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Bridge Street and Sheep Street butt onto Waterside where the theatres are situated. Around this area you will find the variety of eating and drinking places that are typical of all that Stratford has to offer. Almost every building is at least four centuries old, and wherever possible the look and feel has been lovingly preserved and blended with the new and comfortable. This may mean that in some cases that access for the disabled is restricted, but when they can owners are keen to help and accommodate all visitors. And here is the key to visiting Stratford—the friendliness and good humour of the staff and the pride they take in the quality of the service offered is genuine.
Brewery owned pubs such as the Encore on Bridge Street, the Pen & Parchment on Bridgefoot and the Rose & Crown on Sheep Street are traditional pubs offering real ales, carveries and a select menu at a reasonable cost, with no cost at all for the history lesson. Along the Waterfront and past the theatre you will find the Dirty Duck (alias the Black Swan) where you can be safe in the knowledge that world famous Shakespearean actors have also supped.
The continental links to Stratford are apparent from the choice of Italian and other Mediterranean fare on offer. De Alto (Waterside) and IJ's Restaurant and the Café Pasta round the corner on Sheep Street are good examples. The Café Rouge shows just how close Stratford can be to France as even the waiters are French. For proven gourmet quality Opposition on Sheep Street has been recommended by Egon Ronay himself. Close by, Lambs Restaurant is an excellent economical option.
The majority of cafes and restaurants cater for theatregoers. The normal opening hours are often changed to suit the times of shows for both pre- and post-theatre bookings. As Stratford town takes the nuisance of passive smoking seriously, you will find that there are designated areas for smokers in most places.
You will also find that Chinese and Indian food is well represented. If you love Shakespeare and spicy food you have certainly come to the right place. Egon Ronay is only one of the recommendations for Hussains on Chapel Street. In the heart of the town,Usha has a five star Master Chef Roll of Honour and closer to the theatre, Thespians is a balti specialist. Chinese calm can be found in the Relax restaurant serving the best cuisine from Hong Kong.
Fast food can be had from Pizza Hut on the High Street and Pizza Express on Ely Street. Both offer quality food and a no fuss service, whilst the Cafe Uno has fast homemade pizza and other Italian dishes.
For entertainment and speed you could try Yates's Wine Lodge on Windsor Street where on designated evenings there is live music and a DJ, or go underground to the Cask & Bottle on Union Street or to O'Neills cellar on Warwick Street—all frequented by a younger set. To find the Stratford of today with a real local colour, try the Lamplighter on Rother Street, the Oddfellows Arms on Windsor Street, or the Queens Head on Ely Street.
On a different tack, English afternoon tea can be found throughout the town, notably in the Hathaway Tea Rooms on the High Street. If you want to explore the countryside, Garfords or Tisanes in Broadway specialise in teas in ancient stone buildings. Broadway is 15 miles south of Stratford and is recommended as a special area in the heart of the Cotswolds. Henley-in-Arden is just 8 miles to the west of Stratford and tea there should be taken at the Henley Café.
Sunday lunch is a tradition often enjoyed in a country inn. The Black Swan in Henley-in-Arden offers home made food and fresh vegetables, the Kings Arms in the village of Mickleton (5 miles south of Stratford) is a recommended lunch stop for hikers, whilst six miles east of Stratford is the sixteenth century Antelope Inn. Or you could go more bit up-market to the King's Head in the village of Aston Cantlow (six miles west of Stratford), offering continental and local cuisine and specialising in Aston Cantlow duck. Other out of town eating and drinking can be found at Olivier's Brasserie and the Horse & Hound in Broadway, the Pudding Club in Mickleton and at the Jago Restaurant in Henley-in-Arden.
So all in all, quite a feast is in store whatever your preferences.
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