Places to eat in Stansted

On the main street in Stansted, Lower Street Brasserie is a stylish and sophisticated restaurant serving up modern European and British lunch and dinner dishes. With a rustic bare-brick finish, clean white tablecloths and large leather chairs, the brasserie looks as good as the food sounds – the slow cooked pork belly with beetroot puree, applesauce and crackling is a particular favourite.

Just next door is The Cork House Bar & Bistro. The bar is one of the best in town, with a wide range of wines by the glass and tasty cocktails, while the bistro upstairs serves high quality bar food, including halloumi burgers, fish and chips, a range of sharing platters and more.

Over on Cambridge Road, the Wood Grill is another excellent restaurant in a similar price bracket. As the name suggests, their wood grill plays a large part in their menu, meaning they serve up an array of steaks, meats and specialist cuts, as well as wood-fired pizzas and one of the best wine lists in Stansted.

Breaking the cool and classic British brasserie mould is Bombay Butler on Station Road near the castle and train station. A local favourite since 1990, the Indian restaurant is open for takeaway and dine in, with over 100 dishes to choose from spanning tandoori, balti, biryanis and a wide range of chef’s specials. If you’re struggling to decide, their set menus are a great option.

Tea fans and those with a sweet tooth should head to The Tea Boutique in the heart of Stansted village, near the medieval castle on Lower Street. They have a wide range of loose-leaf tea, some dazzling cakes – the lemon drizzle is pretty special – and a variety of breakfast and lunch options on their menu. There’s also a children’s playroom to keep the little ones happy while you tuck into a second slice.

A little further down the street is Café Yeomans. This classic English café is as generous with their all-day breakfast platters accompanied by a sea of beans as it is with their homemade scones piled high with jam and cream. Busy, buzzy and with friendly, attentive staff, it’s a great all-rounder.

For food on the go, look no further than Churchill’s Fish & Chips. An award-winning takeaway, they cook up fresh burgers, pies, chicken nuggets and sustainably sourced fish, including haddock, eel, plaice and scampi, while they also have a gluten-free menu.

The award for the most unlikely setting for an excellent café goes to H@me & Eat, located on an industrial estate in Bishop’s Stortford. A restaurant and homeware store, the café is open for breakfast, lunch and early dinner, alongside serving up plenty of excellent snacks, hot and cold drinks and desserts. And if you’re in the market for a hot tub, spa or new set of towels, you don’t have far to look.