Palace Restaurant & Bar

You'll find Palace tucked away on Kettering Road, in that stretch where the town starts to properly breathe beyond the town centre chaos. It's the sort of place locals actually book for birthdays and anniversaries—proper tablecloths, decent wine list, staff who know what they're doing. The menu roams internationally without feeling scattered; they're clearly confident in the kitchen. Reviews hover around 3.8 stars, which usually means it's doing something right without the hype machine. Expect a comfortable, unfussy dining room where you can actually hear your date.