100 best restaurants in the UK
Are you a big spender or a bargain hunter? An Italian lover or a tapas fan? A pescetarian, a vegetarian, or just an old-fashioned carnivore? Whatever your taste, our panel of experts is here to guide you to the very best the country has to offer
Published: 16 June 2007
VEGGIE TREATS
By Mary McCartney
1. Mildreds
This has been one of my favourites for years – and at the age of 17 it is a Soho institution. It has consistently great food and a buzzy atmosphere. I particularly like the burrito filled with re-fried beans, corn and red pepper topped with tomato lime salsa, smoked cheddar and soured cream served with a leaf salad. Yum.
45 Lexington Street, London W1 (020-7494 1634)
2. Eat and Two Veg
This is a spacious contemporary American-style diner with a varied traditional menu. Try the veggie burgers and homemade coleslaw. Also well worth trying is the Not Nicoise Salad, a mouth- watering combination of marinated tofu, avocado, cherry tomatoes, olives, new potatoes, green beans and mixed leaves tossed in a tangy dressing.
5 Marylebone High Street, London W1 (020-7258 8595)
3. The Gate
The staff are very friendly and the menu is inventive and eclectic at this light, airy converted church. The restaurant also runs interesting special events – this autumn they're hosting a wild mushroom Festival Menu.
51 Queen Caroline St, London W6 (020-8748 6932)
4. Terre à Terre
One of the most popular vegetarian restaurants in Brighton. It has a brilliantly creative menu, with intricate dishes such as ribollita ribbons of pasta served with a fava, basil and rocket cream reduction, fresh curds, warm cannellini and summer leaf hash salad, with potato cream and mint oil (£13.95).
71 East Street, Brighton (01273 729051)
5. E & O
This restaurant has great vegetarian options. I love the chilli-crusted tofu, mushroom and chestnut dumplings and veggie phad thai noodles. And they do a really good watermelon martini, too.
14 Blenheim Crescent, London W11 (020-7229 5454)
6. Quince and Medlar
Although I have not eaten here, it's top of my list to visit. Their menu changes bi-monthly and they use lots of seasonal ingredients. The restaurant has twice been a winner of the Vegetarian Society's best restaurant award.
13 Castlegate, Cockermouth, Cumbria (01900 823579)
7. The Three Chimneys
Nestling in a stunning location at the foot of the mountains of MacLeod's Tables is one of the best hotels and restaurants in Scotland. If you let them know in advance Eddie and Shirley Spear will prepare you a great vegetarian menu from the freshest local produce.
Colbost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye (01470 511258)
8. The Place
There's a very good vegetarian selection at this brasserie, and the head chef Dale Skinner likes to develop the menu around local seasonal produce. The wonderful bonus is that you can cross the road for a walk on the beautiful golden sandy beach.
New Lydd Road, Camber Rye, East Sussex (01797 225057)
9. The Grain Shop
Reasonably priced, tasty, varied, home-baked hot and cold vegetarian take-away food to eat on the go. There is no seating area and you often have to queue – but it moves quickly and is well worth the wait.
269a Portobello Road, London W11 (020-7229 5571)
10. Gaylord
It first appeared on the London scene in 1964 and was one of the first places in Britain to use the tandoor. One of London's oldest and most stylish Indian restaurants with a large selection of wonderful vegetarian Indian dishes.
79-81 Mortimer Street, London W1 (020-7580 3615)
Mary McCartney's Off Pointe: A Photographic Study of the Royal Ballet
After Hours continues at Crane Kalman Gallery, Brighton, until tomorrow
