Seafood restaurant New Wave Brasserie & Bar in Lechlade’s Burford Street was included in dining guide The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants 2025 list in partnership with business technology platform Square this summer.
The Good Food Guide gives the restaurant an overall rating of ‘Good’, rating it ‘Good’ for deliciousness, warmth and uniqueness and ‘Very Good’ for strength of recommendation.
New Wave Brasserie & Bar, which opened in 2022, describes itself as ‘an award-winning small, stylish seafood restaurant in the heart of Lechlade’.
Examples of mains served include Shetland mussels, Cornish dressed crab and pan-fried salmon.
“A recent addition to the Cotswold restaurant scene, we are fast gaining a reputation for our classic seafood dishes, sometimes with a twist, paired with excellent wines and cocktails,” the restaurant said on its website.
“We serve only the finest-quality fresh fish and shellfish, mainly from Cornwall, Devon and Scotland, and all our seafood is responsibly sourced.
“We offer a variety of different dining spaces, each with its own distinct atmosphere: the main brasserie, a cosy space with tables and bar seating; a shaded courtyard and an open-top terrace, with both standard and high tables; and the Captain’s Cabin, a self-contained dining room (which seats 12 to 14) that can be booked for private dining or is sometimes used for regular dining.”
“In contrast to its traditional Cotswold frontage, this refreshingly-informal enterprise deserves plaudits for its modern approach to fish cookery,” The Good Food Guide said of New Wave Brasserie & Bar.
“The pleasing interior (stone-tiled flooring, bare stone walls decorated with maritime-themed artworks) is a serene spot where dressed-down regulars are greeted like old friends by the accommodating staff and Bob Marley might be on the sound system.”
The guide noted that the restaurant has outdoor seating in a back yard, as well as an additional room.
“As a bonus, a fresh fish stall is set up in the passageway alongside the restaurant every Friday,” it continued.
“The menu changes with the market, but fresh oysters are usually up for grabs, the fish soup is a well-regarded fixture and there’s a bargain, limited-choice set lunch (from Wednesday to Friday) where the main course might be mussels with pancetta and cider cream.
“Cured meats and steak are the only non-marine alternatives.
“Prices are refreshing too, especially as main courses include a serving of vegetables – our red mullet comprised two immaculate fillets cooked to perfection in a buttery sauce of mussels and capers alongside a side dish of Cornish potatoes, broccoli and spring cabbage.
“This was preceded by a generous portion of ultra-fresh tuna sashimi and crispy noodles, somewhat overwhelmed by a strongly-fishy nam jim jeaw Thai dressing.
“Desserts, however, are right on the money: our firm but wobbly panna cotta was sublimely matched with a rich and tangy kirsch/cherry compôte and amaretti crumb.”
“From almost 60,000 nominations, we’ve chosen 100 of the most compelling, confident, community-focused restaurants, bistros and wine bars that turn out cooking as wonderful as the warmth of their welcome,” the 100 Best Local Restaurants list said.
“Some entrants you’ll have seen on the list before, and others are new – brilliant under-the-radar gems you’ve helped us to uncover.”
New Wave Brasserie & Bar’s Maisie Boyd said the restaurant is ‘deeply honoured’ to be part of the 100 Best Local Restaurants 2025 list.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion our team brings to every aspect of the restaurant,” Ms Boyd said.
“At the heart of our offering is a commitment to the freshest, most sustainable British seafood, sourced from New Wave Seafood.
“Nico, our head chef, has always been focused on elevating local, seasonal produce, and this recognition highlights that dedication.
“Being featured in such a respected guide is especially meaningful as it speaks to the high standards we uphold, not only in the quality of our ingredients, but also in technique, service and overall guest experience.
“We are grateful to our supporters and look forward to continuing to share our passion for British seafood with our community.”
