The Dining Room - Hersham Village Green

Located in the village of Hersham, The Dining Room has been a firm local favourite since opening its doors more than 20 years ago, this enduring village restaurant continues to please with its brand of nostalgic cosiness and generous food. The place comprises two knocked-together cottages and inside it feels rather like eating in someone's house of days gone by, with lots of artefacts and curios dotted around.

The kitchen flies the flag for 'Olde England' with steamed Stilton and leek pudding, lamb and mint pie with shortcrust pastry, spotted dick and treacle tart – not forgetting steak and kidney pudding, which has been on the menu since day one. There are also a few nods to the big wide world: among the 'postcards from our travels', you might find baked scallops with a gremolata crust on crab and leek risotto, curried sweet potato with beetroot raita and fragrant rice, or roast chicken breast with red pesto and 'quills' of butternut squash.