Almost three quarters of the pubs featured are located in rural or semi-rural areas, confirming the countryside’s continued status as a stronghold for Britain’s best food-led pubs.
South West dominates
The South West remains particularly influential, with Devon and Somerset together accounting for almost a fifth of all entries. Other regional hotspots include Oxfordshire, Norfolk, and North Yorkshire, highlighting how destination dining in picturesque settings continues to define the British pub experience.
This interactive map plots the top 50 pubs across the UK, revealing clear regional clusters in the South West, the Home Counties and along the North Yorkshire coast.
London stands out as the only major urban area with multiple entries, while the majority of listings are dotted through rural towns and villages, underlining how destination dining continues to thrive outside city centres.
However, the capital is beginning to close the gap. London contributes 10 pubs to the top 100, which suggests that urban gastropubs are regaining prominence after several years where rural establishments led the conversation.
Among the city’s highlights are The Devonshire in Soho, The Tamil Crown in Islington, The Camberwell Arms, and The Pelican in Notting Hill - venues that reflect a new wave of pubs where strong food credentials and community focus go hand in hand.
Scotland, Wales, and the North of England are also well represented, with notable inclusions such as The Kinneuchar Inn in Fife, The Broad Chare in Newcastle, and The Felin Fach Griffin in Brecon.
Independent, chef-led rule
Across the list, independent and chef-led pubs dominate, while small groups such as Beckford Group and Brunning & Price make up only a handful of entries.
The trend towards provenance, sustainability, and seasonality continues to drive menu development, with many pubs highlighting local produce, heritage recipes, and regionally inspired dishes.
It’s a shift that aligns closely with consumer behaviour, as diners increasingly seek authenticity, transparency, and character in food-led pubs.
The findings mirror patterns seen in The Morning Advertiser’s (The MA) own Top 50 Gastropubs list, where countryside venues continue to excel but city pubs are showing renewed confidence.
Together, both lists chart a sector that has proved resilient, balancing its heritage with forward-thinking innovation.
Whether tucked into a village lane or situated on a busy city corner, Britain’s best pubs are evolving - and the lines between restaurant, inn, and local are blurring at pace.
Top 20 Pubs – Good Food Guide 2025
- The Highland Laddie, Leeds, West Yorkshire
- The Kinneuchar Inn, Kilconquhar, Fife
- The Merry Harriers, Hambledon, Surrey
- The Beckford Arms, Fonthill Gifford, Wiltshire
- The Radnor Arms, Folkestone, Kent
- Greyhound Inn, Pettistree, Suffolk
- The Pelican, Notting Hill, London
- The Abbey Inn, Byland, North Yorkshire
- Inn at the Sticks, Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire
- The Packhorse, Hayfield, Derbyshire
- The Eagle, Clerkenwell, London
- The Barrington Boar, Barrington, Somerset
- The Sun Inn, Dedham, Essex
- The Kerfield Arms, Camberwell, London
- The Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Church House Inn, Harberton, Devon
- The Killingworth Castle, Wootton, Oxfordshire
- The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon, Powys
- The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market, Norfolk
- The Plough, Rye, East Sussex
