The best places to eat during Cheltenham Literature Festival

Wandering around the 80+ free Cheltenham Literature Festival activities and striding between the many venues involved in this year’s event will definitely mean you work up a good appetite!   We've pulled together a list of some of the best places to dine, both onsite and around Cheltenham.

Festival Village

Eat without leaving the 70th anniversary celebrations!  The festival village located in Montpellier Gardens has plenty of delicious food options... 

Street Food Stalls: No festival village would be complete without street food traders and the heady scent of food wafting your way as you walk.  The Festival Village in Montpellier Gardens has street food stalls aplenty. You can grab a bite of anything from wood fired pizza, to halloumi fries, vegan burritos and crepes.  Enjoy your food whilst either listening to free music in the marquee or whilst strolling around the festival taking in the atmosphere. The village also has a picnic canopy set up on site to accommodate those who wish to eat their picnics with some shelter from the weather.

Feast Café: Next to the street food stalls is the feast café which serves a variety of hot and cold, pastries and cake.

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Festival Restaurants

If you're looking for something more luxurious, why not take advantage of the two restaurants that have partnered with The Festival?  Both of these fabulous restaurants are a great place for delicious food, fantastic cocktails and of course coffee!

The Daffodil

Location: 18-20 Suffolk Parade, Cheltenham GL50 2AE

You can find this sympathetically converted 1920’s art deco cinema on Suffolk Parade. Exit the back of the Festival Village and cross the road for a short one-minute walk door to door. The Executive Chef has created an exceptional menu with carefully-sourced ingredients.

No. 131 and Gin & Juice Bar

Location: 131 Promenade, Cheltenham GL50 1NW

Majestically overlooking Imperial Gardens, exit the front of the Festival village, turn right and head down towards town and No. 131 is on the left hand side. You can't miss it and it should take you less than two minutes to walk.

No. 131 is part of The Lucky Onion group.  It is a stunning converted Georgian townhouse. The varied menu incorporates traditional British classics with a modern European twist and the on-site bar 'Gin & Juice' offers both hot drinks and of course tantalising cocktails. As a Festival partner, the brand has even put together a special Cheltenham Literature Festival lunch and dinner menu, so now is the time to visit!

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Our 12 recommendations for dining around town during Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Napier Restaurant at The Queens Hotel

Location: The Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1NN

With food from local Cotswold producers and food artisans, the menu here is not-to-be-missed. The Queens Hotel is less than a minute's walk from the front of the Festival Village and of course offers a great place to stay too! 

The Ivy Montpellier

Location: Rotunda Terrace, 3 Montpellier St, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1SD

Located directly across from Montpellier Gardens is the stunning grade I listed Montpellier Rotunda building.  The Ivy has once again got thoroughly immersed in the Literature Festival this year, created a bespoke range of literature inspired cocktails.

The Old Courthouse

Location: County Court Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1ND

For that traditional pub feel in one of the prettiest building's in town, the Old Courthouse is the winner. The menu is warm and inviting and the craft ale and spirits range is fabulous too. 

The Coconut Tree

Location: 59 St Paul's Rd, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4JA

Although it's a ten-minute walk from the main festival hub, The Coconut Tree is well worth the walk. Traditional Sri Lankan Street Food, in a quirky restaurant. Don’t expect napkins but do expect rolls of kitchen roll on the table and exceptionally good and great value food.

East India Cafe

Location: 103 Promenade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1NW

An absolutely fantastic twist on traditional Indian, East India Cafe is just a short walk from the Festival Village, down The Promenade. The food is as locally-sourced as possible, and there's a fab Anglo influence for an interesting meal. 

L'Artisan

Location: 30 Clarence Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3NX

This French restaurant run by husband and wife team Yves and Elizabeth, L'Artisan is a true hidden gem. Highly praised by the Sunday Times and popular with locals, we can thoroughly recommend.

Côte Brasserie

Location: 1 Montpellier Terrace, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1US

Visible from the Festival village, Côte Brasserie is one of the closest and best options for lunch or dinner. Authentic French cuisine is served here!

Lumiere

Location: Clarence Parade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3PA

Lumiere is a 3AA Rosette Award winning dining experience offering contemporary menus using seasonal, British produce. Expect fine dining at its very best. 

The Tavern

Location: 5 Royal Well Place, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3DN

Delicious food at reasonable prices, The Tavern is a great choice for both lunch and dinner. The light bites menu is delightful and so too are their sinful desserts!  

Smokey Joe’s

Location: 16 Bennington Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4ED

A brilliant choice for a casual meal in quirky surroundings.  Smokey Joe’s is a vintage American style diner, a true hidden gem, tucked on the road that runs parallel to The Brewery Quarter.

Gloucester Old Spot

Location: Tewkesbury Road, Elmstone Hardwicke, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 9SY

This is one for the visitors from out of town as the perfect pit stop on your journey into Cheltenham. Gloucester Old Spot is a brilliantly accessible, traditional pub with a fantastic menu.  Popular with locals who know good food when they see it!

The Brewery Quarter

Location:  Henrietta Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4FA

If you are looking to continue your day of entertainment into the evening head The Brewery Quarter.  This is a fantastic hub of dining and entertainment venues. Outlets include Babel, Brewhouse & Kitchen and Prezzo plus entertainment such as Cineworld, Mr Mulligans Golf and Hollywood Bowl.