Where next? It is the question for culinary lovers. Constantly on the prowl for new, unique dining options, the avid foodie always wants to know where those in the know are dining. But sometimes the answer can be pervasive, especially with the constant influx of fresh openings across the UK. Luckily for you, we have compiled the five restaurants you should be heading to next, making sure you stay ahead of the crowd.
Nessa, Soho
Nessa Cuisine
Photo: Nessa
Located in Soho, Nessa is a culinary gem that offers a fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Found on Brewer Street, this Bohemian inspired establishment boasts a welcoming atmosphere. The menu features a carefully curated selection of dishes, including Roasted Seabass, Wild Mushroom Ravioli, and Stuffed Savoy Cabbage. But what really sets Nessa apart is their exquisite cocktail menu, featuring creative concoctions that blend unexpected flavours to perfection. Whether you are looking for an intimate date spot or a lively gathering with friends, Nessa has something for everyone, making it a genuine neighbourhood bistro.
Fork, Lewes
Seasonal Squash Ravioli and Cream Cheese Stuffed Morels is one dish to expect at Fork
Photo: Fork
Bringing flair, creativity, originality and ambition to the Lewes food scene, Fork has had a stellar first 18 months. The restaurant’s interior is stylish, with sleek wooden tables and dim lighting that creates an inviting ambience. With a menu championing innovative British cuisine, which includes dishes like Herb Crusted Sussex Farmed Lamb Cutlets with Dauphinoise Purée, Baby Spring Vegetables and Lamb Jus, you can expect forward thinking cooking from acclaimed chef Richard Falk, Fork’s owner. With a commitment to sourcing locally, Fork has played its hand, and it has been an overwhelming success in the small East Sussex town.
The Forge, Chester
A sumptuous selection of desserts at The Forge
Photo: The Forge
Tucked away in the heart of the city, the restaurant boasts a stunning interior, with leather lined booths, warm lighting, and elegant furnishings. Using a “field to fork” attitude, everything is sustainable, with the likes of the venison being gathered from land managed by chef and owner Mike Robinson. With a focus on cooking over charcoal and wood, you can expect mouth-watering choices like Bathurst Estate Fallow Deer Pave Artichoke, Broccoli and Bordelaise on the menu. With a wide-ranging wine menu, alongside sumptious cocktails, you will find a restaurant whose focus on understated quality, translates into a brilliant dining experience.
Heft, Cumbria
Scorched Monkfish, Woodland Gold & Mollusc Broth is a dish you can expect at Heft
Photo: Heft Instagram
Housed in a 17th-century inn that sees wooden beams, pastel colour schemes, and comfortable furnishings combine to create a snug fine dining establishment. Heft is the brainchild of chef Kevin Tickle and having recently been awarded a Michelin Star, Heft has already made an instant impact within the culinary world. With both three course and six course menus, you can await dishes like Venison Pastrami with Cucurbit Relish and Smoked Juniper and Cod with Oyster, Salsa, Iberico Ham Fat and Charred Lettuce. We look forward to watching Heft continue revelling in its success and wait with bated breath to see it add another star to its collection.
Wilding, Oxford
A smorgasbord for the senses at Wilding
Photo: Bitten Oxford
A wine centric restaurant, Wilding has undertaken a novel approach. Paired up with a bottle shop, the eatery is chic, smart, and oozes style. White tiling, a chrome bar, deep-seated booths and bistro-styled tables welcome you. There is real range with the menu; small plates, nibbles, alongside main courses are on offer. Being sustainably conscious, the butchery and fermentations are undertaken in house ensuring their commitment to this promise. Dishes include Slow Roasted Pork Belly, Artichoke Crips, Smoked Celeriac Purée, Red cabbage and Rosemary Jus and Devon Caught Scallops, Parsnip Purée, Herb Oil, Kohlrabi, Prosciutto Crumb.