To ask what the best restaurant in the UK you've eaten at is

[JonSnowsCloak]

Both high end and small/ local and Why?

I'll start- number one at the Balmoral in Edinburgh. Treated ourselves due to celebrating new house and job and it was simply amazing. We did the taster menu and it was beautiful from start to finish, tried loads of food I wouldn't normally try and the service was top notch (was expensive!). Small and local to me, Bistro Franc in Liverpool, does a Sunday wine and dine offer and every time we've been is spot on in terms of the food and really good value. Me and DP are big foodies and usually have a good read of TripAdvisor before we go.

Bit obscure but there's a tiny restaurant called Pasta something in Harpenden. I went there about a year ago and it was really nice and next time I'm over that way I intend to go back!

L’Enclume, Purnell’s or The Black Swan at Oldstead.

OP The French is good in Manchester. And The Man Behind The Curtain in Leeds is well worth a visit too.

The food at Le Gavroche was stunning but it was so up its own bum stuffy that it spoiled the experience a bit.

We went to The Forest Side in the Lake District in October, that was fab.

Forest Side in the Lakes (better than L’enclume) and for top notch food but more relaxed and local - The Freemasons at Wisell
(Someone mentioned Moor Hall - it’s supposed to be fab!)

Le Manoir
Pollen Street Social,
The Wolseley
Never been to The Fat Duck but would like to

Nicest steak I've ever eaten in the UK was at Hawksmoor in Covent Garden soon after it opened.
Worst UK steak meal, also Hawksmoor, in Shoreditch. Cold food, disgusting sauces, inattentive, bored staff and we were seated elbow to elbow with another couple one side and rammed up against a wall. Terrible but I couldn't moan too much as it was DH birthday.

My nicest, most extravagant meal was dinner on the Orient Express. I'm sure it was the atmosphere and surroundings but every mouthful was delicious.

Norn, in Edinburgh. Went for our wedding anniversary and first evening out without baby last year. It was blissful.

I preferred The Yorke Arms (Frances Atkins) to L'Enclume, it was sensational.

Had a few great meals at Anthony's in Leeds back in the day. I wonder what happened to Anthony Flinn does anyone know? He'd trained at El Bulli, shame if he stopped cooking.

Bibendum.

Not UK, but I had Christmas lunch in the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center. Beautiful clear day, sat by the window looking up Manhattan Island.

Wow. So many recommendations. The most important thing for me is the company. I've eaten in a Macdonalds with my eldest son and had a great burger (some sort of deluxe thing) and a wonderfully engaging discussion has made it stick in my mind.

The best though hasn't been mentioned. Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester. Lunch is a snip at £60 inc water but we always end up with a glass of wine and extras. The thing is the staff are just so attentive without being overly formal. Wine recommendations without patronising me. Incredibly delicious food that changes often. We took one son there for his 11th birthday as he wanted a fine dining experience. He loved it and the staff made him feel a proper gentleman.

Also worth a mention are One Lombard st when the banking crowd are not in and more remotely the fusion place in Fort Canning park in Singapore where the food is excellent but service is, as everywhere in Singapore, a little weak but in a charming way rather than useless and annoying.

So many good places to go back to.

Tattu is my favourite close by to us - a really interesting take on Chinese cuisine, and the restaurant itself is absolutely stunning to look at. The best restaurant I've ever been to was with DH on our anniversary - Dabbous in Fitzrovia in London. Gorgeous, but closed down now I think.

Joe Allen in the West End was fantastic - we went again in its new location but it didn't have the same atmosphere as the old one.

Oh yes, Zuma and Corrigans, they're both amazing too!

All this talk is making me hungry! I've loved reading this thread.

The Pipe and Glass, South Dalton

@DrCoconut , been to WF a couple of times and loved it first time as it was very posh by our standards at the time but I've had better meals for a lot cheaper. Sign up to Groupon and go on a deal but even then be prepared for the price

Wow - only one Manchester entry from Surlyvalentine - was hoping for more options to investigate as I need to pick somewhere to go have lunch after I get married in a few months ;-)

Allerton Road yes we've been Spire - lovely meal but we'd had a tiff beforehand 😂 very true that who you're with makes the meal, we both love trying new places. Tattu in Manchester - yes I loved there! Need to try Chefs table. A vote for Delrios in York as a really good Italian. I like Gaucho in Manchester but always order too much and never finish dessert. 60 hope street in Liverpool also gets my vote for really nice steak and pudding (and they have a good gin and whisky bar downstairs!)

YANBU

I’ve got so many of these noted down for my next trips to the UK.

OP so pleased you loved Bistro Franc, I was a manager there many moons ago!
Where is the best roast in Liverpool these days? I need to book somewhere for a Sunday in March.

junglebookisthebest

Tattu is in Manchester! Just off Quay Street in Hardman Square.

BriocheBriocheBrioche

If you want a traditional roast, we love The Smugglers Cove - lovely traditional cooking, and you get to eat it whilst overlooking the lovely Albert Dock.

Something a bit more modern, either Camp and Furnace or The Brink are great. Word of warning, The Brink is a dry bar!

We went the Art School last year and loved it
Oh yes we went there for DDs 21st and it was very special.

Overall I have to say Le Manoir but I don't know when we will be able to afford it again. Mind you both times we went we also stayed there overnight so that does rather rack up the bill!

L'Enclume in Cartmel, Cumbria. Absolutely incredible food (and I've eaten at some of the so-called best restaurants in the world). Really really recommend it.

Cheaper end - The Court Inn in Durham

Man behind curtain is amazing - mix of food, art, music and presentation makes it a unique experience - definitely worth a visit as best tasting menu I have had yet

Tamarind in London is lovely.

The Mirabelle in its heyday was fabulous - sad it’s been demolished.

Had a couple of disappointing meals at Chez Bruce which has put me off anything in particular, just a bit disappointing.

The Boudin Blanc in Shepherd Market has always been good for a relaxed meal.

YY to whoever mentioned the Harrow in Bedwyn.

The Ledbury - take my mum there every year for her birthday lunch - a wonderful treat for us both. Fabulous interesting utterly delicious food served by warm friendly staff in gently elegant surroundings.....

Timberyard, Norn or Aizle in Edinburgh for really amazing, interesting food. But my fave (also in Edinburgh) is Yeni - it’s really cheap AMAZING meze and it’s just fabulous.

Thanks BabyCham, I had a great roast at the brink one of the last times I was back so will try the C&F.

Im running/walking/crawling the half marathon so wine will definitely be needed!

Cheals in Henley in Arden. It is a little pricey, at around £150 for two for three course with a bottle of wine. They are a about two minutes away from a Michelin Star.

On a cheaper note, The Bluebell just outside Ashbourne was very very nice, and I would love to go back for their lamb chops.

The Birmingham College of Food does a pretty smashing fine dining experience for a fraction of the price.

If anyone has any suggestions for a quirky but delicious restaurant (not too pricey) near Leicester Square that would be fab!