ARE you salivating at the thought of eating out again? Of course, we all need to take heed of the guidelines as hospitality opens up again.

But with restaurants and pubs able to serve customers outside from today (Monday) under the next stage of the government's roadmap out of lockdown many will want to venture out for a meal after more than three months of home cooking and takeaways.

The Crewe area has a fantastic range of eateries, although not all of them will of course be able to open their doors next week because of space restrictions, while others are taking some more time to prepare their facilities.

For diners wanting some idea of how the area's fare has been rated in recent years, Tripadvisor is a useful tool.

So which dining establishments make it into the online guide's top 10 for Crewe?

1. Rising Sun, Wistaston

The popular Middlewich Road eaterie and pub won't be reopening until Monday, May 17, but when it does it will be perfectly set up for Covid-secure dining. It's extensive outdoor dining area, covered and uncovered straddling down two sides of the premises will see to that.

With nearly 1,300 reviews on Tripadvisor the Rising Sun gets the thumbs up for food, service, value and atmosphere. Near to 730 excellent reviews have been posted on the site and only 61 poor ones.

One of the most recent complimented: "Excellent food, good service, very COVID secure. Highly recommend to anyone thinking of heading out for a pub meal and not sure where to go."

Another said: "The staff are always helpful and friendly, and are happy to recommend drinks/meals. The pub is nicely decorated with a warm and cosy atmosphere and lots of table options. The food is always great and such good value for money."

2. Thai Corner, Crewe

If you like oriental food then this Nantwich Road restaurant comes well recommended by many diners, with 75 per cent of its reviews on Tripadvisor rating it as excellent.

Attentive and friendly service as well as great food is commented upon regularly by diners. One said: "The food was delicious and reasonably priced, the staff were extremely friendly, it was very clean and there was a lovely and cosy atmosphere."

3. Hickory's Smokehouse, Gresty

Once it was the Cheshire Cheese serving up traditional British grub. These days it pays homage to the USA where you can expect plates to be packed with steaks and chicken, of the chargrilled, southern fried and cajun varieties and more.

Sizzling fajitas, barbecued pork and all manner of burgers. The authentic tastes of the Deep South are well appreciated by the looks of the restaurant's Tripadvisor reviews.

4. The Elephant, Shavington

The Newcastle Road establishment is staying closed until May 17, but says new menus and specials boards will be out to welcome customers back.

Traditional British fare with vegetarian and vegan/gluten free options, which received 251 excellent ratings out 381 reviews, among them this: "Amazing food, fantastic atmosphere, friendly staff. This is a wonderful pub."

5. Spedali's Coffee Lounge, Crewe

This Nantwich Road cafe does the simple stuff well by the looks of a review before lockdown, which praised its Covid-secure measures and added: "Good range of food on the menu, our coffee was lovely and hot. English breakfasts were really nice with the food cooked very well."

6. White Lion, Warmingham Road

A country pub that has seen a change of ownership in recent times. It has been doing a roaring takeaway trade during lockdown and with a new outdoor seating area it is aiming to reopen by the end of the month.

7. The White Lion, Weston

Great food and drink as well as a place to stay, you can't beat this historic landmark pub in Weston village.

Bookings are being taken for reopening with outside service on Thursday, April 15.

A marquee on the back lawn will ensure that returning drinkers and diners are going to be weather proofed.

8. Gios/Giovannis, Crewe

The popular Nantwich Road Italian gets the thumbs up time and time again, such as from this reviewer who declared: "We love this restaurant, the food is amazing, the staff are very welcoming. We have been coming for years".

9. Farmhouse Beefeater, Woolstanwood

While it won't be opening again until June 25 this was a popular haunt in pre-Covid times with the service always receiving complements.

10. Passage to India

A well-established Nantwich Road curry house whose illuminating displays lure diners in to savour some of the area's finest Indian cuisine.