THE best restaurant in Scotland has been named in prestigious annual awards judged by industry experts.
The National Restaurant Awards winners were announced on Tuesday, and the Michelin-starred Glenturret Lalique was named the best north of the Border.
The restaurant is housed in the Glenturret whisky distillery in Crieff – which has been operational since 1763. In February it became the second restaurant in Scotland to earn a coveted second Michelin star.
Announcing the latest accolade, the National Restaurant Awards said of Glenturret Lalique: “It’s billed as the first in-distillery fine dining concept; an intriguing proposition, and one that the restaurant effortlessly delivers on.
“Much of that is down to chef Mark Donald, who has led the Crieff restaurant since its launch in the summer of 2021.”
It goes on: “Using the finest, hyper-local produce available, Donald’s tasting menu takes you on a journey through the Scottish landscape. The cooking is graceful and elegant, and underscored by the beautiful jewel box dining room, which overlooks the tumbling waters of the River Turret.
“As you would expect from a restaurant of this calibre, the wine list is extensive, with more than 600 bins to choose from, but what’s really likely to dazzle diners is the list of 400+ Scotch whiskies, representing all the corners of Scotland and including 120 from The Glenturret distillery.”
Noting that the restaurant was launched by French crystal house Lalique, it finishes: “The Glenturret Lalique may be a younger restaurant, but in a short amount of time it’s carved out an equally as impressive legacy for itself.”
Elsewhere at the awards, Lyla in Edinburgh was given the UK-wide prize for best service.
The National Restaurant Awards said: “Opened in 2023, Lyla has been a transitional restaurant for chef restaurateur Stuart Ralston.
“While his previous Edinburgh restaurants Aizle, Noto and Tipo are finely-tuned affairs, they offer a relatively casual experience.
“On Castle Terrace within the space that was once the late Paul Kitching’s 21212, Lyla is intended to be ‘unapologetically fine dining’ and has a service style to match.”
The top five restaurants in Scotland, according to the National Restaurant Awards
In total, five Scottish restaurants were named on the National Restaurant Awards top 100 in the UK.
These were, in order:
- The Glenturret Lalique (number 11 overall)
- Lyla (number 28)
- Inver (number 42)
- The Little Chartroom (number 45)
- The Palmerston (number 94)
London restaurants dominated the top 100, with The Ledbury in Notting Hill being named the best in the UK.
Ynyshir, in Powys, was named the best restaurant in Wales. Overall, it came fifth in the UK.
The awards are chosen by an "academy of chefs, restaurateurs and food writers", according to the National Restaurant Awards.
They were launched in 2007 and are organised by the industry title Restaurant magazine.
