Four of our favourite restaurants in 2019 - as reviewed by our reporters

Here are some of our favourite restaurants and cafés in Swindon - as reviewed by our reporters so far in 2019.

INDY’S VEGAN KITCHEN, Brunel Shopping Centre

Local democracy reporter ALED THOMAS enjoyed his meat-free lunch.

It’s a short menu, which I always think is a good sign, and one thing (macaroni cheese) was off.

At Indy’s there’s no messing around – it’s all vegan (obvs) but the menu is bold: Philly Cheesesteak, a Gyros, a hot dog, A Reuben – all, frankly, meat dishes.

So, no meat, but a vegan recreation of meat-, and dairy-filled dishes.

I asked Victoria the proprietor what she’d recommend.

She said if I fancied something healthy, maybe a Gyros, if something naughty, the Philly cheesesteak.

One of each then. Oh and a can of rhubarb pop. And a cookie as dessert.

The ‘meat’ in the Gyros didn’t have that delicious, sinful, greasy unctuousness that the stuff you get in a large doner did, but the salad was excellent, and so was the green, herby, yoghurty sauce.

The Philly cheesesteak was even better, the ‘meat’ was the same stuff, but the ‘cheese’ and the sweated onions and peppers gave a really tangy, umami flavour to the sub.

Its menu might ape traditional ‘meaty’ streetfood – but it’s anything but a pale imitation. It’s excellent food in its own right.

Recommended. And the proprietor is a delight. Go visit.

Website: www.instagram.com/indysvegankitchen.

MOLLIE’S DINER, A420 near Buckland

Editor PETE GAVAN took his family to the new ‘it’ diner.

A former roadside diner, Mollie’s has had a makeover since those days.

The team behind Soho House have sprinkled their magic dust (and doubtless quite a bit of cash) on the site.

And now it’s a sleek, modern and yes, American-looking diner, with a motel at the back. Stars of the stage and screen graced its opening (Declan Donnelly, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Bacon, Paloma Faith and more).

Basically, it’s the place to be. And that’s why Lee from Blue was there. And us. And, on a Saturday night, A LOT of other people.

We arrived early evening, thinking if it was busy we’d miss the rush – there are no bookings. But that, seemingly, was what everyone else thought too.

Finally, after just shy of 90 minutes, we were in.

The menu is a mix of the American classics – burgers, rotisserie chicken, fries and more.

But the thing that caught my eye was the vegan burger called Pure Filth. It was, they say, the best of its kind. Ever. So that’s what I had.

It’s described as a vegan patty, beet black sesame bun, garlic aioli, American cheese, crispy onions, beetroot ketchup, pickles.

It looked quite the part when it arrived, heavily speckled with those black sesame seeds. And to eat? Delicious. Not like a real burger but that’s not the point. It was juicy, tasty and a proper handful. But at the same time light in a way a regular burger never is.

The cost of the meal? Around £40 all in, which is pretty damn good for a family meal out.

Website: www.molliesmotel.com.

HALL & WOODHOUSE, Mill Lane, Wichelstowe

Columnist BARRIE HUDSON left one of Swindon’s newest pubs feeling satisfied

When the time came to order main courses, two of us opted for burgers, both of which were huge, well-flavoured and came with generous helpings of fries.

The signature H&W burger (£13.50) features Monterey Jack cheese, caramelised streaky bacon and the firm’s own sauce, while the smoke and spice burger (£14) has ‘nduja, sauteed onions and paprika mayo.

Our other three mains were salmon pave (£14.25), stuffed roasted aubergine (£10.50) and steak frites (£14).

Not a single one of us had anything negative to say about so much as a morsel. Ingredients are well-chosen, and the ethos is clearly one of not compromising in any way on quality.

This is not a cheap menu, but I’ve eaten in some far more expensive places and not felt nearly as happy.

Deciding that we might as well stay for the long haul, and having sampled those espresso martinis (£8) I mentioned, we ventured among the desserts.

Everything on the West Country cheeseboard (£7.25) was a hit, but the Somerset Capricorn goat cheese was the star of the show.

The lemon tart (£6.50) came with raspberry coulis and fresh berries, and was a real livener.

Chocolate and coconut torte (£6.25) was as rich and luxurious as it sounds, while the three scoops of ice cream (£5) were delicious and came with more choices of flavour than can be listed here.

One of the best tests of a new dining venue’s merits is whether you’d happily recommend it to a friend.

Hall and Woodhouse passes with flying colours.

STACKS BURGER & WAFFLE, Rodbourne Road

Reporter TOM SEAWARD heads to Rodbourne for a meat treat.

Unwrapping the foil from the Stacks burger (£6) I felt the same excitement, remembered from childhood trips to McDonald’s.

The burger glistened with juice. Cheddar had slid down the side of the brioche bun.

Stacks say they source their meat from Wiltshire farmers. It shows in the taste. There’s an earthiness to the burger that you don’t get from a high street fast food chain offering. The saltiness from the cheese works well with the fresh lettuce and the mustard’s tang.

If there is a criticism it is only that the bun’s too fresh. It holds together well, but it was a tad too doughy for my liking.

The fries were thin cut and aromatically herby.

I halved the waffle (£3.50) with my housemate. After the burger, I’m not sure I could have managed a full dessert.

It was everything a waffle should be: still slathered in maple syrup and so full of carbohydrates you felt like your stomach would burst.

So, the verdict? I would definitely give Stacks Burger and Waffle a go. For £1 more than a Big Mac Bacon, you get a towering slap of Wiltshire mince, cheese and salad.

And the waffles – which can be served with meat or chocolate – will keep any child happy. Whether they’re six-years-old or 60.

Website: www.stacksburgerandwaffle.co.uk.