Eating and Drinking Out and Takeaways

Whilst you may be happy to self-cater using the lovely fully equipped kitchenette in the cottage, you might want to get a takeaway and we a just a few minutes walk, literally, from a lovely range of options (and leaflets from them all are in the information rack). If you want to eat out, or drink out, then the village and the surrounding area has lots of options for all pockets.
Below we list just a few of our favourites but there are lots more to find out about on the internet (or just ask us)For up to date news on exploring the flavours of Somerset, including where to eat, and where to find local produce visit www.somersetfood.org

Food on arrival?

Picture
If you are self-catering and you won't have time to get all that you need to bring with you there is an excellent local food delivery service: Somerset Local Food Direct. Place an order by 9am Tuesday, giving Gorge View Cottage as the delivery address and it will be delivered here on Friday for us to put in your fridge ready for your arrival. Choose from a wide range of locally produced food and seasonal vegetables. Alternatively maybe order some goodies to go home with and ease the hassle of returning home to an empty larder.

Takeaway (leaflets in the folder)

Cheddar Fish Bar

Classic Fish and Chip, very popular with locals

Rasoi (Indian)

See restaurant entry - but all there as takeaway also. See the leaflet

Lao Thai

If you fancy Thai and Lao food then this small restaurant is very close by(just past Shahnaz) and does a good range of good food. Veggies - we hear they may put fish sauce in some "vegetarian" dishes ... do ask first.

Riverside (Chinese)

We don't eat much Chinese, but The Riverside is long established and seemingly popular.

Pizza Magic

Including Burgers, salads, chips and cheesecake, so not necessarily the most healthy option!
Delivered free to the door (orders over £10)

La Rocca

Great Italian food - eat in (but book) or they do takeaways. Their lovely pizza is something we often treat ourselves to. See opposite under 

Restaurants & Cafés

La Rocca

Only here for a few years but hugely popular with locals and visitors alike: a great Italian restaurant just minutes from the cottage and opposite the White Hart pub. They also do takeaways  - delivering if wanted but it is so easy to collect. Great pizza!

Cafe Gorge

New but instantly popular and very highly scored by visitors, the cafe next to the National Trust Shop near the caves opens up on to a lovely terrace on warm and sunny days. Excellent food and drink options.

Swan, Wedmore

Newly opened after extensive refurbishment, and pulling in a discerning crowd looking for good food and drink this restaurant and bar is proving very popular: definitely need to book. We really rate this place - lovely ambiance, very good food and interesting beers. We usually eat in the more informal bar area.

Lion Rock Tea Rooms

A bit of an institution, the long standing tea rooms, previously Dereks Tea Rooms, sits just before the gorge proper begins under the eponymous Lion Rock. Quirky with a terrace at the back and its of choice.

The Almshouse Tea Shop

Located on Axbridge's historic town square breakfast lunched afternoon teas provided with lots of freshly home baked goodies. Open Wednesday through Sunday till 9am or 10am to 4pm.

Rasoi (Indian)

Large friendly modern Indian Restaurant (and takeaway) who undertook a major refurbishment a few years back. About three minutes walk away. Leaflet in the rack.

Cheddar Cottage (Indian)

A second excellent Indian restaurant down in the village. Probably our favourite. Popular and probably best to book in season. Leaflet in the rack.

Frank's Restaurant

Small but classy restaurant just down near The White Hart pub. A place for a more romantic or conversational meal out.

The Ethicurean

This brilliant restaurant has be garnering lots of awards recently. It is based at Barley Wood Walled Garden near Wrington (so just the other side of the Mendips). The Walled Garden is a lovely place to visit, and the restaurant does very imaginative menus using local produce and even foraged foods. As the name suggests it is run on very ethical principles. Small and not grand it is more of a conservatory. But popular so do book.

The Pony and Trap

A Michelin starred "gastro-pub" run by young and upcoming chef Josh Eggleton. Classy inventive food, but not a pompous atmosphere. A very strong local food ethos. You must book ahead for this very popular venue

Salt and Malt

A new venture by Josh Eagleton of the Pony and Trap (see above). A very traditional cafe serving food including tease and cakes, all day and dinners. As the name suggests their signature dishes are fish and chips (takeaway too). All this by beautiful Chew Lake, so mix it in with a nature walk.

Pubs

White Hart

Just down by the Cheddar Yeo as if comes down the Gorge and less than five minutes walk. Recent  refurbishment has not lost its cosy pub feel. Good beers and cider and food. Events at time in the garden around the side.

Riverside Inn

A big traditional pub with attached restaurant (but you can eat out in the pub is wanted). The closest pub by a whisker, and usually serves some Cheddar Brewery beers along with others. Particularly nice in summer as the garden is big, with the little river runnign through it. Children's play area and patio make it busy in season. Events often held during summer.

Gardener's Arms

Well regarded local with good food, situated in the quieter back streets away from the tourist buzz. Also a five minute walk from the cottage (we are close to many!)

King's Head

Further along Silver Street (past The Gardener's Arms) this lovely old building is a friendly local.

Bath Arms Hotel

Newly re-opened, fully refurbished and aiming for a high level of food quality and ambience than before. The "BA" is a large popular pub located in the centre of Cheddar - so about 10 minutes walk.

Railway Inn (Sandford)

This is the newly and wonderfully restored pub owned by Thatchers the cider makers and next to their HQ and orchards. Great for cider drinkers, but good for all with lovely outside spaces, comfortable restaurant and cosy bar. Excellent food and good for vegetarians. As the name hints it is on the old Strawberry Line so an ideal cycle if wanted (about 6 miles each way).

The Crown (Churchill)

A gem of a pub, and our favourite. Wholly unpretentious, basic but friendly with excellent beers and good simple pub food including brilliant soup and bread. Ask for the cycle route if wanted.
Take warm clothes in colder weather. Despite the log fires it can be chilly inside when first open.

The George Inn (Wedmore)

Lovely old coaching inn that was run down but under new ownership has been revamped. A range of rooms to sit in. Good food now and good beer.

The Lamb (Axbridge)

Our nearest Butcombe pub, on the little market square in Axbridge, and opposite the half-timbered St. John's Hunting Lodge. On the Strawberry Line route and a nice fairly short walk or cycle.

The Woodborough Inn (Winscombe)

Village pub which has got new management and a good makeover and serving excellent and creative food. An ideal stop if you are walking or cycling the Strawberry Line (borrow the cottage bikes), and don;t want to go the extra mile or so to Thatcher's Cider HQ, shop and their new pub The Railway Inn.

The Queen Vic (Priddy)

Another Butcombe pub just off the green in the tiny picturesque village of Priddy up on top of the Mendips. Usually busy inside and good food when it comes - sitting to eat may mean a small wait.