The best restaurants for 2024 named by Tripadvisor: Lancashire eatery is world’s No.3, a VERY fancy French spot claims the global crown and a 2-star New York restaurant is top in the USA. Is YOUR favourite a winner?

The best fine-dining restaurants for 2024 have been named by Tripadvisor, with Northcote in Lancashire rated the best in the UK and No.3 in the world.

The Michelin-starred eatery, in the village of Langho, has been awarded the accolade as part of Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Restaurants awards, determined by the ‘quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor over a 12-month period’.

The overall fine-dining winner is three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Pic in Valance, France, with Restaurante 1621 in Cartagena, Colombia, claiming the silver medal. 

The No.1 restaurant in the USA is two-Michelin-starred Daniel in New York, while ‘Exp.restaurant‘ in Pokolbin, New South Wales, secures the gold medal for Australia.

The rest of the fine-dining top 10 comprises one-Michelin-starred Casa Vigil in Mendoza, Argentina (fourth); one-star Maison Medard in Boulleret, France (fifth); one-star Tour d’Argent in Paris (sixth); one-star Leclere Cuisine d’Arrivage in Montpellier, France (seventh); Akira Back on the 37th floor of the Marriott Marquis in Bangkok, Thailand (eighth); The Grove in Auckland, New Zealand (ninth); and three-Michelin-starred Ristorante Villa Crespi in Orta San Guilio, Italy (10th).

Restaurant Pic, helmed by chef Anne-Sophie Pic, has an astonishing 2,691 five-star reviews from a total of 3,137.

Reviewer ‘Dan M’ wrote recently: ‘It was simply incredible – the service, food, and ambience were perfect, but above all, the taste of the food was explosive.’

‘Lisa T’ was similarly impressed. She wrote: ‘Every single person we came into contact with was exceptionally courteous and friendly and knew exactly how we wanted to be treated. The food was excellent – interesting, exciting and delicious.’

The Michelin Guide says: ‘The lofty culinary obsessions of a chef who has been dubbed “the tightrope walker of flavours” – adulation of Japan, original presentations – make themselves felt in the dishes.’

Northcote, helmed by Executive Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen, has 1,670 five-star reviews from a total of 2,200, with reviewer Steven Mitchell lavishing praise on the restaurant.

He wrote: ‘From arrival to leaving, we were made to feel extremely welcome by the fantastic staff – they could not have been more polite, attentive, helpful and knowledgeable about all the food and wine.’

Northcote says of its head chef: ‘Leading the kitchen brigade at Northcote since the age of 23 and a regular face on Britain’s TV screens, she draws inspiration from the beautiful Ribble Valley landscape to produce stunning dishes that showcase the wide range of incredible produce the region has to offer.’

Commenting on the award, Lisa said: ‘Wow, I’m actually speechless. To be named third best restaurant in the world by Tripadvisor is honestly a huge achievement because it’s based on reviews from guests, who are our most important critics. I am so proud of the team at Northcote every day, but especially today.’

The rest of the fine dining top five for the UK comprises the Old Stamp House restaurant in Ambleside, Lake District (second, but a previous overall winner); The Tudor Pass, Egham, Surrey (third); Paul Ainsworth at No.6 in Padstow, Cornwall (fourth); and The Kitchin in Edinburgh (fifth).

Daniel in New York, which comes 23rd on the global fine-dining ranking, has an average score of 4.5 from 3,419 reviews.

Reviewer ‘Stefan w’ from New Zealand wrote: ‘It was a great honour to spend an evening here with my son. It was his first experience at a world-class restaurant. We live in New Zealand so are not used to the quality of food and service offered. What made the evening so special was the exceptional service provided by the staff.’

The second-best restaurant in America has been named as New York’s Gramercy Tavern, which holds one Michelin star and has been labelled by the Michelin Guide as a ‘fabled icon’.

Celebrating lesser-known spots is the Tripadvisor ‘hidden gems’ category, with Lavang in Solihull coming fourth in the world.

The top podium spot is taken by Ponchos Food & Wines in the Peruvian town of Aguas Calientes, known as the gateway to Machu Picchu. Tripadvisor praises the eatery for its ‘vibrant showmanship and local flair’.

The silver medal goes to Bodega Biarritz in Barcelona; while third place goes to Ely’s Kitchen Ubud in Indonesia.

The top hidden gem in the USA is Amore Pizzeria & Restaurante in Miami Beach, which has garnered 878 five-star reviews from a total of 930.

In the casual dining ranking, Makars Gourmet Mash Bar in Edinburgh is named No. 9 in the world and No. 1 in the UK. 

Tripadvisor notes that it is described by reviewers as an ‘Edinburgh legend’ and ‘local gem’, and that it serves up ‘an array of Scottish delicacies’. 

Coming in at No. 21 globally on the casual dining list is ‘long-time Tripadvisor favourite’ and past Travellers’ Choice winner, La Boca Steakhouse. The Doncaster-based restaurant is ‘loved by couples and families alike’, says Tripadvisor, ‘serving up steaks from local Yorkshire butchers, with an Argentine flair’. 

It comes second in the UK list this year. 

For more visit www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants.