• Endo at the Rotunda in London’s White City voted to number 1 spot in Harden’s Top 100 Best UK Restaurants, followed by North East restaurants Pine in East Wallhouses and Hjem in Wall.
• Cumbria is the county with the most Top 100 listings outside of London.
• Price rises outside of London are significantly higher than in the capital suggesting that London is still feeling the after effects of the pandemic whilst the regions show a stronger recovery.
Endo Kazutoshi’s 10-seater flagship, Endo at the Rotunda above the old Television Centre in London’s White City has been voted the UK’s best restaurant in the carefully curated annual Harden’s Top 100 Best UK Restaurants diners’ poll.
The lauded London dining destination run by Yokohama-born Endo Kazutoshi has found itself the nation’s top rated eatery after undergoing a refurbishment and ‘period of culinary reflection’ in order to create a more personal and immersive omakase experience. Feedback from diners hailed it as an “extraordinary gastronomic experience” where “the theatre of chef Endo’s entertaining presentation and explanations is a delight”.
Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden’s, comments: “This is the first time a non Modern-British restaurant has been voted number 1 in the Harden’s Top 100 for a number of consecutive years. With the ever-increasing influences of Japanese cuisine in the UK, it is refreshing to see one of the leading lights in the capital’s Japanese restaurant scene awarded the winning title. Coming in at over £250 per person, it’s certainly one of the higher priced restaurants in our listings but our diners’ feedback expressed that they considered this to be excellent value due to the exceptional quality of the experience.”
Third generation sushi master Endo Kazutoshi says: “I am truly humbled and deeply grateful for this incredible news. To have the hard work and dedication of my team recognised in this way is an honour beyond words. As Japanese cuisine continues to capture the hearts and palates of people in London and around the world, I feel a profound sense of responsibility and pride to stand at the forefront as a pioneer. It is my mission to not only celebrate this rich culinary tradition but also to push its boundaries and lead its evolution on a global stage.
“Having eagerly followed Harden’s list for many years, being bestowed with this remarkable recognition is nothing short of a dream come true. It inspires me to strive even harder, reaching for new heights and creating even more unforgettable experiences for those who grace our table.”
The 34th edition of the Harden’s guide, published this week (ISBN: 978-1916076198, price £20: also available as apps for Apple or Android), is one of only two surviving established UK restaurant guides made available in print, and the only one based on feedback from normal diners rather than a group of professional inspectors. A total of 30,000 reports are submitted from a survey of 2,500 diners. Restaurants at all price levels are included: from street food vendors to the country’s most ambitious dining rooms, with 2,800 restaurants listed in total.
Outside of the capital, restaurants in the north of England have had a particularly strong showing in this year’s ratings. The North East took the Top 100’s runner-up and third place accolades with Restaurant Pine in East Wallhouses, run by husband and wife team Cal and Sian Byerley, and Scandi-inspired Restaurant Hjem in Wall owned by Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori and his partner, Northumberland-born Ally Thompson. Meanwhile, Cumbria in the North West became the county with the most Top 100 listings outside of London, with five placements in total.
A notable difference in price increases outside of London also seems to suggest regional restaurants are continuing to move forward in their post-covid recovery mode whilst the capital continues to experience the pandemic’s more restrictive after effects. “There has been a noticeable difference in the increase of restaurants entering into the higher price bands outside of London compared to last year,” Peter Harden notes.
“We can see significantly higher price increases of between 16%-21% for the number of restaurants in the £100, £150 and £200+ price brackets outside of London, compared to between 10% -15% in the capital. This data adds to a general feeling that London is still feeling the after effects of the pandemic and – in particular – quieter Mondays and Fridays caused by working from home, while beyond the capital things are ticking along a little more strongly.”
Harden’s Best UK Restaurants 2025, £20, is available in all good bookshops, including Waterstone’s and Amazon.com. You can also buy directly from www.hardens.com.
Top 100 Best UK Restaurants 2025
You can also view the full listing on the dedicated Top 100 page on hardens.com
