British food has had a bad rap for too long. It's time to celebrate British traditional cooking, produce and the people who put it all together (and yes, that includes Scotland!). And where better to eat the British food than in that most British of institutions – the pub! So here's some of our favourite places to eat the best British grub around the country – a lot of them pubs and all serving food to be proud of. Tell us yours...
The Queens Hotel, Cornwall
You can't move for nice places to eat in St Ives these days, and this is one of the best places if you want to sample what's just arrived from the local farmers and fisherman.
The Cricket Inn, Devon
The Cricket Inn is that rare thing: a gastropub, serving great locally sourced seasonal food – local scallops, fish and chips cooked to perfection – that remains a great place to have a pint. We love it.
Pipe and Glass, East Yorkshire
This cosy old inn grabbed East Yorkshire's first Michelin star a few years back – but don't let that put you off: the food is as snug, comforting and thoroughly British as the environment.
Linden House, Essex
One of our favourite places to hit the Essex culinary scene in recent years: not flash but clever, serving excellent food in a buzzy, cool environment. If only there were more locals like this.
The Plough at Stalisfield Green, Kent
Well-kept local real ale to accompany good, tasty dishes made from local produce and the freshest seasonal ingredients. What more could anyone want?
Stein Inn, Isle of Skye
This whitewashed gem sits just back form the shore in a remote corner of the Isle of Skye, and serves food that's a definite step up from ordinary pub grub, with excellent local seafood on the menu.
Bull & Last, London
It's quite the thing to open a gastropub in London these days, but this is the original and best. Their Scotch Eggs really hit the spot after a walk on Hampstead Heath.
Recruiting Sergeant, Norfolk
One of our fave places in Norfolk (where there's a lot of good competition), the Recruiting Sergeant serves a fab seasonal menu that's sourced as locally as it gets – from their farmshop across the road.
The Angel Inn, North Yorkshire
One of the UK's most pioneering gastropubs, serving great locally sourced seasonal food to hungry locals since 1985 – which is pretty much the Dark Ages as far as British food is concerned.
The Jolly Fisherman, Northumberland
This recently re-furbished portside pub has a real sense of style – and a menu that's strong on local seafood.
The Applecross Inn, Scottish Highlands
If there's anywhere in the country you can enjoy fresher or more delicious seafood than tis place, then we have yet to find it. Popular with gregarious locals and spellbound visitors alike.
The Chequers, Somerset
Bath's gastropub of the year a couple of years back, which is quite an achievement in a city that's not exactly short on good places to eat. Great food that changes with the seasons.
Arbennig, South Wales
Ok, so it's not exactly a pub, but it's as Welsh as it gets, and in our opinion one of the best places in the principality to taste the best of Wales produce – lamb, pork, seafood – beautifully cooked and presented.
The British Larder, Suffolk
With a name like this we could hardly miss it out, could we? Andthe fact is this place always delivers, with a great menu that is the model for anywhere that wants to serve locally sourced, seasonal food that celebrates the best of traditional British cookery.
The Spotted Dog, Sussex
A place to enjoy hearty, wholesome British grub at its best, preferably after a walk with a muddy dog at your feet to share it with.
