To ask what the best restaurant in the UK you've eaten at is

[JonSnowsCloak]

Both high end and small/ local and Why?

I'll start- number one at the Balmoral in Edinburgh. Treated ourselves due to celebrating new house and job and it was simply amazing. We did the taster menu and it was beautiful from start to finish, tried loads of food I wouldn't normally try and the service was top notch (was expensive!). Small and local to me, Bistro Franc in Liverpool, does a Sunday wine and dine offer and every time we've been is spot on in terms of the food and really good value. Me and DP are big foodies and usually have a good read of TripAdvisor before we go.

Adam's in Birmingham.

Simpson’s on Strand (Savoy hotel) - had a superb celebratory meal there in December.

I had a so so meal there but one of the other guests didn't. It was paid for by a pacemaker company. The other guest was vegetarian. Now this was company do with people from various countries about 40 in total so you would think there might be a vegi.

They served lobster Bisque, vegi guest asks for something else, tells staff she is vegetarian.

An hour after the soup she gets some melon.

When the main is served it is also meat, guest reminds them she is veggi and this time it takes an our to get a mushroom risotto.

New chapter in Edinburgh

A tiny wee bistro off the beaten track -
Kind of sad to hear they opened a second one but glad at the same time.

See the Forest Side mentioned here. We went recently and it was lovely. Doesn’t compare to L’Enclume though. A different experience entirely.

The Kitchin, the staff and Chef know my friend and I now we've been so often and make it a brilliant experience every time, booked again in May and cant wait.
16yr old Dd is carrying on the tradition as she went with her bf last month, Chef put a card on their table for them at my request and they were looked after wonderfully.

Best was the Hand & Flowers, amazing food and great atmosphere. I didn’t rate Chez Bruce, much preferred Lamberts in Balham.

I love A Wong.

It's not even wildly expensive, although they just got a Michelin star so that may change I suppose.

Totally agree with Norn in Edinburgh for wonderful food and interesting wines. I’m a big fan of St John and The Quality Chop House, River Cafe - often prefer that style of eating to fancier places. Really enjoyed Wild Honey in Mayfair recently. However if you’re going for full-on food artistry, I’ve never had better than El Cellar de Can Roca in Catalonia, which is the stand-out dinner of my life. (With Alinea in Chicago a very close second.)

Oops just realised this is about UK restaurants- sorry for the tangent, got carried away!

The Kitchin in Edinburgh, absolutely amazing. Castle Terrace is a very close second.

Petrus in Belgravia, closely followed by Drakes in Ripley, Surrey. Also really liked an Indian restaurant, round the docks in Liverpool, which I can’t remember the name of! It was really lovely though.

Most disappointing have been Tamarind, Mayfair (shit) and L’ortolan, Reading, (bit shit and very pricey indeed).

The Kitchin lovely too^^.

A teeny tiny shop that sells Indian food in my local market. The lady is South Indian and the food is sensational. Another one is a Thai truck in the high street. Again, a lady runs the truck and she is amazing! All in Manchester.

Three Chimneys in Skye!

Off the beaten track, but worth a visit if you’re in the area, is Emily Scott’s St Tudy Inn. Lovely cosy gastro pub.

Ate here last summer, it is indeed lovely - we were sorry we hadn't tried it until last night of our holiday!

We had lunch today at a favourite mentioned previously - Iberica Marylebone. If you are veggie it is a very good option, they have branches in Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow.
We have eaten at the Fat Duck twice. The first time was lunch about 5 years ago and we were blown away. The food was amazing, the service great and it was a real experience. We went again for dinner last October and, although it was still an experience worth having, the food was less appetising (although some of it was the same), it was quite noisy and INCREDIBLY pretentious. I think they've lost their way since the refurb after decamping to Australia

I lost any urge to eat at The Fat Duck after a friend went and reported that, amongst other wankery, they all had to listen to the sounds of the sea on individual ipods as they ate a seafood course.

Honestly, Heston, get over yourself ...

I think it was called The Old Courthouse on Jersey - just a pub (no Michelin stars or anything like that), but brstvmeal I've ever had. It was literally Dover sole, mash and creme brûlée - all perfect.

Best posh restaurant probably Adams in Birmingham.

The Waterside Inn when Michel was in charge .

Bernados Russell Square (i think).

Best Indian in London. Very posh.

Third vote for Raby Hunt in Co Durham. Next time we go I'm staying over for breakfast.

There have been a few votes for The Magpie Cafe in Whitby. It is very good but the queues are horrendous, we went in November to avoid them!

But the best fish and chips I've ever had were at Jacks on Westray (in Orkney). It's a small island with a big fishing industry and the fish come off the boat into the fryer. Freshest fish you'll ever have. My kids still rave about it a few years later.

Legs in Hackney

The Royal Oak, just outside Alton (rollercoasters not Hampshire). We were at Alton Towers for my 30th and had such an amazing meal we went back the next night.

Hakkasan Hanway Pl, great wine list and the food is delicious but the tables are crammed in.

I’m amazed Sexy Fish has been suggested, it is dire! Yes, the decor is eye popping and you’ll see a few footballers but the food is ‘meh’.

DH and I went to Corrigan’s years ago, probably 14/15? I remember it as being cosy, intimate and the food was delicious. Not remotely pretentious.

Purnells in Birmingham is lovely, small restaurant, warm atmosphere and excellent food and service.

Adam’s, we went when it had been open a year or so. The food and service were excellent but there was zero atmosphere. Like eating in an all white library. I hope things have changed a bit now.

El Gato Negro in Manchester, not ‘high end’ but great food and fun atmosphere.

The Art School in Liverpool. In a beautiful neighbourhood and the food is lovely. Tasting menus only though, like Purnells.