The 5 Best UK Food Breaks

Every region in the UK has food it’s famous for and wherever you go there are dishes that differ from those in the town next door. As such, choosing the UK’s five best food breaks isn’t easy but the following list will help you discover local food scenes and find some damn good restaurants along the way.

Devon

Devon’s food is famous. The county itself is nail-bitingly beautiful and you’ll find everything from farmer’s markets to breweries to ensure one hell of a UK food break. Cider is a Devon signature and you’d be a fool to visit any part of this wonderful county without indulging in a Devon afternoon tea, some proper fish and chips or a plate of local cheese. Speaking of which The Thatched House in Exeter is a great place to head for cheesy sharing board, while Restaurant at Orestone Manor are champions of local Devonshire produce. The rump of local lamb with a pistachio crust and wild garlic is a dream.

London

There aren’t many better cities on the planet for a satisfying food break than London. You’ll find any cuisine you can imagine but it’s the best place to head for modern British food at some damn fine gastropubs. London has put British food back on the map in recent times and makes for a UK food break that’s sure to surprise with what proud and passionate British chefs are cooking up. Some gastropubs we’d recommend include The Abbeville in Clapham, The Pear Tree in Fulham and The Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich. Every one of these perfectly combines tradition with modern British culinary flare.

York

Northeast England is often overlooked when it comes to planning UK food breaks but we can’t see why. It’s a safe bet to crown York as the food capital of the northeast because, well, it’s York. Founded by the ancient Romans and with an enormous 13th-century cathedral, this city offers wine bars, riverside dining, local ale and an award-winning selection of restaurants. For a more relaxing UK food break than London that retains a healthy shot of history, York is a sound bet. Try 31 Castlegate Restaurant for a British dining experience that’s been delighting folk on UK food breaks since 2005.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen, oh, Aberdeen. The natural larder of Aberdeen is magnificent, world-famous and a firm guarantee of many UK food breaks to remember. Aberdeen boasts meats and seafood straight from its own meadows and waters – Scottish salmon or Aberdeen Angus, anyone? – along with an eclectic mix of seasonal fruit and vegetables that all combine to make restaurants in Aberdeen something special. One restaurant making the most of Aberdeen’s natural larder and an absolute must if your food tour brings you to Scotland is The Bieldside Inn. Here there’s everything from gourmet pub classics to Aberdeen-style afternoon tea. Be warned: it’s almost too cosy.

Swansea

Aside from being a great place to see the sea, Swansea is worth considering if you’re thinking of a food break in Wales that’s off the beaten track. Fish and seafood here are fantastic meaning the restaurants serving it — like Chaplin’s Steakhouse — are as well, and if you’re looking to try cockles, be sure to try them here. Also good is to find a cosy cafe like The Gallery and nibble on a Welsh cake with your coffee before checking out a maritime museum or two. It literally doesn’t get much sweeter.

Struggling to get away?

Time to take a food break isn’t easy to come by these days, we know, but you can always check out the best restaurants near you instead!