Tommy Banks’s Black Swan named best restaurant in the UK and 4th in the world

The North Yorkshire Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms was also named fourth best fine dining restaurant in the World in TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Best of the Best Awards 2020 announced yesterday.

Three years ago the Black Swan, which is owned by the Banks family and run by Michelin starred chef Tommy Banks, was named Best Restaurant in the World in the same awards.

The accolade well and truly put the former village pub on the World  map and led to its booking system crashing as people flooded to book tables and rooms. Since then Mr Banks has opened a second restaurant Roots in York which has been hotly tipped to get its own Michelin star.
“It was crazy,” said Mr Banks.

“People were travelling to Oldstead from all over the world and expecting us to be the best restaurant in the world, but it is hard to keep up with those expectations.

“To now be voted the best fine dining restaurant in the UK and fourth best in the world is fantastic especially at such a difficult time when the last thing on your mind is accolades and by people from all different background who have actually eaten in your restaurant it means a lot to all the staff as it takes into account the entire dining experience not just the food..

The Black Swan closed it doors at the end of March and is due reopen on Wednesday August 12.

During lockdown Mr Banks launched a new business Made in Oldstead, recreating the Black Swan’s food in meal boxes for people to enjoy in their own home. It has proved such a success that they plan to continue with them even after the Black Swan reopens.

Roots reopened last weekend on Thursdays to Sundays with a new tasting menu rather than its normal small plates.
“I was nervous about reopening as I was worried what the atmosphere might be like, but the response from our customers has been amazing and it is so nice to be back doing what we do best.

The Wensleydale Heiffer at West Witton was named sixth best fine dining restaurant in the UK in the TripAdvisor Awards.