Boasting a burgeoning independent food scene, Cheltenham’s pubs and restaurants can show their support for local businesses by championing regional produce, whether that’s using Gloucestershire-reared meats, bread baked in the county, or Double Gloucester cheese.
From country pubs to fine dining restaurants, SoGlos has teamed up with The Shutters Inn to find 15 Cheltenham eateries that fly the flag for local produce, encompassing everything from Cotswold butchers to homemade ice-cream.
1. The Ox Cheltenham
Located in the centre of Cheltenham, The Ox specialises in steak and is committed to use local and seasonal produce wherever possible, to provide the best possible tasting experience for diners.
With a menu that’s sure to delight carnivores, The Ox’s prime cuts of steak are supplied by Bristol-based butcher, Nigel Buxton; while the tempting artisan bread is baked by Gloucestershire’s own Salt Bakehouse.
2. The Swan
A traditional pub and restaurant in the centre of Cheltenham, The Swan remains a firm favourite for drinking and casual dining, with its menu showcasing a host of producers from the Cotswolds and surrounding counties.
From Gloucestershire-based Diana Smart’s traditional cheeses to award-winning Cotswold butchery Martin’s Meats, The Swan features a range of fine local produce which are used in tasty treats such as the venison burger; buttermilk fried chicken; and traditional Sunday roast.
3. The Frogmill
The Frogmill is a Cotswold country pub, restaurant and hotel, offering lovingly preapred dishes in a relaxed country setting. Located in Andoversford, the venue specilises in fresh, local ingredients that are full of colour and flavour.
Another benefit of The Frogmill is its Spanish josper coal-fired oven and American smoker, which adds a phenomenal depth of glavour to many of its signature grill dishes.
4. The Exmouth Arms
Serving up fresh and simple pub food in Cheltenham, The Exmouth Arms remains a hugely popular venue, with its seasonal menu changing regularly and featuring meals made from the best local suppliers.
What’s more, the dishes even include fresh produce from the pub’s own allotment and garden, with everything from hearty burgers and fresh salads, to lunchtime sandwiches and steaks for diners to tuck into.
5. The Green Dragon Inn
Located within picturesque surroundings just outside the centre of Cheltenham, The Green Dragon Inn is a charming country pub which cooks up freshly prepared and high-quality food, taking care to feature plenty of local produce.
The traditional menu offers plenty to tempt diners, with foods such as Gloucester Old Spot Sausage; Hereford Hop Cheese; and 28-day Cotswold-bred steak showcasing its local options.
6. The Tavern
A stylish eatery in the heart of town, The Tavern is known not only for its American-inspired menu of burgers, shakes and sundaes, but also its pride in using quality and local ingredients in its homemade food.
The artisan burgers are made with beef from Tim Johnson’s herd of Aberdeen Angus and Hereford Crosses at Stokes Marsh Farm in Coulston; while the sample Sunday lunch menu features roast Hereford rump and local kale.
7. The Kilkeney Inn
With its ethos to use as much seasonal and local produce as possible, The Kilkeney Inn in Andoversford is a country dining pub which offers a delicious dining experience with everything cooked from scratch.
Using Prestbury-based traditional country butcher, Waghornes; as well as Worcester producer Bennetts Farmhouse Ice Cream, the Kilkeney kitchen offers everything from slow-cooked meats to handmade burgers and homemade puddings.
8. The Plough
A charming 17th century village pub, The Plough in Prestbury promises a traditional visit, with its menu brimming with classic pub dishes such as pies; bangers and mash; fish and chips; and roasts.
Diners can expect to see suppliers such as local village butcher, Waghornes, on the menu, along with award-winning pies which have been made in the south west region.
9. Woodkraft Cheltenham
Woodkraft is the latest venture from the WOOD restaurant group devised by Masterchef winner, Simon Wood. In the heart of Cheltenham, this tasteful eatery offers seasonal dishes which combine local produce in a relaxed, casual setting.
Highlights include the Sunday Lunch sharing boards, where a locally sourced joint of meat is presented alongside a platter of freshly prepared veg, with all accompaniments and sauces created in-house.
10. The Colesbourne Inn
A restored Cotswold coaching inn nestled within rolling grounds, The Colesbourne Inn takes care to source the best quality produce to use in its traditional British menu, which includes dishes such as sausage and mash; and fish and chips.
The restaurant uses meat sourced from award-winning suppliers Walter Rose and Sons of Devizes, and ensures that all of the poultry and eggs are free-range, to provide a quality dining experience.
11. The White Hart Inn
A popular restaurant in Winchcombe, The White Hart Inn is dedicated to producing fresh and local dishes, sourcing the best local suppliers for food to use in its simple and rustic menu.
The ever-changing menu features favourites such as homemade pie; roast loin of pork; stuffed chicken breast; and confit duck leg, with Gloucester Old Spot pork belly an example of its local produce.
12. Purslane
Specialising in seafood, Purslane’s everchanging menu combines fresh fare from British waters as well as quality Cotswold produce. The family-owned business prides itself on its sustainably- and ethically-sourced ingredients.
13. The Retreat
Situated in The Suffolks area of Cheltenham, The Retreat Wine Bar provides a bustling setting to enjoy dinner or drinks, cooking up food in its open-plan kitchen with ingredients that have been sourced locally wherever possible.
The seasonal and local food results in a constantly changing menu, with diners able to look forward to dishes such as honey-roast ham; aged rump steak; rack of barbecue pork ribs; and homemade focaccia.
14. The Lion Inn
Home to a restaurant, bar, garden and snug, The Lion Inn in Winchcombe provides a versatile dinging space, offering menus that change frequently due to using only the freshest, seasonal and local ingredients.
Sample menus feature dishes such as Vale and Hills ribeye steak; homemade beef burger; roast free range pork; and country soup with home-baked bread.
15. The Shutters Inn
A classic country pub located in Gotherington, The Shutters Inn prides itself on using local and seasonal produce in its fresh British dishes, which include pub classics such as steak and ale pie; toad in the hole; crispy cod in cider batter; and faggots.
The menu features Midlands-based AW Lashford and Sons who make award-winning sausages; steaks sourced from Jesse Smith in Cirencester; fresh bread products from Winchcombe-based North’s Bakery; cheese products from Evesham-based Harvey & Brockless; and Worcester’s Bennetts Foods for ice-cream.
What’s more the pub also boasts plenty of local drinks and always offers an ale from its neighbours Prescott Brewery, along with serving Thatchers Gold.
