Ronnie’s of Thornbury

Modern British cooking in an intimate setting

In 2007, Ron Faulkner established Ronnie’s in this 17th-century building and it has since become a reliable gourmet go-to for Thornbury’s discerning diners.

Chef patron Ron, who was a finalist in the Best Chef category of the Food Reader Awards 2022, runs a tight ship to deliver beautifully prepared seasonal dishes at his cosily intimate restaurant.

The experience may be crafted by a tiny team, but everything is made from scratch on-site using local ingredients of provenance. The result is a delightful culinary adventure.

A tasting menu with matched wine flight provides the zenith of Ron’s gourmet offering and comprises six courses such as confit rabbit and ham hock pressé with pickled cauliflower, soused carrot, silver skinned onion and prune.

A short but sweet à la carte menu for lunch and dinner delivers the likes of curried monkfish, lentil dal, Granny Smith apple and coconut foam, while the grazing menu is perfect for an informal lunch. The opportunity to feast on keenly priced small plates of Wye Valley asparagus tart with fermented black garlic and Godminster custard, and salmon pastrami with dill pickled cucumber make it an everyday gourmet treat.

Trencherman’s tip: Sunday lunch at Ronnie’s goes way beyond the usual fare. Starters such as crispy crab cannelloni with charred pineapple and pepper gel, and mains like 32‑day‑aged roast sirloin with yorkshire pudding and watercress salad (plus all the trimmings) will surprise and delight.