UK's Top 100 Restaurants for 2025

Sat Bains' artistic approach yields brave, unique dishes that celebrate flavours and textures, offering an unparalleled experience that continues to set standards for seasonal British fine dining. Restaurant Sat Bains is now 25 years old, but as a confident and inquisitive risk taker invested in the joys of eating, it shows no signs of slowing down.

This windswept old cattle barn has been transformed by Cal and Sian Byerley into a truly transcendent destination restaurant. Even the smallest details are executed with watchmaker’s precision, but Pine still manages to be effortlessly charming and relaxed. An incredible achievement.

Ynyshir’s stunning Snowdonia location and manicured grounds have long been an attraction, but Gareth Ward’s incredible cooking is the real star. Ward brings lots of Japanese influence and a focus on fat and flavour to his food, resulting in one of the UK’s most unique, unmissable restaurants.

David and Anette Taylor have crafted an idyllic countryside retreat, lifting up sustainable producers and craftspeople around them with an unwavering commitment to ethical, bio-diverse farming. The resulting 15-course tasting menu is a thing of beauty.

With his name now over the door of his restaurant at Coworth Park, Adam Smith’s cooking is finally getting the nationwide acclaim it deserves. Smith’s meticulous technique and fondness for luxury ingredients echoes of his many years at The Ritz.

L’Enclume has officially entered legendary status as one of the country’s most influential restaurants. It remains an exceptional dining experience full of surprises and delights, if you can manage to get a table.

Mark Birchall's magnum opus is a stunning example of big picture thinking. Birchall's classy seasonal cooking is just the start of what makes Moor Hall special - acres of grounds supply fresh produce year round, and the whole experience is one that makes you feel very special. Add in the gorgeous new forest cabins and there has never been a better time to visit. 

Tom Barnes’ first solo restaurant is nothing short of outstanding, with its masterful and innovative dishes that still manage to feel completely down to earth. Expectations of the former L’Enclume chef were high, but Skof has hit the ground running, quickly solidifying its place as one of the UK’s top restaurants.

Aktar Islam puts his signature stamp on Indian fine dining at this Michelin-starred restaurant in Birmingham. His masterful dishes utilise ancient and modern techniques from all over the globe, and the result is not to be missed.

Located in the scenic village of Hovingham, Myse serves a modern British tasting menu that draws on North Yorkshire’s rich history. Start with a round of drinks by the log burner in the snug, before embarking on a menu filled with things like duck and liver crumpets, and broad bean porridge.

The fourth venture from Stuart Ralston, Lyla offers a culinary journey to its diners, starting with snacks and aperitifs upstairs before descending for a ten-course tasting menu. Foraged and locally grown ingredients play a starring role, making Lyla one of the city’s finest seafood experiences.

This idyllic spot pays homage to the English countryside in every way possible. Dine between terracotta plant pots and trailing vines at Updown Farmhouse’s conservatory restaurant, while the hyper-seasonal menu makes use of local ingredients (including some grown in its beautiful garden grounds).

Luke French and Stacey Sherwood have taken JÖRO to new heights, relocating this acclaimed restaurant from Sheffield city centre to the picturesque Oughtibridge Mill. With its inspired blend of Nordic and Japanese influences, JÖRO’s seasonally driven tasting menus are exceptional. Eight years on, it remains a must-visit destination.

Osip recently relocated to a more rural pub with rooms just a few miles from its kitchen farm. The celebrated 2021 winner is still flying high with an ever-changing farm-to-table menu founded on the precise and technical use of organic and biodynamic ingredients.

This 15th-century inn won a Michelin star within the first year of opening, having garnered a reputation as one of the UK’s best gastropubs. Modern and refined dishes appear in both a la carte and tasting menu format.

With just six tables available per night, dinner at this distillery restaurant is pretty exclusive. The trip is absolutely worth it, though, as Mark Donald’s globetrotting menus are out of this world.

Ideally located in Manchester’s city centre, Higher Ground is the British bistro showcasing everything this little island has to offer. Changing the menu based on seasonality throughout the UK, you can always expect a creative selection of dishes showcasing ingredients from land and sea.

It might masquerade as a quaint 17th-century inn, but Heft is a weapon of a restaurant forged by a profound understanding of the surrounding landscape. Cumbrian-born chef patron Kevin Tickle fuses local, seasonal, and foraged ingredients into a profound menu focused on skilful simplicity.

Husband and wife team Daniel and Margriet honed their skills at Petrus and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, so it’s no surprise this gastropub nails all the small details, from pitch-perfect service to delicious food.

