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Britain’s best gastropubs for 2024 have been revealed

A popular Suffolk boozer has taken top spot for a second time

Amy Houghton
Written by
Amy Houghton
Contributing writer
the unruly pig suffolk
Photograph: Estrella Damm
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When it comes to pubs, a cosy interior, crisp pint and a generous portion of good grub usually does the trick. But since the word was coined back in the early 1990s, ‘gastropubs’ have been taking UK boozers to a whole new level – offering fancy tasting menus, gathering Michelin stars and pouring mind-blowing craft beers.

But how can we distinguish great gastropubs from downright exceptional ones? Well, for 16 years, Estrella Damm has published its coveted ranking of the UK’s 50 best gastropubs, based on votes from food experts and industry figures, as well as writers and journalists from around the country.

This year a spot in Suffolk came up trumps for the second time, after being bumped down to second place last year. The Unruly Pig in Woodbridge is listed in the Michelin guide and dates all the way back to the sixteenth century. Its menu offers ‘unfussy “Britalian” food‘ with a focus on local, seasonal produce (which means dishes can switch up at very short notice). 

Coming in second and third place were the Cornish Arms in Devon and The Mariners in Cornwall. There were also some extra categories to highlight the ‘one to watch’, chef of the year and sustainable pub of the year.

The first of those special mentions went to The Bull’s Head in Derbyshire while chef of the year was awarded to Daniel Smith at the Fordwich Arms and the Bridge Arms in Kent. The Loch and the Tyne in Old Windsor was recognised for its super sustainable credentials and hyper-local focus. 

Here's the full list of Estrella Damm's best gastropubs for 2024: 

  1. The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge
  2. The Cornish Arms, Tavistock
  3. The Mariners, Rock
  4. The Fordwich Arms, Canterbury
  5. The Sportsman, Seasalter
  6. The Red Lion & Sun, Highgate, London
  7. Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland
  8. The Star Inn, Harome
  9. Freemasons at Wiswell, Wiswell
  10. The Hand & Flowers, Marlow 
  11. Heft, High Newton
  12. The Harwood Arms, Fulham, London
  13. The Angel at Hetton, Hetton
  14. The Rat Inn, Hexham
  15. The Bridge Arms, Canterbury
  16. The Dog at Wingham, Wingham
  17. The Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax
  18. The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market
  19. The Pack Horse, Hayfield
  20. Pyne Arms, Barnstaple
  21. The Coach, Marlow
  22. The Beehive, White Waltham
  23. The Broad Chare, Newcastle
  24. The Edinburgh Castle, Manchester
  25. The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe
  26. The Baring, Islington, London
  27. The Kentish Hare, Tunbridge Wells
  28. The Pipe & Glass Inn, Beverley
  29. The White Swan at Fence, Fence
  30. The Longs Arms, Bath
  31. The Bull & Last, Islington, London
  32. The Black Bear, Usk
  33. The Dog & Gun Inn, Skelton
  34. The Woolpack, Stroud
  35. The Barrington Boar, Barrington
  36. The Parakeet, Kentish Town, London
  37. The Masons Arms, Knowstone
  38. The Abbey Inn, Byland
  39. The Black Bull, Sedbergh
  40. The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea, London
  41. The Bulls Head, Craswell
  42. The Loch and The Tyne, Windsor
  43. The Guinea Grill, Mayfair, London 
  44. The Dew Drop Inn, Hurley
  45. The Killingworth Castle, Wootton
  46. The Canton Arms, Stockwell, London
  47. The Double Red Duke, Clanfield
  48. The Duncombe Arms, Ashbourne
  49. The Scran & Scallie, Edinburgh
  50. The Bull, Charlbury

You can find out more about all these pubs on the official ranking website here

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