Eating My Way Through restaurants in wells uk You’ll Love in 2025

Introduction — Why Wells Has Quietly Become a Foodie Playground

restaurants in wells uk Blink and you might miss Wells on a map, but if you point your fork in the right direction you’ll discover one of Somerset’s most eclectic little dining scenes. We’re talking medieval‑street views, indie wine bars, modern veggie small plates, proper Sunday roasts, and enough coffee‑and‑cake stops to refuel an army of cathedral‑spotters. I’ve spent the past year detouring off the A39, testing specials, talking to chefs, and occasionally butchering a West‑Country accent to see who’d spill their secret suppliers. The result is this 2,000‑ish‑word stroll through 15 restaurants in Wells that deserve your appetite in 2025. Lace up, loosen your belt, and let’s graze.restaurants in wells uk

A Quick‑Fire “Hit List” (Read This If You’re Hungry Right Now)

Bookmark it, screenshot it, tattoo it on your forearm—whatever works until the hangry passes.restaurants in wells uk

Wells in Five Bites: What Makes the Scene Tick

1. Local produce is practically non‑negotiable. Most chefs I quizzed boasted about picking up veg at Nyland Farm before sunrise or sourcing venison from the Mendip Hills.
2. Heritage settings are part of the seasoning. Many dining rooms sit in centuries‑old buildings—Root’s housed in a listed townhouse; The Fountain Inn still creaks like a coaching inn.
3. Size matters (in a good way). With only 12,000 residents, feedback loops are brutal; bad meals don’t survive. That raises the average game‑quality for visitors.
4. Seasonal menus shift fast. By the time this post drops, Root will have swapped three dishes and The Pressoir might be pouring a whole new flight of pét‑nats.
5. Walkability saves cab fare. Everything on this list is within a 15‑minute wander of the market square.

Deep‑Dive Reviews & Stories From the Table

Root — Vegetable‑Led Wizardry With Zero Preachiness

Root’s pitch sounds familiar—small plates, nose‑to‑tale‑ish sustainability—but chef Rob Howell executes. Think barbecued hispi cabbage in miso butter, or cheddar beignets that make grown cyclists cry mid‑ride. The Michelin Bib Gourmand they landed in 2023 still buzzes, so book ahead (they’ll politely charge £20 if you ghost them). Union Street car park is your friend for lunchtime sessions. wells.nub.news

Pro tip: Grab the window perch and watch unsuspecting shoppers slow‑blink at your beetroot‑grape‑walnut creation like it’s modern art.restaurants in wells uk

The Sheep & Penguin — Proof That Pub Grub Grew Up

Yes, the name sounds like a children’s picture book. No, the cooking isn’t childish. My marmalade‑glazed ham with hens’ eggs and triple‑cooked chips was salty‑sweet wizardry; my brother’s burger dripped Monterey Jack in slow‑mo. Desserts lean nostalgic (apple‑berry crumble with vanilla ice cream). Arrive thirsty—three rotating local cask pumps keep things lively. wells.nub.news

Ordering hack: Split a main, then raid the tapas‑ish “bites” board (scotch eggs the size of cricket balls).restaurants in wells uk

Goodfellows — 20 Years of Quiet Excellence

Chef‑patron Adam Fellows left a Michelin‑starred post to open in Wells back in 2004. He’s since relocated to a larger St Thomas Street site, but the DNA remains: French‑leaning technique, Somerset produce, and an open kitchen you could watch like Netflix. The five‑course tasting menu feels like a bargain for anniversary dinners. Pace can be brisk; mention if you prefer lingering over your Chablis. wanderlog.com

Seat snob alert: The mezzanine table lets you spy both pass and cathedral tower if you lean just right.

The Olive Tree — Modern Brit‑French Charm for All Seasons

Opened in 2022, The Olive Tree sits on Sadler Street and has already split opinion (one TripAdvisor hero titled a review “AVOID AT ALL COSTS,” which—let’s be honest—only made me more curious). My verdict? Hits > misses. The sea bass with beetroot risotto was Instagram‑worthy; the aubergine caponata side was a tad fiery—but hey, that’s why the dessert wine list exists. tripadvisor.com

Best seat: Upstairs bay window at sunset—soft cathedral glow, zero foot traffic glare.restaurants in wells uk

The Fountain Inn — Sunday Roast Royalty

Family‑run, beams‑and‑banter, 17th‑century bones—tick, tick, tick. Tripadvisor puts them top‑three in town with a 4.4/5 from 900+ reviews. My roast beef came pink, boats of gravy kept arriving like friendly torpedoes, and locals still call landlady Sally “Mum” even when their hair’s greyer than hers. tripadvisor.com

Budget note: Main courses hover around £16—cheaper than a London craft‑beer starter.restaurants in wells uk

Long Story Bistro — Where Wells Does Brunch

Small but mighty. Order the macchiato, bouncy brioche French toast, and watch cyclists clatter past en route to the Mendips. Bonus points for stocking pastries from Glastonbury’s famous Burns the Bread bakery. tripadvisor.com

Rugantino — Red‑Sauce Nights Done Right

Expect chianti‑checkered nostalgia, servers who wink when recommending the tiramisù, and pizza bases light enough to double as frisbees in the Bishop’s Palace gardens (please don’t).

