From the Highlands to Hertfordshire, our regional winners showcase the hidden gems already winning over diners in Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants 2026.
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This year, for the first time, we ranked our Best Local Restaurants from 1-100 with an overall winner – La Locanda in Gisburn, Lancashire – taking the top spot (you can read more about it here). There were also seven regional winners making the top 10, each of them trophy worthy in their own right. Here’s a deeper dive into what makes them so special…
Cantina Caruso, Margate, Kent
South East Winner
No 2 in the rankings is Cantina Caruso, Margate’s effortlessly cool answer to dining without a reservation. An Italian deli by day, it becomes a weekend walk-in wine bar serving small plates in a rustic, tucked-away setting. Owners Simona Di Dio and Harry Ryder’s impeccable sourcing shines in simple, affordable dishes, from local squid with peas to outstanding aubergine parmigiana. Pair a glass of chilled Sicilian Nerocapitano with Sardinian pickles, and it’s easy to see why this unfussy neighbourhood favourite is packed year-round.
Ar Bòrd, Isle of Mull, Highlands & Islands
Scotland Winner
Coming in at No 3, Ar Bòrd (‘our table’ in Gaelic) is a charming restaurant in the front room of Iain and Joyce Hetherington’s modern home. What began as a supper club has become a seasonal favourite, thanks to Joyce’s warm hospitality and Iain’s generous, locally sourced cooking. The three-course menu showcases island produce, with standout dishes including Croig crab, smoked sea trout and hake with Inverlussa mussels. Save room for dessert – and don't forget to bring your own wine.
Gina, Chingford, London
London Winner
Located where outer London meets Epping Forest, Gina, No 4 on our list, has brightened Chingford’s Station Road since opening in summer 2025. Named after chef-owner Mattie Taiano’s late mother, the restaurant blends Italian influences with produce from across Britain and beyond. Highlights include monkfish with bacon, beef tartare and the standout Gina’s pasta – spaghetti in marinara beneath Parmesan. Generous desserts, including Ravi’s chocolate cake, and a thoughtful wine list with two signature cocktails complete the warm, welcoming experience.
Black Bear Inn, Bettws Newydd, Monmouthshire
Wales Winner
Our No 5 restaurant, Josh and Hannah Byrne’s Black Bear Inn, is a warmly welcoming rural dining pub, delivering standout cooking in an unassuming roadside setting surrounded by rivers, mountains and fields. Its tiny kitchen produces a menu focused on irresistible snacks, alongside dishes such as Dexter beef tartare with fried bread and anchovy mayo, or haddock and mussels in herb butter sauce. A diverse European wine list, including orange wines and chilled reds, adds to the excitement.
Wangs, Bristol
South West Winner
Buzzing with 90s hip-hop, killer cocktails (don’t miss the Szechuan Margarita) and a lively atmosphere, No 7 on the list, Wangs near Stokes Croft, is a breath of fresh air. Former Tare head chef Emily Xin Xin Chan’s skill shines through with a seasonal menu that skips the usual Chinese clichés, instead drawing on regional traditions for vibrant sharing plates. Expect clever, modern dishes like chilli-sesame wood ear mushroom salad and spicy charcoal-grilled Xinjiang lamb rump. Our advice? Book ahead to avoid disappointment!
Wild, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Central & East of England Winner
Sedate Berkhamsted got a jolt when Wild opened in 2025. Its airy, blond-wood interior might feel Home Counties, but its urban beats and understated service bring a fresh edge. Run by owners with an organic regenerative farm near Radlett, Wild, No 8 in our top 100, puts exceptional home-grown produce at the heart of its small plates and sharing dishes. Chef-patron Matt Larcombe (ex-Crown at Bray) is a master of the chargrill and the open kitchen means every visit guarantees a meal with a view.
Black Wheat Club, York, North Yorkshire
Yorkshire & North East Winner
Black Wheat Club is a standout York café-restaurant run by Polish duo Tomasz Mlynarski and Marta Obuchowska. By day, it serves excellent brunch, from poached eggs with goat’s cheese on house-baked sourdough to standout pastries and quality coffee. In the evening, it shifts to inventive sharing plates showcasing local ingredients. With stylish, welcoming interiors and a concise, ever-changing wine list, it has become one of York’s most exciting dining destinations.
