Review of 2025 Part 2: 1 – 15=
One word. Wow! In the first ten years of Tom Eats! we had precisely two perfect scores. And in this year of grace 2025 or Food Date TE! 11, we end up with two more. Wow! as I said. But which of the two will get the nod, the coveted prize, the restaurant Oscar, Tom Eats! Restaurant of the Year? You'll have to read to the end.
| 1= | eòrna | Edinburgh | 25 | Be snug in Stockbridge in a group of just a dozen. Watch maestro Brian at work; rave about his food; be served perfect wines by Glen. If there's a heaven, it must be a bit like this |
| 1= | sō-lō | Aughton, Merseyside | 25 | A completely different experience to eòrna, but equally memorable. A train odyssey to a former country pub in Lancashire followed by a sublime lunch and great service. Tim Allen, take a bow, sir |
| 3 | Little Capo | Edinburgh | 23 | Terrific Italian style food served by a team of chefs who, apparently, have no Italian heritage. You sure could have fooled me |
| 4 | Sandemans | Pitlochry | 22 | Executive Chef Paul Tyrell presides over a kitchen of rare talent. Had there not been service issues, this could have been one of our highest scores ever |
| 5= | El Portico de San Lorenzo | Cordoba | 21.5 | Journey with an open mind and it will reward you. A wonderful lunch in a place we found purely by chance |
| 5= | Cata | Edinburgh | 21.5 | Iggy Campos is back. What a welcome return. Don't miss the tapas and tablas and pintxos. Wonderful |
| 5= | Margo | Glasgow | 21.5 | Another hit from Jonathan Macdonald and the Scoop Restaurants team (Ox and Finch, Baba, Ka Pao) |
| 8- | The Khukuri | Edinburgh | 21 | I'd eaten in this Nepalese place a while ago. It was very good. Having changed hands a few years back, it's even better |
| 8= | Purslane Restaurant | Edinburgh | 21 | The very talented Paul Gunning produces stylish elegant food in this cosy Stockbridge basement |
| 8= | Wallawwa | Negombo, Sri Lanka | 21 | Unlikely you'll be passing by, but this was our wondrous introduction to Sri Lankan food. And the people are as lovely as the cuisine |
| 11= | Tuk Tuk Street Food Southside | Edinburgh | 20.5 | Great fun, great grub. What more can I say? You won't get to linger, but you will be well fed |
| 11= | Scott's | London | 20.5 | It's Mayfair, darling. Classic, refined, elegant - that's how they describe themselves, and I won't disagree. Fish served with style and sophistication, at a price |
| 11= | Bell Bottom Indian Eatery | Edinburgh | 20.5 | Cheerful Indian. A 1970s name and a 1970s theme. Huge menu. Lovely staff |
| 11= | Capri | Fuseta, Portugal | 20.5 | It's the Portuguese coast, so it has to be fish. Fresh, and beautifully cooked. What's not to like? |
| 15= | Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro | Malaga | 20 | If you haven't encountered the delights of a Spanish parador, you have a treat in store. And the food is usually great too |
| 15= | Cool Jade | Edinburgh | 20 | Nearly a decade since the Chu family set up store here. Always packed - sure sign of success. Do go |
| 15= | Taverna Akrogiali | Corfu | 20 | My first time in Greece. If this is typical of a Greek taverna, what have I been missing? (But do check the bill.) |
| 15= | Muna's Ethiopian Cuisine | Edinburgh | 20 | A first for me and, I think, for Edinburgh. The irrepressible Muna serves up great food from her homeland |
So, this year's champion? Virtually impossible to separate; however, on the basis that Brian Grigor produced the dish of the year in the shape of his Partridge Pithivier, we can announce that-
THE TOM EATS! RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR IS eòrna, EDINBURGH