Amesbury Restaurant Guide

“This lovely neighbourhood star” – an 18th-century thatched pub-restaurant in the Vale of Pewsey, north of Stonehenge – “goes from strength to strength”: “Guy & Britt Manning don’t just turn out great food, they run a happy place that is as enjoyable for an ordinary lunch as for a special occasion” (and it accounted for numerous diners’ best meal of the year in the current poll). “We would be back more often if it wasn‘t so far away, but at least you can stay the night and enjoy their wonderful breakfasts, too”. Top Menu Tip – “their signature crab tart is as good as anything you’ll eat from The Ritz to Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons”.

“Still at the top of its game”, with “superb and imaginative dishes” – Farsi Solman’s long-running Indian is felt by some of its fans to be “the best restaurant in Salisbury”: it’s “definitely eat-in rather than takeaway!”

Reopened by Lucy Townsend a decade back – a “lovely old pub” (with ten rooms) delivering “wonderful, delicious seasonal food” that makes the most of the Kent larder, and where the “superb staff and welcome make every meal special” (it’s hotly in demand for romantic getaways). Top Tip – the “particularly good-value set lunch” (three courses £26.95 per person).

“What a find” – this well-established Gallic restaurant has been ably helmed by husband-and-wife team Garth (FOH) and Maranda Jacobs (chef) for over a decade, having been in existence for twice that long under former chef German Marquis. These days in a handier High Street location, it continues to turn out “delightful” and “delicious” cuisine by absolutely all accounts.

“An urbane London-style restaurant out in the country” – “this is a pretty village and the hotel has been refurbished in recent times”; and fans say it is an “especially delightful place to eat outside in the good weather”. “Prices are fairly commensurate with London” and not everyone feels that it stacks up value-wise – “what is reliable food with willing and helpful service” to some is – to others – “pretty average”.

“A very comfortable old pub” (thatched and from the 14th century) that’s owned by Ben Maschler (son of restaurant critic Fay and formerly in charge of operations at Soho House); and which is consistently well-praised in reports for its standards. (The FT’s Tim Hayward visited in May 2024, and also pronounced himself a fan.)