The Unruly Pig named best gastropub in the country
The East Anglian-based pub dates back to the 16th century and has been run by Brendan Padfield and chef-patron Dave Wall since 2015.
The prestigious list was announced today (Monday 22 January) at the 2023 number one – Parkers Arms in Newton-in-Bowland, Lancashire.
The Cornish Arms in Tavistock, Devon took the number two spot while the Mariners in Rock, Cornwall was number three.
The event also celebrated specialist awards – the Bulls Head in Holymoorside, Derbyshire, run by chef-patron Mark Aisthorpe was named One to Watch.
Specialist awards
Furthermore, Daniel Smith was awarded Chef of the Year while one of his two pubs, which he runs with wife Natasha – the Bridge Arms in Bridge, Kent was the Highest New Entry at 15.
The Estrella Damm Sustainable Pub of the Year was presented to the Loch & the Tyne in Old Windsor, Berkshire.
Well-known Yorkshire-based chef Andrew Pern was given a Special Recognition award after bouncing back from intense hardship when the Star Inn Harome burnt to the ground in 2021.
The chef managed to keep the business alive and relaunched a rebuilt operation a year later to great acclaim and was number eight on this year’s list.
Beloved institution
Meanwhile, Heft in Cumbria was named this year’s Highest Climber, up from number 42 last year to 11 in the 2024 list.
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, founder of the awards and list, said: “Pubs are a beloved institution and part of the UK’s culture and this list of the most astounding and impressive food pubs in the country is wonderful to see.
“Pubs serve so many roles to so many people and for operators like the Unruly Pig and all of our list, to be able to offer amazing food and wonderful experiences, up there with some of the best in fine dining, is brilliant to see.”
The top 10 gastropubs are:
- The Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk
- The Cornish Arms, Tavistock, Devon
- The Mariners, Rock, Cornwall
- The Fordwich Arms, Canterbury, Kent
- The Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent
- The Red Lion & Sun, Highgate, north London
- Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland, Lancashire
- The Star Inn, Harome, North Yorkshire
- Freemasons at Wiswell, Wiswell, Lancashire
- The Hand & Flowers, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
See the full list here.
