L'Enclume takes top spot in Harden's Top 100 UK Restaurants

Simon Rogan's L'Enclume in Cartmel, Cumbria, has taken the number one spot in the Hardens Top 100 Best UK Restaurants list.

The three-Michelin-starred Lake District restaurant has featured in the restaurant guide's ranking every year since it first launched in 2011, but this is the first time it has topped the list.

Ratings and reviews in the Harden's guide are based on 30,000 reports from a survey of 2,500 diners.

Feedback from diners praised L'Enclume as "a completely faultless experience" that served "beautifully orchestrated food" in a 17-course tasting menu.

Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden's, said: "Coming in at £300+ [L'Enclume] is certainly one of the higher priced restaurants in our listings, but we see none of the resistance from diners with regards to paying those prices that we've witnessed at other top establishments. Those who've made the pilgrimage think it's money very well spent."

Rogan said the restaurant taking the number one spot was "a testament to the amazing year we've had".

Second place went to Outlaw's New Road in Port Isaac, which rose from 44th position last year, while Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles dropped from first to third position.

The top five was rounded out with Paul Ainsworth at No6 in Padstow in fourth position, while Endo at the Rotunda in London was ranked fifth.

The 33rd edition of the Harden's guide, which is published this week, welcomed new additions such as Kenny Atkinson's Solstice in Newcastle, Adam Handling's Ugly Butterfly in St Ives, and Grace & Savour in Hampton in Arden.

The number of top 100 restaurants based in London has fallen to an all-time low. Venues in the capital are usually expected to make up 45% - 50% of the rankings, but this year only 36 of the best UK restaurants are based in London.

"Whilst 12 months is too little data for firm pronouncements, this swing to the shires may reflect the increasing excellence of dining out across the country," Harden added.