Amesbury Restaurant Guide

“Still at the top of its game”, with “superb and imaginative dishes” – Farsi Solman’s long-running Indian is felt by some of its fans to be “the best restaurant in Salisbury”: it’s “definitely eat-in rather than takeaway!”

2022 Review: “Consistently good and authentic street food” with “lots of extras” ensure a “very different Indian experience” at Muhammed Rasheed’s five-year-old, close to the cathedral. There’s a shaded patio out the back and craft beer available.

Reopened by Lucy Townsend a decade back – a “lovely old pub” (with ten rooms) delivering “wonderful, delicious seasonal food” that makes the most of the Kent larder, and where the “superb staff and welcome make every meal special” (it’s hotly in demand for romantic getaways). Top Tip – the “particularly good-value set lunch” (three courses £26.95 per person).

2021 Review: “Rather nice brunches and lunches await at this deli-café, with half a dozen specials chalked on the board” plus a garden and fish ‘n’ chip Friday nights. Though it serves an “upmarket clientele in an upmarket village”, it’s still “good value, with charming young staff” to boot.

“What a find” – this well-established Gallic restaurant has been ably helmed by husband-and-wife team Garth (FOH) and Maranda Jacobs (chef) for over a decade, having been in existence for twice that long under former chef German Marquis. These days in a handier High Street location, it continues to turn out “delightful” and “delicious” cuisine by absolutely all accounts.

“An urbane London-style restaurant out in the country” – “this is a pretty village and the hotel has been refurbished in recent times”; and fans say it is an “especially delightful place to eat outside in the good weather”. “Prices are fairly commensurate with London” and not everyone feels that it stacks up value-wise – “what is reliable food with willing and helpful service” to some is – to others – “pretty average”.

“A very comfortable old pub” (thatched and from the 14th century) that’s owned by Ben Maschler (son of restaurant critic Fay and formerly in charge of operations at Soho House); and which is consistently well-praised in reports for its standards. (The FT’s Tim Hayward visited in May 2024, and also pronounced himself a fan.)

This family-run modern British restaurant overlooking the cathedral city’s market square is “going from strength to strength”, having been launched by “innovative” chef Tim Tonkin back in 2019. There’s a “focus on small sharing plates” but also an “interesting, balanced and delicious” tasting menu. Small niggle? “The quality of the cooking deserves better service”.