Recommended places to eat near Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Music lovers rejoice! It’s time to flock to our Regency town to experience one of Europe's biggest jazz festivals. Cheltenham Jazz Festival, now in its 28th year, is a week-long celebration of jazz music and its contemporaries and is also a great opportunity to indulge in delicious food and drink.

Cheltenham is truly a foodie’s paradise, home to a wide range of places to eat, from fine dining restaurants to laid-back cafes and independent hidden gems, to suit all tastes and budgets.

Our food and drink guides share comprehensive lists of over 140 Cheltenham restaurants, 60 Cheltenham cafes and 100+ pubs and bars in Cheltenham. To narrow the choices down for you we’ve shared our recommended places to eat near Montpellier Gardens, the festival village for Cheltenham Jazz Festival below…

Food & drink options on-site at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Relax and refuel in between shows with hot and cold food and drinks from the buzzing Festival Village and bar. Grab a picnic bench and enjoy a light lunch in the sunshine from street food vendors serving culinary treats from around the world, all while supporting Cheltenham Festivals as a charity.

Restaurants and cafes near Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Just across the road from Montpellier Gardens is the district of Montpellier, the home of stylish eats and chic boutiques. Visitors are spoilt for choice in Montpellier for places to wine and dine.

You can’t miss the iconic Ivy Montpellier Brasserie, a stunning grade I listed building, which features a private dining room and bar, offering relaxed yet sophisticated all-day dining. Just a few doors down from the Ivy you can find the refurbished All Bar One, perfect for a post-dinner tipple, as well as the Urban Fox, a cosy little spot to enjoy a cocktail with a cupcake in the evening.

There are many independently run eateries in Montpellier, we wish we could mention them all! A few highlights include Chaplais Kitchen, featured above with its outdoor dining space. Serving fresh pizza and pasta spare ribs and salad bowls. John Gordon's is a whisky and wine bar, offering an exemplary selection of wines, gins and whiskies to sample with a light lunch in the Montpellier Arcade. Just down the road is an artisanal café, Clementine, serving delicious coffee, homemade cakes, breakfast & lunch, and For The Saints an espresso bar serving antipasto.

Behind Clementine’s is Montpellier Courtyard. Home to a great little café, tucked away in the corner and known only to those in the know, called Lazy Graze, an incredible patisserie - Edible Art Patisserie Macron Boutique and two independent restaurants serving delicious food with a friendly smile – Gallimores Kitchen and Sam's of Montpellier.

Popular multi-chain restaurants in Montpellier include Cote, Brasserie Blanc one of Raymond Blanc's restaurants, Ask Italian, Giggling Squid and Prezzo.

Continue walking towards Imperial Gardens and the town centre and you’ll come to another Cheltenham landmark, the Queens Hotel. Open to both residents and visitors the onsite restaurant, Victoria’s, is an absolute must-visit. Serving British flavours with an international flair, Victoria’s is open for breakfast before your Jazz Festival event, a leisurely lunch, or for an unforgettable evening meal.

Across the road from the Queens is the No 131 Terrace. A popular trendy restaurant serving delicious, seasonal food created with local products in a heated marquee. This is the place to be seen. Keep your eyes peeled for celebs. Opposite, overlooking Imperial Gardens from atop the Quadrangle building is The Nook on Five, (featured in cocktail bar image above) Cheltenham’s first and foremost rooftop bar and restaurant. Experience creative and innovative menus of contemporary British cuisine with a nod to traditional French gastronomy.

Meanwhile, less than a 10-minute walk from The Festival Village and right on the doorstep of Parabola Art Centre, one of the leading performance venues at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, is Hotel Du Vin. Bistro du Vin, the heart of the hotel, features an extensive wine library and a contemporary menu of classical French dishes with modern twists.

Restaurants in The Brewery Quarter

Playing host to several of the around town free gigs during this year’s Jazz Festival, The Brewery Quarter is the perfect town centre pit-stop for a bite to eat or drink between gigs.

Within mere feet of one another, you have Mowgli, for genuine-article Indian street food, Pho, serving up the vibrant taste of Southeast Asia with authentic Vietnamese noodle soup and The Alchemist, featuring an all-day dining menu that promises theatrical twists on classic dishes

The Brewery Quarter is also home to many High Street favourites such as Nando’s, PizzaExpress and Five Guys. 

Restaurants and cafes in Regent Street

We could go on and on recommending great places to eat in Cheltenham, we truly are spoilt for choice. We will are leave you with some great places to eat in Regent Street, the epicentre of the independent food scene in Cheltenham.

Located just a short ten-minute walk from Montpellier Gardens, head towards the town centre and take a right as you walk by Beards the Jewellers on the Promenade. Here you’ll find an independent popular Japanese and sushi restaurant - KIBOU, WoodKraft owned by Simon Wood, MasterChef Champion, independent coffee shops - The Find and Coffee Dispensary, Beefy Boys, the home of the UK’s best burger, and for cheese fans, an unmissable treat – Domaine 16. Finally, those with a sweet should check out Guilt Trip for delicious doughnuts, and the Cake Alchemist for, you guessed it, incredible cake! 

Wherever you choose to eat during Cheltenham Jazz Festival we wish you bon appétit!

For more food inspiration visit - Cheltenham restaurants, Cheltenham cafes, pubs and bars in Cheltenham.

Visitors may also find our map of Cheltenham a handy resource.