The best restaurants in Avening Cotswold South West

Think Indian Restaurant in a British pub. Curry and proper beer - what more can you ask for? Fantastic food by the guys who used to own the Pavillion near Stroud.

We booked a Friday lunch for us and my aunt; lucky we did. We had a wonderful welcome by the staff on a very chilly day. As we were lead to out table we realised the place was packed with diners. Our table was close to the log burner and the heat was welcome and we could remove our coats and relax. There were a lot of talking at other tables but we were still able to speak and hear. There is a relaxed attitude throughout the restaurant. No pressure to order and leave. It was clear the servers were observant and attentive. The menu plus the Specials Board was long and it took a while to pick our dishes. It took a while for the dishes to arrive, we only had mains, but considering the number of diners it was not overlong. The food when it arrived was perfect; Sea Base fillet, Lamb Tagine and Pan-Roast Chicken. Well cooked and good portions. It is not cheap but the food, ambience and service makes it good value for money.

Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 3/5 | Value for money: 5/5 The Bell pub is a true local (possibly because it is the only pub) in the quaint, idyllic village of Avening, which dates back to 1080, with its friendly residents, narrow lanes and classic Gloucestershire stoned houses. The Little Indian within The Bell is well worth the journey if you’re staying in a nearby town. The food is exceptional and the value for money is unparalleled. Of course we couldn’t have an Indian without starting our meal with some papadums (how they spell it) which came with four glorious condiments - we even asked for more atcha as it was so scrumptious. I ordered the Garlic Prawn Mow as a starter. It was so good that I ordered another Naan bread just to soak up the remaining sauce. Our mains were the Lamb Pasanda with rice and the Lamb Garlic Tikka Delight with coriander and garlic Naan. Both of these curries were tomato based and mild. I personally felt the rice paired better with the mains. Next time I visit an Indian I will definitely order their pasanda as I was blown away by the rich, creamy and vibrancy of the flavours! It was one of the best curries I have ever had and all the food was very affordable. They offer takeaways too which is handy. Ahmed, our server, and the rest of the staff were very friendly and welcoming. The other patrons also seemed quite willing to have a natter with you.

Such a great find. Lovely, clean room in a quiet spot. Continental breakfast was perfect with some great little touches such as homemade jam. Well worth the money and I hope to come back again soon.