Dating back to the 16th century, the East Anglian-based pub has been run by Brendan Padfield and chef-patron Dave Wall since 2015.
This is the third time the award-winning gastropub has taken the number one slot after topping the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list in 2024 and 2022, coming a long way since it joined the list as a newcomer in 2017.
This year’s list was revealed at a prestigious ceremony, held at Plaisterers’ Hall, London on Monday 27 January to celebrate Estrella Damm’s 10th year of being headline partner of Top 50 Gastropubs.
At the event, three of the chefs from the list delivered a sensational menu for all those attending. Andrew Pern, Dave Wall and Tom De Keyser showcased what gastropubs are all about, delivering five courses for their peers.
Number two in the list was awarded to the Devonshire in Soho. The London pub, which has exploded onto the hospitality scene in the last year, is famed for its hearty, well-sourced dishes and of course, Guinness. The Devonshire also took the title of Highest New Entry.
Fine produce
Andrew Pern-owned pub the Star Inn at Harome, North Yorkshire came in third – up five places on last year. The Star’s name has become synonymous with a dedication to fine produce alongside playful but refined cooking.
The Bull in Charlbury, Oxfordshire soared up the list a whopping 39 places to number 11 and was this year’s Highest Climber. While the Bull is primarily a local pub, serving good beer, its restaurant is focused around open fire cooking with a constantly changing menu.
John Hooker, who runs this year’s number nine the Cornish Arms in Tavistock, Devon with wife Emma, was named Chef of the Year, producing dishes with the season’s produce, using classic combinations with big, honest flavours.
Relaxed country pub the Abbey Inn, Byland from chef Tommy Banks was presented with the Estrella Damm Sustainable Pub of the Year.
Ingredients for the seasonable menu champions classic, British food, sourced from the Banks’ family farm, which follows regenerative farming principles and restaurant garden.
Celebrity chef and owner of a number of gastropubs, Tom Kerridge, had two inclusions in the 2025 list, the Coach (this year’s number 29) and the Hand & Flowers (number 32) both in Marlow.
Award winners
The Top 50 team also awarded an accolade for One to Watch. A pub not currently in the list but that they believe should be on the radar.
This year’s winner was the White Horse in Fyfield, Oxfordshire. Owners Mark and Kay Chandler have been building the White Horse’s reputation in Oxfordshire and brought Grahame Wickham, former National Chef of the Year finalist, on board last year as head chef.
Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser, which organises the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Unruly Pig hold onto the top spot for the second year running, and the third time in total.
“It’s also great to see a number of new entries into the list this year, notably the Devonshire which has powered its way to the front of the pack with non-stop praise and publicity coming from all quarters.
“This list demonstrates the innovation, standards and excellence that thrives across the pub sector and long may it continue.”
The top 10 gastropubs on the 2025 list are:
1. The Unruly Pig, Bromeswell, Suffolk
2. The Devonshire, Soho, London
3. The Star Inn, Harome, North Yorkshire
4. Parkers Arms, Newton-in-Bowland, Lancashire
5. The Mariners, Rock, Cornwall
6. The Red Lion & Sun, Highgate, north London
7. The Three Horseshoes, Batcombe, Somerset
8. The Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent
9. The Cornish Arms, Tavistock, Devon
10. The Bull & Last, Highgate, north London
The full list is available here.
