Subtle and soothing: my obsession with Thai massaman curry – plus the recipe

A literary interview over dinner in Bangkok led to the mild, Muslim-influenced dish becoming a fixture in our writer’s London kitchen

Eating out is one of the bright sparks to look forward to this year

New ventures by chefs in the suburbs promise a return to vitality for the restaurant sector, says Jay Rayner

A year of dining out (and in)

There were plenty of dark clouds for our restaurant critic in 2020, but a few spectacular silver linings, too

Singapore street food added to Unesco heritage list

The city-state’s cosmopolitan ‘hawker culture’ has been added to the prestigious list – welcome recognition after a tough year for vendors. Plus five of the best food centres to visit

Heddon Yokocho: ‘A deeper dive into ramen culture’ – restaurant review

In Jay’s home it’s been the year of the noodle. What better way to see it off than a family meal out?

Closure of iconic Cliff House ends a remarkable era of San Francisco’s history

The 157-year-old restaurant with breathtaking ocean views was known for its location on Lands End as ‘the place that draws you’

My weird year of eating out – and in

‘In March, when almost everything stopped, a reality set in that restaurants may never be quite the same again’

Lucky & Joy, London: ‘Can’t help but make you smile’ – restaurant review

Head to Hackney for a cheerful vibe and top Chinese cooking, says Jay Rayner

Cafe Deco, London WC1: ‘I’ve added it to my little black book of exceptional places’ – restaurant review

‘Clever, finely judged, nicely eccentric cooking with a strong undercurrent of country-house living’

Mix with the best this Christmas

Vermouths, bitters, fruit liqueurs – retro mixers are just the thing for a festive cocktail

Jung Chang: ‘Most Chinese people in my generation experienced starvation. You could feel it around you’

The Wild Swans author on China, London aand her indomitable mother

10 great food books of 2020

Observer Food Monthly’s choice of recipes, memoirs and great reads

A restaurateur, a radical chef and a cook-turned-campaigner: ‘What 2020 has taught us’

From Covid-19 to Black Lives Matter and the storm around food inequality, it’s been a tumultuous year in hospitality. So what’s next?

Benjamina Ebuehi’s luxurious Christmas bakes and cakes

Almond cinnamon cake, sage and onion twists, mulled wine tarte tatin – recipes inspired by the scents of the season

The Christmas taste test challenge: the chef v the critic

Ravinder Bhogal and Jay Rayner eat their way through the supermarkets’ mince pies, cheese, chocolates and more.