Best restaurants in Yorkshire 2026: The Yorkshire Post reveals its top restaurant for 2026
The Yorkshire Post’s reviewers travel the length and breadth of God’s Own County every year, tasting the best food the region has to offer.
Whether it is stunning seafood on the coast, a perfect Sunday roast in a warm pub in the Dales, or a stylish Michelin-starred experience in the Steel city, Yorkshire ticks all the boxes for culinary greatness.
Few people are better placed to rate that greatness than our five culinary crusaders, who have their fingers on the pulse of the latest openings from chefs old and new on the Yorkshire scene.
So this year, we’ve asked them to come up with a list of their favourites taken from the places they visited last year.
Whittling down the 52 restaurants to just 20 has been a tough task, but the final list has been announced, with the incredible Forge at Middleton Lodge being named at the Restaurant of the Year.
You can read our interview with head chef Jake Jones here.
Owner and managing director of Middleton Lodge Estate, James Allison, said: “We are honoured to have been named the first Yorkshire Post Restaurant of the Year.
“Coming so quickly after retaining both the Michelin star and the Green star it is a testament to the great work Jake (Jones) and his team are doing against an ever more challenging world for hospitality post Covid.”
Head chef Jake Jones adds: “I am very proud of the team - it’s a great achievement to win this award and it is something I am extremely proud of.”
James Mitchinson, Editor of The Yorkshire Post, said: "It has become painfully clear that hospitality needs the help of each and every one of us.
“In that context, it is our hope that this showcase of the very best restaurants Yorkshire has to offer can inspire people to eat out."
"Amazing restaurants are, of course, run by talented, passionate people. But more than that, they are supplied by growers, producers and artisan makers, all of whom must make ends meet. It is an ecosystem that creates jobs and supports families."
"In that sense, it is the duty of the county's newspaper of record to lift up and shine a light upon these businesses whose qualities reflect so well on the reputation of Yorkshire.
“As the old saying goes, you'll miss them when they're gone."
To see the full list of our top 20 restaurants, click here.