The Sportsman in Seasalter, Kent has been declared the UK's best restaurant by Restaurant Magazine.
The Michelin-starred pub restaurant, once referred to as a ‘grotty boozer by the sea’ by its owner beat off stiff competition from other top eateries to claim the top spot at Restaurant Magazine’s National Restaurant Awards held at The Hurlingham Club on 27 June.
Restaurant editor, Stefan Chomka, said: "Stephen Harris once described The Sportsman as a 'grotty boozer by the sea'. But it's certainly way more than that. The former history teacher is one of a handful of UK chefs to practice genuine terroir cooking down in the Kent estuary. A magnificent restaurant and a very worthy number one, congratulations to The Sportsman."
London restaurants The Ledbury and Hedone took third and fourth places respectively while Restaurant Nathan Outlaw in Port Isaac, Cornwall, was fifth.
Allan Pickett and Andre Blais's London restaurant Piquet, which opened last year, was awarded Highest New Entry (7th) while Lake Road Kitchen in Ambleside (7th) was named Highest Climber after climbing up 70 places from last year.
Philip Howard, was awarded Chef's Chef of the Year and Pierre Koffmann was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The top 100 is decided by votes from 150 industry experts from across the UK, including chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and critics.
Sustainable Restaurant of the Year - Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons
Best in UK/Gastropub - The Sportsman
Best in Scotland - Restaurant Andrew Fairlie
Best in Wales - The Walnut Tree
Best in Northern Ireland - Deanes EIPIC Restaurant
Small Contribution. Big Impact.
The Staff Canteen has always been more than a website—it’s a community, built by and for hospitality. We share the wins, the challenges, the graft, and the inspiration that keeps kitchens alive.
We believe in staying open to everyone, but creating this content takes real resources. If you’ve ever found value here—whether it’s a recipe, an interview, or a laugh when you needed it most—consider giving just £3 to keep it going.
A little from you keeps this space free for all. Let’s keep lifting the industry, together.
Restaurant editor, Stefan Chomka, said: "Stephen Harris once described The Sportsman as a 'grotty boozer by the sea'. But it's certainly way more than that. The former history teacher is one of a handful of UK chefs to practice genuine terroir cooking down in the Kent estuary. A magnificent restaurant and a very worthy number one, congratulations to The Sportsman."
