15 best brunch spots in The Cotswolds

Dining out in the Cotswolds countryside is one of the pleasures of a visit to this beautiful area. If you’re looking to discover the best brunch in the Cotswolds, this guide will take you through 15 of the top spots for an experience to remember.

From a bottomless brunch in the Cotswolds to breakfast in town, at the pub or down on the farm, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect Cotswolds brunch spot for you somewhere in this list.

So if you’re planning to stay in the Cotswolds for an English getaway, make sure you note down some of these tantalising eateries.

15 of the best brunch spots in The Cotswolds

1. The Hive, Stow-on-the-Wold

Address: Digbeth Street, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham GL54 1BN

Best for: Sashimi smoked salmon

The Hive is positively buzzing with life when it comes to brunch-time. Open on Mondays and between Thursday and Sunday, the all-day brunch menu is served here from 9:00am (or 9:30am on Sundays) to 4:30pm (or 4:00pm on Sundays).

Whether you fancy a lighter bite or something more substantial, The Hive can cater. Homemade granola and porridge provide bowlfuls of oaty goodness, or pick a full meaty or vegan breakfast.

Other options include smashed avocado on sourdough with eggs and chilli jam, or a sashimi smoked salmon platter.  

2. Lynwood & Co, various locations

Address: Burford, Carterton, Cirencester, Fairford and Lechlade

Best for: Australian-style coffee culture

With five cafes across the Cotswolds to their name and more to come, you know Lynwood & Co are doing something very right indeed.

Though the locations are quintessentially English, Lynwood and Co was established to bring Sydney’s community-focused coffee culture from the other side of the world.

The extensive coffee menu is based on blends from Extract of Bristol, bread comes from the company’s own Carterton bakery, and meat comes from a supplier right by the Lechlade branch. Seafood, eggs, dairy produce and vegetables are also locally sourced from Fairford, Cirencester and Stow-on-the-Wold. 

3. Botanica Coffee Kitchen, Cheltenham

Address: Bramery Business Park, Alstone Ln, Cheltenham GL51 8HE

Best for: Best-kept brunch secret 

It’s worth wandering out of Cheltenham’s town centre to reach Botanica. As it’s located in a business park, it’s something of a well-kept secret. Do check out their enviable Insta feed before you go if you want to whet your appetite. 

The Scandi-style interior is snug and welcoming, and the ideal place to settle down for a long, lingering brunch with friends.

Dishes are beautifully presented and packed with flavour. You won’t be able to resist sharing them on your own social media pages before tucking in!

4. Caffe e Vino & Garden, Tewkesbury

Address: 78 Church St, Tewkesbury GL20 5RX

Best for: Brunch with an Italian flavour

This Tewkesbury brunch venue is a cafe and wine bar with a garden – what’s not to love? As the name suggests, Caffe e Vino & Garden is an Italian-style eatery, serving superb food, wine and coffee.

The brunch menu at Caffe a Vino and Garden stands out when you want something special. There are scrambled or poached eggs menus with five options apiece, plus baked egg dishes that include Italian flair and flavours. 

Lighter options include savoury croissants or toasted sweet treats. Fillings range from jam or Nutella to avocado, salmon and pancetta plus various Italian cheeses. 

5. The Old Bakery Tearoom, Stow-on-the-Wold

Address: 4 Fountain Court, Digbeth Street, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham GL54 1BN

Best for: Family-run tearoom 

Anyone staying in Stow is spoiled for choice between The Old Bakery and The Hive. The Old Bakery is just off Digbeth Street and also occupies a honey-toned stone building.

This is a traditional, family-run tearoom with exposed beams, checked tablecloths and pretty vintage china. Although it’s a popular spot for afternoon tea in the Cotswolds, both light bites and more substantial fare is available all day. Whether it’s simple eggs, beans on toast, or scrumptious topped savoury crumpets. 

The Old Bakery ham and eggs is a favourite, served with mushrooms, tomatoes and atop a pair of potato waffles. 

Looking for somewhere to stay in this Cotswolds village? Discover this charming self-catering cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold.

6. The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie, Cheltenham

Address: Rotunda Terrace, Montpellier St, Cheltenham GL50 1SW

Best for: Town centre brunch

The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie in Cheltenham is a refined, sophisticated eatery by night. Earlier in the day, though, it’s a popular Cotswolds brunch spot during weekends and bank holidays.

The brunch menu is extensive and includes nibbles, starters, mains, grills and sides. From eggs Benedict with chips or buttermilk pancakes with bacon to a burger, curry, pasta or steak dish, there’s something for everyone. The Ivy also has a dedicated vegan and vegetarian menu. 

To wash it all down, pick between the tempting gin and tonic list, a thirst-quenching cocktail and a glass of something sparkling.  

7. The Kitchen, Banbury

Address: Primrose Hill Farm, Arlescote, Banbury OX17 1DQ

Best for: A taste of farm life

Get a true taste of country life when you venture to The Kitchen – it’s located on a farm close to Banbury in Oxfordshire. It’s a pop-up eatery set on idyllic Primrose Hill Farm, and serves food that’s seasonal, local and very attractively presented.

The Kitchen specialises in rustic cooking served in a picturesque setting. British dishes made from very local produce are what to expect. You’ll need to check the pop-up diary to see when brunch will next be served.

