This is the cream of the crop, the one that you all love. We will consider restaurants nominated for this category and restaurants that have been nominated for any other category in our search for the restaurant of the year.
Edinburgh Chef of the Year
Sponsored by
This award will be judged by our industry experts, who are already immersed in the dining scene, intimate with the ways in which it operates and the people whose ingenuity helps mark a restaurant out as inescapably important. This is one of our most prestigious awards.
Sustainability Award
Sponsored by
Never before has carbon footprint, protecting the earth and a sustainable way of life been more relevant. Here we are looking for establishments that are conscious of waste, sourcing ingredients and being eco, as well as, taste bud friendly too.
Best Takeaway Offering
Sponsored by
When it comes to ordering a takeaway in Edinburgh, there's plenty of choice. During the pandemic, some businesses may have had to diversify to offer delivery services whilst the hospitality industry was closed. This award goes to the best takeaway offering in the city.
Best Fine Dining Experience
Sponsored by
The Edinburgh dining scene has changed in many ways over the years but perhaps one of the indicators of confidence in the market is the growth of fine dining establishments, which offer something special or unexpected to diners looking for a memorable night.
Edinburgh Sommelier of the Year
This is no ordinary waiter. Responsible for all aspects of wine service as well as food and wine pairing at a restaurant, they create the cherry on top of your experience. They have a wealth of knowledge ready to share with customers and of course chef's.
Best Newcomer
This is always a popular category and one of the hardest to judge. Winners of this award usually go on to greater things. We aim to use it to celebrate all those restaurants which are trying to make a name for themselves by recognising the hard work and passion that goes into making their dreams a reality.
Best Cafe/Deli
This award is focussed entirely on cafes/delis and what they offer. Judges will be looking for places which do their own thing but do it well, often offering bespoke dishes, with a slick, well-drilled operation. Scrumptiousness rules the roost here.
Best World Food Restaurant
This category takes in food from across the globe, including the Middle East, the Far East, South America and beyond. As such, the overall dining experience has to be able to stand out. Judges will be looking for flair and imagination and restaurants which bring something different and even unique to the table.
Best Gastro Pub & Brewery
Edinburgh is home to great pubs and breweries and many invite customers to visit for a drinking and dining experience with a difference. We're looking for a gastro pub or brewery which is serving great food that can be washed down by a fabulous variety of interesting beers.
Best Family Friendly
No longer is it a case of having to sit in a cordoned off playpen with chips and chicken nuggets. The food and drink industry is encouraging families to make an evening out together and introduce youngsters to different types of dining so this is your chance to flag up the best family friendly places.
Best Speciality
Edinburgh is leading the way with specialist cuisine. Whether that is saying loud and clear - vegan and vegetarian food is not boring, or making cooking with seafood a fine art. Are you serving up meat free meals with a tasty twist, flair and imagination? Then shout about it in this category.
Best Use of Outdoor Space
This is a brand new category for 2022. While it can’t be summer all year long, this award goes to a restaurant or bar in Edinburgh which offers a fabulous covered/outdoor seating area, that let you stay outdoors come rain or shine.
Best Customer Service
Service can make or break a restaurant and we know how much effort those in the industry put into making sure people not only enjoy their experience but want to return time after time. Judges will be looking for polished, assured performances from those front of house, who go above and beyond in terms of customer service.
Best Seafood
A perfect natural larder, Scotland’s lochs, rivers and seas have provided us with some of the best seafood available anywhere in the world. Judges will consider the source of ingredients, variety of options and the quality of dish elements.
