‘Totally overrated’ restaurant crowned the best in the UK — as top 100 revealed

If you asked Brits to name the best restaurant in the UK, their answers would be vastly different, as taste is subjective. One person might love a Michelin Star spot, while another would prefer to grab a burger at a dive-bar.

But one thing people are most likely to agree on is that London is home to some of the best eateries the nation has to offer, and the results of the National Restaurant Awards 2025 certainly prove it’s true.

More than 200 food writers, chefs and restaurateurs helped to create a list of the top 100 restaurants in the UK – and more than half of them are London locations, including the overall winner.

It was The Ritz Restaurant that took the crowning glory as a ‘bastion of fine French food’ and an ‘exemplary restaurant’.

Speaking about the results, Stefan Chomka, the editor of Restaurant, said: ‘As a bastion of fine French food served in unashamedly refined surroundings, The Ritz stands alone in the UK.

‘The Ritz is an exemplary restaurant, one fully deserving of the title of National Restaurant of the Year.’

He added that it was ‘refreshing’ that the restaurant sticks to old-school tradition and claimed it’s not a restaurant for every day, but for special occasions when you want cooking that can wow. 

And while many will likely agree with this ranking, there are some who think the 119-year-old restaurant, which has two Michelin Stars, is ‘overrated’ and ‘outdated’. 

Metro’s head of growth, Martina Andretta thought the restaurant and its bar were ‘overrated and overpriced’ and Metro’s deputy editor Claie Wilson thought there were better options, adding: ‘While the Ritz is all glossy, prim and sparkly, I much prefer The Wolseley just next door, which feels a little less pomp yet also serves a spectacular afternoon tea. Its gold and monochrome decor is very cool and the service is just as attentive – you just don’t feel like such a “tourist” when you go.’

On Tripadvisor a number of reviewers felt the same way, with a poster known as RichGuyLondon writing: ‘Even a rich guy can see the pretentiousness in this establishment. Overpriced and totally overrated.’

And on Google, a user known only as ER wrote: ‘The food was underwhelming. While presentation was pleasant enough, the taste was mediocre. Service felt rushed and waiters simply recited the contents of the dish, all felt very robotic. The wine pairing experience only added to the disappointment.’

Many people also complained about the restaurant’s ‘outdated’ dress code policy, claiming they’d been denied entry for wearing certain items of clothing – with trainers being a big no-no.

The current dress code states: ‘Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie (jeans and sportswear are not permitted for either ladies or gentlemen) for Afternoon Tea and for lunch and dinner in The Ritz Restaurant and Terrace. In all other areas of the hotel (The Ritz Restaurant breakfast service, The Rivoli Bar and The Long Gallery), smart casual attire is required. Please note that shorts, trainers and sportswear are not permitted in any of the hotel’s restaurants or bars.’

Not everyone was against The Ritz scooping first place at the awards though, as Metro’s newsletter editor Sophie Laughton hailed the restaurant as ‘sublime’ confessing she even ‘shed a tear’ over a particularly delicious scallop dish. 

And senior film and entertainment reporter, Tori Brazier, said she had one of the ‘best meals of her life’ there. 

There are also thousands of five star reviews online, with people branding it ‘outstanding’ ‘memorable’, ‘flawless’ and ‘world class’. 

How much does it cost to eat at The Ritz?

The Ritz offers an Epicurean tasting menu in either five or seven course experiences. For five courses it’s £199 per person, and for seven it’s £221. 

This price goes up if you include a wine pairing and there are three to choose from – classic, fine or prestige wines. The most expensive is the prestige wine experience which will take the cost to £750 per person.

There’s also an additional fee if you dine on a Friday or Saturday evening, as live entertainment is provided during these times. A £57 entertainment charge per person will be added to the bill because of this. 

An A la Carte menu is available too, from which example dishes might include Dorset Crab with Crème Fraiche and Imperial Caviar (£50) to star, or a Ballotine of Duck Liver with Damson and Pistachio (£42). For the main event, you could be served Suffolk Lamb with Roscoff Onion and Mint (£65) or Fillet of Veal, White Asparagus and Madiera (£68).

Dessert options include The Ritz Signature Chocolate and Hazelnut Fudge (£27), and Poached Yorkshire Rhubarb and Vanilla Custard Tart (£27).

Breakfast and Afternoon Tea are also available at The Ritz and there are a few fun options where food is served at the table – including crêpes suzette flambéed in front of you, and a beef Wellington trolley wheeled to your seat. 

The Top Restaurants in the UK

The second best restaurant in the UK was one several hours from London, in the rather unassuming village of Aughton.

Moor Hall has three Michelin stars to its name, which means the cuisine has been deemed ‘exceptional’. 

The restaurant serves up modern British food and also boasts a Michelin Green Star for its sustainable practices (most of the seasonal produce is grown in the grounds of the hall), as well as five AA Rosettes.

Headed up by chef patron Mark Birchall, the restaurant offers a Provenance tasting menu for dinner which is priced at £235 per person (and this is going up to £265 from July 1). There’s also a four-course lunch menu for £125 per person (£145 as of July 1).

Rounding out the top five were The Ledbury in London’s Notting Hill, Trinity in Clapham and Bouchon Racine, also in London.