The UK’s tastiest restaurants revealed: From trendy Tennessee-inspired chicken in Liverpool to authentic Korean BBQ food in Coventry

The UK’s tastiest eateries have been revealed – as delivery app Uber Eats has unveiled the finalists for its 2026 Restaurant of the Year Awards.  

Among the acclaimed restaurants on offer are a Tennessee-inspired chicken spot, a trendy cooked-to-order burger place and the go-to location for the ultimate Mexican food.

Also listed among the mouth-watering meal spots are an Italian restaurant serving fresh offerings and a South Asian spot which promises to ‘tantalize your taste buds with a symphony of flavours’.

The nine restaurants from across the nation are all in the running to take home the acclaimed Restaurant of the Year Award, which sees independent spots face off in a two-day culinary showdown in London in front of a judging panel. 

Representing the ‘very best of British food culture’, all of the offerings promise to ‘deliver unbeatable flavour while contributing to thriving high streets and inspiring culinary trends’. 

Restaurants in the capital dominated the listing – with three finalists featured from central, north and south London. 

Set in the heart of the capital, Coqfighter was founded by three close friends who bonded over ‘the lack of high quality friend chicken options in London’.

Since its founding in 2014, the restaurant has grown from an informal night for friends at their south London apartment to three separate chains set across the capital, and have even collaborated on a menu with The Rolling Stones.

Junglees in north London offers freshly cooked-to-go burgers and even took home Uber Eats’ Restaurant of the Year Award in 2024.

Meanwhile, south London residents have opted for the delicious offering at Brorritos – a Mexican spot that offers up the likes of burritos, ricebowls, tacos and gravy fries. They too have previously taken home Uber Eats’ acclaimed award, this time in 2023. 

In Bristol, crispy Chicken wings have proven to be the biggest hit, and its tasty menu explains why.

Offering ultra-crispy, hand-breaded fried chicken wings, tenders and signature homemade sauces, Gurt Wings boast ‘Multi-Award winning friend chicken’ and travel around the region to delight the taste buds of thousands.

Leicester residents voted Ragin Bird as their ultimate food spot, and it is not difficult to see why – with their delicious menu offering up bold-flavoured fried chicken, loaded burgers and sides that are made fresh to order. 

Meanwhile, in Coventry, authentic Korean BBQ food appears to be the biggest hit, as Jinseon takes home the top spot.

Described as the area’s ‘exclusive destination for authentic charcoal Korean barbecue’ that offers the ‘finest meats, seafood and vegetables’ that are ‘locally sourced and inspired by South Korean tradition’, it offers a varying menu that is cooked to perfection.

Up north, Shimlas is in the running for this year’s award – and is beloved by Bradford locals for its tasty flavour-packed curries and signature recipes that are cooked to absolute perfection.

Liverpool locals can get a taste of Tennessee in the heart of the city with the delicious offerings at Nashville Cluck.

Offering mouth-watering burgers and tenders, award-winning crispy buttermilk chicken and incredible reviews, Nashville Cluck prides itself as ‘among Liverpool’s top fried chicken joints’. 

In Glasgow, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Italian comfort food reigns supreme – with the hearty Italian restaurant Piatto promising ‘authentic’ meals that feature ‘freshly made pasta, artisanal pizzas and rich regional flavours’. 

Made from traditional ingredients of the utmost quality, it is no wonder they have made it to the list.

Next month, the finalists will enter into a two-day culinary battle in front of a judging panel headed by comedian, podcaster and influential foodie Ed Gamble. 

Just one restaurant will be able to take home the top spot and claim the cash prize of £100,000 to help their business.

However, regional championships will still gain a £5,000 cash injection and a bespoke Uber Eats UK growth package.

This year, the delivery app is even offering £25,000 and £10,000 cash prizes for second and third place winners respectively – to mark the award’s five-year anniversary and ten years of Uber Eats in the UK.

Merve Basci, General Manager of Uber Eats UK, said: ‘Independent restaurants are the beating heart of the UK’s food scene and that shows when the public rally behind their local spots. 

‘Whether it’s your go-to local lunch place, the perfect late-night smash burger, or a TikTok-famous street food pop-up, Uber Eats is proud to support the businesses that bring flavour, jobs, and culture to our communities.

‘The Restaurant of the Year Awards are about more than claiming the title alone.

‘They’re about investing in the people who are championing hospitality right across the UK and helping them accelerate their growth.’