London draws more than 30 million visitors annually, and along with its buzzing energy and endless opportunities comes one of the world’s most exciting food scenes. But despite its global status as a culinary hotspot, sometimes a trip out of the Big Smoke is exactly what’s needed—a change of scenery, smaller crowds and a slower pace. Fortunately, some of the U.K.’s most rewarding dining destinations are just a short train ride away. For culinary enthusiasts visiting London, here are three delicious day trips worth taking.
Cambridge, England
The Eagle Pub in Cambridge, England
getty
Best known for its long and prestigious academic history—dating back to 1209—Cambridge is just a quick 50-minute train ride from King’s Cross railway station, making it one of the easiest culinary day trips from London. And having lived here myself, I can attest that its food scene continues to get better and better.
What makes this town’s culinary history so unique lies within its deep ties to the university. Alongside buzzy coffee shops and new restaurant openings, you’ll find a 16th-century pub (The Eagle) where Francis Crick and James Watson announced they had discovered the structure of DNA. A scenic meadow walk from the city center leads to The Orchard Tea Garden, a legendary gathering place for literary figures such as Virginia Woolf and Rupert Brooke. Rather than being exceptions, such landmarks are commonplace in Cambridge.
For breakfast, head to Mill Road, one of Cambridge’s most vibrant food hubs. Whether you opt for Blue Sage or Hot Numbers, you can’t go wrong. For lunch, stop by Aromi for some Sicilian sourdough pizza or Little Petra for traditional Jordanian food. And for dinner, round out the day at Midsummer House, one of eight Cambridge restaurants found on the Michelin Guide. Overlooking scenic gardens, inventive dishes like Cornish Crab with leafy clementine, marigold, and timut pepper are perfectly executed by Chef Daniel Clifford. And for over 20 years, it’s been the beating heart of Cambridge’s fine dining scene.
Cardiff, Wales
Monkfish with Wye Valley white asparagus and a sauce of elderflower and local oregano
Carinne Geil Botta
Cardiff, the capital of Wales, might not be the first destination to come to mind for a culinary day trip from London. But this small yet mighty city boasts a thriving independent restaurant scene, celebrated Welsh producers and a growing roster of destination-worthy chefs. Better still, it’s just one hour and 45 minutes by train from London, offering an easy escape to an entirely different culinary culture (and country).
The history of Welsh food is deeply tied to the country’s rugged mountainous terrain—think hearty ingredients that could withstand the rainy weather like root vegetables and salted meats. But thanks to Cardiff’s industrial boom in the early 1900s, the city’s culinary landscape has since transformed into a vibrant hub, blending both traditional recipes with fresh Welsh produce.
For breakfast, stop by Milkwood, notably for their buttermilk chicken waffles or laverbread—a traditional Welsh dish made from seaweed. For lunch, head to Sonder Bar & Bistro or Cafe Citta. The former is a neighborhood bistro with a variety of local meat and fish-led dishes, while the latter serves up delicious homemade pastas and wood oven baked pizzas.
And for dinner, end your culinary tour of Cardiff at Gorse, the capital’s first Michelin-starred restaurant. The debut of chef-founder Tom Waters, diners are treated to an intimate, multi-course experience from the open kitchen, with a rotating, seasonal menu that celebrates Wales’ abundant larder. Dishes include scallops cured in fig leaf, monkfish with Wye Valley white asparagus, and toasted oat llymru with smoked raspberry jam.
York, England
Brew & Brownie Interiors
Carinne Geil Botta
Also less than 2 hours from London lies the medieval city of York. Having evolved from Roman military settlements into a culinary hotspot, there’s more than 2,000 years of food history here waiting to be discovered. Long known as a historic “chocolate city” (York is the birthplace of KitKat and Aero), the city is now home to a thriving food scene that extends well beyond its confectionery heritage.
For breakfast, start with Brew & Brownie, an independent family-run business known for its house-baked pastries and craft coffee. For lunch, stop by Partisan, a much-loved neighborhood café and restaurant with a menu that changes regularly to showcase seasonal ingredients. From its decadent French toast with summer berry compote and lemon mascarpone to its flavor-packed herb shakshuka, Partisan has earned a loyal following among locals and visitors alike.
And for dinner, finish the day at Skosh—the dining destination you want to secure reservations at. A Michelin Guide restaurant specializing in contemporary British cooking with an international influence, Skosh serves up pan-Asian style small plates. With rustic hand-thrown crockery and dishes including the hen’s egg (Dale End cheddar, PX sherry and mushroom), Whitby lobster dumplings with pickled ginger and pork belly vindaloo with pickled carrot and yogurt rice, it’s easy to see why Skosh has become one of York’s most sought-after tables.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com