Our list of the best new restaurants in the United Kingdom in 2026 is a reflection of how we are enjoying this year. These annual awards, voted by our panel of gastronomy experts, highlight restaurants that play with the potent flavors of the Caribbean, Vietnam, Sierra Leone, Thailand, Japan, China and even Mongolia. In Manchester, the oysters are now accompanied by DJ sessions in a stylish atmosphere where fun and gastronomy find their perfect balance. In Glasgow, Basque cuisine is taking center stage and, in Leeds, a traditional Victorian pub has become the best place to eat in the whole area. There is also a noticeable love for island ingredients and recipes: in Edinburgh, an Irish-born chef prepares dishes from his homeland and, in London, the dining room of a pub serves the finest British produce. Even in the Anglo-Norman Channel Islands of the English Channel, interesting things are happening: chef Nathan Davies is crafting an ode to seaweed as an ingredient. Today, going out to eat means shedding complications, forgetting appearances, and really having fun. These are the best new restaurants in the United Kingdom to do exactly this during 2026.
2210 by NattyCanCook
Herne Hill, London
Must-have dish: Rastapasta
It is easy to start admiring this chef, a Peckham native, even before trying one of his acclaimed dishes. Nathaniel Mortley, also known as @NattyCanCook, spent two and a half years in Brixton Prison, during which he cultivated a deep love for cooking through his work with the pioneering culinary organization Clink. After serving his sentence, he began a residency at the local pub The Greyhound, where he quickly rose to prominence. In 2024, he earned a mention on our list of the best restaurants in the United Kingdom and, a year later, opened his Herne Hill restaurant, 2210, bringing him a step closer to winning his first Michelin star.
