More than 60% of us* say sharing memorable experiences with loved ones is our key priority, so what better Christmas gift than a leisurely meal at a favourite restaurant with someone special? There are options to suit all budgets and tastes and if you give them a copy of The Good Food Guide 2020 too, they'll get £50 of money-off vouchers to use in participating venues. Now you just need to make sure they choose you as a dining companion...
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Dishoom (Shoreditch, Kensington, Carnaby, Covent Garden, King's Cross, Manchester, Edinburgh)
Dishoom offers coins, each valued at £10, which can be used in any of its seven locations. If you're unable to get to one of the restaurants — or have left it rather late — e-gift vouchers are available via the website. dishoom.com; average price £30.
Six by Nico (Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool)
Vouchers at this fast-growing mini chain, available from £20 to £200, can be used in any of its five restaurants. The concept is simple: a fixed six-course tasting menu which changes every six weeks, for a bargain £29 (£55 with wine pairing). sixbynico.co.uk; average price £29.
Gambas, Bristol
Tapas are perfect for sharing so visit this harbourside shipping container en masse for pitch-perfect tortilla, patatas bravas and cod brandada tostada. Vouchers available in multiples of £25 via the website. gambasbristol.co.uk; average price £20.
Baba, Edinburgh
Get a group of your nearest and dearest together and tuck into Middle Eastern delights at this colourful city-centre restaurant. You can also buy vouchers (from £20 and available in £10 increments thereafter) to be sent by post, email, or text message, perfect for a last-minute gift. baba.restaurant; average price £25.
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Acorn, Bath
Vouchers for this vegan restaurant, set in a gorgeous Georgian townhouse, are available via the website in denominations of £5 to £50. You can also buy tickets to the supper club in Bruton on 18 January in collaboration with Caro, plus the Acorn cookbook, brilliant for anyone following a plant-based diet.
acornvegetariankitchen.co.uk; average price £40.
64 Degrees, Brighton
With its bustling open kitchen and seasonal small plates menu, this intimate Lanes venue is a food nerd's heaven. Vouchers are available in any denomination directly from the restaurant or by calling 01273 770115. 64degrees.co.uk; average price £40.
The Gaff, Abergavenny
This airy, high-ceilinged restaurant dishes up global flavours to an appreciative crowd. Vouchers for lunch or dinner are available in any monetary value. Buy them in person or by calling 01873 739310. thegaffrestaurant.co.uk; average price £40.
Heaneys, Cardiff
Fans of Great British Menu should head to this suave restaurant in one of the city's upmarket suburbs where Tommy Heaney's cooking smacks of originality and flair. Choose from monetary vouchers, redeemable against any service (from £20), or, say, Sunday lunch for two for £60. heaneyscardiff.co.uk; average price £43.
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L'Enclume, Cartmel
Give them the ultimate gift of a meal at The Good Food Guide's number one restaurant. Monetary vouchers start at £50 or buy a packaged experience such as lunch for two starting at £130, or a two-night stay (Sun to Thur only) with one dinner at L'Enclume and another at nearby Rogan & Co for £755 per couple.
lenclume.co.uk; average price £155.
Ynyshir, Eglwys Fach
Whether it's for a monetary value (minimum £50) or a full-blown dining package — dinner with B&B, perhaps — a gift voucher, printed and hand-signed by head chef Gareth Ward, is sure to please. ynyshir.co.uk; average price £150.
Core by Clare Smyth, Notting Hill, London
A range of gift experiences is on offer at this year's second-highest scoring restaurant. Starting at £75 for lunch, up to £125 for the tasting menu, Core can even tailor a bespoke package to suit the recipient. corebyclaresmyth.com; average price £90.
Coombeshead Farm, Lewannick, Cornwall
From Sunday lunch (£70) to dinner, bed and breakfast for two (£330), a getaway at this farmhouse set in 66 acres of meadows is bound to bring joy to whoever receives it. coombesheadfarm.co.uk; average price £65.
The Mash Inn, Radnage
How about an e-gift voucher for our 2020 Restaurant of the Year? Available for any amount up to £750, your giftee could enjoy the daily four-course menu or the ten-course tasting menu. themashinn.com; average price £70.
Know someone who would prefer to cook than be cooked for? Get them a gift card for the Waitrose & Partners Cookery School. There are courses for all levels and abilities across locations in London, Salisbury and Cheltenham. Vouchers start at £10.
*according to a OnePoll survey of 2,000 people
Published December 2019
