What's on the Menu in... Wells
Wells is the smallest city in the England due to it's lovely Cathedral and it was also host to many scenes in the legendary 2007 film Hot Fuzz. As a tourist destination Wells is able to cater for a wide variety of culinary preferences, including some great options for those of us with a more ethical palate.
Root Wells
@root_wells
Root is all about sustainable eating. Small, seasonal plates in a simple yet stunning setting. The menu is ‘more veg, less meat’ with usually only one meat and one fish plate on offer. They champion local growers when possible and chose ethical suppliers like Wild Farmed, who grow wheat regeneratively. Very little goes to waste; the menu - and the skill set of the chefs - are very adaptable and any surplus food gets reimagined for the menu the next day.
Run by husband and wife team, Rob Howell & Meg Oakley, they retained their Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2024 and easily earn their place on this list. Booking recommended.
The Crown
@crownatwells
It wasn't immediately obvious that The Crown should be included on this list as nothing other than a brief mention of "local foods" on their Instagram or website suggests a sustainable ethos. However after a chat with chef Julian, it's clear that sustainability is alive and well at the heart of the kitchen and perhaps it's just their marketing team that is yet to catch up.
Julian proudly tells me about working with Black Bee Honey, The Valley Smoke House, and local butchers, Griffiths. The fish is from Brixham and is always fresh. Each Wednesday & Saturday Julian visits the local market shopping for bread from Tailors of Bruton and fresh vegetables.
Julian tells me he's working towards a seasonal menu, changing every two months, but that it comes with challenges. To infuse his team with his passion for fresh ingredients, he's taken them to pick wild garlic for their pesto, garlic oil and puree.
I think watch this space, with Julian at the helm, The Crown might just become a go-to staple for sustainable eaters.
Queen's Street Deli
@queenstdeli
I enjoyed my quick visit to this little deli serving up homemade grab-and-go lunches and an array of local food and drink brands. What I found particularly charming was the clear connection they have with their locals; a lady arrived as I was browsing and she was warmly greeted and told "no egg today my love, shall I do the ham?"
The Good Earth
@goodearthwells
A rustic vibe is the setting for The Good Earth, a vegetarian / vegan restaurant situated just off the High Street in Wells.
It comprises a shop - with beautiful homeware products - and a lovely café serving really wholesome meals and sweet treats.
There is a great selection of lunches from jacket pots with all the toppings, to fabulous freshly made pizzas and quiches served with salads to homemade soups with hunks of bread to warm you on a chilly day. The ingredients aim to be fresh, seasonal and local.
In terms of cakes to accompany your oat latte, there are plenty of delicious treats - and it's great to see vegans have options - not just a token 'vegan' choice.
Bishops Eye
@bishops.eye
Just a stones throw from the aforementioned The Crown is Bishops Eye. They describe themselves as "a contemporary eatery and wine bar [...] bringing you the best of local flavours". Further investigation highlighted that some of those local flavours are grown in-house as they have an allotment providing seasonal salads, cucumbers, squash for soup, pears to make pear tarts and more. When possible they source locally but when that's not possible they still try to shop British.Their cheeses are all from Somerset and 80% of their baking is done in house.
Interestingly their sustainable efforts extend to the drinks list too, an often overlooked element of green dining. They have a deposit scheme on their reusable takeaway cups and the majority of their wine is on tap, reducing the carbon footprint of transporting bottles.
Flapjackery
@flapjackery
Not really an eatery but I'm a sucker for a flapjack. These guys are Devonshire based but have shops popping up across the South West, including one in Wells. They use local products when possible like Fairtrade British Sugar, Mornflake British Oats, and West Country Butter, as well as a Cornish palm-oil-free Peanut Butter. They also offer other sweet products like fudge and jams and you can even have boxes of flapjacks delivered to your home!
Also worth a visit...
Before I leave the confines of the city, it's worth mentioning the very popular Wells Food Festival which takes place in the latter part of the year. The festival is Somerset focused but also includes producers from the wider South West. It gives you the opportunity to try and buy a wide selection of local food and drink that you can then enjoy spotting on the shelves of farm shops and delis, plus it's a fun foodie day out!
The Litton
@thelitton
A 15 min drive outside of Wells is The Litton. The website lists some of their main suppliers with a clear interest in those with a sustainable ethos. Whilst there is a nod towards seasonal menus, at quick glance you'll see the foundation is still pub-grub staples like fish and chips, burger, pies and steak.
I ordered a celeriac and mushroom pie and only half way through did I realise they'd got my order wrong... but the steak pie was honestly delicious! I'd also highly recommend their apple and pear crumble, which I stole with gusto from my friend's plate.
I try to update this regularly but if you do spot something that no longer exists or feel there is something missing from the list, then just let me know.