The Ritz London, which holds two Michelin stars, was voted the best restaurant in the UK at the 2025 National Restaurant Awards – and a YouTube food critic summed up the meal in two words
A YouTube food critic paid a visit to the restaurant crowned the best in the UK – and summed up the entire experience in just two words.
While countless restaurants across the country claim to be the finest around, only one holds the coveted official title. The Ritz Hotel in London, boasting two Michelin stars, was named the best restaurant at the 2025 National Restaurant Awards.
The prestigious accolade was determined by a panel of 200 of the UK’s most prominent chefs, restaurateurs and food writers – no small feat. Gary Hanna, the man behind the hugely popular YouTube channel Gary Eats, made his way to the iconic central London venue to discover what all the excitement was about.
He opted for the three-course menu, which came to £98 per head, excluding drinks and service. His meal began with Orkney scallop, spiced carrot and vadouvan, followed by Suffolk lamb, black garlic and mint, before rounding things off with a bramley apple and blackberry soufflé.
Even before his first bite, Gary found himself overwhelmed by the sheer opulence of the dining room. He said: “I can’t tell you how stunning this restaurant is,” reports the Mirror.
“I do possibly have the best seat in the house because I’m looking at the grand splendour of this restaurant. Quite stuffy to say the least but service is amazing.”
While Gary praised his starter, describing the scallop as “beautiful” and “stunning”, it was the main course that truly left him speechless. Before tucking in, the food critic brushed aside any suggestions that the modest portion size might leave him seeking out a bag of chips on his way home.
He said: “This to me is absolutely stunning and I do mean stunning. The cooking on the lamb looks amazing. It has certainly come up pink. The attention to detail.
“It’s Suffolk lamb. With the beautiful jus. Amazing. Artichokes is sensational, it’s going to be very soft and it is. Not the biggest plate of food, but this is going to be quite filling. I love it. Anyone who follows the channel knows how much I enjoy lamb, but this is next level lamb.”
The dessert proved equally impressive, with Gary waxing lyrical about the presentation, which left him utterly “astounded”. He declared the soufflé to be “outrageously good”.
Rounding off his assessment of the overall dining experience, Gary wasted no time in giving the restaurant a coveted 10 out of 10, describing it as “absolutely fantastic”.
He confessed to having been a “bit of a skeptic” prior to his visit, but found himself completely won over by both the cuisine and the service.
Gary said: “The best restaurant, 2025. I’ve been to some amazing restaurants, three Michelin stars, two Michelin stars. This is up there, I haven’t been to every restaurant in the country but I loved what I had there. Opulence, that’s what it was.
“I think that’s an experience I would love to do time and time again. I absolutely loved it.
“There was nothing there I could fault. For a really special occasion, definitely try it. And go for the set menu. I’m giving it 10/10. I think it is absolutely fantastic.”
