Food & Drink
The Best Gastropubs in the UK for 2026
The British gastropub has grown up. What began in the early 1990s as a pub that took its cooking seriously is now home to some of the country's most exciting kitchens, several of them Michelin-starred yet still pouring a proper pint. To find the best gastropubs in the UK, we researched gastropubs from the Kent marshes to the North York Moors, bringing you five that get the balance of ambition, hospitality and genuine pub character exactly right. Almost all reward booking ahead, and most reward a special trip.
Our top picks
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 31 August 2026
- Updated
- 31 August 2026
- Last verified
- 31 August 2026
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
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The top 5 Gastropubs in the UK for 2026
- Rank 1The SportsmanWATTB Pick— Best overallWATTB98/100Tasting menu from ~£90pp (indicative)
- Rank 2The Hand & Flowers— Best for a special occasionWATTB96/100A la carte mains from ~£35 (indicative)
- Rank 3The Harwood Arms— Best for game and British produceWATTB94/100Set menu from ~£65pp (indicative)
- Rank 4The Star Inn at Harome— Best gastropub in the NorthWATTB92/100A la carte mains from ~£28 (indicative)
- Rank 5The Unruly Pig— Best modern all-rounderWATTB90/100Two courses from ~£30pp (indicative)
The WATTB Score is our own research-based editorial assessment out of 100 — not a customer-review average.
The picks in depth
The Sportsman
Why it won
A remote seaside pub that quietly cooks some of the most celebrated, most local food in Britain.
Acclaimed, hyper-seasonal cooking with a rare sense of place
Retains a genuinely unpretentious, pubby atmosphere
Exceptional value for cooking at this level
Trade-off: Remote location with no direct public transport to the door
The Hand & Flowers
Why we recommend it
Tom Kerridge's flagship is often cited as a high point of what a British pub kitchen can achieve.
Two Michelin stars in a genuinely relaxed pub setting
Polished, generous cooking that rarely disappoints
Charming market-town location in Marlow
Trade-off: One of the most in-demand tables in the UK; book far ahead
The Harwood Arms
Why we recommend it
London's great game-focused pub, proof that a Michelin star and a lively local crowd can coexist.
Outstanding, distinctly British game cookery
Michelin quality in a warm, genuinely local setting
Central London location, easy to reach
Trade-off: Dining is set-menu only, with limited flexibility
The Star Inn at Harome
Why we recommend it
A postcard-perfect thatched inn with cooking rooted deep in the Yorkshire landscape.
Deeply regional cooking with a strong sense of Yorkshire
Idyllic, characterful thatched country-pub setting
Accommodation available for an overnight stay
Trade-off: Rural location that really needs a car
The Unruly Pig
Why we recommend it
A relaxed Suffolk favourite whose 'Britalian' cooking was crowned the UK's best at the 2024 Top 50 Gastropubs awards.
Distinctive, well-executed British-Italian menu
Warm, informal atmosphere and strong service
Excellent value for cooking of this quality
Trade-off: Rural Suffolk setting is easiest to reach by car
How we ranked this list
We assessed each pub on the quality and consistency of its cooking, sourcing and seasonality, value for the experience, hospitality, and how well it retains a genuine pub atmosphere, drawing on published reviews alongside Michelin recognition and the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs awards; all prices are indicative and change seasonally.
Read our full ranking methodWhy you can trust WATTB
Independent & unbiased
We rank on merit. Commercial links never change which picks make a guide or where they rank.
In-depth research
Official information, specifications and aggregated expert and user reviews — compared, not guessed.
Clear pros & cons
Every pick gets its real advantages and at least one honest trade-off, so you can weigh it.
Transparent sourcing
We show how we rank and the sources behind each guide, and re-check them as things change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a gastropub and a restaurant?
A gastropub is first and foremost a pub, you can usually drop in for a pint at the bar, but it takes its food as seriously as a restaurant. The term dates from the early 1990s in Britain and describes pubs that swapped basic bar meals for ambitious, often seasonal cooking while keeping the informal, drinks-led atmosphere of a traditional local.
What was the first gastropub in the UK?
The Eagle in Clerkenwell, London, is widely credited as the first gastropub, opening in 1991 with an open kitchen serving Mediterranean-influenced food to order at the bar. It coined the template, and the word 'gastropub' itself, that spread across Britain through the 1990s and 2000s.
Are there any Michelin-starred gastropubs in the UK?
Yes. Several pubs in our guide hold Michelin stars, including The Sportsman, The Harwood Arms and The Star Inn at Harome, while The Hand & Flowers in Marlow was the first pub anywhere to earn two stars. A Michelin star signals exceptional cooking, but it does not necessarily mean formal dining, these kitchens sit inside genuine, relaxed pubs.
What is the best gastropub in the UK?
It depends on how you measure it. Our overall pick is The Sportsman in Kent for its extraordinary sense of place. On the industry-voted Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs, The Devonshire in Soho currently sits at number one, with The Unruly Pig, the 2024 winner, close behind. Rankings shift year to year, so treat any single number as a guide rather than gospel.
Do you need to book a table at the best gastropubs in the UK?
For the top gastropubs, yes, especially for evenings, weekends and Sunday lunch. The most in-demand rooms, such as The Hand & Flowers and The Sportsman's tasting menu, can be booked out weeks or even months ahead. Some, like The Coach in Marlow, keep walk-in tables, but if you are travelling specifically to eat, always reserve in advance.
How much does it cost to eat at a gastropub in the UK?
It varies widely and prices are only ever indicative. A relaxed two-course meal at a pub like The Unruly Pig might start around £30 per person, while a tasting menu at a Michelin-starred pub such as The Sportsman is typically £90 or more per head before drinks. Sunday lunch and set lunch menus are often the best-value way to try the cooking.
Are gastropubs family and dog friendly?
Many are, particularly rural country pubs that keep a traditional bar area, welcome walkers and often allow dogs in the bar or garden; several also offer rooms for an overnight stay. The exceptions tend to be the tasting-menu-focused, Michelin-starred venues, where quieter, adult-oriented dining is the norm. If you are bringing children or a dog, it is always worth calling ahead to check the policy.
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