With warm and dry weather having Malvern seeming more like Marbella this summer, outdoor dining is more popular than ever. Luckily many of our best watering holes and eateries have put just as much effort into enhancing their outdoor spaces as their delicious menus. There’s little better than reclining in the sun with a cooling drink and the promise of delicious food on its way. Outdoor dining has become so popular that, as part of The Malverns new Town Centre Plans, there is an action to support more outdoor café and plaza style offerings in the future. For now though, here’s our pick of the tops spots across The Malverns to dine alfresco.
Bar Limon
Bar Limon’s courtyard garden lives up to its Spanish roots with colourful furniture and potted Mediterranean trees. The south facing garden is a major sun trap, but there are plenty of parasols providing much needed shade when the sun gets scorching. Their menu of tapas and small plates is perfect to nibble on over a long, leisurely lunch or punctuated by their signature cocktails on a warm evening.
The Fig
Great Malvern’s The Fig restaurant has taken advantage of one of the rare flat spaces on Church Street and created an intimate outdoor dining area in the shade of, you guessed it, a leafy fig tree. With lots of small plates on offer, their signature burger available in beef and vegan versions, and a cosy atmosphere The Fig is sure to turn into your new regular spot.
Faun
From humble beginnings in a small unit on Great Malvern’s Church Street Faun has become one of Malverns top spots for buttery, flaky pastries and fresh single origin coffee. Since moving to their much larger location in the old Brays building they have created a lovely outdoor dining spot shaded with fabric sails and decorated with tasteful greenery. On breezy, sunny days you will have to be quick to grab one of these coveted outdoor tables, as well as to bag one of their delectable cruffins.
The Boathouse
Upton upon Severn’s The Boathouse takes advantage of its riverside location with a large river facing balcony on its first floor and tables out the front . It’s a lovely viewpoint to watch the Severn laze by and you can gaze across the rolling fields that surround Upton to the Malvern Hills. Tear your eyes from the view for a moment to peruse the menu of Mediterranean inspired small plates with plenty of fresh fish dishes. All you can eat tapas comes in at £25 per person, so you will certainly leave satisfied.
The Riverside Café
As the name suggests The Riverside Café in Tenbury Wells also boasts a prime water front location. Watch the ducks paddle as you tuck into the cafés good value comfort food on the leafy banks of the river Teme. A vegan version of their signature classic fry up is available or build your own breakfast baguette starting at just £3.
Mr Thom’s
A recent addition to the town of Tenbury Wells you may recognise the name from the excellent artisan chocolate shop. Mr Thom’s have expanded, opening a family friendly all day bar and grill serving fresh fish and steak by night and excellent hot and cold lunches by day. Sit out in the pretty back garden and don’t forget to leave room for desert.
Abbey Road Coffee
Just past Great Malvern Priory, on a quirky pedestrian street, is Abbey Road Coffee. Sit out front and watch the world go by or camp out in the cool courtyard where comfortable rustic seating and blankets provide maximum cosy vibes. Serving up locally roasted coffee and selection of vegan cakes and toasties there aren’t many better places to wile away a sleepy summer afternoon.
Tabs Tea Room
If you’re looking for a friendly, traditional tea room head to Tabs in Tenbury Wells. Pop in for plenty of Darjeeling, homemade apple pie with custard, pasties, salads and top class shortbread – all for exceedingly good value. Locals love this gem which should tell you all you need to know. All diets are happily and personally catered for, and you can take your tea outside but undercover in case of typically British showers on this typically British tearoom.
Weavers of Malvern
Recent addition to Great Malvern’s high-street, the Weavers pub, has expanded its offering with a large beer garden to the back. There’s loads of built in seating, so there’s room for big families or groups of friends. One perk of the Weavers, apart from it’s excellent selection of Craft Beers, is that you can bring in your own takeaway food and they will provide plates and cutlery. It’s the ideal outdoor spot to relax with a cold drink and a catch up after work or on your days off.
Pub & Bar Gardens
All across The Malverns region our pubs really do us proud. There is something for everyone from cosy local taverns, to grown up cocktail bars – many of which have their own outdoor space for eating, drinking and all round good times. The Water Cure, Great Malverns swishest cocktail lounge, boasts a large garden bar which transports clientele to Ibiza with its selection of boozy slushies, jugs of sangria and occasional DJ’s and live music. The Kings Head in Tenbury Wells has a comfortable and sunny garden and serves up fresh and zingy Thai food, perfect for warmer weather. In Malvern head to The Nags Head for plenty of outdoor seating with both front patio, lush back garden and even an outdoor wood burner for when summer nights turn chilly. It’s sister pub The Chase Inn, located on the slopes of the Malvern Hills, also has a large and verdant garden with plenty of comfortable seating and gorgeous views across the countryside.
Find out more about all the food and drink establishments in The Malverns here:
