A Lancashire restaurant has once again been named among the best in the country after securing a top-five spot in a major national ranking.
Moor Hall, in Aughton, has been ranked fifth best restaurant in the UK at the National Restaurant Awards 2026.
Launched in 2007, the awards celebrate the brilliance and vibrancy of the UK’s eating out scene, recognising the very best chefs, front-of-house staff and restaurants.
Organised by industry title Restaurant magazine, they are judged by an academy of chefs, restaurateurs and food writers, with a Top 100 list revealed each year.
The awards are held annually in London and are considered one of the biggest events in the hospitality calendar, bringing together hundreds of leading figures from across the industry.
A spokesperson for the restaurant said:
"We’re incredibly proud to have once again been recognised among the very best restaurants in the UK, securing number five in the National Restaurant Awards 2026.
"This latest accolade means Moor Hall has now remained in the top five for seven consecutive years, a testament to the dedication, passion and talent of our entire team."
Moor Hall, led by chef-patron Mark Birchall, opened in 2016 after he spent nearly a decade working at Simon Rogan’s two‑Michelin‑starred L’Enclume, promising at the time to create "something special" — a goal judges say he has achieved.
The restaurant is located in a Grade II-listed 13th-century manor house set within five acres of gardens, complete with its own lake, and quickly rose through the ranks, earning two Michelin stars within two years of opening before securing a third in early 2025.
Judges described the setup as "impressive", pointing to features including a glass-fronted dining room with an open kitchen, an in-house charcuterie programme and even a walk-in cheese room where diners can select their own course.
The kitchen also uses produce grown on site, including honey from its own beehives, while guests can tour the gardens as part of the experience.
Dining at Moor Hall centres on a tasting menu, with four- and eight-course options — though guests can expect additional dishes as part of the restaurant’s signature approach.
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A meal typically begins with charcuterie at the bar before moving into the main dining room.
Judges said the food "really does the talking", describing it as ambitious and marking Moor Hall out as "a true Lancashire gem" led by a chef at the top of his game.
The four restaurants finishing above Moor Hall were The Ledbury in Notting Hill (fourth), Dorian in Notting Hill (third), and joint runners‑up The Ritz in Mayfair and Osip in Bruton, with Bouchon Racine in Clerkenwell taking the top spot in this year’s list.
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