The Unruly Pig regains title of UK's best gastropub

By James McAllister

- Last updated on GMT

The Unruly Pig regains title of UK's best gastropub
The Unruly Pig in Suffolk has been named the UK’s top gastropub in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list 2024.

The East Anglian institution regained the number one spot having previously held it in 2022.

Last year’s number one The Parkers Arms in Lancashire, which played host to this year’s awards ceremony, held yesterday (22 January), was ranked at number seven on the list, with The Cornish Arms in Tavistock and The Mariners in Rock placed at numbers two and three respectively.

The Unruly Pig is owned by Brendan Padfield, who took on the pub following a 36-year career as a solicitor. However, within just 12 weeks of opening, a fire destroyed large parts of the building forcing it to close for six months. During this period changes were made to the structure and feel of the pub to make it more welcoming and accessible.

It entered the Estrella Damn Top 50 Gastropubs list in 2017 and also currently ranks at number 77 on Restaurant​’s own National Restaurant Awards Top 100 list.

Writing on The Unruly Pig’s Instagram page​, Padfield said: “Life is full of surprises, but we really didn't see this one coming.

“Heartfelt thanks to everyone, your support has been key to our success and encourages our wonderful team to strive to achieve the best and keep Suffolk firmly visible on the UK map.”

Kevin Tickle’s Heft in Cumbria was named as this year’s Highest Climber, rising to number 11 having entered the list at number 43 last year.

Meanwhile, The Bridge Arms in Kent was this year’s Highest New Entry, entering the list at number 15.

Alongside the Top 50 list there were also three extra categories at this year’s awards, each designed to showcase some of the best pub talent across the UK.

The Bulls Head, in Holymooreside, Derbyshire, was named the One To Watch; while Adam Handling’s The Loch & The Tyne in Old Windsor, Berkshire, was announced as the Estrella Damm Sustainable Pub of the Year.

Daniel Smith, chef-patron at The Bridge Arms and The Fordwich Arms, the latter of which ranked at number four on this year’s list, received the Chef of the Year trophy.

Yorkshire-based chef Andrew Pern was also given a special recognition award after bouncing back from intense hardship when his beloved site, The Star in Harome, burnt to the ground in 2021.

Pern managed to keep the business alive and relaunched the rebuilt operation a year later to great acclaim, claiming the number eight spot on this year’s list.

Ed Bedington, editor of The Morning Advertiser​, which hosts the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs, said: “Pubs are a beloved institution and part of the UK’s culture, and this list of the most astounding and impressive food pubs in the country is wonderful to see.

“Pubs serve so many roles to so many people, and for operators like The Unruly Pig and all of our list, to be able to offer amazing food and wonderful experiences, up there with some of the best in fine dining, is brilliant to see.”

Estrella Damm UK Top 50 Gastropubs 2024

1

 

The Unruly Pig

Woodbridge

2

 

The Cornish Arms

Tavistock

3

 

The Mariners

Rock

4

 

The Fordwich Arms

Canterbury

5

 

The Sportsman

Seasalter

6

 

The Red Lion & Sun

Highgate, London

7

 

Parkers Arms

Newton-in-Bowland

8

 

The Star Inn

Harome

9

 

Freemasons at Wiswell

Wiswell

10

 

The Hand & Flowers

Marlow

11

Highest Climber

Heft

High Newton

12

 

The Harwood Arms

Fulham, London

13

 

The Angel at Hetton

Hetton

14

 

The Rat Inn

Hexham

15

Highest New Entry

The Bridge Arms

Canterbury

16

 

The Dog at Wingham

Wingham

17

 

The Shibden Mill Inn

Halifax

18

 

The Gunton Arms

Thorpe Market

19

 

The Pack Horse

Hayfield

20

 

Pyne Arms

Barnstaple

21

 

The Coach

Marlow

22

 

The Beehive

White Waltham

23

 

The Broad Chare

Newcastle

24

 

The Edinburgh Castle

Manchester

25

 

The Three Horseshoes

Batcombe

26

 

The Baring

Islington, London

27

 

The Kentish Hare

Tunbridge Wells

28

 

The Pipe & Glass Inn

Beverley

29

 

The White Swan at Fence

Fence

30

 

The Longs Arms

Bath

31

 

The Bull & Last

Islington, London

32

 

The Black Bear

Usk

33

 

The Dog & Gun Inn

Skelton

34

 

The Woolpack

Stroud

35

 

The Barrington Boar

Barrington

36

 

The Parakeet

Kentish Town, London

37

 

The Masons Arms

Knowstone

38

 

The Abbey Inn

Byland

39

 

The Black Bull

Sedbergh

40

 

The Cadogan Arms

Chelsea, London

41

 

The Bulls Head

Craswall

42

 

The Loch and The Tyne

Windsor

43

 

The Guinea Grill

Mayfair, London

44

 

The Dew Drop Inn

Hurley

45

 

The Killingworth Castle

Wootton

46

 

The Canton Arms

Stockwell, London

47

 

The Double Red Duke

Clanfield

48

 

The Duncombe Arms

Ashbourne

49

 

The Scran & Scallie

Edinburgh

50

 

The Bull

Charlbury

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