Review of 2025 Part 1: 19 – 32
Another year of great eating. As you'll see next time, scores at the top have never been higher; however, the middle ground is really strong. Two places scoring 19.5 - that's 78% - but can't get into the top half. Incredible.
As ever, I doff my hat to restaurateurs everywhere. Despite the difficulties they still deliver the goods - and Edinburgh alone has a whole clutch of new places to sample in 2026
| 19= | The Bailie | Edinburgh | 19.5 | Terrific pub food in a long established Stockbridge boozer. If you haven't tried it you'll be pleasantly surprised |
| 19= | Petiscais | Olhao | 19.5 | Our annual visits to this wee Algarve town always unearth somewhere new. This is in a former railway yard |
| 21= | Ella, Taste of Greece | Edinburgh | 19 | Terrific Greek food on Edinburgh's Leith Walk. Spotless surroundings, great service. |
| 21= | Josephine | London | 19 | Paris on a plate. The latest bistro offering from star chef Claude Bosi |
| 21= | Craobh | Crieff | 19 | Every small Scottish town should be blessed with a local restaurant like this |
| 21= | Rogue | St Andrews | 19 | Decent middle of the road place in St Andrews. Considering its wealth, the town isn't as well served for eating out as it used to be |
| 25= | Sebb's | Glasgow | 18.5 | Downstairs from Margo (see top 5) I was disappointed: some friends loved it |
| 25= | Number 16 | Glasgow | 18.5 | This stylish little place has been on the Byres Road for over quarter of a century. No idea how or why I'd previously missed it
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| 27 | Tiger Rock | Liverpool | 18 | Fun fusion food in a fun city. Great for a Friday night when you don't want to try too hard |
| 28= | Gloriosa | Glasgow | 17.5 | Chef Rosie Healy has a great reputation. She has had rave reviews from Jay Rayner, and from Tom Eats! in her last place. She can do better than this |
| 28= | 1925 At Pompadour | Edinburgh | 17.5 | Very disappointing offering from Dean Banks. His places are usually in our top 3, not the bottom 3 |
| 28= | Margot | Edinburgh | 17.5 | Just round the corner from Leftfield and also owned by Phil White and family. Poor service dragged the score down |
| 31 | River House Restaurant and Bar | Stirling | 12 | Terrific place and great outlook. Just a shame about the food and the service |
| 32 | Glacis Beisl | Vienna | 10.5 | Would be a lovely place for an outdoor drink on a warm Viennese evening. We were indoors. Avoid that area and also the food |