Gastropub voted best British restaurant

Two Michelin-starred gastropub The Hand & Flowers in Marlow has been voted the best restaurant in the UK at the National Restaurant Awards.

The Hand & Flowers gastropub in Marlow has been voted the best restaurant in the UK

Toppling The Ledbury in Notting Hill off its perch after a three-year reign, The Hand & Flowers also scooped the Gastropub of the Year award at the ceremony in London last night.

Opened by chef Tom Kerridge in 2005, it was awarded its first Michelin star in 2006 and in 2011 made history by becoming the first pub restaurant to win two stars.

Head chef and owner Tom Kerridge

Guest of honour Joan Roca, head chef of El Celler de Can Roca in San Sebastian, which took first place at this year’s The World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards – presented Kerridge the award in front of hundreds of industry guests.

Meanwhile, Stephen Harris of out-of-the-way pub, The Sportsman at Seasalter, Kent, was named Chefs’ Chef of the Year for his artisan cooking techniques

Proving that London continues to set the pace of change in the UK, the Clove Club in Shoreditch was named the Highest New Entry, coming in fifth place on the 100-strong list.

Opening in Shoreditch Town Hall this March, the restaurant has won praise for its inventive cooking using local, seasonal ingredients and imaginative presentation.

Staying in London, 10 Greek Street in Soho picked up the award for Wine List of the Year, while the newly opened Grain Store in King’s Cross was voted Sustainable Restaurant of the Year.

Now in its sixth year, The National Restaurant Awards recognise and celebrate the 100 best places to eat out in the UK, as voted for by industry experts.