Kensingtons The Balcony Cafe, Brighton, East Sussex

So this morning, my friends and I stumbled upon a real little gem. On a sunny Sunday in Brighton and in need of a large breakfast to remedy the night before, we spotted a lovely little roof terrace at the end of one of the North Laines which belonged to Kensingtons Balcony Cafe. Just look out for the bright pink doorway and head up the stairs.

They describe their breakfasts as gut busting and I would have to agree. It did hit the spot though. We all opted for the meaty breakfast, served with lashings of buttered toast, 2 sausages, 2 rashers of bacon, 2 fried eggs, beans, mushrooms and a hash brown to boot. Everything was well cooked and even the mushrooms were fresh and firm – no tinned veggies here.
All washed down with a strong and fruity cup of coffee. Just what we needed.
Warning – we were full from 10.30am to tea-time so prepare yourself.
Also dog friendly – water bowl provided.

Price point: cheap as chips – still OK – getting pricier – pricey – super fancy, but worth it!
@Kensingtonscafe

The Corner House, Worthing, West Sussex

Within stumbling distance of the Worthing station and a five-minute stroll from town, The Corner House is a proper pub, serving up proper pub food.

Personally, I'm a sucker for their burger. Handmade and served in a seeded bun – none of this brioche nonsense – with fresh salad, pickles, tasty cheese and homemade tomato relish, every bite is moist and full of flavour. The relish has a great sweet and sour kick to it while the burger itself is still nice and pink and well seasoned. The hand cut chunky chips on the side are crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Perfect.

I'd also recommend the steak medallions. They arrived equally well seasoned and cooked medium rare, exactly as requested. The accompaniments were also delicious, which so often isn't the case. The mushrooms were still al dente and the slow-roasted tomatoes were bursting with flavour. The peppercorn sauce was rich and spicy, as it should be.

If you don't want to go the whole hog – or cow – then I'd opt for their sharing platter of cured ham and chorizo. Served with loads of fresh sourdough and proper butter, it's a real treat. The chilli soaked pickled onions were a great touch as well and really added some extra power to the spicy chorizo.
The Corner House is dog friendly too – inside and out. Expect dog biscuits and cuddles galore for small, furry family members. Plus, the garden has some really cosy little booths with outdoor heaters so it's really accessible for most of the year, even if you take into account our unpredictable weather!

Price point: cheap as chips – still OK – getting pricier – pricey – super fancy, but worth it!
http://www.cornerhouseworthing.co.uk — @CHWorthing

DD's Jerk n Ting, Worthing, West Sussex

I'd passed this place a few of times, always excited by the smells wafting out from its tiny doorway. When we finally managed to snag a table, I have to say I wasn't disappointed.

Taking a spot by the window for one of DD's early dinner sittings was, in a word, fun. It's such a small restaurant that not only can you see and smell everything coming out of the kitchen, but you can really immerse yourself in the buzz of the place as you cosy up with the other diners.

We started with some deep-fried chicken wings and spicy popcorn prawns. The prawns were a little uninspiring, but the chicken wings made up for it. I don't know what was in the batter, but I'm sure I could taste cinnamon or nutmeg? Spicy and delightfully moist.

We followed this up with one of DD's platters, mainly because we were stumped by what to choose from the menu and this allowed you to try a little bit of everything. From goat curry and jerk chicken to slow roasted pork and fried plaintain, plus a selection of tasty salads, the platter was huge when it arrived at the table and smelt amazing. My favourite was the goat curry, not too spicy but so full of flavour – a real taste bud tickler. My advice would be to starve yourself all day as you'll need room for all of this!

With no alcohol licence, DD's is bring your own, which only adds to the charm of the place in my opinion.

I'd say ditch the fish and chip supper and sample a little taste of the Caribbean on your next blustery trip to the seaside.

Price point: cheap as chips – still OK – getting pricier – pricey – super fancy, but worth it!
facebook.com/ddsjerknting — @dd_jerk

Kitsu, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Small, but perfectly formed, Kitsu is a haven for anyone who appreciates proper sushi and tasty noodles.

Open for lunch and dinner – booking is advisable for the latter – this little den of Japanese delights serves up impressive array of dishes, considering the size of its kitchen. Don't be fooled by its rough exterior, or interior for that matter, the food delivered to your Formica table will not disappoint. Plus, it's BYO so you can quaff your favourite tipple while filling your face with tasty treats, which is always a bonus.
Start with a plate of chilli and garlic edamame beans and some freshly steamed chicken or vegetable gyoza while you pore over the menu – you'll need the time it takes to munch through them to decide on your next course. Don't forget to check the specials board!
I don't think you can go wrong with one of Kitsu's signature sushi platters – the Ichiban is my favourite – however, if you're more tempted by a spot of sashimi, then the bento boxes offer a taste of both. The soft shell crab Temaki and vegetable tempura (particularly the sweet potato) are also not to be missed.

