Forage & Chatter in Edinburgh

One of the most popular nights for restaurants across the globe, Valentine’s Day is now just over one week away and if you have yet to book a table at your favourite restaurant for the most romantic night of the year, time is rapidly running out. From elegant three-course candle-lit dinners in Michelin-starred restaurants to casual yet intimate nights out at cosy pizzerias, the UK is just jam-packed with fantastic restaurants that would make the perfect setting for an unforgettable date night to remember.

If you’re tired of eating out at the same places you’ve been to time and time again and fancy shaking things up a bit this year, OpenTable has made your life that much easier with their list of the 50 most romantic restaurants in the UK. Chosen by analysing more than 851,000 verified diner reviews from more than 7,300 restaurants across the UK, any one of the fine eateries included on this list would make a perfect Valentine’s to remember, but we want to highlight five of our favourites that all feature in our regional eating out guides.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to read the list in full and for more fantastic restaurants across the UK, be sure to pick up a FREE copy of one of our regional food and drink guides by clicking the link here.

Angels with Bagpipes

343 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1PW

From our review in our Edinburgh Food & Drink Guide:

Mixing an atmospheric Old Town setting with chic, contemporary style, you can expect the unexpected at Angels with Bagpipes. Its name was inspired by a wooden carving in the Thistle Chapel of the St Giles’ Cathedral, and a version created by artist Alex McFadyen can be seen on display in the restaurant. The menus are just as much of a talking point, with dishes that feature local produce given an Angels’ touch.

Diners can expect both modern, innovative dishes and traditional Scottish treats with a twist. My scallops starter arrived with apple, black pudding and deliciously tangy pickled walnut. This was followed by a main of beautifully cooked sea-reared trout with red pepper, cabbage, quinoa and salsa verde. My companion tucked into tender lamb, accompanied by pea panna cotta, asparagus and mint.


Cielo Restaurant

6 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2JB

From our review in our Warwickshire Food & Drink Guide:

Situated in serene Oozells Square in Birmingham city centre, Cielo is definitely not your ordinary Italian. From the modern, slick interior to the exquisitely presented dishes, the award-winning Cielo exceeds all expectations; perhaps that’s why it has been dubbed the best restaurant on planet earth by reviewers on TripAdvisor. This winning combination has also seen the restaurant named Best Italian Restaurant at the English Italian Awards.

The chefs pride themselves on their innovative dishes, made using fresh, seasonal produce. Both the attractive fixed-price menu and à la carte options include classic Italian favourites with enticing twists.

Forage & Chatter

1a Alva Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4PH

From our review in our Edinburgh Food & Drink Guide:

Tucked away in Edinburgh’s West End you’ll find Forage & Chatter, a truly unique destination serving exceptional modern Scottish food. Using produce sourced locally and placing strong emphasis on foraged ingredients, the team showcases the best that Scotland has to offer at surprisingly reasonable prices.

The decor fuses contemporary style with traditional touches – think exposed stone walls, Balmoral tweed upholstery and rustic wooden furniture. In keeping with the restaurant’s focus on foraging, leafy potted plants adorn the various nooks and crannies inside.

Since opening in late 2016, Forage & Chatter has received consistently glowing reviews and has gained an enviable reputation for serving some of Edinburgh’s, if not Scotland’s, finest food.

The Black Rat

88 Chesil Street, Winchester, SO23 0HX

From our review in our Hampshire Food & Drink Guide:

In just over a decade since opening in 2007, The Black Rat has gone from strength to strength. It’s the second business venture from David Nicholson, who also runs The Black Boy, Hole and Bottle. Having received a Michelin star within a couple of years after opening, it is clear that this former pub is something special. The relaxed dining environment means that you are able to completely focus on head chef John Marsden-Jones’ superb creations. The building dates back to the 1700s, but also boasts 15th- and 16th-century features such as historic stonework, thick walls and low ceilings. The seamless blend of traditional decor with modern twists is reflected in the creative and exciting menus.

The menu changes regularly, and relies on seasonal, local produce to evoke unique and special flavours that you won’t find anywhere else. Living up to its Michelin star, the winter menu we sampled featured five starters; the smoked eel enhanced by Alexanders, spätzle, Jerusalem artichoke and shallots was a highlight with stunning presentation.

The Poet at Matfield

Maidstone Road, Matfield, TN12 7JH

From our review in our Kent Food & Drink Guide:

The Poet at Matfield is the epitome of the idyllic countryside retreat. The decor is warm and inviting, as is the friendly team, led by co-owner Andy Urbanek.

When it comes to the menu, everything is incredible. Talented chef-patron Petrus Madutlela and his team balance flavours, textures and colours to create dishes that are beautiful as well as delicious. The menu changes regularly to showcase fresh, seasonal ingredients, with each option accompanied by a suggested wine pairing. The team works with a trusted list of suppliers, ensuring everything is of the highest quality. Perhaps begin with venison Carpaccio and lobster with truffle mayonnaise, turnip and pumpernickel, or the vegetarian-friendly tomatoes, labneh, aubergine and green olive tapenade. From the main-course offering, choose from the likes of lamb rump matched with glazed beets, pommes Anna and cauliflower purée, or pork collar with soy-braised pork cheek, spring onion and turnip.

The complete list of OpenTable’s 50 most romantic restaurants in the UK chosen by reviewers:

Angels with Bagpipes, Edinburgh

Afternoon tea at hotel Café Royal, London

Chapter One, Kent

Cielo Restaurant, Birmingham

Claude Bosi at Bibendum, London

Clos Maggiore, London

CORE by Clare Smyth, London

Forage & Chatter, Edinburgh

Frederick’s, London

Galvin at Windows, London

Gauthier Soho, London

Hakkasan Hanway Place, London

Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant, London

Hawksmoor Air Street, London

Hawksmoor Borough, London

Hawksmoor Knightsbridge, London

Hawksmoor Manchester, Manchester

Hawksmoor Seven Dials, London

Hawksmoor Spitalfields, London

Indian Accent, London

Ivy Chelsea Garden, London

Jamavar, London

Kaspar’s at The Savoy, London

Kendell’s Bistro, Yorkshire

L’Escargot, London

Marcus, London

Margot Restaurant, London

Mere, London

Murano, London

Number 16 Restaurant, Glasgow/Lanarkshire

Paco Tapas, Bristol

Palm Court at The Langham, London

Peace and Loaf Restaurant, Newcastle

Pig & Whistle Restaurant, Essex

Pollen Street Social, London

Roux at The Landau, London

Smiths Restaurant Wapping, London

Spring Restaurant, London

Stones Restaurant Matlock, Derbyshire

The Black Rat, Hampshire

The Chefs Table, Cheshire

The Ivy City Garden, London

The North Port Restaurant, Perthshire/Stirlingshire

The Oxford Blue, Berkshire

The Poet at Matfield, Kent

Afternoon tea at The Savoy, Thames Foyer, London

The Westwood Restaurant, Beverley,Yorkshire

Trinity, Cambridge

Wild Mushroom, Westfield

Wreckfish, Liverpool

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