This 17th-century pub and restaurant serves an affordable yet elevated a la carte menu. Produce is primarily sourced from the nearby Balcaskie Estate along with a handful of other local growers to keep menus seasonal and local.

Plates that appear deceptively simple but are underpinned by exacting technique are the order of the day at Wilsons, one of Bristol’s best restaurants. Here you’ll find true allegiance to showcasing sustainability through seasonality in fresh new ways.

Paul Ainsworth operates a number of restaurants in Cornwall, but this Michelin-starred spot has got to be the jewel in his crown, where it serves an exciting, story-led menu that champions locally sourced Cornish produce.

Not content with having one champion restaurant in Newcastle, Kenny Atkinson has opened another one just down the road. The UK isn’t short of great tasting menus these days, but Solstice is right up there with the best of them.

This perfectly-formed little restaurant serves a compact menu of modern British food that you just want to dive into. A real gem, delivering new experiences on every visit via menus that change every month. 

Ben Wilkinson’s Michelin-starred restaurant is nothing short of sublime. A glass wall separates the 28-cover dining room from the kitchen, so diners can watch the team in action, while dishes are served by the chefs who made them. Clean, concise, and perfectly-balanced plates are impossible to fault.

Alex Bond harnesses the transformative powers of fermentation and pickling at Nottingham powerhouse Alchemilla, creating brilliant tasting menus which are as innovative as they are delicious.

Located at one of the country’s finest hotels, Shaun Rankin’s eponymous restaurant takes hotel dining to a whole new level, winning a Michelin star just months after opening. Years later and the quality still exudes, with Rankin returning to his roots and showcasing the very best Yorkshire has to offer.

Tommy Banks has taken a former pub and transformed it into one of York’s greatest restaurants to date. This Michelin-starred spot centres around seasonal ingredients grown and foraged on the family farm, while modern dishes never veer too away from the chef’s Yorkshire roots.

Roberta Hall-McCarron’s cosy Bonnington bistro is a nigh on perfect neighbourhood restaurant - homely, comforting and always welcoming, with a menu full of dishes that you just want to dive into head first.

This Michelin-starred spot in Belfast centres around an open kitchen, providing diners with an element of theatre as they watch the chefs prepare their food. Focused on relaxed fine dining, head chef and owner Gareth McCaughey uses the best local ingredients to create his inspired tasting menus.

Located on the Middleton Lodge Estate, Forge offers a refined dining experience with a major focus on sustainability that resulted in a green star back in 2024. Head chef Jake Jones’ assertive six- and ten-course tasting menus delve into Yorkshire’s culinary landscape, using produce grown in the estate’s own kitchen garden.

Led by Bury St Edmunds native, chef James Carn, Lark is an intelligently casual intimate dining affair. The menu takes the form of hyper-seasonal small plates highlighting a definitive Mediterranean influence and intuitively judged combinations.

Offering two distinct dining experiences under one roof, Montrose comes from the team behind Edinburgh’s beloved Timberyard, embodying the same minimalistic feel. Stay downstairs for relaxed dining, or head upstairs for the full, set-menu experience.

Chef Scott Smith’s modern Scottish cooking combines elegance and intrigue, with ingredient-led menus that challenge and delight in equal measure. Fine dining here feels refreshingly relaxed, making Fhior a true standout spot in Edinburgh’s vast dining scene.

The serene, Scandi-style dining room provides a calming backdrop in which to indulge in some of Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori’s intricate cooking. Hjem’s food offering comes in the form of a single tasting menu, where Northumberland produce is treated with Scandinavian techniques.

Taking Liverpool’s dining scene to another level, Vetch is undoubtedly one of the city’s most exciting places to eat, boasting a stellar tasting menu from chef Daniel McGeorge. You never know quite what’s going to come next, but each plate is filled with intrigue and experimentation unlike anything you’ve likely experienced.

The jewel in Michael Caines’ crown, Lympstone Manor in Devon comes with all the trimmings of fine dining that you’d expect, and earned itself a Michelin star just six months after opening. Menus are developed around the local southwest larder

Were The Barn not overshadowed by flagship Moor Hall, it would rightly be talked about as one of the best restaurants in the country. It’s more relaxed, but the attention to detail, conscientious service and top-class produce remain, making this a good way to experience some of the Moor Hall magic without the price tag.

James Sommerin is no stranger to success, but Home may be his greatest achievement yet. The whole Sommerin family works front and back of house, turning out an elegant, thought-provoking tasting menu.

Seasonality showcases a diverse menu, from oysters with shichimi togarashi to smoked haddock with potato fondant. Whilst the menu changes frequently, you can always expect a consistent level of quality from husband and wife team Wesley and Francesca Smalley.

