Places to eat in Coventry

Coventry’s restaurant scene has grown in the past couple of years and now the small city centre boasts a diverse mix, drawing inspiration from across the world. Pairing national chain favourites with local independents, Coventry serves up a delightful mix of the exotic and the familiar.

In the heart of Coventry’s Cathedral Quarter is Playwrights Bar & Bistro. Tucked neatly away on the cobbled Hay Lane, the pared-back interiors make sure the food takes centre stage. Using local suppliers, the menu is a condensed read-through of British staples. Slow-cooked pork belly, herb-crusted sea bass and lamb shanks are served with piping-hot seasonal vegetables; a warm-up to the very British Eton mess and apple crumble that await on the dessert menu.

With more eclectic decor – think hunting lodge meets nanny’s kitchen – the Cosy Club provides morning-to-night city centre dining, offering a robust brunch menu, burgers, salads, tapas and mains which graduate from light bites to classics to simply the best available. An extensive drinks menu will ease you into nighttime, featuring a hefty supply of bottled beers, ciders, ales on tap, wines and cocktails.

My Dhabba and Turmeric Gold are two of the city’s favourite Indian restaurants. Not your typical tikka masala affairs, My Dhabba is famous for its thali, giving diners the chance to sample a range of small dishes, while Turmeric Gold is as much a visual feast as a gastronomic one.

For some Latin flair, head to Las Iguanas inside Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre. The chain favourite is home to authentic Mexican and South American flavours, flame-grilled dishes and sharing platters in a colourful and warm, relaxed setting.

Café culture is alive and well in Coventry, but thanks to a host of unique, off-the-wall locations, it just might take a little seeking out.

With music kept to background levels, quirky two-level architecture and an impressive range of beers, Drapers Bar and Kitchen is equal parts café, bar and restaurant. It’s perfect for drinks before or after a trip to nearby attractions, including the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and the cathedral. The well-priced food comes highly recommended, while the bar hosts a variety of events including live music, beer and gin festivals, vintage markets and more.

Rising Café is another charming eatery that pays more than a passing reference to the city’s wartime past. Housed in Coventry Cathedral, half a mile from our City Centre (Belgrade Plaza) hotel, Rising Café is a local favourite offering hearty lunches, a delicious selection of home-baked cakes and expertly brewed coffee. The 1940s nostalgia is evident around the establishment, with mismatched chairs and china, vintage posters on the walls and a playful menu paying homage to Britain’s history with names like ‘Union Jackets’, ‘Churchilli’ and ‘Victory Vegetables’.

Godiva’s atmospheric setting could be taken straight out of a Dan Brown novel. Buried deep underground, the café is in the vaulted undercroft of St. Mary’s Guildhall. In this unique setting, visitors can enjoy Godiva’s light snacks and hearty lunches – using locally sourced and Fairtrade products where they can – and try the regional speciality, the Coventry Godcake.

The self-professed home of flamboyant desserts, you’ll be wide-eyed on arriving and sugar-buzzed upon leaving – welcome to the world of Creams! Found on the corner of Swanswell Park and Pool, gelatos, crepes and waffles are the order of the day, including dessert du jour bubble waffles. Expect indulgent decadence that will leave you dizzy with choice.

As the heart of Coventry for over 1,000 years, there’s no better place than Broadgate to host Coventry’s markets. Every third Friday of the month, the Farmers’ Market comes to town, bringing with it a bounty of food and drinks sourced locally. Pick up preserves, condiments, meats, artisan bread, cheeses, and beers and wines between 9am and 3pm.

And not to be outshone by its neighbours, Coventry also welcomes a Christmas market on select weekends in November and December. Make an impression on your Christmas list with some not-on-the-high-street gifts while treating yourself to warming glühwein, fat frankfurters cooked over a traditional grill, and pretzels stuffed with meats and cheese. It’s truly the food that makes the Christmas market a highlight of the calendar, so be sure not to arrive on a full stomach.