Food and travel, it’s hard to think of two things we love more - okay maybe our friends and family, but food and travel are a very close third and fourth (very, very close).
Food is one of the main reasons we all love to travel, plus the fact we get to escape work for a week or two! We plan our holiday itineraries around which restaurants we want to try, we look-up the dishes that the locals eat, and we love it because food gives us an insight into the people, the culture and the community of the place we’re visiting.
Food brings people together. Food makes people happy. As more people are exploring closer to home, we thought we’d create a travel itinerary based on some of the best foodie hotspots around the country.
Tuck into global cuisine in London
There’s no better place to start your culinary road trip than in the multicultural melting pot that is London. No matter what you're craving or where you're from, chances are you can find what you're looking for in the capital. However, it’s good to know where to start as each neighbourhood in London offers up different international cuisines.
Top foodie recommendations: For Caribbean influence you’ll find a whole host of delicious restaurants in Brixton, such as ‘Negril’ and ‘Three Little Birds’. Brick Lane is famous for its endless amount of exceptional curry houses, we love ‘Aladin Brick Lane’. However, Islington is probably one of our favourite places to get your foodie fix. The road between Angel and Highbury is known by the locals as ‘Supper Street’ and has so many amazing restaurants to choose from. We recommend ‘El Inca Plebeyo’ for tasty dishes inspired by Ecuador and ‘Noa’ for some seriously yummy Turkish food.
Fresh Seafood in Kent
Just an hour drive from London, if you’re seeking some scrummy seafood, Kent is the place to be. This area is host to some of the UK’s most popular seaside towns; Margate, Whitstable and Rye, so lovers of seafood will be spoilt for choice.
Top foodie recommendation: You can’t visit Whitstable and not stop for some oysters at ‘Wheeler’s Oyster’. Not only is it the oldest restaurant in Whitstable, it’s delightfully tiny, so be sure to book if you want to sit in, oh and it’s BYOB. However, most people opt to take away to enjoy their seafood with a sea view on the beachfront.
Cheese lovers head to Somerset
You can’t embark on a foodie road trip and not visit the home of the world’s most popular cheese, Cheddar! In the small village of Cheddar, you’ll find Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company where you can watch cheese being made and try some samples. As well as cheesy goodness, Cheddar is also home to the impressive (and popular) caves of nearby Cheddar Gorge.
Top foodie recommendation: Somerset is also known for it’s great tasting cider, so why not wash the cheese down with a tipple or two at nearby orchards and cider houses.
Fine dining in Yorkshire
There's more to food in Yorkshire than Wensleydale and its namesake pudding. In fact, Yorkshire folk take their food very seriously, which is why Yorkshire now boasts the largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants than any other county in England outside of London.
Top foodie recommendation: If you’re to start anywhere in Yorkshire, we recommend heading to the ancient capital of York. Last year York was named one of the top UK foodie cities, with a number of York restaurants listed in the ‘Harden’s Best UK Restaurants’ list. A few foodie favourites include ‘Roots’, ‘Le Cochon Aveugle’ and ‘Skosh’.
Pub grub in the Lake District
Food and the Lake District go hand in hand. There’s nothing more satisfying than taking off your muddy boots, grabbing yourself a pint, and tucking into some lovely pub grub after a day on the fells. As luck would have it, there are plenty of pubs stocked with fresh, local produce to help you refuel.
Top foodie recommendation: If you’re in need of both food and a bed for the night then we’d definitely recommend the ‘Punch Bowl Inn’. Located in the southern part of the Lakes, not too far from Lake Windermere, this country-chic pub is ready and waiting to offer you a restorative post-hike pint and a plate of some seriously special locally-sourced gastro-style food, including Cheese Soufflé, Guinea Fowl Breast and Stornoway Black Pudding. Oh, and there’s a log fire in the winter… dreamy!
So there you have it, a road trip inspired by our love of food. And just remember, if you do embark on this culinary journey, don’t forget to invite us, otherwise we’ll be really, really hangry!
If you don’t have time to venture too far, check out these Insta-worthy restaurants in London.
