A pleasurable dining experience is made up of many elements: the quality of the produce, the service from the waiting staff, the length and breadth of the wine list, the decor, the value for money or perception of luxury - these are just a few of the things that add or take away from our evenings out. If just one thing is out of whack it can seriously affect our overall enjoyment of a meal, and in these credit crunchin’, wallet squeezin’ times we all want to make sure every little splurge is worth it.

So what importance the vista? The UK’s enthusiastic adoption of street cafe culture shows there’s a lot to be said for what’s going on outside the window, so we’ve rounded up some of Britain’s finest options for food with a view for your delectation, visitation and (hopefully) review-ation:

London’s hustle and bustle makes for some amazing views to be had - first up, The National Portrait Gallery Restaurant might be smack bang in the thick of it but it’s actually a quiet bolthole away from tourist town with unrivalled views of Nelson’s Column and the Houses of Parliament. The Oxo Tower is such a vintage London landmark you might not consider it for dinner, but the panorama across the Thames isn’t all it’s got going for it - the Harvey Nicks-owned restaurant, cafe and bar is quite the place to see and be seen.

Fancy being at one with the water? Well, the Bateaux London River Cruises get you just close enough without the need for getting your feet wet, offering a choice of three boats to jump aboard for fine food, drinks and entertainment. Kingston’s Riverside Vegetaria offers a delicious meat-free experience on the riverbank, perfect for walking off dinner - or walking off in to the sunset! For the landlubbers amongst you, the airy heights of the art deco-inspired Galvin At Windows might be more suitable, with romantic French cuisine on hand to accompany the breathtaking views of the capital.

Out of town, Cornwall has plenty of sumptuous scenery to enjoy from The View, set high up on cliffs overlooking Whitsand Bay and serving delicious locally sourced produce with an emphasis on fresh fish and seafood - something The Boathouse Restaurant in North Devon is also renowned for, along with its “convivial atmosphere” and views of the sunset over Lundy Island.

Head to the North West and Manchester’s canalside Choice Bar And Restaurant has river views and hearty, locally sourced dishes to enjoy, while Liverpool’s Panoramic invites you to “dine in widescreen” enjoying the “cinematic” city views. Scotland is famous for its breathtaking vistas and The Westward at the Crinan Hotel in Argyll is no slouch in the beauty department, looking out over Loch Crinan’s blue waters. Voted top gastro pub in Scotland by The Independent, the food must be pretty damn good too.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our short tour of the UK’s best scenic eateries - but what about you? What are your favourite places with a view? Have you been to any of the places we’ve listed? We want to read your opinions on the subject so don’t hesitate - write a review and tell us all about it!

Photo credit: Bar with a view by QbiT (CC License)

[tags] TrustedPlaces, view, scenery, london, devon, cornwall, leeds, manchester, liverpool, scotland, food, drink, credit crunch [/tags]