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:
- The Unruly Pig, Woodbridge
- The Cornish Arms, Tavistock
- The Mariners, Rock
- The Fordwich Arms, Canterbury
- The Sportsman, Seasalter
- The Red Lion & Sun, Highgate, London
- Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland
- The Star Inn, Harome
- Freemasons at Wiswell, Wiswell
- The Hand & Flowers, Marlow
- Heft, High Newton
- The Harwood Arms, Fulham, London
- The Angel at Hetton, Hetton
- The Rat Inn, Hexham
- The Bridge Arms, Canterbury
- The Dog at Wingham, Wingham
- The Shibden Mill Inn, Halifax
- The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market
- The Pack Horse, Hayfield
- Pyne Arms, Barnstaple
- The Coach, Marlow
- The Beehive, White Waltham
- The Broad Chare, Newcastle
- The Edinburgh Castle, Manchester
- The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe
- The Baring, Islington, London
- The Kentish Hare, Tunbridge Wells
- The Pipe & Glass Inn, Beverley
- The White Swan at Fence, Fence
- The Longs Arms, Bath
- The Bull & Last, Islington, London
- The Black Bear, Usk
- The Dog & Gun Inn, Skelton
- The Woolpack, Stroud
- The Barrington Boar, Barrington
- The Parakeet, Kentish Town, London
- The Masons Arms, Knowstone
- The Abbey Inn, Byland
- The Black Bull, Sedbergh
- The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea, London
- The Bulls Head, Craswell
- The Loch and The Tyne, Windsor
- The Guinea Grill, Mayfair, London
- The Dew Drop Inn, Hurley
- The Killingworth Castle, Wootton
- The Canton Arms, Stockwell, London
- The Double Red Duke, Clanfield
- The Duncombe Arms, Ashbourne
- The Scran & Scallie, Edinburgh
- The Bull, Charlbury
You can find out more about all these pubs on the official ranking website here.
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