Travel 2 minutes 15 November 2019

These 10 Restaurants in the U.K. Have Exceptional Views

From landmark-dotted skylines to gorgeous natural-beauty vistas, here's where to dine with a view.

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, England

Designation: One MICHELIN Star

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 a seven-course tasting, a glass of Champagne, and bring home a signed menu and truffles for £110 per person.

Restaurant Coworth Park, Ascot.
Restaurant Coworth Park, Ascot.

City Social

London

Designation: One MICHELIN Star

Renowned chef Jason Atherton brings his signature European cooking to the 24th floor of the Tower 42 building in London. 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.

Jason Atherton's City Social in London.
Jason Atherton's City Social in London.

Fenchurch

London

Designation: MICHELIN Plate

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 a five-course lunch tasting menu with a glass of bubbles and handmade chocolates for just £55 per person.

Fenchurch in London.
Fenchurch in London.

Cottage in the Wood

Braithwaite, England  

Designation: One MICHELIN Star

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.

Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite.
Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite.

Lympstone Manor

Lympstone, England  

Designation: One MICHELIN Star

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 that adapts to the season’s freshest local produce—an approach exemplified by the Taste of the Estuary tasting menu.

Lympstone Manor.
Lympstone Manor.

OXO Tower Brasserie

London  

Designation: MICHELIN Plate

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.

OXO Tower Brasserie on London's South Bank.
OXO Tower Brasserie on London's South Bank.

20 Stories

Manchester

Designation: MICHELIN Plate

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.

20 Stories in Manchester.
20 Stories in Manchester.

The Pompadour

Edinburgh

Designation: MICHELIN Plate

Modeled 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.

The Pompadour in Edinburgh.
The Pompadour in Edinburgh.

Galvin at Windows

London

Designation: MICHELIN Plate

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 unrivaled views over Hyde Park, while head chef Joo Won’s cooking brings Korean influences to classic French flavors.

Book a five-course tasting menu with a Bellini and a kitchen tour for £60 per person.

Galvin at Windows in London's Mayfair.
Galvin at Windows in London's Mayfair.

Le Pont de la Tour

London 

Designation: MICHELIN Plate

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 flavor combinations and a complementing list of world wines.

Le Pont de la Tour in Bermondsey, London.
Le Pont de la Tour in Bermondsey, London.

View the full list of distinctions for the MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2020 here. 

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