What appears to be an unassuming pub from the outside, is in fact a treasure trove of gastropub style plates that champion the best of British produce - think local rock oysters, grilled slip sole, and pot roast pork. Oh, and did we mention it has a Michelin star?

Following his departure from L’Enclume, chef Dan Cox brings his vast experience to the south west with this soil-centric farm restaurant. The very definition of farm-to-table cooking, he’s created a ‘Taste of the Farm’ menu bursting with freshly grown and reared produce.

Housed above his father’s jewellery shop, Tom Shepherd’s eponymous restaurant is one of the hottest seats in Staffordshire. If you’re lucky enough to snag a table at the county’s only Michelin starred restaurant, expect a seven-course tasting menu of innovative, flavour-led dishes.

Offering feelgood factor by the spadeful, this cosy refurbished inn deals in a three course, daily changing menu for £55. Pies have made the kitchen famous, which are most often served at lunch, like the wonderfully comforting layered creamed potato terrine creation.

Set in a converted ferryman’s cottage on the Insta-friendly shores of Loch Fyne, Inver blends ultra-fresh local produce - sometimes straight out of the loch - with clever Nordic technique.

Residing in a beautiful Grade-II listed house, Meadowsweet has created an intimate and charmingly cosy dining experience in the heart of Norfolk. Chef Greg Anderson’s ever-changing menu celebrates sustainable British produce, creating simple but elegant dishes.

Taking residence in a stunning Grade-II listed Georgian mansion, Chef Dave Mothersill has created - arguably - Brighton’s most notable fine dining restaurant. The menu takes notes from Asian cooking but is ever-evolving depending on the season.

Following a 16 year stint at St John in London, Jonathan Woolway’s calling brought him back home, setting up shop at one of Swansea’s waterfront restaurants. The Shed’s daily-changing menus celebrate bounty from the surrounding areas, partnering with local suppliers to ensure produce is at its peak seasonality.

Taking up residence in a converted warehouse, Waterman is all about no-frills, affordable dining, bringing contemporary European fare to the people of Belfast. Pop by for set menus, Sunday roasts, or an after dark menu of snacks and desserts, with local serves to wash everything down.

Head chef Paul Leonard translates the Cumbrian landscape into a series of intriguing tasting menus at this gothic mansion in the Lake district. Many of its ingredients are sourced from the kitchen gardens, while dedicated vegetarian menus ensure eating here is accessible for everyone.

Born in North Wales and having spent seven years at The Fat Duck, chef Nick Rudge brings a wealth of experience to his latest venture The Jackdaw in Conwy. Here, he places beautiful Welsh produce at the fore of his menus, such as ‘Welsh Salt Duck’ with pickled damsons and hispi cabbage.

Anything but ordinary, the Wilderness’ quirks are found in every twist and turn of the eccentric menu that isn’t afraid to make unusual pairings in pursuit of a menu you’ll remember long after your last bite.

Hyper-seasonal menus and sprawling kitchen gardens often make for a winning combination, but sibling owners Josh and Holly Eggleton have done something rather spectacular with their transformation of The Pony. Outstanding plates of accessible fare make this the epitome of a great gastropub.

The initial impression is of a modest village pub. But The White Swan boasts a witty and thoughtful menu worthy of its Michelin star. The atmosphere is laid back but small batch local produce and technical skill merge to deliver simple but profound combinations.

Described as a dinner house, Big Counter dishes out unfussy comfort food and old-school favourites. The menu is subject to daily change but dishes frequently feature chef John Dawson and Claire Johnston’s ‘holy trinity’: butter, cream, and cheese.

Making your presence known in a city as densely populated with incredible restaurants as Birmingham is quite some feat - but Harborne Kitchen has made a name for itself through its creative plates that continue to taste as good as they look.

Sitting on the outskirts of Leeds, Bavette is a neighbourhood bistro specialising in simple, honest, French cookery, that has become a favourite amongst locals. Hearty plates of comforting food will leave you more than satisfied, with an extensive wine list that even includes bottles from the family vineyard.

If the Farlam Hall Hotel’s 600 year history wasn’t enough to dazzle you, then chef patron Hrishikesh Desai’s dazzling seven-course tasting menus might just do the trick. Drawing on classic French techniques, as well as Desai’s heritage, you can expect some rather exceptional cooking.

A tiny Scottish village on the edge of Cairngorms might not have seemed like an obvious location for one of the UK’s top restaurants, but Fish Shop Ballater’s commitment to community, simplicity and sustainability have come together to create something really special.

Taking the term ‘local ingredients’ to the next level, the team at Annwn spend time foraging for produce and get the rest from sustainable producers nearby. It’s all about showcasing the best of what Wales has to offer, one delicious plate at a time.

