The best restaurants in Cheshire

Named after the Roman god of Wine, Bacchus in Prestbury is about as traditional a bistro as you can get. The seasonal a la carte menu includes dishes like pigeon, loin of venison and shellfish linguine – classic dishes delivered with expertise and top-tier service. Their Sunday dinner, at £33.50 per head, is unfussy and generous with the gravy. Unsurprisingly, the wine list is extensive, and it’s not so much a case of ‘do you want champagne’ as ‘which one do you want?’. They aren’t reinventing the fine-dining wheel, but that’s the point, and what they do is very good indeed.

Mobberley isn’t short of a pretty pub or two, but The Bulls Head is one such example. Alongside open fires, exposed brickwork, and an impossibly comprehensive whiskey offering, it’s also a really excellent place to go to dine. Think nostalgic British classics executed with just the right amount of culinary flair. Homely pies, quality steaks, pretty fish dishes and cheese boards accompanied with port. It’s the perfect place to pass a cosy Sunday afternoon – and speaking of which – their roast’s are top-tier too.

This arresting 18th-century country inn located opposite the 12th-century St. Wilfrid’s Church in the leafy village of Mobberley is well worth the trip out of town. And while the menu is really special – full of elevated pub favourites like monkfish scampi and a seabass caesar salad – this place is as popular as it is for its impossibly charming atmosphere. Part country cottage, part ecclesiastical treasure trove full of old world furniture, exposed brick and open fires, it’s about as picturesque as a pub gets. After you’ve enjoyed your meal, take a wander around the village after to walk it all off – not forgetting a little visit to the nearby Mobberley Brewhouse.

Much loved by the people of Chester, and much visited by Mancunians for good reason, Covino is a seriously special spot. It’s right on the high street, with a smart orange shop front, gold leaf signage and a sleek marble interior, which makes it feel more like you’re on a European city break than in a historic corner of England. On the menu are loads of low-intervention wines, as well as seasonal small plates and a few specially selected cheeses too. ‘Picky bits’ have never been so fancy, or so desirable – make sure you book in advance.

Exactly what you want from a country pub, The Fishpool Inn is within touching distance of Delamere Forest and is as good when you want to be sat in a sunny beer garden as a cosy, open fire moment. The 18th Century building is striking in itself, and inside you’ll find exposed brick, majestic booths and an assortment of vintage curios. The menu is all about hearty classics, crispy pizzas and – if the weather’s right – summery spritzes. One to bookmark for multi-generational get togethers.

Some restaurants talk about local sourcing. At Groobarbs, it’s as simple as walking a few metres from the kitchen door. Set on a working farm in Cheshire, this is true field-to-fork dining. Run by husband-and-wife duo David and Rebecca, Groobarbs is equal parts restaurant, growing project, and quiet celebration of the seasons. Don’t worry though – you don’t have to roll your sleeves up to enjoy the produce. Their Field Kitchen restaurant, in an impressive barn structure serves thoughtful, seasonal dishes and drinks by hyper-local makers. 

In the sleepy village of Lymm – known for its great old-school deli, canalside pubs and exceptional charity shops – is also home to a culinary gem. La Boheme is a classy dining room in the French bistro mode. Pop in for lunch and dinner and enjoy entrees like chicken liver parfait and lamb kidneys, meat-centric menus like duck, rabbit and steak and an elaborate, incredibly French, dessert menu. As you’d imagine, the champagne list is abundant too.

A little flavour of Paris in Marton (just down outside Congleton), La Popote has had a nod from the Michelin Guide. The striking barn building is filled with casually stylish decor – mid-century furniture, loads of plants, that sort of thing. The menu is filled with pretty plates of fuss-free fine dining: lobster, crab and locally sourced beef make star appearances. If it’s al fresco dining weather, we couldn’t think of a prettier spot than their garden, filled with pretty pergolas, festoon lights and heaters. 

The latest restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Aidan Byrne (whose CV includes loads of beloved bistros and foodie pubs, as well as Michelin contender Manchester House) is in a historic Tudor-looking building in leafy Knutsford. Named after the River Lily which runs through the village, and is said to be the smallest in Europe, the restaurant takes every possible inspiration from the local landscape. You can opt for the lunch or dinner tasting menu, and each dish comes meticulously presented with flora, fauna and gastronomical flair.

Small plates and low-intervention wine has come to Knutsford. Linden Stores is one to seek out if your favourites include Erst, Flawd and Higher Ground. It’s a little more cosy than its big city counterparts – the historic feel of the village is in part responsible for that – but the menu is sleek and forward-thinking. Dishes include ricotta gnocchi and torched mackerel. We’d recommend a side of the croquettes and a wedge of the focaccia too. Turns out Cheshire does Ancoats very well indeed.

Located in a former butcher shop in Frodsham is Next Door, a Michelin-recommended spot that’s the product of ‘a marriage between a chef and a sommelier’. In practice, that means there’s small but perfectly formed menu of classic British dishes, and a well-rounded wine list to boot. The place is all rustic wood and classy grey tones. For a fancy lunch that’ll impress your mum as much as your foodie mates, this is one to seek out.

Now a big deal over here in various Manchester suburbs, Porta started life right by Chester’s historic Roman walls. Subtly lit, clad in dark wood, and with the ideal ambience for lazily exploring their thoughtful menus, it’s a real all-rounder of a spot. People will tell you to try the tenderstem broccoli with romesco, which you definitely should, but don’t skip the the zamorano cheese with quince either or whatever the croquettes of the day are – they’re always excellent. With great, regularly changing specials, Porta is reliably excellent, and the service is exceptional.

San Carlo is known for their elegant, modern Italian eateries in the city centre and the suburbs, but their Alderley Edge spot is the jewel in the crown. If you’re after elegant, refined, but still-homely Italian cooking that’ll impress your foodie mates and much as your in-laws, you’re in luck. ‘Il giardino’ is a lush, secluded garden where you can enjoy spritzes and long lunches right in the heart of the picturesque village. Inside the restaurant, the flora and fauna theme continues, with an overhead canopy of greenery and a retractable roof. In colder weather, they transform the outdoor space, making it a cosy winter garden.

The Stolen Lamb is a homely spot in Wilmslow serving up family recipes that have been passed down through the generations. When you step inside, you feel like you’re in the Mediterranean, with tiled walls and a huge olive tree surrounded by dining tables. The unusal name The Stolen Lamb comes from their signature dish. Thieves who would steal lambs had to cook the meat in secret ovens that were often buried underground. They couldn’t use high heat for fear of people seeing the smoke and catching them, so they had to cook secretly overnight. This is exactly what they do, cooking the lamb for 12 hours, after marinating it for 24 hours.

Part of the extended universe of chef Gary Usher, The White Horse is located in Churton, near Chester. If you find yourself in that neck of the woods – or even if you don’t, it’s worth the trip – get yourself to The White Horse for small plates, generous pub mains, excellent steaks and Sunday dinners, not to mention stunning value set menus. If you’re lucky, you might happen upon one of their guest chef nights, where the likes of Michel Roux Jr and Angela Harnett have dropped by (though you need to book well in advance to secure your spot). Plus there’s a scotch egg you’ll be thinking about for weeks. And weeks.