A SCOTTISH two-Michelin starred restaurant has been crowned the UK's top restaurant in a leading annual diner’s poll.
Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, based at Gleneagles in Perthshire, has claimed the number one spot in Harden's Top 100 Best UK Restaurants, an influential guide which ranks the UK’s best dining destinations.
In the guide, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie is hailed as “a memory to be treasured” and is praised for its luxurious ingredients prepared with “impeccable skill and creativity” and attentive staff who are “knowledgeable in all respects”.
The 32nd edition of the guide is based on 30,000 reports from a survey of 3000 diners. Restaurants at all price levels are listed: from street food vendors to the country’s most ambitious dining rooms, with 2800 restaurants listed in total.
The world-renowned restaurant is headed up by head chef, Stephen McLaughlin and general manager, Dale Dewsbury, who have worked together at the helm of Restaurant Andrew Fairlie following the loss of founder, Andrew Fairlie, in January 2019.
Both Stevie and Dale were a core part of the team that launched Restaurant Andrew Fairlie in 2001. Stevie became head chef in 2006, while Dale has been general manager since 2012.
McLaughlin said: “While it is always an honour to receive commendation for the restaurant, the fact that Harden’s Top 100 is diner-led is a special honour and a particular testament to the hard work of the full team to ensure every guest has the best possible experience when they dine with us.
“This time four years ago, we were dealing with the terrible loss of our wonderful friend and mentor, Andrew Fairlie, and committed to maintain his incredible legacy. I’m extremely proud that we’re here today achieving these fantastic accolades.
"People knew Andrew as a champion of great food and service, and this ethos remains the same. We have a fantastic, talented team who are all invested and continue to be driven to maintain - and exceed - the standards set by Chef Andrew.”
Andrew’s brother, Jim Fairlie MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, was described as “really pleased” with the news.
The MSP said: “I am absolutely delighted but definitely not surprised at the fabulous award naming Restaurant Andrew Fairlie as best in the U.K. He will no doubt be looking down with quiet satisfaction and pride in the amazing team responsible for this award.
“I have described in the past how Andy was undoubtedly the soul of the restaurant, but Head Chef Stevie McLaughlin and Restaurant Manager Dale Dewsbury are its beating heart. Every day they keep Andy’s memory and legacy very much alive, and I could not be prouder of them and Andy.”
Restaurant Andrew Fairlie was awarded a Michelin star in 2002, within a year of opening. The second star was added in 2006 and the restaurant has held these two Michelin stars for 17 consecutive years.
In 2017, the restaurant became the first Scottish establishment included in Les Grandes Tables du Monde, a guide listing 170 of the most distinguished restaurants in the world. In 2022, Dale Dewsbury was honored with a special award for best service in Great Britain & Ireland in the 2022 Michelin star revelation ceremony.
Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden’s, said: "Andrew Fairlie may sadly no longer be with us but his spirit lives on in this restaurant which bears his name. Reaching the top spot this year is a huge credit to his long-time lieutenants, head chef Stephen McLaughlin and general manager Dale Dewsbury.”
The style of the cuisine is French, influenced by the best of seasonal Scottish ingredients. From shellfish at their peak in the winter months, to summer inspiration drawn from the restaurant’s own Secret Walled Garden which grows over 250 types of fruit, vegetables and herbs, immense consideration and creativity is given to each dish.
