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A look inside the UK’s Top New Restaurant Awards judges’ lunch
It’s that time of year again: the countdown to the Condé Nast Traveller UK’s Top New Restaurant Awards, which we reveal each spring, is on. For the third consecutive year, this March, we will name the best new restaurants across the country – the openings which have wowed foodies from London to Leeds to Leith.
To choose which restaurants will be recognised with this accolade, we asked 11 respected names in the world of British food and drink to join our judging panel. This judging panel met in January to handpick the best of the best from 2025’s vast list of openings. This year, we met at The Hart in Marylebone for lunch, some Bollinger Champagne (no Dry January here!), and to debate the worthy winners.
Joined by our esteemed judging panel (chefs Julie Lin, Gizzi Erskine, Claire Ptak, Sami Tamimi, Gurdeep Loyal, Romy Gill and Margot Henderson; restaurant critic and food writers Tom Parker Bowles and Jimi Famurewa; wine writer Hannah Crosbie; and CNT’s digital editor Sarah James), guests sipped on Bollinger and embarked on a spirited discussion on the nominated restaurants.
Over dishes such as raw beef with crisps for scooping, river trout, and steak and potatoes, the judges debated which openings had impressed them enough to earn an entry on our upcoming list. They discussed everything from dishes and menus to service and ambience. The result is a diverse edit of the very best new openings from 2025 – but we’ll be keeping the final names under our hat until March. Be sure to check back then to find out all the winners – including the people we’ve named Best New Chef and One To Watch, as well as our readers’ favourite new restaurant.
While you wait, read last year’s The UK’s Top New Restaurant Awards coverage.
