Worcester Restaurants and Dining

(Worcester, Worcestershire, England, UK)

As you walk around the city centre you will soon realise that the dining scene in Worcester is extremely well developed. Restaurants and cafes line the majority of the principal streets in central Worcester, together with trendy brasseries and bistros, and the occasional traditional tea room, such as the charming Prior's Parlour Coffee Shop in the cathedral's cloisters.

Famous for its spicy Worcestershire sauce, the city is home to many excellent restaurants specialising in hearty English dishes, which tend to be seasonal in their nature. In the springtime, the regional asparagus could not be finer and makes an appearance on lots of local dining menus, while the autumnal fruit and vegetables filling the farmers' markets in October also strongly influence the dishes at this time of the year.

Where to Eat

There are now in excess of 100 different eateries and dining venues spread around the Worcester area, and during the summer months, many families favour the riverside pubs, which often come with play areas, real ale and homemade food. Pub grub is usually very affordable and includes everything from fish and chips, steak and kidney pies, and salads, to chicken tikka masala, lasagne, baguettes and hot paninis.

On Sundays, the pub and hotel restaurants of Worcester are certainly the place to come for Sunday lunches, and carveries are always well advertised, offering excellent value for money and serving up roast chicken, pork, lamb and beef, which is always accompanied by Yorkshire puddings and gravy. A multitude of additional pubs lie close by, in neighbouring villages and towns, such as Droitwich, Great Malvern and Ombersley.

If you prefer more international dining establishments, then Worcester is home to Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Moroccan, Portuguese and Thai restaurants. These are in good supply along roads such as Angel Street, Broad Street, the Bull Ring, Friar Street, New Street, Sidbury and the Tything.

Three-course lunches are popular at the Quay Restaurant on the South Quay, where an al fresco terrace overlooks the River Severn, Worcester Cathedral and the rather splendid St. Andrew's Gardens Fountain. Themed events at the Quay take place throughout the year and in the past have included 'Spanish Tapas and Paella' and 'Best of British' evenings.

If you prefer fast food to gourmet dining, then Worcester has plenty of offer. The most familiar fast-food restaurants in the city include McDonald's on the Foregate, Subway at the Cross, and Pizza Hut at the Shrub Hill Retail Park, close to the train station.