The standard across the board was phenomenally high with some of the toughest competition seen in the award’s history.
Judges are currently whittling down entrants to a final shortlist before hitting the road to visit these outstanding sites where they’ll be assessing each gastropub’s appeal, service, ambiance, staffing, quality and of course, food and drink offer.
The One to Watch award aims to recognise a gastropub with excellent service, atmosphere, exceptional food and a stand-out drinks offering.
Winning impact
Previous One to Watch winners:
2022 – Blue Boar, Westminster, London
2023 – the Victoria, Oxshott, Surrey
2024 – the Bulls Head, Holymoorside, Derbyshire
Previous winners outlined the impact winning had on their business. In 2023, the Victoria in Oxshott, Surrey co-owner Simon King revealed the pub had expanded its exposure since taking home the accolade.
Meanwhile, the Bull’s Head in Holymoorside, Derbyshire took the title in 2024 and chef-patron Mark Aisthorpe labelled the success as “an amazing achievement”.
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, which organises Top 50 Gastropubs, said: “It’s great to see so many businesses entering the awards, and the standards have been astonishingly high. Gastropubs are a core part of the pub landscape and judging by the entries to this year’s competition, it’s a sector which is in fantastic health. It’s an honour to be able to recognise these amazing businesses.”
Chris Lowe, one of the academy judges involved in shortlisting the awards added: “Gastropubs are uniquely British, offering world-leading food but in a very relaxed, pub environment where you can still go into for a drink at the bar.
Strong competition
He said: “Recent years have seen more pubs become food-led businesses, creating stronger competition in an already hugely competitive sector.
“These high standards have been evident throughout the judging process with the exceptional entries received for the One to Watch award and the volume of them.”
Following the rigorous judging process, the winner will be unveiled at the prestigious Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs ceremony in January 2025, when next year’s list will also be revealed.
A select panel of judges are also set to vote on awards including Chef of the Year and the Estrella Damm Sustainable Pub of the Year, which will be announced at the ceremony alongside recognising the Highest New Entry to the list and Highest Climber.
Top 50 Gastropubs started in 2009 and aims to celebrate and honour the hardworking individuals of the gastropub industry.
