We’ve probably all been there at one time or another. Arriving at a restaurant, looking forward to a great meal with family and friends, only to discover that they have made no effort to make it accessible for people using a wheelchair or a mobility scooter. The great news is that more and more of the UK’s best eateries are increasingly aware of their responsibilities to all customers, whatever their mobility needs. Today, there are a huge range of great places to dine out across the country, so here is Quingo Scooters pick of just some of the best of them.

1. Deanes EIPIC, Belfast

We head over to Belfast first, and the stunning EIPIC. It has quite rightly earned a Michelin star for its incredible food, which is of the highest quality. It is fresh, seasonal, and as inventive as you would expect from a chef who has worked in some of the best restaurants in the world. The restaurant is also really welcoming for guests with all sorts of mobility needs, and you will find accessible entry and toilets, as well as friendly and helpful staff too.

2. German Gymnasium, London

So, this one sounds a bit odd, but bear with us. First of all, the German Gymnasium (which used to be a gym, unsurprisingly) is on our list of accessible restaurants partly because it is an award winner. Not a Michelin star this time, but instead for its toilets, which have been recognised with an award for their excellent accessibility standards. That aside, the rest of the restaurant is also fully accessible, and the food is gorgeous. There is (as you might have guessed) a German theme, and we particularly loved the Black Forest Ham with marinated kohlrabi.

3. The Hand at Llanarmon, Wales

Pub food doesn’t always get the best reviews, but The Hand at Llanarmon in Wales is widely acclaimed as one of the best gastropubs in the UK. You will find it in the wonderful ‘Valley of the Poets’ (also known as the Upper Ceiriog Valley) and it is a welcoming place, with a roaring log fire for those cold winter days. The food is great too, with everything from traditional pub favourites like freshly battered fish and chips through to a sumptuous slow braised shoulder of Welsh lamb with gravy. Best of all, it is fully accessible, and has guest rooms where you can stay too.

4. OX184, Edinburgh

This industrial style eatery in Edinburgh is really popular with wheelchair and mobility scooter users as there is easy access and plenty of room to manoeuvre. The food is great too: they have a wood fired grill and their grass-fed Scottish beef is just gorgeous. We also highly recommend the OX184 Vegetarian Breakfast, which will set you up for the day and help you to keep warm in the face of that cold wind snapping off the Firth of Forth.

5. Don Giovanni, Manchester

No round up of the most accessible restaurants in the UK would be complete without a mention for the fantastic Don Giovanni’s in Manchester. It is (as you have probably guessed) an Italian, and is one of those places that just does the classics incredibly well. There is no fuss here: just fresh, quality food made by people who really know what they are doing. They make as much effort for their guests as they do with their food too. The restaurant is fully accessible, and there are also braille and audio versions of the menus for those who need them. A wonderful place.

6. Issho, Leeds

If you love only the highest quality Japanese food, then Issho is the place for you. You’ll find it on the top floor of Leeds’ stunning new Victoria Gate shopping centre (don’t worry, there is lift access) and there is wheelchair access throughout. The decor is almost as gorgeous as the food, which is light and contemporary, with great views out over the city. We thoroughly recommend their take on the traditional British afternoon tea: instead of cucumber sandwiches you’ll get a mix of sweet and savoury Japanese dishes and a choice of cocktails. You’ll never want to leave.

7. Adams Restaurant, Birmingham

Another fine dining experience that more than deserves its Michelin star. Adams serves up contemporary British food in a spacious, comfortable restaurant, and it is hard to believe that it started life as a temporary pop up. Fortunately for the foodies of Birmingham they decided to make it permanent, and today it is going from strength to strength. In 2018 alone, it was rated online as the second best restaurant in the UK and the 11th best in the world! Most importantly, Adams is also fully wheelchair accessible and easy to navigate your way around.

About Quingo Scooters

The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.

Keep up to date with the latest mobility scooter advice, tips and interesting places to visit on the Quingo Scooter Users Blog. Connect with Quingo and keep up to date with all our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC).  AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 308478.