Great Britain 2012 Guidebook
Best and worst restaurants:
Best: Eight Bells Pub
Why: Not a pub like you might think. Rick's description is right on - modern dining in a 14th century building. We really enjoyed the variety of food, special starters, and of course a wide variety of ales from the cask. The dogs laying there in the bar area added to the ambience. Just wonderful.
Don Waddell in Walnut Creek, CA USA 10/28/2011
Best: Victoria's Restaurant - Pitlochry
Why: We went back to this restaurant 3 times. Excellent food and friendly service
Peter in Vancouver, Canada 10/06/2011
Best: Reverie Pub - Edinburgh
Why: Terrific tomato-tarragon soup! All we wanted was a light supper, & we ended up eating here 3 nights in a row because of this soup. Great pub atmosphere, lively crowd. We didn't stay for the music but it sounded like it would be fun.
John Reed in Alexandria, LA USA 10/02/2011
Best: Cafe No. 8 in York
Why: delicious food; delightful atmosphere and staff
Kim Anderson in North Vancouver, BC Canada 07/11/2011
Best: Bella Italia
Why: Although a chain, the food is excellent. They are all around London and the U.K. They have a daily special until 5 p.m. for around 7 GBP. This summer -until August 14- they are offering a discount coupon worth 40% off on the next visit.
Kyle Dameron in Tulsa, Ok USA 07/03/2011
Best: The fish shack by the ferries in Oban
Why: Fresh, generous, friendly, cheap
Mark Gibson in Fairfax, VA USA 05/25/2011
Best: all good
Why: usually we made our own choices based on recommendations of host or others
carol thibault in vancouver, bc canada 04/29/2011
Best: ASK
Why: The building is an old, historic building, which added interest. The food was good quality, however portions were a bit small.
Diane & Rick Steiner in CLifton Park, NY USA 04/26/2011
Best: The Wild Elephant, Edinburg
Why: Lovely atmosphere and great food.
Maggie Anderson in Kent, OH USA 11/27/2010
Best: Cafe No. 8, York
Why: Delicious, interesting entrees featuring organic/local foods. The Old City has great restaurants as a whole.
Ann in Minneapolis, MN USA 11/18/2010
Best: Wedgwood in Edinburgh
Why: It was exactly as Rick described it: romantic, chic, contemporary and gourmet...modern Scottish with an international twist. We expected a fabulous meal and were not disappointed.
Nancy Kline in Mission Viejo, CA USA 11/10/2010
Best: Martini's Bath,England
Why: The staff was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The food was delicious.
Steve Read in Madison, WI USA 11/07/2010
Best: Ebury Wine Bar London
Why: Good food, nice atmosphere, pleasant staff.
Jo Anne Vaughn in Colorado Springs, CO USA 09/16/2010
Best: Heller's Kitchen in Edinburgh
Why: The food - everything we ordered was fantastic!!! Fresh, excellent presentation, great prices and wonderful service. The staff were very friendly. It was a super.
Worst: The Old Bell Inn - Edinburgh
Why: I love the smell and atmosphere of "real" pubs, but this was over the top.The downstairs was grungy and the staff were a bit surly.
Deb Peate in Williston, VT USA 07/17/2010
Best: Number 27, Inverness
Why: Great service, nice variety on the menu, excellent food. Also, the Castle Tavern nearby was a fun place to watch World Cup, eat delicious food and meet locals.
Worst: The Elephant House, Edinburgh
Why: Overcrowded, mediocre food and terrible service.
Kristen in Raleigh, NC USA 07/08/2010
Best: Tower Restauarant,Nat Mus of Scotland
Why: Great food and views of city
Worst: Royal oak Pub, York
Why: Nothing special here;would seek out other pubs
AJ FORSTER in MIAMI, FL USA 06/27/2010
Worst: Ee'usk in Oban
Why: With a reservation we (a party of two) waited an hour at dinner time from ordering to the serving of the entree.But the food was certainly good and your description was accurate.
Gene Boutilier in Claremont, Ca USA 06/26/2010
Best: Old Bell Pub-Edinburgh
Why: Had nachos & guac. The best meal in 2 weeks in Ireland & Scotland. Even better than the New Bell upstairs & at half or less the cost.
Scot Dailey in Arlington, Tx USA 06/26/2010
Best: "Mother India" in Edinburgh
Why: Great food at a great price. Very friendly staff and nice decor. Loved all the different curries and lots of vegetarian options. We liked it so much we went back twice during our 4 days in Edinburgh
Jo in Frankfurt am Main, Germany 06/05/2010
Best: dog and gun - Keswick
Why: too little time and energy for fancy dinners most nights. enjoyed soaking up some authentic pub atmosphere (and a few pints) here. Met some nice people.
Worst: Harrods
Why: waited 15 minutes for server to show up - for the chance to buy an 18 L sandwich (instead, put together an great picnic from the food court shops - even better!).
Richard Kussin in Cincinnati, OH USA 05/03/2010
Best: Bistro Conway
Why: very traditional welsh food (try the lamb shoulder), huge portions, reasonable prices
Pamela King in Vacaville, Ca USA 03/06/2010
Best: The Pump Room
Why: Had Afternoon Tea there, which was delicious. Neat to be in same place Jane Austen wrote about. Beautiful room; string quartet playing; bath waters fun to try. Not too long of a wait, and the price was good.
Nancy in Columbus, OH USA 09/13/2009
Best: Wagamama
Why: Great interior--clean, modern. Food was amazing--lots of different flavors. Good prices. Wish someone would franchise this and Yo! Sushi in U.S.
Worst: Tilley's Bistro
Why: Not the friendliest waiters and disappointing food. Not worth the price.
Nancy in Columbus, OH USA 09/13/2009
Best: Lumley Castle and Anstruther Fish Bar
Why: Lumley was gourmet and a treat and the fish and chips was the best we ever had at Anstruther. We loved all of the Pubs that we went to...definitely the best way to meet and visit with the locals, plus the food was wonderful at just about all of them
Jan and Greg Wieboldt in Ormond Beach, FL USA 09/12/2009
Best: The Outsider, Edinburgh; The Garrick Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon
Why: The Outsider: nice preparation of local specialties, energetic and helpful staff, value. The Garrick Inn: straight-up pub grub, but our best family experience among several pubs.
Mark H. in Seattle, WA USA 09/04/2009
Best: The Witchery
Why: Lovely atmosphere. We went for lunch and sat there for 3 hours with no one making us feel uncomfortable or shooing us out. The food was excellent and the wine list impressive. Loved it.
Ellen Cole in Shaker Heights, OH USA 06/05/2009