Gastropubs in RBWM and south Bucks among UK’s finest in new top 50 list

The critics have spoken, and the results are in - five gastropubs from the Royal Borough and south Bucks are the cream of the crop in this year’s Estrella Damm rankings.

This year’s top 50 features The Crown in Burchetts Green; The Loch & Tyne in Old Windsor; and two Marlow restaurants belonging to celebrity chef Tom Kerridge.

Making the top 100 of the awards, which celebrate pub venues providing 'outstanding culinary innovation’, was Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant The Hinds Head in Bray.

The Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Awards see more than 350 chefs, restaurant managers and critics vote for their top eateries in the country.

Marlow's The Coach and The Hand & Flowers (pictured), ranked highly in last year’s list, retained places in the top 50 list at 29 and 32.

Tom Kerridge said he was, ‘so proud' of the teams at the two restaurants ‘with both operations being open 20 years and 10 years, as places that people have visited and still voted for’.

He added: “Everyone should be very happy with the achievement and here is to the next decade.”

More success was in the offering at The Crown in Burchetts Green near Maidenhead, which came in at 35 on the list.

Dominic Chapman, chef and owner, said: “This is wonderful news for The Crown at Burchetts Green.

“We are all very proud to have returned to this great list of top pubs in the UK.

“It’s a special list and we love being on it and part of the top 50 gastro pubs.

“A special thank you to our team for their hard work and dedication on delivering delicious food and our warm hospitality.”

The Hinds Head (above) in Bray also cracked the top 100 of Estrella Dam’s list and was ranked 73.  

Heston Blumenthal said: "When I bought the Hinds Head back in 2004, I wanted to make it the perfect pub - welcoming, atmospheric, convivial, a hub of the local community, and a great place for a pint and a Scotch egg or fish and chips.

"So I’m thrilled that Estrella Dam think that we’ve fulfilled that dream."

In Old Windsor, the Loch & Tyne received the highest ranking of any venue in south Bucks and the Royal Borough. It came in at 23 on the list, rising from 42 in the 2024 list. 

Loch & Tyne owner and chef Adam Handling MBE said he was ‘over the moon’ with the new ranking.

“It’s always an honour to be included on the list alongside my friends in the industry who run some truly incredible pubs,” he added.  

“The recognition means so much to me and the entire team, who bring so much passion, talent, and dedication to the pub every single day.

“Opening a pub was a dream of mine, as well as my co-chef proprietors Steven Kerr and Jonny McNeil, and together we’ve turned this pub into everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

“I’m so grateful to them, the team, and especially our guests, who have supported us along our entire journey.

“I’ll never take it for granted.”

The Loch and Tyne scooped 23rd place on the list.

For more information on Estrella Dam’s rankings, visit: top50gastropubs.com