Best Restaurants in Cheltenham

Cheltenham is perhaps best known for its annual science, literature, and jazz festivals that amplify the welcoming spirit of the town and its residents. However, an exciting range of restaurants makes it a year-round destination for food lovers too. Join CrossCountry as we explore the best places to eat in Cheltenham, all within thirty minutes' walking distance of the train station.

Bistro Du Vin

To sample hearty French dining in a stunning Georgian setting, head straight to Bistro Du Vin. Part of the luxurious Hotel Du Vin, it’s a taste of rural France in the Cotswolds.

Enter a light and airy space that combines rustic chic with sink-in leather chairs, dark wooden floorboards and mellow lighting. The emphasis is very much on chic but friendly dining. The menu is bursting with seasonal, British and French-style dishes accompanied by an excellent selection of wines. There’s even a resident group sommelier to help guide you through an admirably exhaustive wine list.

Bistro Du Vin is easily accessible by a short bus ride from Cheltenham Spa station, or a scenic 20-minute walk that takes you past the beautiful Christ Church, offering a glimpse of Cheltenham's architectural charm along the way.

Prithvi

Discover South Asian food with a continental twist at Prithvi. Regularly named as one of the best curry houses in the country, and certainly in Cheltenham, Prithvi has steadily been impressing critics and customers with its own unique take on Indian and Bangladeshi standards.

A trip to Prithvi is a fine dining experience that combines star service, a fusion of flavours and fine attention to detail. From the unfussy interiors – think crisp, white linen and simple but smart decor – to the imaginative and delicious interpretation of South Asian classics, this is not your run-of-the-mill curry house.

Prithvi is a pleasant thirty minute walk from Cheltenham Spa station, with a scenic route that takes you through the beautiful Montpellier Gardens. For those preferring public transport, visitors can catch a quick five minute bus from The Promenade to the Shell Garage, followed by a seven minute walk to the restaurant.

The Green Coffee Machine

For those short on time and looking for great coffee near the station, just stroll over the road and head into The Green Coffee Machine. This coffee house started out selling coffee from a van and has now earned itself a reputation for its quality brews. With great green credentials (Organic, Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance Certified), the coffee itself is sourced from Ethiopia, Honduras, Peru and Indonesia. It’s made from 100% Arabica beans roasted to a medium dark spec making for a uniquely strong, aromatic blend.

There are also light bites including soups, paninis and cakes. The interiors are bright and welcoming with plenty of seating. A great place to grab a quick bite and coffee! The cafe is located right by the station, ideal for grabbing a coffee before a train journey and settling down for a sit-down meal.

MUSE Brasserie

MUSE Brasserie is hard to pin down with French, modern European, and international notes gracing the menu. The restaurant is renowned in the Cheltenham food scene for its delectable taste and thoughtful presentation. Diners are surrounded by walls covered in endless bottles of wine and high-quality spirits, setting the tone for their impressive drinks menu. Sip on something cheap and cheerful, like a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, or go all out, with a bottle of Cru Bourgeois Margaux from Château d'Angludet.

MUSE Brasserie is a twenty minute walk from Cheltenham Spa station, passing through the charming Montpellier Gardens. For those preferring public transport, a quick bus ride from The Promenade to St. James Street leaves you just a few minutes walk from this delightful dining spot.

The Coconut Tree

The Coconut Tree is an oasis for fans of Sri Lankan cusine, vegan or otherwise. The menu offers mouthwatering plant-based eats, like coconut sambol and creamy kaju maluwa, as well as excellent meat and fish dishes, like devilled chicken wings, black pork belly, and prawn curry. Finish it off with a gorgeously sweet panna cotta and you'll still need to return a few more times to try the rest of the menu. Known for their warm Sri Lankan hospitality, a visit to Cheltenham is not complete without a visit to The Coconut Tree.

The Coconut Tree is a thirteen minute bus ride from Francis Close Hall, outside Cheltenham Spa station. Alternatively, it's a half an hour walk, taking you past Cheltenham hot spots, like the Winston Churchill Memorial Gardens.

How to get to Cheltenham Spa by train

Cheltenham Spa is easily accessible when you travel with CrossCountry. Catch a quick train from Worcestershire Parkway, Gloucester, Lydney, or Chepstow. Or, for those visiting from further afield, there are direct services from Birmingham New Street, Coventry, Bristol Temple Meads, and Cardiff Central.

If you’re planning to eat out in Cheltenham, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.