READERS' AWARD
1) The Three Chimneys, Isle of Skye
Sublime views over Loch Dunvegan and the Atlantic, plus a heroically remote position, win the Three Chimneys our readers' award for best location. After 21 years, Shirley Spears' customers have decided that getting to her restaurant is part of the adventure. Once you've made it to Skye you can always crash at the restaurant's sister hotel House Over-Bye and make a long weekend of it to take full advantage of Spears' cooking. Long before it became fashionable, she was cooking local: lobster and langoustine from the loch; oysters and scallops from other parts of the island; salad leaves and herbs grown by modern-day crofters; and, in season, venison and Blackface lamb. So tuck in to the very superior nosh (think brochettes of scallops, prawns and monkfish with lime and coriander) and watch the weather roll in.
· The Three Chimneys, Colbost, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, Scotland (01470 511258)
2) Oloroso, Edinburgh
You get fabulous views of Edinburgh Castle and the city beyond from the roof terrace and restaurant of this posh eatery in the heart of the Scottish capital. With an eclectic menu featuring chicken breast with haggis, thyme and shallot parcels alongside roast fennel seed and coriander pork belly with pear and melon salsa, Oloroso isn't afraid to give the world flavours of fusion a whirl. But the real point of this joint is its stylish bar, cool clientele and awesome vistas. Special feature include ladies' lunches (or dinners) in a private dining room with chick-friendly music and movies.
· Oloroso, 33 Castle Street, Edinburgh (0131 226 7614)
3) McCoys at the Baltic, Gateshead
With floor-to-ceiling plate-glass windows, the top-floor dining room is an impressive space; light, bright and conducive to all sorts of blue-sky thinking. If you're eating dinner, be sure to visit the cocktail lounge and watch the sun set over the Tyne. The menu reads well: goat's cheese and rosemary bruschetta, pea velouté with ham-hock tortellini,baked cod with chickpeas and paprika oil and mussel and green-herb broth. For pudding try warm plum pizza with red plum coulis or lemon mascarpone. A fabulously romantic first-date venue.
· McCoys Rooftop Restaurant, at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, South Shore Road, Gateshead (0191 440 4949)
Best of the rest
SCOTLAND
The Witchery
Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh (0131 225 5613)
In the auspicious shadow of Edinburgh castle. Try the steak tartare.
WALES
Maes-y-Neuadd Hotel
Talsarnau, near Harlech, Gwynedd, LL47 6YA (01766 780200)
14th-century stone manor house in the mountains of Snowdonia. Serves locally sourced produce, much of it from the hotel's own garden. Don't miss the Welsh lamb and farmhouse cheeses.
NORTHERN IRELAND
The Narrows
8 Shore Road, Portaferry, County Down (028 42728148)
Lying on the tip of the Newtownards penisula. Seafood is a speciality and the views over the Portaferry coastline are gorgeous.
YORKS & HUMBERSIDE
The Red Lion
Burnsall, N Yorks (01756 720204) Unpretentious gastropub with steak-and-kidney pie and venison on the menu. Spectacular views of the Yorkshire dales out of every window.
NORTH WEST
Sharrow Bay Hotel
Cumbria, Lake Ullswater (01768 486 301) Michelin-starred celeb retreat with views of Lake Ullswater. Puddings come highly recommended. This is where sticky toffee pudding was invented.
L'Enclume
Cavendish St, Cartmel, Cumbria (015395 36362)
Proving Heston Blumenthal doesn't have a monopoly on molecular gastronomy are Simon Rogan's witty tasting menus at L'Enclume in the picturesque Lake District town of Cartmel. Rooms also available.
NORTH EAST
The Olde Ship Hotel
Seahouses, Northumberland (01665 720 200)
18th-century inn awash with nautical memorabilia. Seafood and homemade soup a speciality. After lunch take a boat trip to the bird and seal sanctuary.
MIDLANDS
Saltwater
The Corner House, Nottingham (0115 924 2664)
Chic rooftop restaurant with a panoramic view over Nottingham .
SOUTH WEST
Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant
The Riverside, Padstow (01841 532 700)
Set up in 1975, it's been going strong in the pretty and ever-popular Padstow ever since. Fish comes in straight off the boats in the harbour.
Porthminster Beach Cafe
St Ives, Cornwall (01736 795352)
Take a table on the wooden decking outside this relaxed little café and enjoy views over the bay. As you'd expect, there's lots of seafood.
EAST ANGLIA
The White Horse
Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk (01485 210262)
The conservatory dining room at this superior gastropub looks over the Norfolk flats; the menu features steamed sole and steak and chips.
SOUTH EAST
Due South
139 Kings Road Arches, Brighton Beach, Brighton (01273 821218)
With a prime spot right on the beach and tables outside, Due South makes an idyllic spot for lunch. The seasonal menu makes the most of local fish and meat.
The Waterside Inn
Ferry Road, Bray, Berkshire (01628 620691)
Michel Roux's triple Michelin-starred restaurant on the banks of the Thames at Bray is a genuine temple to gastronomy in one of the most peaceful spots in the Home Counties.
The Place
Camber Sands, New Lydd Rd, Camber, Rye (01797 225057) Sitting on the wide, open spaces of uberfashionable Camber Sands, the Place offers Rye Bay fish and Romney Marsh lamb.
LONDON
Tate Modern Restaurant
Level 7, The Tate Modern, SE1 (020 7401 5020)
Follow a brief dose of culture with a deep-fried Cornish haddock and plantation-pig sandwich. Take in the spectacular views of the river and the city beyond.