If you have room after all of that, then try some of Kitsu's own ice creams. I love the black sesame with a scoop of strawberry, but the green tea is also tasty. If the pineapple fritters are on special, don't miss these either; they're deliciously naughty.

Price point: cheap as chips – still OK – getting pricier – pricey – super fancy, but worth it!
facebook.com/kitsusushi/ — @kitsusushi

Various, Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand

If you happen to be in Ao Nang for a few days and you're sick of the curry/pasta/pizza/thai restaurants that seem to be everywhere, then give one of these a try:

Cafe8, Ao Nang

Pitched as a New York-style café, this place serves up a mean burger, some super fresh and testy fajitas and some tempting slabs of cheesecake. The terrace is a great place to people watch of an evening and there's usually a guy playing the guitar (reasonably well) in the bar next door, if you like a bit of acoustic entertainment with an icey cold beer. Alternatively, try one of their smoothies or freshly juiced juices for breakfast – the perfect detox from the night before.

Price point: cheap as chips – still OK – getting pricier – pricey – super fancy, but worth it!
aonangcafe8.com — https://www.facebook.com/Cafe898-813176842112830

Poda at Phra Nang Inn, Ao Nang

I love seafood, as you've probably noticed by now. And it doesn't get any better than sitting on the beachfront and someone tipping a bucket of the stuff, marinated in spicy Thai curry sauce, on the table in front of you! Order one of Poda's seafood platters and that's just what you get, a tub, a big tub, full of fresh crab, huge prawns, clams, mussels and calamari to get messy with, at a table on the beach. Grilled pineapple, potatoes and a selection of even spicier dips add an extra element of fun. Not to be missed!

Price point: cheap as chips – still OK – getting pricier – pricey – super fancy, but worth it!
https://www.facebook.com/PODA-Beachfront-Dining-555752707906162/

Diver's Inn, Ao Nang

Great steak, an impressive selection of German beers (lovingly imported by owner, Juergen) and a warm welcome await you at the Diver's Inn. We loved the all-you-can-eat salad bar, complete with a healthy dose of sauerkraut and the super-friendly staff. Oh, and don't miss the homemade apple cake, it really tasted like something your granny would bake. 
 
Price point: cheap as chips – still OK – getting pricier – pricey – super fancy, but worth it!
krabi-divers-inn.com

Mazzaro, Soi charoenkrung, Bangkok

Tucked away from the main thoroughfare of Charoenkrung Road in the Bang Rak area of Bangkok, Mazzaro can be found serving up its offering of Thai/Italian delights just a stone's throw from the riverfront Shangri-La. 

Offering a welcome alternative from cheap, insalubrious local restaurants and the expensive hotels in the area, this café-style eatery is the brainchild of mother and son (Chef Pin) – the Phothisoontorn's – who originally transformed the family-run boutique into a restaurant in 2008.
The result is a wonderfully relaxed dining area – still flanked by the aforementioned boutique – and a menu peppered with ancient family recipes, treats from Chef Pin's time at Le Cordon Bleu and perfect pasta.

I enjoyed a delicious bowl of spicy, prawn linguine on our first visit, while my partner tucked into a traditional Thai beef salad. We loved it so much we came back for more at the end of our trip, this time sampling a traditional tom yum goong (spicy, prawn soup) and baked seabass cooked in a caper butter, with the most delicious garlic bread both of us had tasted in a while – I think it was seasoned with tarragon?!

Thai mohito

Oh, and did I mention that the bar is stocked with plenty of interesting spirits, local and international, mixed into cocktail perfection by Mazzaro's resident mixologists? No, well, there you go – even more reason to pay them a visit.

Price point: cheap as chips – still OK – getting pricier – pricey – super fancy, but worth it!
https://www.facebook.com/Mazzarobkk/ — mazzarobkk.com

Harbour Green House, Fore Street, Polperro, Cornwall

Forget the usual cream tea. Think cheese. I like cheese. No, that's a huge understatement, I love cheese. We've had a special relationship for some time now. This is why I also love the Harbour Green House in Polperro. Let me explain.

For less than a tenner, you can enjoy a cheese board like no other. No paltry shavings of the good stuff here, I'd describe them more as slabs. Slabs of glorious, local Cornish cheddar, brie and smoked cheese, served with an entire plate of crackers, extra butter, salad and grapes!
Washed down with a pint of crisp, chilled, Cornish cider this was one of the best fromage feasts I've had in a while. I have to own up and say that it was actually quite hard to finish. Their clam chowder – also pictured – wasn't bad either.
Plus, if it's sunny, they have a great little dog-friendly terrace where you can watch the world go by. Polperro is always a buzzy, busy place in high season so the Habour Green House offers an escape from the crowds and a great viewpoint for people watching. 

Price point: cheap as chips – still OK – getting pricier – pricey – super fancy, but worth it!
https://www.facebook.com/Harbour-Green-House-135666156534061/?fref=ts