Juliet, a charming bistro nestled in the heart of Stroud, Cotswolds, has earned an extraordinary 10/10 rating from celebrated food critic Giles Coren, cementing its reputation as a world-class dining destination. Known for his discerning palate, Coren reserved this perfect score for only a handful of restaurants over his 25-year career, making his praise for Juliet especially notable.
In his review for The Times, Coren praised Juliet as “something you almost never get: a timeless, friendly, entirely unpretentious, beautiful modern bistro,” delivering elegantly executed, classically inspired dishes in a town often overlooked by much of Britain. He acknowledged Stroud as an important local hub with a unique character, calling it a “hippy mecca,” albeit one still unfamiliar to many.
Much of Coren’s admiration stems from the restaurant’s owner, Dan Chadwick, whom he described as “one of the best men ever to own a restaurant” — an educated, softly spoken, charming restaurateur with a passion for excellence.
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The menu at Juliet impressed Coren with its balance and creativity: six tiny snacks, twelve small dishes, seven large plates, a range of sides, and seven desserts. Special dishes included carabineros for £26 and a hogget chop at £22. His starter recommendations, such as gazpacho, pan con tomate, œuf mayonnaise with anchovy, and zucchini fritti, elicited enthusiasm so strong that he claimed he would brave the “smart” M4 motorway just for them.
Coren’s entire family enjoyed dishes like panisses, vitello tonnato, and steak frites, which he deemed “literally couldn’t be improved.” He praised not only the food but also the ambiance—soft leather seating, linen-covered tables, attentive service, and well-paced dish delivery—everything a perfect bistro experience conjures.
On social media, Coren revealed the rarity of his perfect scores: “In 25 years as a restaurant critic I have given a 10/10 score only four or five times. Max twice a decade. But I’ve given one to Juliet in Stroud.”
Juliet has also garnered accolades from other critics. Food writer Grace Dent, known for her role on MasterChef, called it “one of those places where diners can lose track of time.” She encouraged visitors to book ahead, noting the restaurant’s growing popularity among locals.
Celebrating the acclaim, Juliet shared gratitude on Instagram, thanking their dedicated staff and promising to welcome diners soon. The post attracted enthusiastic responses from patrons who expressed their love for the bistro.
With this rare perfect rating and glowing reviews, Juliet in Stroud is firmly established as a culinary gem in the Cotswolds, worthy of attention far beyond its picturesque locale.