Our guide to local restaurants and coffee shops.

There are many wonderful places to eat in Stratford-upon-Avon, mostly independently run and all with wonderful attention to detail and excellent service. If you choose a chain restaurant then its a good idea to check websites or smartphone apps such as vouchercloud for deals. All Restaurants are within a 5 minute walk of the RSC theatres and a 15 minute walk from Moss Cottage.

Grants of Sheep Street: English dining with a contemporary twist.  Just across the road from the RSC theatres, a light and airy restaurant with excellent food, Pre-theatre deals available or extensive menu.. Upstairs houses a wine bar serving drinks and tasty platters perfect for a light bite or somewhere to meet friends. 01789 290008

Edward Moon: British food with a continental twist. Superb friendly service and delicious food in this newly refurbished restaurant. Good choice of gluten free meals available. Pre-theatre meals or full menu, also excellent lunch time deals.  01789 267069

No.9 Church Street: Sited in a 400 year old grade 2 listed building, serving English food with a contemporary twist. Small very friendly with excellent locally sourced seasonal food and service, Pre-theatre or full menu available 01789 415522

Essence at Old Red Lion Court: Relaxed modern British dining. This newly opened restaurant is sited between Bridge Street and Sheep Street, a little off the beaten track but worth finding with its perfect dishes and very friendly staff making you feel at home as soon as you walk through the door. Run by a local couple this is their 2nd restaurant in the area. 01789 269999

Vintner, Cafe/wine bar: Getting its name from the fact that John Smith traded wine from this building in the year 1600 (did Shakespeare buy his wine here?). This charming building with its old beams and flag stone floors has a wide menu choice and extensive wine list (obviously!) 01789 297259

Lambs: Another 16th century building full of character and charm. Extensive menu and wine list. 01789 292554

Opposition: Known locally and to many theatre goers simply as OPPO, extensive menu and wine list, run by the same people as Lambs and Vintner, all good quality food and service in old building to give you the olde wolde feel of stratford. 01789 269980

The Waterside Brasserie: Located in the Eden Hotel directly opposite the RSC theatres, Top Class food and service in this 5 star hotel.  Also having a champagne bar and terrace. 01789 298682

The Rooftop Restaurant: Set right on top of the RSC theatre with wonderful views over the river Avon. This is a top class restaurant which obviously comes at a price, but you get what you pay for. Special occasion dining! Make that theatre day a special one. 01789 403449

The Golden Bee: A Witherspoons pub offering value food and drink right in the centre of Stratford.

Carluccio’s: Classic Italian food, perfectly prepared with a great choice of wines close to the waterfront. With deli and shop for all your Italian goodies. 01789 267424

Cafe Pasta: Good wholesome Italian restaurant, a favourite with many guests as good value and great service. 01789 262910

Strada: Wide choice of Pasta, Pizza and excellent wines, in a light and friendly atmosphere with friendly service.  01789 294298

Hussains: Looking for something a little more spicy? This classic Indian restaurant is very close to the RSC theatres with friendly staff always happy to help you choose your perfect Indian dishes to suit your tastes. 01789 205804

Jimmy Spices: If you can’t decide between you which style of food you fancy, this could be your ideal place! A self service “eat all you like” buffet with perfectly prepared Indian, Thai, Chinese and Italian food. Everything from salads, grilled fish, pizza, samosas, to a cooked in front of you stir fry. Its all in one place. Plus some very cute tiny deserts from all corners of the earth, I’ve had 5 on one plate (they are tiny honest). 01789 296222

The Bell: This is situated just a few minutes walk from Moss Cottage in the village of Shottery, if you don’t want to go into the town centre. Run by Green King IPA brewery is serves a wide menu, well cooked in a very friendy local pub. Sharing platters also available, great if your just staying over night or want real English pub atmosphere.  01789 269645

The Real Tea Company: A new outlook on the traditional ‘coffee shop’. Situated right in the heart of Stratford this has the widest range of teas your likely to see in one place. Black, green, infusions, its all here, plus they do sell coffee too from a local roaster here in Stratford (monsoon estates coffee is what we use in Moss Cottage too).  Delicious locally sourced sandwiches and pastries, just right for that little stop in between shopping or sight seeing. 01789 295044

Box Brownie: Just a few doors away from Shakespeares Birthplace, perfect for that shot of coffee to get you back on your feet again and out to see all Stratford has to offer. Undoubtedly the best Brownies in Stratford too!  01789 204199