Enjoying a meal out should be accessible for everyone. Sadly, not every restaurant in the UK has the correct equipment or means in place to help customers with mobility issues. In this article, we’re joined by City of Leeds Stairlift Supplier to spotlight the best restaurants offering not only great food, but ample accessibility.
Michael Wan’s Mandarin
Type of cuisine
Chinese
If you’re in Lancashire at any point, be sure to try out Michael Wan’s Mandarin. The restaurant was managed by Michael Wan for more than 40 years but is now looked after by Michael’s god-daughter Pauline Lai who is an aspiring chef and restauranteur. It has earned high praise over the years, including being voted the UK’s Number 3 Chinese restaurant by TripAdvisor in 2014/15 and the Best Chinese Restaurant, North West at the 2017 LUX Tourism Awards.
Accessibility:
The main restaurant is situated on the ground floor. The dining room is upstairs which is used throughout the weekend and during busy periods. Guests who have a disability are advised to mention a ground floor seating preference when they book a table. With that said. the restaurant is accessible to wheelchair users, thanks to two wheelchair-friendly, low-rising steps featuring a landing area between them and a widened door. However, there is no ground floor or disabled toilet due to the size of the eatery.
Where to find them:
Address: 27 Clifton Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1JD
Opening times:
Sunday to Wednesday: 5:30pm – 10:45pm
Thursday: 12:00pm – 1:45pm, 5:30pm – 10:45pm
Friday and Saturday: 12:00pm – 1:45pm, 5:30pm – 11:45pm
Phone number: 01253 622 687
Official website
http://www.michaelwansmandarin.co.uk/
Boonnak Thai
Type of cuisine
Thai
Boonnak Thai in Blackpool is a terrific Thai experience. Here they serve anything from pad Thai to a superb selection of curries and Thai national dish som tum can be served. You can even find a special menu dedicated to Thai Street food, where you can sample the sort of food you’d expect to find sold on the sidewalks of Thailand. Think Thai noodle soup, Thai sausages, and deep-fried whole sea bass topped with a spicy salad and herb dressing.
Accessibility:
There is wheelchair access at Boonnak Thai.
Where to find them:
Address: 60 Topping Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 3AQ
Opening times:
Tuesday to Thursday: 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Friday and Saturday: 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 11:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm
Phone number: 01253 290 647
Official website
FRESS
Types of Cuisine
Variety
Fresh food is where it’s at with FRESS. FRESS Café, Restaurant & Bar stands out in the bustling city of Manchester as it’s the only one of a few places to make everything in-house. What’s more, the establishment is proud of the fact the ingredients are locally sourced. Known as the best brunch across Manchester in 2017, a friendly and unpretentious service is guaranteed when you dine at this stylish restaurant – a look that’s so eye-catching you’ll be surprised to hear that one of the venues was once a newsagent!
Accessibility:
Both FRESS restaurants can be accessed by people in wheelchairs.
Where to find them:
FRESS can be found in two locations in and around Manchester:
FRESS Northern Quarter
Address: 62 Oldham Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1LE
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 8:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday: 08:30am – 9:00pm
Phone number: 01612 360 856
FRESS Didsbury
Address: 762 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M20 2DR
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 8:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday: 08:30am – 9:00pm
Phone number: 01616 136 620
Official website
Albatross & Arnold
Type of cuisine:
British
Having a fantastic location is an excellent addition to any fine meal. The Albatross & Arnold is located perfectly so that you can sit back and watch the hustle and bustle of the Manchester District of Spinningfields, it also offers guests a fine dining menu with dishes which are inspired by the British Isles. That means carefully sourced seasonal game, fish, meat, and vegetables — all cooked in a kitchen that’s overseen by Michelin-trained Head Chef Jonathan Green.
Prepare to be pampered by the interior design too. Luxurious velvet furniture certainly draws plenty of attention, as does a suspended light installation that’s made up of more than 1,000 magnificently lit golf balls and the venue’s 13-foot polished concrete, oak and brass bar.
Accessibility factors:
The Albatross & Arnold bar and lounge can be accessed by wheelchair.
