Staycation swaps: Food and drink
Forget the airport queues. You don’t need to venture abroad to sample the best cultural destinations, see our alternative suggestionDiscover British alternatives to global food and drink favourites with our staycation swaps.
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Who needs paella when you’ve got pukka pies? Here we look at some of the world’s most sought-after culinary delights, find their great British equivalents and a nearby Best Western Hotel for dessert.
Swap Italy’s restaurants for Circolo Popolare in London
Pizza and pasta. What else do you need in life? Of course, an authentic experience would involve travelling to Italy but we know that’s a big ask, especially when you can get amazing Italian food in the UK.
In the heart of London’s Fitzrovia lies Circolo Popolare, an Italian restaurant that doesn’t just have great fresh flavours but an amazing décor too. A wall lined with 20,000 wine bottles and a ceiling draped in pretty hanging plants mean there’s always something to look at while you wait on your food. It might not be Lake Como but it’s an easy on the eye compromise.
Swap Spain’s paella for authentic fish and chips
A visit to Spain isn’t complete without paella, but Britain’s very own fish and chips can be a just as satisfying way to get your fish fix.
Whether you’re staying by the sea in Brighton or having a family break in Blackpool, you can find good fish and chips all over the country. In the seaside town of Whitby, you’ll find The Magpie Café, a popular fish and chip restaurant with beautiful views over a harbour.
It’s not the same as paella in sunny Spain but there’s something comforting about tucking into a large portion of fish and chips by the seaside.
Swap France’s Champagne for English sparkling wine
You’ll be hard pressed to find a drink as glamorous as Champagne. From its association with celebrations, to the glamour of its spiritual home in northeast France, few tipples have the same global reputation. But perhaps it’s time for sparkling wine to shine.
Southeast England is a hub for producing world-beating sparkling wines thanks to its combination of chalky soil (like that found in France) and a cooler climate. Our home-grown offering is aged for a shorter period than champagne to give a fresher, fruitier flavour. Hambledon Vineyard is England’s oldest commercial vineyard and welcomes visitors for tours, taster sessions and afternoon teas.
Swap Seoul’s Gwangjang Market for London’s Borough Market
K-pop and k-dramas have thrust Seoul into the spotlight, with many tourists visiting South Korea’s capital and the huge Gwangjang Market. Fortunately, you don’t need to hop on a 12-hour flight to enjoy a similar number of culinary choices.
London’s Borough Market – one of the largest and oldest food markets in London – is the perfect place for a culinary escape. You can almost taste the history here, where one fish stand, Richard Haward’s Oysters, has been selling from the same spot since 1792. Just make sure you don’t arrive on a Monday, when the market closes each week. But don’t worry there are plenty of restaurants in the area to tide you over until Tuesday.
Swap Turkish steak for Manc meat
Who isn’t fed up of Salt bae by now? The Turkish chef went viral for his signature salt sprinkling stance, which started life at the Nusr-Et Steakhouse in Istanbul.
If you want a taste of steak without lining the pockets of the world’s vainest butcher, skip the Nusr-Et restaurant in London and head for Scotland instead. The Hawksmoor Edinburgh at St Andrew Square serves the finest beef from grass-fed native cattle in the former National Bank of Scotland Banking Hall. The Grade A listed building of national importance looks incredible in person and photos too.
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