Cheltenham has plenty of choice when it comes to restaurants but sometimes it can be hard to narrow down where to eat! Here are my top picks for the Cheltenham restaurants you need to try this year!
1. Bhoomi
52 Suffolk Rd, Cheltenham.
I love good Indian food and it is something I truly missed whilst living in Chicago. Part of the JM Social group, Bhoomi really delivers on the promise of serving up incredible Indian food, inspired by the south-west state of Kerala. You can expect absolutely gorgeous interiors, wonderfully attentive staff and that’s just to start. The menu will leave you struggling what to choose, but I can say with utmost confidence that you won’t be disappointed! I ordered the Butter Chicken – a favourite of mine and it was perhaps the best example of it I’ve ever had. We went during Diwali and enjoyed some of their specials such as the scallops to start and the carrot halwa to finish off. Bhoomi also offer a Thali early-bird special which you can order at lunch, or before 6:45 which looks well worth heading in for!
Perfect for: amazing Indian food in a gorgeous setting; a special lunch; dinner date.
2. Hub Box
Unit 7A The Brewery Quarter, Cheltenham.
You may have tried one of Hub Box’s delicious award-winning burgers at one its’ other restaurants across the South West but thank goodness, they have become one of the latest additions to the Cheltenham restaurant scene. One of the reasons I love Hub Box most is the sheer amount of choice, no matter what your dietary preference is. With a whole vegan menu on offer, these burgers are not just for the meat-eaters amongst you! If burgers aren’t your thing, be sure to check out their loaded fries! The Boston pulled fries are particularly tasty! They also serve great cocktails in a super laid-back atmosphere!
Perfect for: catching up with friends; family-friendly lunches.
3. The Railway
New Street, Cheltenham.
A staple of the Cheltenham restaurant scene, The Railway offers some of the best Thai food in town. Set in a gorgeous pub with plenty of cosy corners, be prepared to eat a delicious Thai feast from Smokey Phi Phi’s Thai street BBQ. Some of my favourite dishes include the Panang BBQ pork shoulder Bangkok curry and Asian duck salad. There are a few veggie and vegan options too. If the sun is shining, be sure to check out their gorgeous outdoor space and whatever the weather, make sure you try some of the delicious drinks from their extensive drinks menu. Last time I went, I had orange wine! Nothing to do with actual oranges, but very drinkable!
Perfect for: date nights; cosy night at the pub; catching up with friends.
4. Mowgli
Unit 5B, The Brewery Quarter, Cheltenham.
Another Indian restaurant has made it onto the list. To be honest I could write a whole article on the amazing Indian food in Cheltenham! Mowgli has become another firm favourite for us. Situated in the Brewery, booking is definitely recommended ahead of time. Whether you’re sat on one of their famed swing seats, or just a “normal” table, you can expect to be treated to great Indian street food and delicious cocktails. If you order nothing else, you have to try the chat bombs! Make sure you eat it all at once though or you may face yourself with yoghurt raita down your top! In my opinion, it was worth that risk! The Goan fish curry was also a favourite and can be coupled with their rice and roti to make it a delicious full meal.
Perfect for: informal Indian food; catching up with friends; a great lunch spot.
5. The Curious Cafe
204 Bath Road, Cheltenham.
I feel like I’ve been missing out on the hidden gem that is The Curious Cafe. Whenever I mention it to anyone, they all tell me how amazing it is, but somehow I only tried it for the first time after moving back from Chicago (despite living in Cheltenham for most of my life!) Whilst I haven’t yet made it in for their well-reputed brunch or lunch dishes, I’ve now tried their evening offering from Shaka Street Foods a couple of times. Tacos were one of my favourite meals whilst living in Chicago and these hit the spot pretty well! The ribeye chimichurri loaded fries are also a great pick! If you head there on a Monday evening, you can expect to be treated to a famed MamaDs pizza – I haven’t made it there yet to try but it is high up on my list!
Perfect for: vegan brunch/lunch; independent popups at dinner; gorgeous outdoor seating
6. The Coconut Tree
59 St Paul’s Road, Cheltenham.
A pillar of the Cheltenham restaurant scene since it opened in 2016, this Sri Lankan restaurant offers delicious food and cocktails. Whether you’re going in for a date, or a big group meal, I don’t see how you can be disappointed by some of the amazing menu choices. My personal favourites include the pea and cashew curry, and the pineapple curry! The Coconut Tree has so many vegan and vegetarian options and so it’s the perfect choice if you have a big group of you with different dietary needs.
Perfect for: big groups; delicious cocktails; trying something new
7. Kibou
Unit 36, Regent Arcade, Cheltenham.
Kibou is another of the secret hidden gems of Cheltenham – or at least it always used to be. During the pandemic, Kibou moved from their downstairs Regent Street spot into a much larger premises in the Regent Arcade. Whilst it may have seemed like a gamble to expand in such challenging times, it has clearly paid off for what is arguably one of Cheltenham’s most popular restaurants. We booked with friends and made the most of their private dining space which I thoroughly recommend if you’re in a group of 8 or more. The food is simply incredible and between the 8 of us, there wasn’t a single dish that wasn’t enjoyed. We could have probably stayed all night enjoying yet more delicious Japanese food. We also sampled the flight of sake which was fun – and tasty! The staff are all really knowledgeable and passionate about the food and drink they’re serving, and it’s clear to see why they won SoGlos Restaurant of the Year 2021.
Perfect for: lunch with the family; a special occasion; date night; any time you need a Japanese food fix!
8. BAO + BBQ
3 Regent St, Cheltenham
Last but by no means least is BAO + BBQ. When I first heard about this place, I was beyond excited to try it. Texan BBQ meets Taiwanese cuisine in this JM Socials restaurant located on Regent Street. Think smoked meats, steamed bao buns and plenty of cocktails. We could have easily ordered the whole menu but we decided to order lots of small plates and starters, with just a couple of larger plates. BAO + BBQ also offer an amazing feast price for larger groups where you get chance to sample all of their favourites.
Perfect for: something new and different; delicious meat dishes; catching up with friends.
Where next?
There are so many other amazing Cheltenham restaurants to try but I haven’t yet had the chance to (re)visit since moving back to the area in August.
I’m yet to sample Holee Cow or Holee Clucker, but I’m sure they’ll live up to the same standard as their other JM Social restaurants! I’ll be heading to Lumière for the first time later this month so be sure to check out my Instagram!
Other Cheltenham choices which I haven’t been back to since moving back include Prithvi, The Ivy, No 131 and Bottle of Sauce. I’ve had brilliant meals in all of them and would definitely recommend trying them next time you’re looking for a restaurant in Cheltenham to try this year!
Which other Cheltenham restaurants do I need to try?
You need to add Yogan to your list. Similar to, if not better than, Kibou but half the price.
Paul
That’s great to know! I’ll have to try and get a table there! Haven’t been before. Thanks for the recommendation!