The pubs and restaurants below usually have good food. Restaurants, like people, have their ups and downs, so do please let us know about your good and bad experiences. We would like to add your 'tasting notes' to our own.
To download a printable list, please click here
Bicknoller Inn
32, Church Lane, Bicknoller, Taunton, Somerset TA4 4EL; Tel: 01984656234
Half-way between Taunton and Minehead, just off the A358.
Dwarfed by the stunning Quantock Hills, this 14th century thatched traditional country inn is an ideal family venue for lunches, evening meals, and Sunday roasts.
Lorraine reports back that they have the most amazing selection of homemade pies that are quite irresistible and the range covers several vegetarian combinations.
Blue Ball Inn
Triscombe, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3HE; Tel: 01984 618242
Lesley says that this is a wonderful venue with excellent food. The owner has been on TV for his famous restaurant.
The Blue Ball Inn at Triscombe is known as one of the best rural venues to dine in Somerset and was announced at The Royal Bath and West Show as the winner of Somerset Life's Best Dining Pub of the Year for 2006.
Canton Chinese Takaway
42 North Street , Bridgwater, TA6 3PN; Tel: 01278-429527.
Lesley recommends this takeaway but it’s not open Mondays.
Carnival Restaurant
37 St Mary Street, Bridgwater; Tel: 01278 726180
A J D Weatherspoons; a very much less expensive place to wine and dine in a very busy and ‘buzzy’ location – ideal if you want to try out some of the local night clubs and pubs in town.
Carpenters Arms
Stanton Wick, Nr Pensford, BS39 4BX; Tel: 0871 811 4399
Lorraine reckons Sunday lunch is particularly good. A splendid example of the Traditional English Pub, open log fires and shining brasses.
Located north of Wells just off the A37. The Carpenters Arms is a converted row of miners’ cottages set in the peaceful Chew Valley countryside. It offers the hospitality of a traditional English inn, with a friendly warm welcome, good real ales, extensive wine list and comfortable surroundings. The food here has a terrific reputation and the kitchen team are constantly creating new dishes for the menu using the best fresh local seasonal produce.
Castle Hotel
Taunton, 01823 272671.
Very posh, silver service, classical cuisine in the main restaurant; the brasserie ‘Brazz’ is modern and not terribly expensive. Lorraine found that the cocktail bar also offers a tempting array of reasonably priced dainty sandwiches and nibbles in sophisticated surroundings. The owner, Kit Chapman, studied Hotel & Catering Administration at the University of Surrey, as did Graham.
Castle of Comfort
Dodington, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater, Somerset TA5 1LE; Tel: 01278 741264
Once described as ‘a stone inn at the foot of the Quantock Hills where it is rumoured that pirates off the English coast used to dispose of their loot’, this former 16th century inn is an idyllic resting-place. Dinner served Monday to Saturday from 7.00 till 8.30pm. Booking is essential.
Chantry Tea Gardens
Chantry Cott, Kilve, Bridgwater, TA5 1EG; Tel: 01278741457
Lorraine found that the Chantry ruins provide a wonderful backdrop for lovely cream teas and sandwiches.
Crown Inn
1 The Nydon, Catcott, 01278 722288.
Lovely meals in pleasant surroundings.
Farthings
Hatch Beauchamp, Taunton; 01823 480664.
Table d’hote and traditional Sunday lunches
Goodfellows Fish Restaurant
5 Sadler Street, Wells; Tel: 01749 673 8660174
A few steps from the cathedral and Market Square in the smallest city in England.
This is Lorraine favourite restaurant! The portions are not huge but every mouthful is a taste experience. Lunchtimes are especially good value.
Open from Tuesday through to Saturday at lunchtimes from 12.00 pm to 2.30pm and evenings Wednesday to Saturday from 6.30pm to 9.30pm (last orders). Chef Adam Fellows runs the restaurant with his team cooking modern European food which is light but intense in flavour.
Before opening Goodfellows with his wife Martine, Adam spent 17 years cooking in many of Europe’s best restaurants across England, France and Belgium including one, two and three Michelin star properties. The fish Adam cooks comes mainly from day boats off the Cornish and Devon coast and is cooked inventively but never over-complicated to hide the natural flavours of the fish.
Well worth a visit - We recommend you book a table
Hood Arms
Kilve, Bridgwater, TA5 1EA; Tel: 01278-741210
Surrounded by wonderful coastal walks, The Hood Arms is a traditional 17th century coaching inn, providing friendly hospitality, with its character bars and log fires. Chef Vanessa Eason and her kitchen team use local produce and fresh herbs from the Hood's garden to create a delicious and interesting menu, featuring dishes of local game or fish. The inn is well known for its succulent fillet steak and traditional Sunday roasts served with a special gravy, made from an old family recipe.