Where to find them:
Address: First floor of The Range, Leftbank, Spinningfields, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3AN
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 11:00am – 11:00pm
Friday and Saturday: 11:00am – 12:00am
Phone number: 01613 254 444
Official website
https://www.albatrossandarnold.uk.com/
Simla
Type of cuisine
Indian
Time to head to the riverside to visit Simla. Sat amongst the picturesque Quayside area of Newcastle, Simla serves up modern Indian Cuisine which stands by the long-established and fresh ways of preparing dishes without any gimmicks or pretense. The venue has recently been renovated, with a refreshed look and updated menu, and those working at Simla will provide all guests with a dining experience that’s always relaxed and refined.
Accessibility:
There is wheelchair access at Simla. This point has been underlined by food blogger Georgina Layton, who wrote: ‘Beyond the amazing food, the whole restaurant was very accessible, so I would absolutely recommend a visit if you’re a wheelchair user or have mobility problems.
‘The aisle between the tables was wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through easily without disturbing other diners to move them out of their chairs. The tables were also spaced out enough to give each table a comfortable space surrounding them and also make sitting at each table achievable with a wheelchair.’
The restaurant also has accessible toilet facilities too: ‘The disabled toilet was within an easy push of the tables and was large and very clean. I liked that they had included minimal decorations within it since that made it much easier to get a full turning circle with my wheelchair. The hand rails were placed nicely and there was even a long horizontal hand rail across the door so those with dexterity problems would have found it easier to open rather than fiddling with a smaller handle.’
Where to find them:
Address: 39 Side, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 3JE
Opening times:
Tuesday to Friday: 5:30pm – 11:00pm
Saturday: 12:30pm – 11:30pm
Sunday: 5:30pm – 11:00pm
Phone numbers: 01912 618 800 or 07917 391 319
Official website
L’Ortolan
Types of cuisine
Variety
The locals in Reading would certainly recommend any traveler to take a stop at L’Ortolan. Situated within an eye-catching Grade II listed building in the quiet village of Shinfield, you’ll enter the restaurant through a set of grand Gothic front doors and then be able to eat and drink within a luxurious and timeless setting. The head chef Is currently Tom Clarke, who has been recognized by the Good Food Guide 2016 which they reviewed that “Clarke has brought some welcome freshness, invention and ‘focused flavours’ to proceedings’ and The Fine Dining Guide’s editor Simon Carter stating that “Tom’s cooking is impressive, showing technical adventure and accomplishment”.
Accessibility:
There is wheelchair access at L’Ortolan. However, the staff are bound by various constraints within the Grade II listed building due to its historic construction and status. For instance, standard wheelchair access is unfortunately unavailable to the restaurant’s bathroom facilities.
Where to find them:
Address: Church Lane, Shinfield, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 9BY
Opening times:
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00pm – 2pm (last orders), 7:00pm – 9:00pm (last orders)
Phone number: 01189 888 500
Official website
Laurent At Royal
Type of cuisine
Variety
If you’re not sure what you’re in the mood for, head to the Laurent at Royal. London’s Hotel Café Royal had recently installed a new grill and sushi bar called Laurent at Café Royal. It’s run by the internationally renowned chef Laurent Tourondel, who has already set up successful restaurants in Miami, Florida; Charlotte, North Carolina; and New York. The restaurant can be found on the first floor of Hotel Café Royal and offers diners the opportunity to sample the finest cuts of steak which are sourced from the British Isles, Japan, Australia, and the US. Fish, seafood, and obviously sushi are all on the menu too.
Accessibility:
In terms of accessibility, there is wheelchair access is available through the Laurent at Café Royal. Plus, the hotel had accessible rooms on offer.
Where to find them:
Address: 68 Regent Street, London, W1B 4DY
Opening times:
Monday to Sunday: 7:00am – 10:30pm
Phone number: 02074 063 310
Official website
https://www.hotelcaferoyal.com/dining
Masala Zone
Types of cuisine:
Indian
There are many branches of Masala Zone across the capital city. Delicious and genuine Indian cuisine is served up by fantastic staff within exciting interiors. All the key spices used in the dishes at this restaurant are picked from the best spice farms following India’s spice harvest and then shipped to the UK. Plus, since opening in 2001, the restaurant has been lauded with amazing reviews. The Daily Telegraph has rated it among London’s best restaurants, the Evening Standard sees it as one of London’s six best Indian restaurants, and the Zagat London Restaurants Survey saw it voted as London’s Most Popular Restaurant Group.
