunch menu for flaky, buttery rotis paired with all manner of dahls and curries.

For dinner, you can’t miss the crispy, herby sesame prawn toast bao and charcoal-grilled satays (choose from chicken, beef or paneer). If you are lucky enough to nab one of just eight daily portions of char siu wonton noodles, you must have that.

If not, the Nyonya king prawn curry and honey Marmite fried chicken are no consolation prizes – they’re also winners. Address: The Green Man, 53 Southgate St, Winchester SO23 9EH

Website: luckylychee.uk

Bavette Bistro, Leeds

The neighbourhood: Horsforth

Helmed by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin, both formerly of The Culpeper in east London, Bavette Bistro is a true neighbourhood gem. The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients, so the menu tends to shift with the seasons.

But some dishes are staples on the menu, such as the must-order Cantabrian anchovies and saffron aioli on panisse, the twice-baked crab soufflé with bisque sauce and fennel salad, and the namesake bavette, which comes with classic fries and a salad. Reservations are hard to come by – but so worth it once you get your foot in the door.

Address: 4-6 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4RJ Website: bavettebistro.com

Nora's, Plymouth

The neighbourhood: North Hill

Meat is firmly on the menu at Nora’s, a modern British bistro in the neighbourhood of North Hill, just outside Plymouth city centre. Led by chef Lewis Craig, the laid-back spot is heavily focused on big hunks of steak and cooking over charcoal, but they also have plenty of other protein options including chicken, pork and fish. But really, you’re heading here to fulfil a craving for steak, which you’ll be pleased to know are responsibly sourced from a variety of local butchers.

They also source their fish from a local fishmonger, who supplies Nora’s with plenty of fresh catches of the day, oysters and scallops. It’s the place to be for a relaxed dinner with plenty of friends, with a notable wine list of natural and low-intervention wines that are easy to drink and not eye-wateringly expensive – so the good times can flow.

Address: 40 Drake Circus, North Hill, Plymouth PL4 8AB Website: norasplymouth.co.uk

Melton's, York

The neighbourhood: South Bank South Bank and Scarcroft Road, where Melton’s is located in York, have previously been described as a “Goldilocks neighbourhood” where everything is just right.

For the past three decades, Melton’s has fit right in, winning over locals and visitors alike with exceptional food and a warm ambience. Run by husband-and-wife team Michael and Lucy Hjort, this fine dining restaurant manages to create a relaxed, friendly and inviting atmosphere – no intimidating white tablecloths, stuffy waiters or scary wine lists here.

It’s a real community gem, where locals are greeted by name and first-time visitors feel instantly at home. The three-course menu is limited, with just three options per course (one meat, one fish, one vegetarian) to choose from, but this is a sign of a restaurant that is really confident in what it does, and you won’t walk away disappointed. Address: 7 Scarcroft Road, York YO23 1ND

Website: meltonsrestaurant.co.uk

Beckford Canteen, Bath

The neighbourhood: Walcot Set against the backdrop of the prettiest neighbourhood in the already impossibly pretty Bath, Beckford Canteen is a breath of fresh air.

From the shades of verdant green that characterise the restaurant’s interiors to the window countertops that invite you to watch the world go by or the relaxed, holiday feel of the outdoor seating area, Beckford Canteen is a breath of fresh air. Offering a polished modern British menu that draws from European and Mediterranean influences, it’s easy to see why Beckford Canteen is That Girl when it comes to dining out in Bath.

Seasonal ingredients, local produce and creative cooking result in simple yet stunning dishes like meaty and moreish hogget shoulder with imam biyaldi (Turkish stuffed aubergines) and labneh; refreshing tomato and red pepper gazpacho; hyper-local fish from day boats that could be anything from seabass to lemon sole, accompanied by violet artichoke and salsa rossa. Address: 11-12 Bartlett Street, Bath BA1 2QZ

Website: beckfordcanteen.com

Argile, Edinburgh

The neighbourhood: Marchmont

The vibe: There’s something so thrilling about sitting right up in front of a kitchen, watching the chef prepare your dinner right in front of you – it’s why open kitchens and omakase restaurants are thriving right now. But the idea of having one such restaurant in your neighbourhood may seem outlandish, unless you’re in Edinburgh and you get a reservation at chef Jack Montgomery’s small 10-seater chef’s table restaurant in the Marchmont suburb.

Montgomery serves up seven perfectly formed courses, cooking and plating them all within arm’s reach of the diner and speaking in detail about each dish so customers learn where the ingredients come from and the story behind how the dish came to be. It’s a special, intimate place that is well worth the 20-ish-minute walk or very short cab journey from Edinburgh Old Town. Address: 21 Argyle Place, Edinburgh EH9 1JJ

Website: argilerestaurant.co.uk

Big Counter, Glasgow

The neighbourhood: Southside In 2024, Condé Nast Traveller named Southside Glasgow’s coolest foodie neighbourhood, and this reputation is thanks, in part, to Big Counter.

Big Counter has big personality, big plates and big flavours – a 2026 review by restaurant critic Chitra Ramaswamy in The Times raved about how they serve already-buttered bread, without a hint of stinginess, and wrote luxuriously of the steak tartare, battered monkfish cheeks and asparagus with clams and ham she had at the time. The pan-European menu is ever evolving though, so you never quite know what you’re going to get. Favourites include fish bathed in rich chistorra butter sauce; steak with decadent blue cheese, fried potatoes and sun chokes; fresh cherry pie, likely a summer special.

Unusually for such a hyped restaurant, Big Counter doesn’t have a website and barely has a social media presence, so you can only book a table via ResDiary and you better be quick about it. Address: 76 Victoria Road, Govanhill, Glasgow G42 7AA

Website: instagram.com/bigcounter

Ember, Cardiff

The neighbourhood: Pontcanna

There’s an element of “expect the unexpected” when it comes to Ember, which is located in the trendy suburb of Pontcanna in Cardiff. At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking it must be a Scandinavian restaurant, with all its light wood furnishings, white tabletops and open shelving.

But it is run by a Welsh chef, Dave Killick, who is known for bringing a refined touch to otherwise rustic Welsh fare – there’s also a notable Italian influence in his cooking at Ember. But never mind the slight confusion, this Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant is a real neighbourhood gem and serves up some truly impressive dishes.

From the Pembrokeshire lobster, accompanied by fennel, bisque and a giant chip – a nod to Wales’s apparent reputation for impressively long chips; to the braised rabbit and smoked bacon lasagne with peas and asparagus; or the linguine with Pembrokeshire cockles, mussels and anchovies, Ember is absolutely top-notch. Address: 5 Romilly Crescent, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9NP

Website: embercardiff.co.uk

Harry's Restaurant, Exeter

The neighbourhood: Longbrook Street

Barely outside of the city centre, but far away enough to get away from the madding crowds of Exeter is Harry’s Restaurant on Longbrook Street. Housed in a striking Victorian Gothic building that was once the workshop of renowned Victorian sculptor Harry Hems – hence the name – this family-run establishment is a part of the fabric of local life. Chef-owner Samantha Pounds leads the kitchen alongside her daughters to ensure a warm and lively atmosphere, and the menu is unpretentious, with seasonal ingredients sourced from Devon’s farms and producers.

Harry’s offers quite an extensive menu, including a rather large steak section; don’t miss out on the Bloody Mary soup or Brixham crab on toast, nor the classic burger full to the brim with bacon, cheddar and a signature burger sauce – finish your meal with any of their delightful sweet treats for pudding. Address: 86 Longbrook Street, Exeter EX4 6AP Website: harrysrestaurants.co.uk