A leading diners poll has crowned Fraiche in Merseyside its number one restaurant in the whole of the UK for 2020. The Harden’s Best UK Restaurants 2020 guide is based on 50,000 reports from a survey of 7,500 discerning diners.
The tiny, well-loved restaurant has had a turbulent year. It closed its doors at the end of 2018 – with hopes of moving to bigger premises – only to reopen several months later in their original spot. But despite the disruption, the restaurant maintained both its Michelin star status and its four AA rosettes. This is another huge win for ‘the shed’.
There are 2800 independent and unbiased restaurant reviews in the full guide which includes 172 in the North West and 47 in Yorkshire.
Marc Wilkinson, owner and head – well, only – chef at Fraiche said…
“This an amazing achievement for a small independent restaurant without backers or any financial support – to celebrate that even a small tin pot operation can achieve so much if they have enough drive and heart. My respect goes out to all those small restaurants in the UK. I know how hard it is to keep going at times. Lastly a huge thank you to the guests who have continued to support us at Fraiche.”
Read our interview with Marc from earlier in the year here.
While UK restaurant guides tend to be weighted towards London, only 40% of the Hardens top 100 are restaurants in the capital. The second most represented area is the North West with ten entries in the top 100, five of these in the top 20. Representing Manchester, Mana is third on the list and Adam Reid at The French 19th. Elsewhere in the North West, Moor Hall in Aughton is 5th and L’Enclume in Cartmel 12th.
Other restaurants in the top 100 from the North West are Hipping Hall Cumbria (35), Lake Road Kitchen Ambleside (51), Roski Liverpool (53), Restaurant MCR (73) and Northcote Langho (81)
Just outside the North West, there are The Moorcock Sowerby Bridge (80), Skosh York (87), Jöro Sheffield, The Box Tree Ilkley (95).
There are 2800 independent and unbiased restaurant reviews in the full guide which includes 172 in the North West and 47 in Yorkshire.
What a great year it’s been for restaurants in the North West. We’re looking forward to more to celebrate in 2020.
