11 Best Restaurants in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England, England

This family-run (by four brothers) riverside café-restaurant, a short walk away from the castle and other attractions, feels like a secret dining spot, but it's quite popular. The location, by the weir of the River Teme, creates a soothing setting for what is very much feel-good food: the wholesome, original dishes use seasonal local produce and are infused with global flavors. Vegetarian and vegan options are excellent, and drinks pairings are suggested. There is a great wine list and local beer, as well as home-pressed kombucha from Shrewsbury (the family has a restaurant there too) and other tasty booze-free drinks. Even if you're not hungry, this is a great spot for coffee and a paddle. 

Visitors and locals alike head for the half-timber Hobsons Patisseries to indulge in the famous savory pies or scrumptious afternoon teas. Just a couple of minutes walk from Shakespeare’s Birthplace, it’s an almost obligatory lunch stop.

Sit downstairs to appreciate the hardwood floors and oak beams of this local epicurean favorite in one of the town’s oldest buildings; upstairs, the look is a bit more contemporary. The updates of tried-and-true dishes include herb-crusted rack of English lamb and pan-fried calf's liver with creamed potato and crisp shallots. Desserts are fantastic, and daily specials keep the menu seasonal. The two- and three-course fixed-price menus (not available for Monday lunches) are good deals.

You feel as if you’re stepping back in time at this Victorian pub; the posters, advertisements, flags, and curios tell you that the idiosyncratic landlord keeps it as it would have been during World War I. The candlelit restaurant forms one of the three snug rooms and, unsurprisingly, serves traditional fare such as lamb’s liver, corned beef hash, and gammon (thick-sliced ham) with pease pudding. You can stay overnight here as well.

Located on Birmingham's Centenary Square, this laid-back café-restaurant in Symphony Hall puts you right in the heart of the city's cultural action. Portions are huge, and hearty options like buttermilk fried chicken wings and sticky maple fried chicken are served with healthy-sized Brummie bacon cakes. Open for lunch and pre-concert dining, as well as snacks and drinks, it also hosts intimate gigs, often for free.

At one of the most exciting restaurants in Hereford (but not an actual bookstore), you can browse the nice selection of books while you kick back for a leisurely brunch or dinner with great updated British food and drinks in a hip atmosphere. The Sunday roasts have become a must for locals. The laid-back yard, shared with the burger joint and pizza place next door, is one of the city's coolest hangouts.

A location close to Kenilworth Castle and some good hand-pulled ales help make this pub a nice spot for lunch. You can order home-cooked food, including steaks and grills from the bar or fish-and-chips. Another option is to sample more upmarket fare with an international slant at the next-door Harrington’s on the Hill restaurant, under the same management.

Although there are lovely rooms in this 1850s Victorian redbrick building near Ludlow Castle, the main draw is the food. Two modern dining rooms, The Terrace and the Orangery, have lovely views (the former of a garden, the latter of the countryside), and both serve high-quality, seasonal dishes such as pea and asparagus risotto or rack of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes. The lounge bar is a great spot for pre- or post-dinner cocktails.

The only pub in Britain to be licensed under two names (the more informal one came courtesy of American GIs who were stationed here during World War II), this is one of Stratford’s most celebrated and consistently rated pubs, attracting actors since the 18th-century days of thespian David Garrick. Along with your pint of bitter, you can choose from the extensive pub-grub menu of fish-and-chips, steaks, burgers, and grills; there are also good-value light bites. Now part of the well-established Greene King Inns, it's not the most characterful of pubs. Still, the lovely veranda that overlooks the theaters and the river makes it worth a visit.

A location a little hidden away from the main throng makes this gastropub a popular choice for locals and in-the-know visitors. Inside, the wooden tables and floors have a worn, lived-in look that helps create a relaxed atmosphere, and the secret courtyard is a real delight. Local ales are on tap, but it’s the inventive menu with twists on favorite pub dishes that really hits the spot, with items such as the shrimp burger or the Asian-inspired coleslaw served with some dishes.

Near the main row of shops and cafés in Ironbridge, this river-facing pub with a large outdoor terrace offers relaxed dining and light lunches in its bar area and a more refined but hearty menu in the country-style dining room. Staff are friendly and helpful, ingredients are of a high quality, and the pub also has some comfortable rooms for those looking to stay the night.