Uber Eats has announced the nine finalists for its 2026 Restaurant of the Year Awards, highlighting a range of independent eateries from across the United Kingdom that are celebrated for their culinary contributions and local appeal. The finalists will compete in a two-day culinary showdown in London, judged by a panel led by comedian and foodie Ed Gamble.

The competition aims to recognize the "very best of British food culture," with participating restaurants lauded for delivering "unbeatable flavour" while contributing to vibrant high streets and culinary innovation. Restaurants from London dominated the list with three finalists, including Coqfighter, a fried chicken spot founded in 2014, and Junglees, a burger joint that won the award in 2024. Brorritos, a Mexican restaurant in South London, is also a finalist and was the winner in 2023.

Beyond the capital, Bristol's Gurt Wings, known for its crispy chicken wings and tenders, secured a regional championship. Leicester's Ragin Bird, offering bold-flavored fried chicken and burgers, also made the list. In Coventry, Jinseon was recognized for its authentic Korean BBQ, described as an "exclusive destination for authentic charcoal Korean barbecue."

Leicester residents voted Ragin Bird as their ultimate food spot, and it is not difficult to see why - with their delicious menu offering up bold-flavoured fried chicken, loaded burgers and sides that are made fresh to order

Other finalists include Shimlas in Bradford for its flavor-packed curries, Nashville Cluck in Liverpool for its Tennessee-inspired fried chicken, and Piatto in Glasgow, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, for its authentic Italian comfort food, featuring fresh pasta and artisanal pizzas.

In Glasgow, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Italian comfort food reigns supreme - with the hearty Italian restaurant Piatto promising 'authentic' meals that feature 'freshly made psata, artisanal pizzas and rich regional flavours'

The winner of the Restaurant of the Year Award will receive a £100,000 cash prize to support their business. Regional championship winners will each receive £5,000, along with a bespoke Uber Eats UK growth package. To commemorate the award's fifth anniversary and Uber Eats' ten years in the UK, the second and third place winners will receive £25,000 and £10,000, respectively.

Merve Basci, General Manager of Uber Eats UK, emphasized the importance of independent restaurants, stating, "Independent restaurants are the beating heart of the UK's food scene." She added that the awards are about "investing in the people who are championing hospitality right across the UK and helping them accelerate their growth."