Winner
Fifteen, Cornwall
A non-stop cabaret of sea, sand, sky, deranged surfers and dog walkers unfolds outside the huge windows that stretch the length of this laid-back restaurant. Surfers breakfast there on a first-come, first-served basis, and from then on it's book in advance. This admirable gaff has been a runaway success since it opened and ticks all the boxes: the 15 trainees come from disadvantaged backgrounds; the profits go to charity; they operate a stringent recycling policy... and the food is absolutely delicious. At our last visit they were doing a brilliant set-lunch menu for £24 and had a pile of the most delicious herb bread for sale for £3 a loaf. Service is at Cornish speed (slow) and the only indication that there were students in the open-plan kitchen was when one of them dropped an entire pile of plates.
· Fifteen Cornwall, Watergate Bay, Cornwall, 01637 861000, www.fifteencornwall.co.uk
London
Tate Modern
Tate Modern Restaurant, Bankside, SE1, 020 7887 8888, www.tate.org.uk
Bird's-eye view of the Thames for breakfast, lunch or tea (and dinner at weekends), a seasonal menu and some world-class art close by.
Oxo Tower Wharf
Barge House St, South Bank, SE1, 020 7803 3888
The outside terrace overlooking the Thames is brilliant (wrap up, it's usually in the shade).
Skylon
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1, 020 7654 7800, www.skylonrestaurant.co.uk
European fusion cooking and sweeping views across the river.
Galvin at Windows
22 Park Lane, W1, 020 7208 4021, www.galvinatwindows.com
A window seat overlooking Buckingham Palace garden is crucial at this skyscraper French restaurant.
Rhodes 24
24th Floor, Tower 42, 25 Old Broad St, EC2, 020 7877 7703, www.rhodes24.co.uk
Very British food, 24 floors up with ringside seats of the Gherkin.
Shoreditch House
Ebor St, E1, 020 7739 5040, www.shoreditchhouse.com
This very hip, members-only club serves its cocktails on the roof, alongside a very swish pool.
Roast
The Floral Hall, Stoney St, SE1, 020 7940 1300, www.roast-restaurant.com
Spot where your dinner came from in this glass-sided restaurant suspended over Borough Market. Also great for trainspotting.
Southern England
Due South
139 Kings Rd Arches, Brighton, 01273 821 218, www.duesouth.co.uk
Slotted between piers, this serves the freshest-caught fish on the seafront.
Porthminster Beach Café
Porthminster Beach, St Ives, Cornwall, 01736 795 352, www.porthminstercafe.co.uk
Enjoy a bouillabaisse on the beach at this whitewashed café.
River Station
The Grove, Bristol , 0117 914 4434, www.riverstation.co.uk
Brilliant dockside location and an early-evening bargain menu at £9.
Royal Oak
Winsford, Exmoor National Park, Somerset, 01643 851 455, www.royaloak-somerset.co.uk
Taste Exmoor's finest produce in this 12th-century farmhouse on the moor.
The Trout
195 Godstow Rd, Lower Wolvercote , Oxford, 01865 302 071, www.thetroutoxford.co.uk
Refurbished ramblers' gastropub with ample riverbank seating.
St Petroc's Bistro
New Street, Padstow, Cornwall, 01841 532 700, www.rickstein.com
Rick Stein's cheaper restaurant with great food and atmosphere.
Al Fresco
The Milkmaid Pavilion, Brighton, 01273 206 523, www.alfresco-brighton.co.uk
Fine Italian food with a terrace view of the west pier.
The Westbeach
Pier Approach, Bournemouth, Dorset, 01202 587 785, www.west-beach.co.uk
Much-lauded fish restaurant, toe-wettingly close to the sea.
Northern England
Sharrow Bay Hotel
Ulverston, Lake Ullswater, Penrith, 01768 486 301, www.sharrowbay.co.uk
The original, lakeside country-house hotel is set in 12 acres of countryside.
Drunken Duck Inn
Barngates, Ambleside, Cumbria, 01539 436 347
Enjoy a topside of beef while peering out over Lake Windermere.
The Treehouse
Alnwick Gardens, Alnwick, Northumberland, 01665 511 852, www.alnwickgarden.com
Fabulous Swiss Family Robinson dining up in the canopy.
