A top Scottish restaurant has been named as the best in the UK in the 2023 Harden's Restaurant Guide.
Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland's only two Michelin Star restaurant, has been crowned the UK's top restaurant in the annual Harden's diners poll.
The world famous restaurant hailed as 'a memory to be treasured' shot to the top spot for its luxurious ingredients prepared with 'impeccable skill and creativity' and attentive staff who are 'knowledgeable in all respects'.
Stevie McLaughlin, head chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie commented: “While it is always an honour to receive commendation for the restaurant, the fact that Harden’s Top 100 is diner-led is a special honour and a particular testament to the hard work of the full team to ensure every guest has the best possible experience when they dine with us.
“This time four years ago, we were dealing with the terrible loss of our wonderful friend and mentor, Andrew Fairlie, and committed to maintain his incredible legacy.
"I’m extremely proud that we’re here today achieving these fantastic accolades. People knew Andrew as a champion of great food and service, and this ethos remains the same.
"We have a fantastic, talented team who are all invested and continue to be driven to maintain - and exceed - the standards set by Chef Andrew.”
Restaurant Andrew Fairlie wasn't the only Scottish restaurant in the list, as an impressive eight other restaurants made it into the newly-released top 100 list.
The Kitchin in Edinburgh is ranked 5th in the UK, while other notable inclusions are: Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh (14); The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh (31); Cail Bruich (50) and Unalome by Graeme Cheevers (68) in Glasgow.
The Cellar in Anstruther also featured in the top 100, coming in at 99, and The Peat Inn ranked at 76.
Edinburgh was revealed to be the UK city with the most listings in the Top 500 outside of London, with no fewer than 17 restaurants making it into the ranking.
Of the Scottish restaurant's scene success, Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden’s, said: "Andrew Fairlie may sadly no longer be with us but his spirit lives on in this restaurant which bears his name.
"Reaching the top spot this year is a huge credit to his long-time lieutenants, head chef Stephen McLaughlin and general manager Dale Dewsbury.
"It has been an excellent year for Scotland's representation in the Harden's Top 100 as a whole, with restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perthshire and Fife featuring.
"This, along with Edinburgh's fantastic placement as second city with the most listings in the Top 500, is testament to the superb quality and value offered by the country's restaurant scene."
The 32nd edition of the Harden's guide, published this week (12 January), is now the only UK restaurant guide sold in bookshops based on feedback from normal diners rather than a group of professional inspectors.
A total of 30,000 reports are submitted from a survey of 3,000 diners. Restaurants at all price levels are listed: from street food vendors to the country’s most ambitious dining rooms, with 2,800 restaurants listed in total.
