We focus on food a lot here at Heart Home Magazine, but recently we have decided to dig into some of the more luxurious options for dining out in the United Kingdom. We have scoured the nation to find out where the best high-end places are to eat. Of course, these places won’t be cheap as most places we feature will have at least one coveted Michelin Star, but we will also be considering value for money when it comes to making these selections. So let’s take a look at some of the fanciest places for food in Britain.
The Goring Dining Room – 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW, United Kingdom
We are going to start in the nation’s capital at the Goring Dining Room in London. This is a very traditional establishment known for its British cuisine and currently boasts 1 Michelin star.
The Michelin-starred Dining Room at The Goring has just had a wonderful refurbishment as well, showcasing newly designed interiors by Russell Sage Studio. The refreshed space complements the seasonal menus and enhanced dining experience. Also for the first time in the hotel’s history, a state-of-the-art kitchen has been installed. This upgrade offers Executive Chef Graham Squire and his team a modern environment to create the restaurant’s signature British dishes, focusing on seasonal ingredients.
The wine list at The Goring features over five hundred labels from some of the most well-respected wineries in Burgundy and Bordeaux, as well as some lesser-known eclectic vineyards. Of course, the in-house sommelier is available to assist guests in selecting the perfect wine to compliment their dish.
The Afternoon tea here could be argued as the main showstopper though even when pitted against the wonderful offerings of the main restaurant. The Goring has been refining the tradition of Afternoon Tea for over a century. Recognised with The British Tea Guild Council’s Top London Afternoon Tea Award and The Award of Excellence, the experience continues to charm guests with its selection of pastries, homemade jams, and premium tea blends. The menu is regularly updated to feature the freshest, locally sourced fruits according to the season.
This delightful Afternoon Tea is served daily in The Veranda, offering a view of the garden. Guests can enhance their tea with a glass of Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne or Bollinger Rosé Champagne, accompanied by a seasonal amuse-bouche. A gluten-free option is also available upon request.
One thing worth mentioning though is the dress code. The Dining Room maintains a smart-casual dress code, requesting that guests avoid sportswear, athletic trainers, shorts, or ripped jeans. While ties are not required, gentlemen are encouraged to wear a jacket over a shirt, which can be removed at the table. I personally like this extra touch as it makes the environment feel a little more upscale and gives the place a little more prestige. Call it snobbish if you like but I am all for it.
Albatros Death Cult – Newhall Square, Birmingham B3 1RU, United Kingdom
Now we are off the the United Kingdom’s second city with possibly the most uniquely named (and strangest) places on our list. When structuring a restaurant around a kitchen counter, it’s crucial to create an engaging and relaxing experience for guests. This approach is well executed by the team at Albatross. What’s on offer here is an intimate dining experience where fourteen guests are seated around a monolithic kitchen counter, allowing them to watch the chefs in action. a restaurant whose name draws inspiration from Coleridge’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’. The staff, from chefs to the sommelier, bring lively enthusiasm, engaging confidently with diners throughout the meal.
The food at Albatross is heavily influenced by Japanese cuisine, with the tasting menu featuring mostly pared-back preparations that highlight high-quality seafood. The menu includes a variety of raw and cured dishes, showcasing the simplicity and of course most importantly freshness of the ingredients.
Albatross Death Cult is an experimental restaurant but it comes to form a well-known team of chefs as it’s the brainchild of the team behind The Wilderness (a place fancy foodies will know all too well). It offers an intimate dining experience where fourteen guests are seated around a monolithic kitchen counter, allowing them to watch the chefs in action. The tasting menu, currently priced at £88 per person, delivers a dynamic sequence of twelve or more creative servings, primarily focusing on seafood and coastal ingredients to create bold, ocean-inspired flavours. Please note that from October 2024, the tasting menu will be priced at £99 per person.
WOOD Manchester by Simon Wood – Jack Rosenthal St, Manchester M15 4RA, United Kingdom
Now we are heading up north to WOOD based in Manchester. This spot was established in 2017 and has become a well-known place in the city for foodies who like the finer things in life. As usual with most top eateries the restaurant focuses on using top-quality, seasonal ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers across the country.
The menu includes a regularly updated à la carte selection, featuring dishes that highlight seasonal flavours. There are also ample options for those following gluten- or dairy-free diets which is always a nice touch. For those who prefer a set menu, the Chef’s Selections Menu offers a curated choice of seasonal dishes. The restaurant’s Josper Charcoal Grill plays a key role in the cooking process, with a range of fire and flame dishes available.
Dishes are prepared with responsibly sourced ingredients and served as they are ready, creating a straightforward and enjoyable dining experience. The kitchen is always busy, with dishes being cooked, plated, and brought to the table. WOOD Manchester also has a private dining room for special occasions and events for those who like a more personalised and quieter experience.
The Kitchin – 78, Commercial Quay, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LX, United Kingdom
Off to Scotland now to visit a restaurant I would say was worth travelling to even if you lived in Landsend.
The Kitchen is One of Edinbrghs most well-renowned establishments for fine dining and with good reason. The restaurant’s philosophy centres on a deep passion for the finest, freshest Scottish seasonal produce. Chef Tom Kitchin, who became Scotland’s youngest Michelin-starred Chef-Proprietor at 29, brings his extensive experience and Scottish heritage to the forefront of cooking. His culinary approach blends modern British cuisine with French techniques, with the best quality ingredients sourced from Scotland’.
The interior is stunning as well, to say the least. The Kitchin is located in a converted whisky bonded warehouse in Edinburgh’s old dock area of Leith. The restaurant’s design retains the original stone and wood features, creating an intimate and cosy atmosphere. Guests can watch the chefs at work through a glass window in the main dining room, adding a touch of theatre to the dining experience.
The restaurant is known for its welcoming and professional service, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable experience for diners. All meat and fish are sourced whole and prepared in-house daily, reflecting the commitment to freshness and quality. This really is one of Edinburgh’s greatest treasures and although it may be on the pricier side it’s well worth a visit even if it’s just the once.