It's not all work and no play at EX:CHANGE 2026! We are always delighted to have our ITI Networks taking part in our events. Many Networks arrange social events such as informal dinners. Details of activities and visits will be added over the coming weeks.
In the meantime you might like to browse our curated lists of places to eat and drink.
Places to eat
Mid to low range places to eat: Good for relaxed suppers and casual drinks
- Pho – Popular Vietnamese restaurant with flavourful dishes.
- Akasaka Korean and Japanese Restaurant – Well-liked Korean and Japanese menu.
- Melis – Turkish restaurant with traditional dishes.
- Banana Tree – Asian fusion with high ratings.
- Thai Modern – Popular Thai restaurant with authentic flavours.
- All Bar One – Stylish wine bar with food & cocktails.
- Be At One – Well-known cocktail spot with lively atmosphere.
- Blossom Room – Cocktail bar in The Hub, perfect for after-work drinks.
- Midsummer Tap – Great pub/restaurant with a nice outdoor vibe.
- Slug & Lettuce – Trendy cocktail bar and restaurant in the Hub with a social atmosphere.
- Bill’s Milton – Friendly, affordable all-day menu.
- Cosy Club – Quirky British restaurant/bar with reasonable prices.
- Nando's – Popular Portuguese-style chicken chain.
- ASK – Classic Italian pasta and pizza in the shopping district.
- Zizzi – Reliable British-Italian chain with pizzas, pastas and salads (great for groups).
- Bella Italia – Friendly Italian-style restaurant with pasta and pizza (also another branch near Stadium MK).
- Marco’s New York Italian Milton Keynes – Italian-American menu with pastas, pizzas, and mains.
- JD Wetherspoons – Classic budget pub with food deals and drinks.
More expensive restaurants: Great for a celebration or a more formal evening meal
- Brasserie Blanc – Highly rated French brasserie with classic dishes and refined atmosphere.
- Turtle Bay – Stylish Caribbean-inspired restaurant with cocktails and vibrant flavours.
- Olive Tree Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar – Great Mediterranean grill and bar option with excellent reviews and a lively vibe.
- The Oligarch – Stylish late-night restaurant and bar with good food and cocktails.
A little further out:
- Vita Xscape – Highly-rated Italian inside Xscape (good pastas & atmosphere).
- Panzini Restaurant and Bar – Great Bletchley Italian with excellent reviews and a slightly more unique feel.
- The Greedy Italian – Very popular Italian with brunch offerings and praised for quality dishes.
- The Italian Sul Lago – Lakeside Italian with good food and views (and occasional bottomless brunch options).
- Warbler on the Wharf – Canalside pub with a pretty terrace and south-facing beer garden overlooking the marina
Places to drink
- Vibe: Live music venue and bar with an independent, alternative vibe
- Drinks: Craft beers, cocktails
- Best for: A proper night out that doesn’t feel “corporate”
- Vibe: Milton Keynes’ first micropub and bottle shop with a German vibe - and pretzels
- Drinks: International range of bottled and draught craft beer and cider plus seven taps
- Best for: Craft beer afficionados and people looking for refreshment on a canalside walk
Blossom Room (The Hub, central MK)
- Vibe: Stylish but relaxed. Floral décor, fun cocktail menu, less generic than it looks
- Drinks: Creative cocktails, sharers
- Best for: Catch-ups and early evening drinks
- Vibe: One of MK’s best independent venues. Indie, music-led, friendly crowd
- Drinks: Craft beer, real ale, good spirits
- Best for: Gigs, alternative nights, great beer
Brewdog Milton Keynes (Central MK)
- Vibe: Strong craft-beer culture, relaxed and social
- Drinks: Rotating craft taps, guest beers
- Best for: Beer lovers who want something less “nightclubby”
- Vibe: Spanish tapas bar vibe rather than a typical bar. Warm, lively, sociable.
- Drinks: Spanish wines, sangria, cocktails
- Best for: Drinks that turn into a long evening