ASK Italian — Chain With a View (and Honest Value)

Normally I dodge chains in travel guides, but ASK’s Market Place outpost benefits from Gothic‑tower sightlines, friendly staff, and reliable gluten‑free options. Parents: the kids’ menu will actually feed your offspring for under a tenner. wanderlog.com

Rajah Tandoori — Curry Night, Sorted

No‑frills décor, all‑thrills lamb rogan josh. Takeaway orders spike on Friday—beat the rush by phoning in at 5 p.m. and picking up after your cathedral roof tour.

The Pressoir — For Wine Geeks & Cheeseboard Lovers

Part wine shop, part kitchen, The Press­oir feels like stepping into a Loire Valley fever dream (owner David Schroetter grew up among vines). The January 2025 menu launched with duck‑fat roasties under a chenin blanc jus—chef’s kiss. Check their calendar for five‑course “Supper Nights” or budget‑friendly £25 tastings that pour 15+ wines. thepressoir.com restaurants in wells uk

The Creamery — A Side Quest Worth Debating

Technically just outside Wells, this upmarket café sprouted beside a rural train stop and attracted both hype and eye‑rolls (The Times called it “luxurious but average”). I enjoyed the buffalo‑milk focaccia; my partner called it “bread doing cosplay as a cloud.” Worth a pit‑stop if you’re rail‑bound. thetimes.co.uk restaurants in wells uk

New Kids on the Block

• Post Office Project (Market Square). Planning approved in Sept 2024 to flip the old sorting office into a restaurant‑retail hybrid. Watch this space in late 2025. wells.nub.news
• Hidden Courtyard Tapas (rumoured). Locals whisper about a chef from Bristol eyeing a courtyard near Union Street for alfresco pintxos; council paperwork suggests a summer launch.restaurants in wells uk

Seasonal & Dietary Cheat Sheet

Vegetarian: Root (obvious) + The Olive Tree label dishes clearly.
Vegan: Long Story Bistro does a mean smashed‑avocado toast; call ahead anywhere else.
Gluten‑free: ASK Italian’s GF bases are reliable; Goodfellows tweaks tasting menus if you email them 48 hrs out.restaurants in wells uk

Practical Logistics (Because Even Foodies Need Parking Info)

• Parking: Union Street (BA5 2PU) is cheapest; Cross Penniless Street is closer to the cathedral but fills by 10 a.m.
• Reservations: Essential at Root, Goodfellows, The Pressoir; nice‑to‑have elsewhere on weekends.
• Budget: Lunch mains range £10–£18; dinner tasting menus £55–£70; pints about £5.20 (yes, we cried too).
• Dress Code: Anywhere from muddy walking boots (pubs) to smart‑casual (Goodfellows). No one will judge your raincoat—this is Somerset.

Pair Your Meal With a Mini‑Adventure

1. Pre‑Dinner Stroll: Amble the moat around the Bishop’s Palace. Swans occasionally pose like influencer models.
2. Post‑Lunch Digestif: Climb the cathedral tower tour (bookable Fri–Sat). Your thighs will thank you for torching those chips.
3. Cheese Coma Recovery: Twenty‑minute drive to Wookey Hole caves; the temperature shock sobers you right up.restaurants in wells uk

Conclusion: A Small City With Flavour‑Punching Swagger

If I’ve learned anything from twelve months of enthusiastic carb‑loading, it’s this: Wells cooks with a confidence that belies its size. Between Michelin‑patted veg joints, centuries‑old roasts, and indie wine dens, you can eat better here in a long weekend than in some capitals. My advice? Come curious, book a couple of “big‑ticket” tables, but leave gaps for spontaneous cream‑tea detours and pub discoveries—because half the joy of Wells dining is letting the cobbled streets decide your next snack.

Bon appétit, and if you spot me scribbling notes over espresso, wave (or slide me half your brownie for science). Either works.

you should also watch amazon-uk-gift-cards