Augustus

This glass-fronted spot is hidden within an intimate courtyard in Taunton’s town centre and could easily be missed – were it not for its stellar reputation.

Augustus enjoys a loyal following of foodies who love it for its high-calibre cooking and comfortable decor.

For more than a decade, owners Richard Guest and Cedric Chirrosel have proved that the hallmarks of a consistently good restaurant are top-notch front-of-house service, smart cooking and quality ingredients.

The pair are dedicated supporters of other local indies so just about everything that ends up on the plate is sourced nearby. Fresh fruit and veg come from local growers and suppliers including Granny Smiths, Pitney Farm and Capland Acre, while freshly landed fish is delivered direct from Brixham and meat is sourced from Riverside Butchers.

Richard’s cooking style leans towards classic French cuisine while celebrating seasonal British produce. Popular dishes include starters like Devon smoked eel with scrambled egg, herring caviar and curry oil on bread, and mains such as rabbit faggots with gratin potato, mixed greens and a rich onion gravy.

Puds take the shape of British classics, including Yorkshire rhubarb and custard tart with honeycomb.

Trencherman’s tip

Observer food critic Jay Rayner described Augustus as ‘a classy bistro that will look after you and make the world feel just that little bit better’.