We’re here primarily for the food, but an easy-on-the-eye accompaniment - in the form of a stunning view - can be the je ne sais quoi that truly elevates a dining experience. From landmark-dotted skylines to gorgeous natural-beauty vistas, towering top-floor vantage points to lush rolling parkland, explore these MICHELIN guide restaurants offering impressive views.
Restaurant Coworth Park, Ascot
A beautiful country house set amid 240 acres, Coworth Park is home to an intimate restaurant, where Chef Adam Smith presents modern interpretations of classic British dishes. Local sourcing remains a key focus here, with ingredients selected from as close by as the estate’s own grounds. From beneath the dining room’s dramatic oak leaf chandelier, take in views of the terrace and manicured gardens via floor-to-ceiling windows.
Book 7-course tasting, a glass of champagne, signed menu & truffles to take home £110 per person
City Social, Liverpool Street
Renowned chef Jason Atherton brings his signature European cooking to the 24th floor of the Tower 42 building. From the slick, understated dining room at City Social, look out across London’s bustling financial district and beyond, with some of the Square Mile’s most famous silhouettes visible from the tables. The diverse menu is weaved with international accents, and steaks are served from the Josper grill.
Fenchurch, City of London
Found at the top of London’s ‘Walkie Talkie’ building, Fenchurch boasts a postcard-worthy view onto the capital, as well as overlooking the foliage-filled Sky Garden. Served against a panoramic backdrop of iconic landmarks, the largely British menu is crafted using modern cooking techniques, served in a sleek and minimalist space.
Book 5-course lunch tasting menu with a glass of bubbles & handmade chocolates £55 per person
Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite
A 17th-Century building nestled amid England’s only mountain forest, Cottage in the Wood presents elegant British cuisine in a stunning Lake District setting. The curved, window-lined dining room allows for a range of vantage points: look out through Whinlatter Forest and catch glimpses of Skiddaw’s peak. Beautifully presented dishes feature carefully sourced local ingredients, celebrating the rich larder of the surrounding Cumbrian countryside.
Lympstone Manor, Lympstone
From Chef-owner Michael Caines, the flawless dining room at Lympstone Manor overlooks the Exe Estuary and the Jurassic Coast. Set amid 28 acres of grounds and boasting its own vineyard, the restaurant serves a regularly changing menu which adapts to the season’s freshest local produce – an approach exemplified by the Taste of the Estuary tasting menu.
OXO Tower Brasserie, South Bank
Set within the South Bank’s iconic OXO Tower, OXO Tower Brasserie’s Thames-side location needs little introduction. With an open kitchen on one side, and the expansive terrace on the other, the dining room provides an impressive backdrop for the kitchen’s blend of simple Mediterranean cooking and Josper-grilled meat dishes.
20 Stories, Manchester
Set on the 19th floor of the No. 1 Spinningfields building, 20 Stories is an ultra-modern cocktail bar and restaurant with panoramic views of the city. Staying true to its Manchester heritage, most ingredients are sourced from within 50 miles of the restaurant, and make up a homely yet inventive menu. Dine in the glitzy glass-enveloped space, or at parasol-covered outdoor tables.
The Pompadour, Edinburgh
Modelled on a French salon, The Pompadour demonstrates classic modern British cooking, with dishes crafted using carefully sourced Scottish produce. Served in a pristine Renaissance-inspired dining room overlooking Edinburgh Castle, the menu is fittingly sophisticated: expect delicately crafted seasonal dishes from an experienced kitchen.
Galvin at Windows, Mayfair
Boasting uninterrupted views of London via every-angle windows, fittingly named Galvin at Windows is found on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane. In the serene dining room, floor-to-ceiling panes frame unrivalled views over Hyde Park, while Head Chef Joo Won’s cooking brings Korean influences to classic French flavours.
Book 5-course tasting menu with a Bellini & a kitchen tour £60 per person
Le Pont de la Tour, Bermondsey
Overlooking the capital’s world-famous Tower Bridge, Le Pont de la Tour evokes a relaxed feel with its Thames-side al fresco terrace. Watch boats drift past and listen to the gentle lapping of the water while enjoying a French-influenced menu led by rich, seasonal flavour combinations, and a complementing list of world wines.
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