Best Local Restaurant Central & East of England 2025

Fino

Cromer, Norfolk

‘It’s putting Cromer on the map’

There’s a fine art to the mix of approachability and cosmopolitan sense of occasion found at Cromer newcomer Fino. Stop by for a generous lunch and glass of wine for just £15, or go all out on the seasonal menu brimming with excellent local produce – both come with bags of personality and that rare, genuine warmth of welcome. It ‘lifts Cromer’s restaurant food to a new level’ said one of the many loyal supporters that wrote in. ‘I feel incredibly lucky to have Fino open on my doorstep,’ agreed another.

Responding to news of their win, co-owner Daniel Goff said:
‘We are thrilled! This award means so much, especially in our first year. We set out to create the kind of neighbourhood restaurant that we seek out –great, seasonal food and a truly warm welcome. What a fabulous reward for our hard-working team!’

Best Local Restaurants in Central & East of England 2025

While Fino tops the podium, it was a strong year for the region with seven new entrants to the list. A rare phenomenon these days, Ebi Sushi has no online presence but was championed by locals who liken it to a Tokyo back street cafe. In Nottingham, Piccalilli offers fabulous value for money and turned up our inspector’s desert of the year in the form of chocolate mousse with Chantilly and cherry curd. Over in Lincolnshire, Gareth Bartram’s new set up, Auction House, in the gorgeous Georgian market town of Louth, has won over residents with a combination of accomplished cooking

View all the Best Local Restaurants in Central & East of England:

Read the full list

"We’re proud to partner with The Good Food Guide to celebrate this exceptional list of restaurants. At Square, we’re committed to being the best digital partner possible—so restaurateurs can focus on what they do best: delivering outstanding customer experiences. The restaurants recognised by The Good Food Guide exemplify creativity and excellence, and we’re excited to see how they continue to shape the future of the industry."

– Samina Hussain-Letch, Executive Director at Square UK

Discover more about the Best Local Restaurant Awards

The Good Food Guide Best Local Restaurants in Central & East of England are: A Tavola Gastronomia Siciliana in High Peak, Auction House in Louth, Chater's in Saffron Walden, Ebi Sushi in Derby, Fancett's Bistro in Cambridge, Fino in Cromer, Hitchen's Barn in Oakham, L’Hexagone Bistro Français in Norwich, Lark in Bury St Edmunds, Little Brickhouse in Nottingham, Piccalilli in Nottingham and Tropea in Birmingham.