Forget an average meal or beige buffet, Gloucestershire has a whole host of restaurants, cafes and festivals serving up more adventurous eats.
Whether you're a spice fan or just looking to get your teeth into something a bit different, SoGlos rounds up 12 places to try.
The Coconut Tree in Cheltenham
SGGLA Restaurant of the Year The Coconut Tree in Cheltenham serves up authentic Sri Lankan food with laid-back party vibes and a selection of impressive 'Cocotails'.
If you've never tried Sri Lankan food before, it's well worth a visit, with a flavour profile unlike anything else. Give the cheesy columbo a try - fried cubes of Sri Lankan cheese in a sticky, sweet sauce; or if you like it hot, brave the devilled chicken wings or chicken curry on the bone, both served 'Sri Lankan spicy'.
Greek on the Docks in Gloucester
Gloucester's Greek on the Docks is an independent Mediterranean restaurant by the waterside, serving up an extensive menu of authentic Greek dishes from dolmadakia and spanakopita to moussaka and kleftiko.
For adventurous diners, it is famous for its marinated octopus, with a whole tentacle complete with suction cups to get your teeth into; while those with god-like appetites can get stuck into its Athena mixed grill, which comes with a burger, chicken fillet, Greek sausage, lamb chop and pork skewer, plus tzatziki, honey-mustard mayo, pitta and either fries or rice on the side. Yamas!
Cafe au Chocolat in Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury's chocolate cafe truly is a chocoholic's dream. The menu features luxury Belgian hot chocolate, indulgent desserts, homemade cakes and chocolate nibbles, alongside savoury breakfast, brunch and lunch options.
Its pièce de résistance is its Supreme Chocolate Indulgence platter, with a double slice of homemade chocolate fudge cake; homemade cherry tiffin; three homemade chocolate truffles; a pot each of Cotswold fudge, chocolate nibbles and melted chocolate; a chocolate cup filled with chocolate ice cream; a homemade chocolate spoon; and a luxury hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. A challenge that even Bruce Bogtrotter might struggle with!
The BBQ Society in Gloucester
Known for its dirty burgers, smoked meats and epic sides, The BBQ Society in Gloucester also has a food challenge for the biggest burger fans - and there's no need to pre-book.
Head to its restaurant on Morelands Trading Estate to take on the challenge, where diners have to polish off a five patty burger in five minutes. If they finish in time, they eat for free. If they fail, the challenge will cost them £20 and earn them a spot on the Wall of Shame!
The Farmer's Boy Inn in Longhope
The Farmer's Boy Inn in Longhope has developed a cult following in the Forest of Dean for its incredible homemade pies. With a choice of steak, chicken, game and vegan pies on the menu, diners can also opt to make their pie 'feckin' dirty' with a selection of toppings, or try one of its 'two-in-one' pies, for anyone who's not satisfied with just one filling.
It's also home to the UK's only £99 gourmet pie. Described as being 'as big as a baby', the pub can turn any of its steak or chicken pies into a 10 lb behemoth with 48 hours notice, with a maximum of five guests able to take on the challenge.
Domaine 16 in Cheltenham
French restaurant Domaine 16 on Cheltenham's Regent Street specialises in cheese, with its menu spanning classic dishes like fondue and tartiflette to twice-baked cheese souffle and confit garlic crispy camembert wedges.
Cheese addicts won't want to miss its bottomless raclette nights every Tuesday, with 90 minutes of unlimited raclette cheese, charcuterie and potatoes to get your dairy fix.
Fat Toni's in Stroud
Taking diners to four levels of Hell, the Dante's Inferno pizza from Fat Toni's in Stroud is not for the faint-hearted.
With a Margherita pizza base, level one features red onion, fresh chillies and chopped tomatoes; level two adds caramelised onions, chicken, jalapeños and chilli flakes; level three features mushrooms, pepperoni, meatballs, fresh chillies and chilli flakes; while level four piles on salami, chorizo, chilli flakes, ghost chilli jam and n'duja sausage for a quadruple dose of fiery heat.
El-ver eating contest at Frampton Country Fair
Frampton Country Fair plays host to an annual El-ver Eating Competition, where strong-stomached participants try to eat a plateful of two-inch-long eel-shaped fish, in the fastest time.
While an elver shortage put a stop to the tradition for decades, contestants now chow down on a sustainable Spanish alternative made from surimi.
KIBOU in Cheltenham
An enduring favourite for fans of KIBOU in Cheltenham, it's spicy volcano roll features 10 pieces of futomaki, salmon, avocado and tobiko dipped in tempura batter and fried, then drizzled with KIBOU's special sauces - with a vegan option recently added to the menu.
KIBOU has plenty of other adventurous options, too, like soft shell crab, kabayaki eel, takoyaki octopus dumplings, dynamite prawns and even desserts like matcha tiramisu and yuzu cheesecake.
Settebello in Gloucester
Independent restaurant Settebello at Gloucester Docks cooks up a seasonal menu of southern Italian cuisine, with ovens imported from Naples so its pizza cooks in 60 to 90 seconds, leaving a moist, saucy middle and crisp, bubbly and airy crust.
Its Settebello Metro Board gives pizza fans a metre-long pie with four different toppings to share with friends and family. Its bases can be made gluten-free and its dough is vegan, with vegan cheese available for toppings, too, so everyone can get involved.
Restaurant Journey in Cheltenham
With a 12-course tasting menu, the exclusive Restaurant Journey in Cheltenham has only 10 tables and offers one of the most unique dining experiences in the county. Head chef, Jeff Lewis, previously worked at The Fat Duck in Bray and brings his Michelin-star restaurant influences into the menu.
Dishes include shokupan bread with wagyu bone marrow butter and pho tea; char siu-glazed monkfish tail; marinated black cod with charred kale, miso aioli and sea salt air; and bacon and egg crème Anglaise with toasted brioche and candied honey roast bacon.
Eastnor ChilliFest
Just across the border in Herefordshire, Eastnor ChilliFest turns up the heat every spring with a two-day event dedicated to all things chilli-related.
As well as getting your tastebuds tingled with a variety of spicy treats from tacos to burgers, the fiery festival challenges the bravest attendees to take part in its chilli eating competition - if they think they can handle the heat!
