Hale Barns, Fish & Seafood Restaurant Guide

“In the beautiful foothills of the Peak District”, a “cosy pub with its open fire, good draft beers and, importantly, a kitchen that can cook fish”, whether you go for Josper-roasted catch or a slap-up fish ’n’ chips. Far from a neophyte, the venue has graced this village since way back in the mid-1700s, with less antique additions including a new beer cellar and three boutique bedrooms.

2024 Review: A “great, popular local fish restaurant” where the “brilliant” and “affordable” catch often comes chargrilled, or with influences from other seafood-loving nations (“favourites include the Thai curry prawn dish”); the “recent addition of outside covered tables” is an added boon. After six years in the game, a much-touted sibling in Sale’s foodie-oriented Stanley Square development was due to launch in summer 2023.

“There’s no denying the spectacular setting” (fish tanks, giant sea sculptures…) of this former Armani shop in Manchester’s Spinningfields Square, taken over by the Caprice Holdings group two years back, and a slightly less sexy spin-off of the original restaurant in Mayfair. Sadly, however, “there’s little to excite in the food” (fishy fare with an Asian accent), and they’re so “focussed on the Insta crowd to be honest” that the victuals almost seem an “afterthought to the overpriced, pretentious cocktails”.