Ynyshir

This Welsh Restaurant Has Been Named Best In the UK

11 months ago

Who struck gold at this year's National Restaurant Awards?

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This Welsh Restaurant Has Been Named Best In the UK

Ynyshir

Fancy a table at the UK’s best restaurant? You’ll have to hop on a train to the west coast of Wales, home to Ynyshir, which has just struck gold at this year’s Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards.

A two Michelin-starred restaurant located within a country house hotel, Ynyshir has topped the chart for the second year in a row. The unique spot is designed as an immersive dining experience, with the kitchen headed up by chef-patron Gareth Ward. Guests are treated to a Japanese-inspired tasting menu which features tiny plates cooked over fire – think miso cured black cod, bluefin tuna with ginger and wasabi, and peking duck with hoisin, cucumber and spring onion. While you eat, DJs will curate a soundtrack – and if you fancy making a night of it, rooms are available to book too.

In second place is Moor Hall, another two Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms, this one in Lancashire. Here chef Mark Birchall and his team cook up seasonal, produce-driven menus made with high-quality ingredients – sustainability is a key focus, and the restaurant was awarded a Green Michelin Star alongside its many other accolades.

The sustainability award, though, went to Pensons, located on the historic Netherwood Estate. It was recognised for its creation of an on-site laundry powered by solar panel and using collected rainwater – which has resulted in a large reduction in energy use and water consumption.

Juliane Caillouette Noble, managing director at The Sustainable Restaurant Association, said: ‘Not only does the development of an on-site laundry have significant environmental benefits – that Pensons have measured and quantified – but it shines a light on the growing issue of water scarcity and has even created a new employment opportunity.

‘This initiative demonstrates the importance of taking a holistic and creative approach to sustainability to find solutions that work for your business,’ said Noble.

Elsewhere in the list, London dominated once again, with a total of 54 restaurants from the capital named in the top 100. Da Terra, Rafael Cagali’s east London restaurant, came in third place. Other London restaurants to make the top ten included: The Ledbury, Bouchon Racine, The Ritz, Core by Clare Smyth, Frog by Adam Handling and KOL.

The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards take place every year, naming the 100 best restaurants in the UK. Organised by Restaurant magazine, they are voted for by the UK’s leading chefs, restaurateurs and food writers.

See the full list of winners below.