Peter Sanchez-Iglesias brings a touch of magic to this refreshingly relaxed Spanish tapas restaurant in Bristol. The menu changes every day to make use of the freshest available produce, but you can always guarantee something special.

Found within one of Surrey’s most luxurious hotels, The Latymer is no different, offering grandeur in every sense of the word. Steve Smith’s constantly changing discovery menu showcases refined dishes using only the best local produce.

Argoe is a tribute to Newlyn’s incredible fishing heritage and produce, where sharing plates with a focus on Cornish fish and seafood are served alongside low-intervention wines on tap. Proof that beauty lies in simplicity.

Setting the bar for what makes a good gastropub, The Greyhound Inn has all the charm of your local boozer, whilst serving up restaurant-quality food. Succinct, seasonal menus offer everything from bar snacks to three-course feasts, with daily specials handwritten on the chalkboard.

Jon and Helen Howe’s beloved Cheltenham restaurant is admirable on many levels, turning out a range of delicious tasting menus, as well as fantastic vegetarian food, all whilst running an organic 15-acre smallholding.

A 24-seat intimate restaurant led by co-chef patrons Max Yorke and Julian Pizer, Another Hand transforms sustainably sourced ingredients into a sleek daily programme of punchy sharing plates, complemented by a catalogue of exceptional natural wines, and craft beers.

The Abbey Inn blends classic pub charm, expert culinary intuition, and environmentally conscious practices. The result is a homestyle experience, elevated by inventive techniques, charcoal grilling, and quality local produce from the Oldstead farm.

A fresh-faced Somerset restaurant by chef Sam Lomas, Briar offers a hyper-local, seasonal menu in a warm, friendly setting. Located in Bruton's Number One hotel, it features unfussy dishes crafted from West Country ingredients, foraged items, and produce from a small kitchen garden.

With a spectacular chef’s table for two, plus a luxurious, contemporary main dining room, Cail Bruich is a special occasion spot worth saving up for. Here you’ll be treated to Lorna McNee’s unique flair for elevating the best of Scottish produce.

Housed in a remote cottage up the Whinlatter Pass, 1,000 ft up in the Lake District, The Cottage in the Wood combines cosy charm with stunning woodland views. Modern European tasting menus reflect Beth and Jack Bond’s passion for this landscape.

Le Manoir epitomises Franco-British hospitality and modern gastronomic inspiration. Nestled within a fairytale-like Tudor building, the twice Michelin-starred restaurant also holds a green star for its environmentally conscious efforts, sophisticated technique, and live-off-the-land ethos.

This unassuming restaurant sits above the Landrace Bakery in Bath where it quietly turns out a concise menu of perfectly-executed Mediterranean plates. Expect straight-forward, trattoria-style fare cooked with love – think tagliatelle with spinach, chestnuts and parmesan cream.

Neighbourhood small plates restaurants are two a penny. Bench is not. Breaking the divide between bar and kitchen, Bench delivers small plates and natural wines with superior skill and judgement to create a relaxed communal dining experience.

Gwen is an intimate dining experience from the Michelin-starred mind of Ynyshir chef Gareth Ward. Accommodating just eight guests at a time, ten innovative but affordable courses illustrate exceptional culinary flair and quality Welsh produce.

A charming Italian osteria housed in a former Ashburton bank, Emilia offers daily-changing menus inspired by dishes from the Emilia-Romagna region. With one large table and a few bar seats available, it serves flavourful, generously priced dishes, including house-made pasta and daily offal specials.

Somerset restaurant Holm’s ethos is deeply rooted in nature, drawing on fantastic local farmers, fisherman, growers and butchers for its produce. Low intervention, organic and biodynamic wines are served alongside its seasonal tasting menus, and it now has lovely overnight rooms too.

The Rabbit blends Ash and Erin Valenzuela-Heeger’s South African roots with seasonal British produce. Known for its creative small plates and commitment to sustainable sourcing, this affordable gem has quickly gained recognition for its exceptional cuisine and intimate on-trend atmosphere.

Driven by the seasons, Oli Martin’s Aven restaurant transforms locally sourced Lancashire produce into extraordinary tasting menus. Often with the help of foraged ingredients, tasting menus showcase innovative techniques to rediscover and celebrate the finest Northwest flavours.

Innovative tasting menus, seasonal produce, fantastic wine pairings, and great value pricing - these are just a few things that REBEL does brilliantly. It’s contemporary through and through, with a calming but modern aesthetic and a talented young team delivering consistently impressive experiences.

