L’Enclume has been voted the UK’s best restaurant in a prestigious poll.
The Cartmel venue came out on top in the annual Harden’s Top 100 Best UK Restaurants.
It has featured in the Top 100 every year since the list first launched in 2011, but this is the first time it has reached the top spot.
Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden’s, said “L’Enclume has always been consistent in its top quality offering and it was wonderful to hear the recent news that Paul Burgalières, who has been a key figure in L’Enclume’s evolution over the past six years, has now been appointed executive chef.
“Coming in at £300+-plus it’s certainly one of the higher priced restaurants in our listings, but we see none of the resistance from diners with regards to paying those prices that we’ve seen at other top establishments. Those who’ve made the pilgrimage think it’s money very well spent.”
Chef owner Simon Rogan said: “My team and myself are honoured that L’Enclume has been rated the number one restaurant in the UK by diners on behalf of Harden’s. To have been featured in Harden’s Top 100 every year since its inception in 2011 is an amazing achievement and being awarded the top spot for the 2024 edition is a testament to the amazing year we’ve had.”
Paul Burgalières added: “I am very proud of everything we have achieved at L’Enclume over the past couple of years. To take the position of executive chef has been a great honour, and I am excited that our work at the restaurant has achieved such a high level of recognition.”
The Harden’s guide is based on feedback from diners rather than a group of professional inspectors. A total of 30,000 reports are submitted from a survey of 2,500 diners. Restaurants at all price levels are included: from street food vendors to the country’s most ambitious dining rooms, with 2,800 restaurants listed in total.
The North West is one of the best performing regions outside of London with 37 ‘Top Scoring’ restaurants, eight of which have made it into the acclaimed Harden’s Top 100 list.
Lake District hotel The Forest Side at Grasmere achieves another Top 50 listing for Cumbria for its “exemplary service” and “faultless cuisine” served up by chef Paul Leonard and his team. That said, the pricing is a sticking point for some diners, who feel “it’s good but not outstanding judged against the strong local competition, and heartier appetites may not be satisfied”.
Allium at Askham Hall (86) in Penrith is notable for “the most incredible wine list” in a Grade I listed mansion dating from the 1200s, which has been inhabited by the family of the current owners since 1724.