Devonshire Arms
Bolton Abbey, Skipton, West Yorkshire, 0871 811 5823, www.thedevonshirearms.co.uk
Rural pub with its own kitchen garden in the grounds of the ruined abbey.
Miller Howe
Rayrigg Rd, Windermere, Cumbria, 01539 442 536, www.millerhowe.com
Sprawling views of the Lakes in this foodie haven pub.
The Angel Inn
Hetton, near Skipton, North Yorkshire, 01756 730 263, www.angelhetton.co.uk
Set in the heart of the Dales, this remote pub has a fine-wine cave and excellent food.
Midlands
Hambleton Hall
Ketton Rd, Hambleton, Oakham, 01572 756 991, www.hambletonhall.com
Stunning country retreat overlooking Rutland Water. Famed for its game.
The White Horse
Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk, 01485 210 262, www.whitehorsebrancaster.co.uk
A revered seafood pub that sits on Norfolk's glorious marshland coastline.
Salt Water
The Cornerhouse, Forman St, Nottingham, 0115 924 2664, www.saltwater-restaurant.com
Worth visiting for a cocktail and nibbles on the rooftop terrace.
Saxon Mill
Coventry Rd, Guys Cliffe, Warwick, 01926 492 255, www.saxonmill.co.uk
Pretty old mill with waterwheel right on the river.
Tan Hill Inn
Richmond, Swaledale, North Yorkshire, 01833 628 246, www.tanhillinn.co.uk
Hikers' lofty pitstop in the Dales serving cheap and meaty eats.
Wales
The Bell
Skenfrith, Monmouthshire, 01600 750 235, www.skenfrith.co.uk
Peek out of the windows to select your vegetables from the kitchen garden.
The Sloop Inn
Porthgain, Haverfordwest, Dyfed, 01348 831 449, www.sloop.co.uk
Ideal for moules and a pint by the sea. West-facing so best visited at sunset.
Druidstone
Broad Haven, Haverfordwest, Dyfed, 01437 781 221, www.druidstone.co.uk
Perched over the beach, this relaxed hotel often has live bands in the bar.
Scotland
Oloroso
33 Castle St, Edinburgh, 0131 226 7614, www.oloroso.co.uk
Wonderful rooftop views of this beautiful city. Order its game while gawping at Arthur's Seat.
Three Chimneys
Colbost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, 01470 511 258, www.threechimneys.co.uk
This little extended stone cottage on the edge of the world serves brilliant food. As the sun sets over Loch Dunvegan all the diners run out to watch.
Summer Isles Hotel
Achiltibuie, Rosshire, 01854 622 282, www.summerisleshotel.co.uk
This Michelin-starred restaurant sits at the tip of Scotland with unrivalled views of the misty isles.
Applecross Hotel
Shore St, Applecross, 01520 744 262, www.applecross.uk.com
The restaurant, minutes from Applecross Bay, overlooks the dramatic Cuillins of Skye.
Crinan Hotel
Crinan by Lochgilphead, Argyll, 01546 830 261, www.crinanhotel.com
Thirties architecture, a seafarer's menu and windswept views of Loch Crinan.
Seafood Restaurant
The Scores, St Andrews, Fife, 01334 479 475, www.theseafoodrestaurant.com
Modern glass structure overhanging the West Sands with equally modern Scottish food.
The Tower
Museum of Scotland, Chambers St, Edinburgh, 0131 225 3003, www.tower-restaurant.com
Sitting atop the Museum of Scotland is this architectural feat. Try the lobster.
Flodigarry Hotel
Flodigarry, Isle of Skye, 01470 552 203, www.flodigarry.co.uk
Superb views of Staffin Bay and excellent trout.
Scarista House
Sgarasta Bheag, Isle of Harris, 01859 550 238, www.scaristahouse.com
Overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, there is one sitting in the tiny dining room and a set menu that is absolutely delicious.
Northern Ireland
55 North
1 Causeway St, Portrush, County Antrim, 028 7082 2811, www.55-north.com
Spectacular views of the Causeway Coast and a good, reasonably priced menu.
Daft Eddies
Sketrick Island, Killinchy, 028 9754 1615
Get a table overlooking Strangford Lough. The local oysters are superb.
