From the rolling charms of the west Cotswolds to the opulence of Bath and the rugged beauty of the moors and coastline of Devon and Cornwall, the southwest is one of the most varied and attractive regions in the UK. It also has the restaurants to match – three of the UK's 16 double Michelin-starred eateries are in the area, while many more have received the prestigious one-star accolade. Call us to book you a table at one of our experts' five recommendations below, or at any other restaurants that you're keen to try.
Gidleigh Park Hotel
Chagford, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ13 8HH
A beautiful mock-Tudor arts and crafts-inspired building from the 1920s, the Gidleigh Park Hotel nestles in manicured grounds in Dartmoor National Park and is world-renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and immaculate service. Two Michelin-starred restaurant or not, the place is worth visiting, but as the Daily Telegraph's Nigel Richardson points out, not eating there would be ‘like going to a Bruce Springsteen concert and listening to Will Young on your headphones'. Overseen by executive head chef Michael Caines MBE, the food is an exciting mix of European flavours that make the most of the excellent local seafood and livestock. On top of that, they also have one of the country's biggest and best wine cellars.
Guide price: £95
Whately Manor Hotel
Near Easton Grey, Twatley, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 0RB
Head chef Martin Bruge, after an apprenticeship at Pied à Terre and Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, earned his two Michelin stars by putting a unique modern spin on classical French cooking. Expect the very best French food mixed in with carefully selected English ingredients, often from local Cotswold farms. Mains tend to be simple, elegant and hearty (lamb and pork loin are staples), while there are extravagant amuse bouches such as braised snails and smoked eel with foie gras. Don't worry if you're tempted by both the renowned cheese board and the lip-smacking desserts (think bitter chocolate mousse served with raspberry sorbet and a hint of fennel) – the honey-stoned manor house is also a luxurious hotel, so you can crash out after eating yourself silly, then work off the calories in the gym and pool in the morning.
Guide price: three-course à la carte £68.50
The Moody Goose
The Old Priory Hotel, 17-19 Church Square, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Avon BA3 2HX
Stephen and Jennifer Shore's renowned restaurant has recently moved out of Bath to even more enticing surroundings in the Old Priory Hotel – a 12th-century building, heavy with beams and huge inglenook fireplaces, set beside a charming walled garden. The fussiness of the French-English food annoys some critics, but others (not to mention a devoted regular clientele) delight in the rich flavours in dishes such as double-baked blue cheese soufflé, field mushroom velouté with truffle oil, or roast breast of Barbary duck with braised puy lentils, oranges and tarragon.
Guide price: £30
The Priory Restaurant
Bath Priory Hotel, Weston Road, Bath, Avon BA1 2XT
Another southwest restaurant overseen by the legendary Michael Caines, The Priory relies on a winning mix of country house splendour, European dishes and top quality, locally-sourced ingredients. Indeed, some of the food you will eat here comes directly from the hotel's own attractive vegetable garden. The Daily Telegraph's Zoe Williams was so taken by the food here that she described it as ‘beautifully unctuous'.
Guide price: Three-course à la carte £65
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