Places to eat in Shrewsbury

In the shadow of Shrewsbury Abbey, you’ll find The Peach Tree. People come from far and wide to dine in this lovely 15th-century building and sample its creative menu of culinary concoctions. All in all, if you’re looking for a casual, contemporary restaurant where you can rely on tasty food and good service, then The Peach Tree should certainly be on your shortlist. It’s not just for dinner, too. The doors are unlocked at 8am for breakfast and stay open right the way through to 10pm on weekdays, and 11pm on weekends.

You’ll find the following four suggestions in the picturesque Tudor town centre, within a short walking distance of many of the top attractions and activities in Shrewsbury. First up is Darwin’s Kitchen on St. Mary’s Street. It’s barely more than a five-minute walk from our Shrewsbury Town Centre hotel. Similar to The Peach Tree, this stylish restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a packed menu of creative takes on British classics. Visiting in the evening? We recommend taking your pick from the fantastic selection of small plates. Personal favourites include the devilled whitebait, wagyu meatballs and the courgette arancini with beetroot puree. Alternatively, there’s a handful of pukka full-size ‘chef’s plates’ – including some sublime slow roasted belly pork.

Another option is to hunt down the House of the Rising Sun. It’s hidden down Butcher Row, a hop, skip and a jump away from the shops of Pride Hill. It’s a bit on the decadent side, but if you’re dining out for an occasion, we’d wager that there aren’t many eateries in Shrewsbury that can match the House of the Rising Sun’s upstairs restaurant for style. The interior is chic, and the menu draws influence from the foodie destinations of the Pacific Rim, so you can choose from small plates such as salmon ceviche, steak and kimchi baos, and tofu katsu curry. It’s delicious, plated to perfection, and the service is top-class.

On a side note, if you’re looking for a more casual, daytime snack, then head a couple of doors down from the House of the Rising Sun to Philpotts, where you can take your pick from some absolutely biblical handmade sandwiches.

Back to business, Bistro Jacques is slap bang in the middle of town. It’s the French restaurant with the pastel green facade at the junction of Pride Hill and Mardol. As is the case with the best bistros, it offers a casual dining experience, with delightful food to boot. It’s a particularly good option if you’re planning a trip to the nearby Theatre Severn as the three-course ‘Pre-Théâtre Offre’ provides excellent value, and even better eating.

You’ll find Loch Fyne Seafood & Grill, our fourth and final town centre recommendation, on Market Street, just down the road from the Old Market Hall. The nationwide chain of seafood restaurants is highly regarded no matter which you visit. The fish is delivered daily, so you can rely on it being fresh and flavoursome, with the menu changing with the seasons depending on what’s available. You can pop in for a quick bite, or a fishy feast Poseidon would be proud of. All in all, the restaurant offers excellent eating at reasonable prices. Be sure to check it out.

To round things off, we’ll let you hungry souls in on a beloved local restaurant that keeps carnivores up at night with its authentic American grills and absolutely mammoth meals. Smoke Stop BBQ is a twenty-minute drive from our Shrewsbury North (Harmer Hill) hotel, but it’s worth making the pilgrimage to this Mecca of meaty goodness. If anything, the journey only helps to build your appetite.

Once you’re there, you can take your pick from burgers, wings, ribs, brisket, waffles, hoagies and hot dogs. Or, do as we do and build your own BBQ tray for less than £15. As soon as you take your first bite, you’ll realise this isn’t your run-of-the-mill American grill. The guys behind Smoke Stop BBQ travelled to Texas to learn the secrets of some of the best in the business. That’s why their pulled pork is twice smoked, their brisket is cooked for 24 hours, and they have four whopping food challenges that’d give a T-rex the meat sweats.

We’ll kick off our café crawl with one of our favourites, The Pour House. It’s an independent café bar with a convenient location just across the road from the Theatre Severn. During the day, you can pop in for a cup of coffee, or take your pick from their selection of 10 loose leaf teas. However, the milkshakes are the main attraction; they’re huge, creative and absolutely delicious. By night, the guys and gals behind the bar turn their attention to concocting some of the best cocktails in Shrewsbury. If it weren’t for the fact that we’re a sucker for the milkshakes, The Pour House would have easily found its way onto our page dedicated to Shrewsbury nightlife; it’s open until late, the atmosphere’s great, and so too the music.

Between their sweet treats, sarnies and simple homemade food, there’s something for everyone in Ginger and Co. Coffee. It’s a particularly excellent option if you’re gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan as there’ll never not be something on the menu to suit your needs. The café itself is a lovely airy spot on Princess Street with friendly staff, excellent coffee and healthy food. We’d highly recommend popping in for a visit, particularly if you’re planning a shopping spree, as its just a few doors down from House of Fraser.

Carry on walking down Princess Street, and you’ll find another excellent option from Shrewsbury’s food scene. CSONS is a family affair, run by the four Crouch brothers. Their proclivity for local produce leads to the menu changing on an almost daily basis. But the brothers have all travelled the world and share a wealth of restaurant experience, so you can rely on the food being absolutely beautiful. The 16th-century building is brimming with character, and the stylish decor only helps to accentuate its unique features. Plus, there’s also a delightful suntrap of a garden if you fancy some al fresco dining during the spring and summer months. If you can, book a table for their Friday night ‘mystery menu’ and take your taste buds on a trip to remember.

Next up is The Bird’s Nest. It’s an absolute gem tucked away in the Market Hall, which was named Britain’s Favourite Market 2018. By and large, everything on the menu is made from locally sourced organic grub. If you have a busy day planned, their Portuguese-style sardines on toast is the perfect fuel for exploring all that Shrewsbury has to offer. Then again, their full English is one of the best in the business, too. As for lunch, Lou’s stew and dumplings is a heartwarming homemade treat. If you’re feeling extra hungry, the donburi with all the extras is an absolute delight.

Paying a visit to Shrewsbury Castle? Or looking for somewhere to grab a cup of coffee or a bite to eat near Shrewsbury Train Station? The Shrewsbury Coffeehouse will be right up your street. For starters, you won’t find a better, more friendly team of baristas in Shropshire. They give the café such a welcoming atmosphere; visit once and you won’t want to try anywhere else. Since its recent refurbishment, there’s also plenty of seating across both floors, and even hosts live music downstairs.

Finally, if you’re looking for a café with character, Bear Steps fits the bill, and then some. It’s in a stunning Tudor building, in the medieval corner of Shrewsbury, watched over by the beautiful St. Alkmund’s Church. As you can expect from such an old building, it’s not for the claustrophobic. However, when the sun’s out, the outdoor seating area is lovely. In terms of food, drink and service, Bear Steps does everything well. So, if you’re in the area, it’s an excellent option.