Dishes like toasted banana bread, shakshuka, steak and eggs or the haddock hash brown make this place well worth the effort. 

8. Abbey Tea Rooms and Restaurant, Tewkesbury

Address: 59 Church St, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ

Best for: A traditional tearoom

As with the Old Bakery in Stow, the Abbey Tea Rooms in Tewkesbury is a traditional, family-run venture. All breakfasts and brunches are cooked to order, and the menu includes three egg omelettes and toasted sandwiches.

If you’re a fan of simple, substantial eats like cheese, beans or eggs on toast, or a ‘full works’ English breakfast, this place will set you up well for a day of sightseeing or rambling among the Cotswolds countryside.   

9. Cotswold Barn, Moreton-in-Marsh

Address: Cotswold Barn, Ganborough, Longborough, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 0QZ

Best fo: A family brunch

Cotswold Barn is an all-in-one venue for eating, drinking and shopping. The cafe and gift shop are set among acres of sprawling, lush green countryside, and the full English Cotswold breakfast is a classic.

Smaller and vegetarian options are offered, and the breakfast menu is available until 11.30am daily. Thick, packed brunch sandwiches come in both meaty and meat-free variations. With a good kids’ menu and lots of space to run around, this is as good a place for families as it is for gift shopping. 

If you’re planning a big family trip to the Cotswolds, consider staying at Park Farm Cottage, a spacious self-catering cottage in Malmesbury.

10. The Broadway Deli, Broadway

Address: 29 High St, Broadway WR12 7DP

Best for: Cafe with a deli

Beautiful Broadway is one of the Cotswolds’ prettiest villages and you’ll find The Broadway Deli right in the centre. It’s a local delicatessen with an attached cafe, and is positioned directly opposite the Lygon Arms. 

In summer, the outdoor garden is a glorious, colourful place in which to enjoy the sunshine and top-notch food. The brunch menu is available daily until 4pm (or 3pm on Sundays and bank holidays). 

With a historic building, a resident artist and lots of delicious local produce to enjoy, a visit to the Broadway Deli is a must when in the vicinity. 

11. Temple Guiting Pantry, Cheltenham

Address: The Square, Temple Guiting, Cheltenham GL54 5RP

Best for: Cotswolds character

The building housing the Pantry was once Temple Guiting’s post office. It now offers two floors of space for customers who come to dine and mingle.

A top-of-the-range coffee machine, the lifestyle shop right next door and an all-day dining menu ensure you’ll want to linger for as long as possible. Brunch options include melt-in-the mouth pastries like rose, pistachio and date.

Cooked options include chilli labneh eggs, as well as vegan, veggie or traditional breakfasts or American-style pancakes. There’s also homemade granola, savoury croissants or sourdough toast. 

12. Huffkins, various locations

Address: Burford, Cheltenham, Stow-on-the-Wold and Witney

Best for: A gluten-free feast

The above list of Huffkins locations is by no means exhaustive: this one has done so well that there are now branches in the London area too. Catering for everyone has surely helped – there are children’s, vegan and gluten-free menus available.

It’s no problem if you can’t pick on the day, as Huffkins also offers delectable foodie hampers for delivery. For breakfast or brunch, you can choose from the morning goods, pancakes or main sections of the menu.

Typical dishes include the likes of a warm chocolate swirl, maple buttermilk pancakes, the rambler’s roll or the plant-based Huffkin. 

13. The Angel, Burford

Address: 14 Witney Street, Burford OX18 4SN

Best for: Pub brunch 

The Angel in Burford is a little different from other Cotswolds brunch places in this list, because it’s primarily a pub rather than a cafe or restaurant. A gastropub, though, so you can certainly expect a jolly good feed.

This Muddy Stilettos award finalist focuses firmly on seasonal, local ingredients. Options range from a traditional full English with black pudding to boiled eggs and soldiers, a herb omelette with parmesan or scrambled egg and smoked salmon on toast. 

14. Daylesford Organic, Kingham

Address: Daylesford, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0YG

Best for: An organic brunch

Daylesford Organic has certainly made a name for itself, even beyond the Cotswolds foodie scene. There’s an on-site farm shop and deli as well as the cafe, so you can stock up once you’ve filled up on a delicious brunch. 

Though there are now several London branches in smart districts, the original Daylesford Organic is the best for the full-on farm experience. It’s one of the reasons why the Kingham area is a firm foodie favourite. 

Grab your table early here as it’s first come, first served. 

15. Woodkraft, Cheltenham

Address: 13 Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1HE

Best for: Artisan food

Woodkraft is an independent, artisan spot serving great cakes and coffee in central Cheltenham. This cafe also does a pretty mean breakfast, lunch or brunch, and offers a dedicated gluten-free menu.

Some of the more unusual options available here include ‘Nduja sausage, blood orange, sardines or wild mushrooms on toast. There’s also pear pancakes, breakfast baps or full English breakfasts available in vegan, meaty or vegetarian variants. 

Looking for more Cotswolds inspiration? Discover the best things to do in the Cotswolds or read my guides to Lower Slaughter, Bourton-on-the-Water and Castle Combe.

This post was written in collaboration with Classic Cottages.