7 Best Restaurants in Bourton-on-the-Water, The Cotswolds

Bourton-on-the-Water packs a surprising amount of good food into a small village, from a bakery with a queue out the door to a Michelin-recommended tasting menu 10 minutes up the road.

I’ve eaten my way through most of it over several visits, and this is the shortlist I’d actually hand a friend if they were visiting Bourton-on-the-Water.

Rather than list everything on offer, I’ve kept this to seven places worth planning a meal around, each suited to a different kind of visit – from a quick riverside coffee to a full sit-down dinner.

At a glance

Map of the best restaurants in Bourton-on-the-Water

Use my map below to see exactly where each of these sits, including the one option a short drive away in Upper Slaughter.

7 best restaurants in Bourton-on-the-Water

1. L’Anatra Italian Kitchen

Set inside Chester House Hotel, L’Anatra is bright and welcoming, with a menu covering wood-fired pizza, pasta, steak and seafood. The dining room spills out onto a small terrace in warmer months, and the atmosphere stays relaxed even when it’s busy.

If you’re staying nearby, their takeaway pizza eaten down by the river is one of my favourite low-key evenings in the village. It’s a good pick if you want a satisfying meal without needing to dress up for it.

2. Smiths of Bourton

Currently the highest-rated restaurant in the village, Smiths built its name on serious burgers – its kitchen took third place at the 2025 National Burger Awards.

The cheese-skirt on the signature burger, where the cheese is crisped right to the edge of the bun, is about as dreamy as it sounds!

Pair one with a bespoke cocktail or something from the well-chosen beer list. Expect a wait of up to 40 minutes at peak times, and know that it’s worth it.

3. The Riverside Café

Overlooking the water in the heart of the village, this is where I’d send anyone after a full breakfast, a coffee, or something lighter.

The menu covers sandwiches, jacket potatoes, cream teas and cake, and there’s outdoor seating right on the water when the weather allows.

It’s an easy, unfussy stop rather than a destination in its own right, but the view does most of the work.

4. Bakery on the Water

An artisan bakery that’s been family-run since 1978, with its own small riverside garden to sit in or the option to grab something to go. Pain au chocolat tends to sell out by mid-morning, so it’s worth timing your visit earlier rather than later.

I can also highly recommend their sausage rolls – thank me later!

5. The Rose Tree Restaurant

Set in a Grade II listed cottage, this family-run restaurant has a warm, unhurried atmosphere and a garden that catches the river view beautifully in the sun. The menu leans traditional British, with a wine and beer list worth taking your time over.

It’s popular with couples and small groups looking for a sit-down dinner rather than something quick, so a booking is worth making at weekends.

6. The Croft Restaurant

Right on the river with one of the better terraces in the village, The Croft is a solid choice for a full English, fish and chips, or their pulled beef brisket bowl.

It’s dog-friendly too, which makes it a natural stop if you’ve come from a walk.

7. The Atrium at Lords of the Manor

10 minutes from Bourton-on-the-Water in Upper Slaughter, The Atrium is worth the drive for a tasting menu built around whatever the season does best. The dining room itself, with a glass dome at its centre, gives the evening a real sense of occasion.

Booking ahead is essential, particularly for dinner at weekends – this isn’t a walk-in kind of place.

Discover more of the best luxury hotels in the Cotswolds or the top Michelin-recommended restaurants in the UK.

Good to know before you book

Smiths of Bourton and The Atrium are the two places most likely to have a wait or require a booking – Smiths at peak weekend lunchtimes, The Atrium for dinner most nights.

If you’re walking to or from the Slaughters, The Croft and Bakery on the Water both make an easy stop, and The Croft welcomes dogs if you’ve got one in tow.

Bourton gets busy in the school holidays and on summer weekends, so if a particular restaurant matters to you, book ahead rather than hoping for a table on the day.

FAQs

What is the best restaurant in Bourton-on-the-Water?

Smiths of Bourton currently holds the highest rating in the village, though which restaurant suits you best really depends on the occasion. 

I’d suggest L’Anatra for a relaxed dinner, Rose Tree for riverside charm, or The Atrium at Lords of the Manor if you’re after something special.

Where can you get afternoon tea in Bourton-on-the-Water?

The Riverside Café serves a good cream tea in the heart of the village, and several of the local hotels offer afternoon tea too.

Is it easy to eat well in Bourton-on-the-Water without booking ahead?

For most of the cafés and casual spots, yes. For Smiths of Bourton at peak times, or The Atrium for a special occasion, booking ahead is worth doing.

Are there good picnic options in Bourton-on-the-Water?

Yes – Bakery on the Water is the obvious stop, with fresh pastries and sausage rolls perfect for eating down by the river.

Are there dog-friendly restaurants in Bourton-on-the-Water?

The Croft Restaurant welcomes dogs and has a riverside terrace, making it a good stop if you’re out walking for the day.

Continue planning your trip

Bourton-on-the-Water’s food scene is a real part of the village’s appeal, and these seven are the ones I’d build a visit around.

For everything else worth knowing before you go, read my full guide to visiting Bourton-on-the-Water, including where to stay and the best things to do. You may also enjoy my guides to the best restaurants in the Cotswolds, afternoon tea in the Cotswolds, and brunch in the Cotswolds.