Then there’s Otto, the Italian spot that makes you feel like you’ve been adopted by a nonna in Tuscany. The pasta is handmade, and the wine list is longer than my to-do list. But here’s the kicker: the waiters are so friendly, they’ll chat to you about the weather and then recommend a dessert that changes your life. It’s the kind of place where you accidentally spend £80 and don’t even care.
Or try Anderson & Hill for a quick, ridiculous pie. Their steak and ale pie is so good, I once cancelled a date just to eat one alone in my flat. No regrets. The pastry is flaky, the filling is hearty, and they serve it with mash that tastes like it was made by angels with butter for hands.
The Hidden Gems (aka “Where the Locals Actually Go”)
You can’t talk about JQ restaurants without mentioning the little spots that feel like secrets. The Church is a tiny, candle-lit bar that does amazing tapas, and you’ll feel like a spy just finding the door. The croquetas there are so crispy, you’ll wonder if they’re illegal.
Jewellery Quarter’s new basement bar/restaurant | Harden's
And for brunch, Yorks Bakery Cafe is a total institution. You’ll queue for 20 minutes, but that’s part of the ritual. Their eggs benedict is a masterpiece of messy goodness, and the coffee is strong enough to wake a hibernating bear. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve accomplished something major—like surviving a small, delicious war.
