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Decades ago, few would have thought that British pubs may one day be earning Michelin stars and sitting in the upper echelons of the country’s culinary scene. And yet here we are. The UK is now brimming with posh boozers that combine pints of ale with truly outstanding food – boozers better known as gastropubs.
But now that there are so many gastropubs out there, you want to separate the good from the great. Cue: Time Out’s 2026 guide to the UK’s best gastropubs. Our editors and contributors selflessly dined in dozens of gastros across the nation so that they can let you know which ones are really worth your dough. The result is a list of 21 pubs lauding from Lancashire, London, the Cotswolds, Cornwall and more.
Now, we’ve put them all on a handy little map so you can see which great gastro is your nearest or plan the ultimate foodie road trip. Here’s a closer look.
All the best gastropubs in the UK, mapped
With six pubs that made the cut, the region with the largest share of Britain’s best gastros is the northwest of England. The Highland Laddie in Leeds came fourth, the Parkers Arms in Lancashire came seventh, the Trof in Manchester was eighth, the Three Fishes in Mitton was 16th and the Black Bull in Sedburgh, Cumbria came 19th.
The Midlands boasts just one on the list, but it’s one of the top ranking. The White Horse in Lincoln secured second place thanks to its ‘warm generosity’ and ‘cracking pints’.
If you travel down south from our number two, you’ll eventually get to number one on our list: the ‘rustic and romantic’ Gunton Arms near Cromer, Norfolk. Follow the coast down even further and you’ll find the Unruly Pig in Woodbridge, which came tenth and, further south in Margate is Time Out’s third favourite gastro in the country, the Wellington.
Two pubs in London made the cut: the Camberwell Arms in Camberwell ranked ninth and the Red Lion and Sun in Highgate ranked 20th. And northwest of the city in the leafy Cotswolds are Killingworth Castle, which came sixth and The Bull, which landed in 17th.
Looking across to the west of England, a cluster of three pubs in Somerset were among those that cut the mustard. The ‘spellbinding’ Queen of Cups in Glastonbury came fifth, the ‘excellent’ Three Horseshoes in Batcombe (near Bruton) came 13th and the ‘staggeringly good value’ Kensington Arms in Bristol came 14th. Meanwhile, Cornwall boasts two restaurants on the list: The Mariners in Rock (18th) and the Gunard’s Head near St Ives. Wales had just one: the Black Bear in Monmouthshire.
Finally, Scotland is home to just one of Time Out’s greatest gastropubs. The Kinneuchar Inn in Fife ranked 15th. There, you’ll find a chalkboard full of high-flavour, low-faff dishes and a whole load of fresh Scottish seafood, from Carlingford oysters to Skye langoustines.
The full list of the best gastropubs in the UK 2026.
ICYMI: These are officially the most beautiful pub in Britain 2026.
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