A European-inspired restaurant by chef-owner Freddy Bird and his wife Ness. Offering a classic a la carte menu featuring high-quality, carefully sourced ingredients. The dishes reflect Bird's extensive culinary experience, blending French, Spanish, and Moorish influences in a relaxed, intimate setting.

Set on the Deal beachfront, The Blue Pelican blends European and Japanese techniques with a classy, daring and sometimes experimental menu of small plates, grill dishes, and sharers. It’s gorgeous too, showcasing the talent of co-owner and ex Wallpaper Design Editor Alex Bagner.

Blessed with views of Lake Windermere, Henrock's hyper-seasonal tasting and set menus showcase influences from Hong Kong and Thailand. It’s under the aegis of Simon Rogan, following his signature farm-to-fork philosophy using ingredients from his nearby Cartmel farm to offer confident pan-Asian cooking.

Inspired by all things dough-based, The Sparrows - a translation of ‘spätzle’ - serves up the European noodles of the same name along with continental pasta and dumpling dishes treated with the warmth and appreciation they deserve.

Housed within a 400-year-old cellar in Lyme Regis, Lilac is a relaxed restaurant and wine bar from the same team behind Robin Wylde, with a major focus on sustainability. Enjoy its seasonal sharing plates alongside low-intervention wines, local beers and exciting cocktails.

Setting up in a Baltic Quarter warehouse, Manifest sounds a little chilly but is anything but - clever British cooking and carefully-sourced wines are served with warmth and generosity.

Quince is the epitome of casual fine dining, a bistro-style restaurant in Westgate-on-Sea serving Mediterranean-leaning dishes with Kentish produce. Chefs and co-owners Ben Hughes and Rafael Lopez are the brains behind the job, having spent years working at the Goods Shed in Canterbury together.

Housed in a 19th century farmhouse, The Woodspeen has ditched all the fuss whilst still managing to retain a first class dining experience. Here, you can enjoy the theatricality of an open kitchen whilst enjoying fresh produce straight from the onsite garden.

Set within two 18th-century cottages, decked out in antique finery, The Box Tree has stood among Yorkshire’s best restaurants since 1962. Today, executive chef Brayden Davies continues that tradition, presenting monthly tasting menus focused on Franco-European cuisine.

Wild Flor is a testament to friendship and humble cooking. Owned by a close-knit group, the restaurant radiates a welcoming and unassuming atmosphere. The menu reflects a commitment to seasonal, thoughtful combinations that deliver robust and nuanced flavours.

Excellent produce cooked over fire is exactly what to expect from this neighbourhood joint. Head chef Jack Briggs-Horan brings produce to life with indulgent dishes that are designed to share.

Proudly embracing the calling to represent the brilliance of British seafood and quality local produce, Sur Mer does just that. Executed in a straightforward fashion and with technical skill directly on the seafront, what more could you ask for?

Brought to you by restaurateurs Nigel Sutcliffe and James McLean, The Oarsman embodies everything we love about gastropubs. Bistro-style dishes come accompanied by small plates from the charcuterie and larder counters, with more wine options than you could ever need.

This well-respected Indian restaurant in Leeds has a vast menu with a special focus on Keralan cuisine. Kerala’s long coastline was historically an arrival point for visiting traders and led to the area being a hub of new flavours and influences that blend together beautifully.

Sister restaurant to Chef's Table, Twenty Eight specialises in tapas-style dishes that blend British and international influences. It champions farm-to-table dining, working in partnership with Field28, to provide local ingredients, reduce waste and emphasise sustainability

Helmed by Atul Kochhar, Sindhu stands as an homage to southern India. It's named for the Indus River, blending Kochhar's brand of modern Indian food with quality British ingredients, it stands as a beacon of contemporary South Asian innovation. 

An elegant restaurant with five and eight-course tasting menus, The Counter focuses on seasonal local produce from Kent and Sussex. Chef Robin Read also offers an interactive counter dining experience, allowing diners an exclusive opportunity to sample two additional courses.

Ingenious plant-led tasting menus have shot this small Cambridge restaurant into the spotlight. Co-owner Alex Rushmer doesn’t call Vanderlyle a vegetarian restaurant, rather he has found there is enough variety in plant produce to satisfy all appetites.

Niall McKenna’s long-established modern bistro and Belfast favourite continues to push boundaries with enthusiasm. At James Street dishes are simple but vibrant; ethically sourced produce is grilled over charcoal and prepared with satisfaction in mind.

Well placed within a transformed country pub, chef Henry Kremer-Ireson’s restaurant Damson is all about flavour-driven creativity and seasonal menus. Attentive and personalised service and an easygoing atmosphere along with a brilliant wine list, elevate things further.