Somerset's best restaurants (Spring 2026)
A seasonally-updating guide written by a local food journalist who thinks he knows what they’re talking about
Mainstream media has generally done a shoddy job in coming up with a definitive list of where to eat in Somerset.
We can’t blame them too much – constantly keeping one’s finger on the pulse in terms of eating out options in this part of the world is a task beyond even the most agile magazines, to the point where most lists are either out of date, incomplete, or built more for clicks than useful content.
Enter the next attempt – which may be no better, however confident I am that it is: an ‘essential’ guide, if you will, to the best restaurants in Somerset.
What do I mean by that? These aren’t restaurants of the ‘to perhaps visit if you’re in the general vicinity’ sort. They are destinations in themselves, that have become part of the local furniture (the good kind, like a delicately-embroidered chaise longue), and speak to why they are where they are in some way or another.
Put it this way: A local restaurateur once told me it’s not worth serving to people in the South West anything more than what they’re generally used to – why try and sell them a £7 wedge of Westcombe cheddar when, to your average Somerset punter, a £3 slice of Davidstow would suffice?
The restaurants listed below don’t particularly care about that. They’re here for what’s local and what’s extraordinary. So, I expect, are you.
This guide is a work in progress and will be updated every six months or so – bookmark it or whatever and you can be assured it will remain at least somewhat up to date by the time you need it again.
Castle Farm
Home to probably the best Sunday roast in Somerset (fluffy yet shatteringly-crisp roasties, 42-day-aged beef rump from Hereford and Aberdeen Angus cattle reared down the road, veg from their own garden), Castle Farm is the also place-to-be for brunch, curry nights, and weekend suppers inspired by chef Pravin’s Malaysian and Swedish background. Booking ahead essential.
Address: Midford Ln, Midford, Bath, BA2 7BD
Website: castlefarmmidford.co.uk
Briar
Those who visited Osip’s former lodgings will recognise some of the furniture at Briar, No.1’s newest tenants. But that’s about all that’s familiar – the food here is reassuringly homely, and without many frilly bits: think of beef shin with butter beans; grilled aubergines; braised lamb shoulders; things on toast; and pollack with potato, anchovies, and cream.
Address: 1 High St, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AB
Website: numberonebruton.com/briar
Below the paywall: The full, up-to-date list of the best restaurants in Somerset, featuring must-try dishes. As picked by local food journalist Hugh Thomas.