Good Food Guide readers vote Orwells at Shiplake best restaurant

The bar and fine dining restaurant, run by chefs Ryan Simpson and Liam Trotman, was picked as the winner from 10 regional finalists for its 'impressive modern dining with a something for everyone appeal'.

Elizabeth Carter, consultant editor of The Good Food Guide, said: "It was the bags of energy and that something-for-everyone appeal that made Orwells stand out – and they had some very strong competition. Ryan Simpson clearly understands the way we want to eat now and has judged his market exactly. The sheer versatility takes in £10 lunches and easy-going, ingredient-led modern cooking in the brasserie, with the fine-dining room for special-occasion dinners the icing on the cake."

Listening to customers​

The votes of 27,500 readers were considered before a shortlist of 10 restaurants were drawn up. To qualify for the awards, restaurants had to be independently-run, offering regional or local produce where possible and delivering consistently great food and excellent service.

Orwells was opened by Simpson and Trotman in April 2010 after they famously walked out of the Goose at Britwell Salome ​with the rest of the staff, due to a dispute over the direction of the business with then owner Paul Castle.

On receiving their award from Raymond Blanc at a ceremony in London earlier today, they said: ‘'We're really thrilled and delighted to win The Good Food Guide Readers' Restaurant of the Year in such a short period of time since opening. It shows how hard work, determination and listening to your customers really can pay off."

The 10 regional winners were:​

Cwtch, Pembrokeshire - Wales

Roger Hickman’s, Norwich - East of England

Retro Bistrot, Teddington - London

Edmunds, Birmingham - Midlands

Molly’s Yard, Belfast - Northern Ireland

Spire, Liverpool - North West

Salvo’s, Leeds - North East

Ondine, Edinburgh - Scotland

Orwells, Shiplake - South East

The Mill Tea & Dining Room, Lyme Regis - South West