8th Annual British Restaurant Awards Celebrates Biggest Year Yet, Crowning the Best of British Hospitality

LONDON, 17 September 2026 — The British Restaurant Awards celebrated its 8th annual ceremony on Monday, 14th September 2026, at The Crown London Hotel, London, bringing together more than 121 guests from across the UK's restaurant and hospitality industry for a night celebrating the very best in British dining, decided entirely by public nomination and public vote. Hosted by Cait King, the evening began with a red carpet reception before guests moved through to the Ivy Suite for the awards ceremony itself. Winners were announced across 23 categories, spanning everything from Best New Restaurant and Best Chef to regional titles recognising standout restaurants in cities across the country. The ceremony closed with a live performance from rising star Sonna Rele. This year's ceremony was presented by Title Sponsor MadePossible.ai, the platform that lets anyone build a professional website in minutes, with thanks also to sponsors Vloggoo, Dechavel, and Mountaine Water, the evening's Official Water Partner. Now in its 8th year, the British Restaurant Awards remains distinctive within UK hospitality for basing its nominations and results entirely on the public, with this year's shortlist among the most competitive in the Awards' history. Several nominees, including Royal Nawaab Pyramid and Happy Bar & Grill, were recognised across multiple categories simultaneously. THE 2026 WINNERS Best New Restaurant 2026: MA/NA Mayfair Best Chef: Maria Bradford (Shwen Shwen, Sevenoaks, Kent) Best Young Chef: Caitlin Meredith (Ynyshir, Wales) Best Luxury Restaurant: Sale e Pepe Mare, London Restaurant of the Year: Happy Bar & Grill, London Best Hospitality Team: Bocconcino Mayfair Best Takeaway Restaurant: Chammisse, London Best Culinary Experience: JUNO Omakase, London Best International Cuisine: Shwen Shwen, Sevenoaks Best Bar & Lounge Experience: U9 Karaoke Bar & Lounge Best Vegan Friendly Restaurant: Jam Delish (London) Best Buffet Restaurant: COSMO Manchester Best Restaurant in London: Bocconcino Mayfair Best Restaurant in Surrey: Clava Best Restaurant in Essex: Pig & Whistle Restaurant, Chignal Smealey Best Restaurant in Newcastle: My Delhi Best Restaurant in Southampton: Figurati, Ocean Village Best Restaurant in Cambridge: Mina Pan Asian Best Restaurant in Bradford: Café J'Adore Best Restaurant in Leicester: Maurizio's Italian Best Restaurant in Scotland: Macau Kitchen, Edinburgh Best Gastro Pub: Marquis of Westminster, Pimlico Best Restaurant Chain: Thai Square Congratulations to every winner and nominee this year, and thank you to everyone who nominated, voted, and joined us on the night to make the 8th Annual British Restaurant Awards a night to remember. We look forward to seeing you all again next year. ABOUT THE BRITISH RESTAURANT AWARDS The British Restaurant Awards is a nationwide awards ceremony celebrating excellence across the UK's restaurant, hospitality and culinary industries. Now in its 8th year, nominees are selected entirely by public nomination before being shortlisted and put to a public vote, culminating in an annual gala ceremony. For more information, visit britishrestaurantawards.org. Media Contact: Duncan Rutherford, Assistant Partnerships Manager, British Restaurant Awards UK Office: 00 44 (0) 203-856-3307 Email: duncan@britishrestaurantawards.org