Best Restaurants in Swindon From fine dining to gastropubs

Researched and published by The Swindon Post. Last reviewed 6 February 2026.

Swindon has a diverse restaurant scene, from AA Rosette fine dining to family-run Italians, steakhouses, and gastropubs. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or looking for a casual meal, here's our guide to some of the best restaurants in Swindon and the surrounding area.

Restaurant interior with dining tables
Swindon offers a diverse range of restaurants for every occasion. Credit: Unsplash

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Restaurant types and examples – always call to confirm opening
TypeExamples
Fine diningCedar (Stanton House), Chiseldon House – AA Rosette
ItalianDa Vinci, Fratello's, Fabio, Carbonara
Indian / AsianJewel in the Crown, Mandovi, hakka2
Steakhouse / grillHarper's, Rio of Swindon, Roosters
Spanish / GreekLos Gatos (tapas), Greek Olive
Gastropub / BritishThe Messenger, The Merlin, Goddard Arms

Book ahead

Popular restaurants fill up at weekends. For fine dining and special occasions, book in advance. Check individual websites for menus and opening hours.

Award-winning fine dining

For special occasions, Swindon has several restaurants holding AA Rosette awards for culinary excellence:

Italian restaurants

Swindon has several well-regarded Italian restaurants, including:

  • Da Vinci – Family-run Italian with an intimate atmosphere, popular for romantic dinners and special occasions.
  • Fratello's – Italian cuisine with a loyal local following.
  • Fabio Ristorante – Family-run Italian in Old Town; see our Old Town restaurants guide for more.
  • Carbonara – Italian dining in Swindon.

Indian and Asian

For curry and Asian cuisine, Swindon has strong options. See our dedicated guides to the best Indian takeaways and best Chinese takeaways. For sit-down dining:

  • The Jewel in the Crown – Long-standing Indian restaurant.
  • Mandovi – South Indian and Goan cuisine.
  • hakka2 – Asian fusion at 40–42 Regent Street; also does takeaway.

Steakhouse and grill

  • Harper's Steakhouse – Steaks, burgers, and a vibrant atmosphere. Good for celebrations.
  • Rio of Swindon – Brazilian barbecue and grill.
  • Roosters Grill Shack – Barbecue and grill.

Spanish, Greek and international

  • Los Gatos – Tapas bar and restaurant, popular for sharing plates and an intimate atmosphere.
  • Greek Olive – Greek cuisine in Swindon.

Gastropubs and British

Highly rated for food and atmosphere:

  • The Messenger – Covingham. British gastropub with strong TripAdvisor reviews.
  • The Merlin Pub – Drove Road. Popular for food and drink.
  • Goddard Arms – Old Town. Historic pub with food. See our best pubs in Swindon guide.
  • Basset Down Complex – English restaurant with a 4.6 rating on OpenTable.

Food festivals

Taste of the Caribbean – Europe's largest food and drink festival dedicated to Caribbean cuisine – comes to GWR Park each summer with jerk chicken, live music, and family activities. You can book Taste of the Caribbean tickets in advance.

More dining options

For Old Town specifically, see our Old Town restaurants guide. For takeaways and delivery, see best takeaways in Swindon. For events and things to do, browse What's On.

Explore more food & drink

Pubs, takeaways, coffee shops – our full Swindon guides.

Best Pubs & Takeaways

Information correct as of February 2026. Opening hours, menus, and availability can change. Always check the restaurant's website or call ahead before visiting. Reviews and ratings are based on publicly available sources including TripAdvisor, Google, and OpenTable.