There is a particular kind of restaurant snobbery reserved for buildings. We are trained, whether we admit it or not, to expect that good food arrives behind good glass—that the promise of the meal should be legible in the frontage before a single poppadom has been ordered.

Step into the stunningly refurbished independent Thai restaurant Sukhothai, and you’ll be blown away by the ambience, the food and the service.

In 1917 The Ivy first opened its doors on West Street in London’s West End, and since then it's become synonymous with exceptional service and food. I remember when I worked in London meeting with colleagues for a quick bite to eat before going on to review a West End show.

German beer thoroughly deserves its high reputation for reliability and consistency and for being clean, balanced and refreshing. German brewers have long worked from the assumption that beer’s purpose is not simply to quench thirst but to accompany conversation, improve an evening and, in a modest way, enhance quality of life.

Corrie legend Sally Ann Matthews, now touring with the official Steps musical Here and Now, admits her philosophy and ideas about food have kept changing.

Wine retail has long carried a certain stiffness, part theatre, part intimidation; it can leave you navigating more jargon than joy. A relatively new entrant to the market, Winedrops trims much of that away. Its model leans on a tight edit rather than endless choice, with rotating offers that are, at times, strikingly good.

Quite often visitors to a city will make a beeline for somewhere to eat within its historic boundaries — in York's case, the famous walls. Yet a short walk beyond the centre can lead to some genuinely delightful discoveries, places that take quiet pride in both their hospitality and their food.

Ten Yorkshire vineyards across the region have come together to create the Yorkshire Wine Trail to support wine tourism and wine experiences in our region as Yorkshire’s wine industry continues to grow. The trail will launch on 31st March 2026.

If you love Italian food, then you are bound to love Riva Blu. For this is no ordinary restaurant but one that gives a true taste of Southern Italy. It’s no secret that Italians are passionate about their food, and this passion is reflected in the menu, service and food at Riva Blu.

Descending the path, worn smooth from centuries of feet, and gently curling from street level into the restaurant, I’m sat at a table that has been custom built round a pillar supporting the vaulted ceiling. I sense the warm, calm purposefulness of the team. It’s disarming. Reading the beginning of the menu I notice my post “tough week at work” snark has already de-escalated by a good 85%.

When a hamper of Shepherds Purse blue cheeses arrived, an impromptu tasting evening with friends seemed the only proper response. What unfolded was a revelation in texture and flavour that elevated an ordinary midweek gathering into something memorable. The selection showcased the impressive range within the blue cheese family.

Amy J Payne will never forget having dinner on the romantic island of Ischia. “My boyfriend and I were on holiday on this romantic Italian island and had just had a fabulous meal of fresh fish, salad, fruit and a delicious dessert. After the meal he suggested we go down to the beach.