Jade Garden Chinese Takeaway
Pollard Road, Bridgwater, TA6 4YA; Tel: 01278-431400
King William
Edington, Tel: 722374
Lesley reports that they provide an outstanding Sunday carvery.
Notley Arms
Monksilver, Somerset TA4 4JB; Tel: 01984 656217
Lorraine enjoyed “a pint of Cornish prawns” with amazing garlic mayo and dips at this famous pub. This was served in the garden with a nice glass of Chardonnay -wonderful!
A traditional English Country Pub, on the edge of Exmoor National Park, supporting the local producers and welcoming visitors to West Somerset. This lovely pub offers traditional yet imaginative home cooking, well kept ales, ciders and good selection of wines from around the world. All in a cosy, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Well behaved dogs are welcome in the bar area.
Nutmeg House Restaurant
8-10 Clare Street, Bridgwater TA6 3EN; Tel: 01278457823
Pipers
Ashcott; Tel: 01458 210030.
Pretzo’s
30 Cornhill, Bridgwater; Tel: 01278 433600; also in Taunton.
Lesley recommends this Italian restaurant, part of a fast-growing chain. There is also one in Taunton.
Raj Indian Restaurant
54 Clare Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3EN; Tel: 01278424416
Red Tile Inn
Middle Road, Cossington; Tel: 722333
Good pub food and within walking distance of Cossington Park. We can recommend the crab cakes with sweet chilly sauce.
Royal Oak
Winsford, Exmoor National Park, Somerset TA24 7JE; Tel: 01643 851455
This picturesque thatched 12th Century inn stands in the centre of a small, ancient riverside village on the edge of Exmoor Park. For relaxation the three lounges and two bars are well appointed with open fires, chintz fabrics and oak beams. Tables in the restaurant set with wedgwood and glassware create an attractive setting for dinner. A good choice of light meals is also available in the bars. Well behaved dogs are welcome in the bar. Lorraine reckons this pub is certainly worth the drive as the setting is second to none! If you have room afterwards there is an excellent tea garden in the village serving clotted cream teas.
Royal Oak
Withypool, Exmoor National Park, Somerset TA24 7QP; Tel: 01643 831506/7
Again another Exmoor treasure – Lorraine enjoyed grilled fresh sardines here with tomato salsa – marvellous!
The dishes at The Royal Oak Inn's restaurant are always fresh, beautifully conceived and prepared and absolutely delicious. The meat and fish served in the restaurant are all local produce. There is a choice of cosy bars and well behaved dogs are welcome in the bar.
Sexeys Arms
Blackford; Tel: 01934 712487
Lovely food served in romantic surroundings. Old oak beams and log fires. Best to book.
Pie Heaven
Talking of pies if you should visit Bristol whilst you are in the West Country drop into St Nicolas Market in Corn Street where there is a small company called Pie Minster serving another amazing range of pies which Lorraine has bought for friends and without exception they say they are the best pies they have ever tasted. They are all sold out part way through lunch. Each pie comes in its own little box with ‘this pie belongs to……..’ printed on the lid on the lid and a Pie love card! With fillings like wild mushroom and asparagus with white wine and cracked black pepper or Heidi Pie with goats cheese, sweet potato, spinach, red onion and roasted garlic. You cannot go wrong.
Taste of India
31-33 Penel-Orlieu, Bridgwater, TA6 3PF; Tel: 446666
Tarr Farm Inn
Tarr Steps, Exmoor; Tel: 01643 851507
Pub and Tea Gardens – calories by the ton and just the place to visit and be conscience free after a long gentle walk by the river Barle, says Lorraine.
Located High on Exmoor set high on a bank overlooking the ancient Tarr Steps ample seating can be found both inside and out for cream teas, cakes, ploughman’s lunches and speciality teas. Surrounded by wonderful walks. Open all year round from 11 am to 5.30 pm and then in the evening for dinner with full a la carte menu.
White House
Williton
Quite expensive but very nice, says Lesley.
Wookey Hole Inn
Wookey Hole; Tel: 01749 676677
Interesting dishes! Jazz most Sunday lunchtimes; another favourite with Lorraine. This is quite an unusual pub with an interesting array of dishes. Very popular – best to book.
Look out for the discount tickets for Wookey Hole Caves in the Cossington Park information pack.
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