For enthusiastic and engaged foodies, traveling the world chomping on different cuisines is something of a dream. However, you do not travel very far to enjoy the best flavours around, and the UK has its fair share of tantalising culinary cities that you should visit in your lifetime. Then, here is a guide to just some of them, in both Wales and beyond.
1. Portsmouth
Portsmouth might be known for its naval port, old ships, and Spinnaker Tower, but it is also home to an array of delights beyond that of simply fish from the nearby English Channel. Being a student town, Portsmouth has its fair share of independent eateries such as Garage Lounge, which offer some of the best breakfasts in the city, and Pie and Vinyl, a quirky restaurant that serves exactly what it says it does.
Not only this, but you can find a mass of burger bars and seaside grills, including beach cafes that serve everything from pancakes to fish and chips for those venturing out on a holiday. Not only does Portsmouth offer traditional seaside fare, but there are also city-renowned cafes such as Tenth Hole and the Parade Tearooms, which offer cakes to salivate over, as well as ice cream cafes such as Sprinkles where you can gorge on waffles, crepes, and ice cream to satisfy any sweet tooth.
2. Bath
For a quaint taste of English cuisine that harks back to times past (or what tourists might think of UK history), there is Bath, with its grand Regency shopfronts that plunge you straight into the world of Jane Austen. The Romans loved it here, and there was a reason for that. As well as being chock-full of amazing artefacts and cleansing springs (although it isn’t recommended to try the water for the flavour), there are an abundance of charming cafes serving tea, scones, and afternoon teas.
There are also a great number of pubs, inns, and bakeries in Bath that you can curl up in after a day exploring with a pint and traditional pub grub, and many of these pubs have their own haunting histories to match their ye olde grub. Not only this, but Bath is only a few miles from Bristol, another haunt of food lovers everywhere, meaning that you can have a 2-for-1 trip to Bristol’s food scene.
3. Cardiff
Cardiff is the food capital of Wales, with the chance to enjoy traditional Welsh dishes like rarebit, Wesh cakes and faggots right on your doorstep. These are the flavours that people want to savor on trips to Wales, and Cardiff is home to a Michelin-starred restaurant and 30 food markets for you to find the perfect souvenir to take back home. Cardiff sources a lot of its food from the farms around its suburbs and outskirts, meaning that much of its offerings are fresh, organic, and clean. There is also an excellent bar culture for those looking to round off their evenings with something stronger.
4. Brighton
Brighton: the home of alternative culture- and alternative foods. One of the best elements of Brighton’s food scene is that it is welcoming and inclusive to all, allowing everyone to enjoy their meals no matter what their dietary requirements. There are many cafes catering to those with allergies and gluten and dairy intolerances, as well as those that are solely vegan or vegetarian. These establishments are imaginative in their vison of food for non-meat eaters and can tempt the taste buds of even the biggest carnivores. There are also many themed cafes here, such as Art Box, as well as those selling handmade and artisan goods.
5. York
York is the home of chocolate. Even more so than Bournville in the West Midlands, York is brimming with cafes and museums serving every type of delicious chocolate product that you can imagine, having once been the centre of Terry’s chocolate production. Not only this, but York is home to incredible roast dinners, delicious breakfast foods at fusion cafes, and Mediterranean establishments such as The Olive Tree that are sure to whet your appetite and provide food for everyone to enjoy.
Not only this, but during the festive period, the York Christmas markets do not leave anything to be desired when it comes to sating your hunger, with pork baps, hot dogs, hot chocolates, and warm chestnuts on offer to get you in the festive spirit. This means you should not dismiss the North of England when it comes to filling your belly.
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