Accessibility:
Other than the Masala Zone Soho branch, all Masala Zone restaurants have accessible toilets and wheelchair access.
Where to find them:
Masala Zone can be found in seven locations in and around London:
Masala Zone Bayswater
Address: 75 Bishops Bridge Road, London, W2 6BG
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 12:30pm – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 11:00pm
Saturday: 12:30pm – 11:00pm
Sunday: 12:30pm – 10:30pm
Phone number: 02072 210 055
Masala Zone Camden Town
Address: 25 Parkway, London, NW1 7PG
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 12:30pm – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 11:00pm
Saturday: 12:30pm – 11:00pm
Sunday: 12:30pm – 10:30pm
Phone number: 02072 674 422
Masala Zone Covent Garden
Address: 48 Floral Street, London, WC2E 9DA
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 12:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday: 12:30pm – 11:00pm
Sunday: 12:30pm – 10:30pm
Phone number: 02073 790 101
Masala Zone Earls Court
Address: 147 Earls Court Road, London, SW5 9RQ
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 12:30pm – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 11:00pm
Saturday: 12:30pm – 11:00pm
Sunday: 12:30pm – 10:30pm
Phone number: 02073 730 220
Masala Zone Islington
Address: 80 Upper Street, London, N1 0NU
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 12:30pm – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 11:00pm
Saturday: 12:30pm – 11:00pm
Sunday: 12:30pm – 10:30pm
Phone number: 02073 593 399
Masala Zone Selfridges
Address: Garden Cafe 4th Floor, Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London, W1U 1AT
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 9:00pm
Sunday: 11:30pm – 4:00pm
Phone number: Not available, though restaurant can be emailed via selfridges@masalazone.com
Masala Zone Soho
Address: 9 Marshall Street, London, W1F 7ER
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 12:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday: 12:30pm – 11:00pm
Sunday: 12:30pm – 10:30pm
Phone number: 02072 879 966
Official website
Corse Lawn House
Types of cuisine:
Variety
Once you visit Corse Lawn House, you will quickly notice that the entire hotel resolves around various dining rooms situated within the site. The Kitchen is the place to head to when you’re after a delicious dish, with talented chef Martin Kinahan running the proceedings and producing wonderful food each day.
That’s not all! Everything from the bread to the canapes and the petit fours are made in the kitchen of Corse Lawn House, while local and sustainable produce is used with the help of the hotel’s loyal suppliers. As well as the food menu, be sure to check out the restaurant’s extensive wine list — it’s received awards from both the AA restaurant guide and the Good Food Guide!
Accessibility:
The ground floor, where the restaurant is situated, has no steps to navigate.
Where to find them:
Address: Corse Lawn, Gloucestershire, GL19 4LZ
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 7:00pm – 9.30pm
Sunday: 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 7:00pm – 9.30pm
Phone number: 01452 780 771
Official website
http://www.corselawn.com/dining
Tharavadu
Type of cuisine
Indian
If you love Indian cuisine, Tharavadu is here for you. Tharavadu takes pride on being home to Kerala Cuisine, offering guests the choice of a wide selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes that are prepared using fish, poultry, and read meat. What’s more, the chefs at Tharavadu were born and raised in Kerala — adding to the authenticity. The restaurant is based in Leeds and has been named the Best Indian Restaurant at the Oliver awards three years in a row. It has also been recommended in the Michelin Restaurant Guide two years running and had positive feedback from The Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln saying that he “fell in love with this place” after dining there.
Accessibility:
Tharavadu is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
Where to find them:
Address: 7-8 Mill Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS 15DQ
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Friday and Saturday: 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:30pm
Phone number: 01132 440 500
Official website
http://www.tharavadurestaurants.com/