Restaurant run by prisoners named one of the best in the UK

A restaurant run by prisoners in Cardiff, a 100% plant-based eatery in Bath and a medieval friary in Newcastle have been announced as being among the best restaurants in the UK right now, according to Time Out.

The Clink can be found at HMP Cardiff, where prisoners training to work in the hospitality industry turn top quality local Welsh produce into fine dining dishes. Run by The Clink Charity, this isn’t just a place to eat great food, it is a place that is doing great things too.

The EAT List by Time Out ranks the best restaurants in more than 50 cities worldwide. To compile the annual EAT Lists for cities around the UK, from Aberdeen to Brighton via London and York, Time Out editors and contributing writers have crisscrossed the country to dine their way through hundreds of restaurants. The lists celebrate the very best places to eat in these cities right now, from cheap and innovative new restaurants to fine dining establishments.

Trends brought to light by The EAT List include the ever-growing appeal of plant-based restaurants for vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike; the focus on provenance at a number of the top spots, with chefs regularly updating menus to work with seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients; and the popularity of  small and medium plates, encouraging sharing and enjoying a meal together – though the lists in many cities still include top-notch tasting menus for celebrations and special occasion blow-outs.

James Manning, Global Projects Editor at Time Out, says: “The Time Out EAT List reflects the way people across the UK (and the world) love to eat right now, from classic curry houses to hip vegan joints. We prize the places that combine great cooking with atmosphere and service, with an unashamed bias towards great-value restaurants you’ll want to visit again and again. There has never been a better time to dine out in the UK, and this is your essential guide to the best spots for every occasion.

“At Time Out, we’ve eaten our way through countless restaurants for more than 50 years on our quest to discover the best of the city. Time Out’s recommendations are made by expert, independent local writers and our reviewers visit anonymously and pay their way. It’s a given that for a venue to make one of Time Out’s recommended lists the food has to be amazing, but we’re looking for a whole eating experience that’s truly memorable.”