Three Scottish restaurants named among the best in UK by national guide
A national guide has released its top 100 restaurants in the UK for 2026, and three are in Scotland.
OpenTable, an online booking platform, has unveiled its best restaurant in the UK for 2026. OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in the UK was created to inspire diners where to eat next and to highlight industry dining trends.
The list is compiled by analysing more than 780,000 diner reviews, ratings, reservation demand and percentage of five-star reviews among other factors, featuring a list of restaurants perfect for any occasion.
Now the 2026 top 100 has been announced, and three Scottish restaurants made the list down from seven in 2025.
The Scottish restaurants in the 2026 top 100 are: Cafe Calton and The Cottage at Royal Terrace both in Edinburgh; and the Butchershop in Glasgow.
Of Cafe Calton, the team at OpenTable said: “A hidden gem with a view worth climbing for. Visit the cafe with the best views and the best brunch in Edinburgh.”
While for The Cottage at Royal Terrace they wrote: “Set within the tranquil Royal Terrace Gardens, The Cottage is an intimate restaurant housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century gardener’s cottage.”
Over in Glasgow the longstanding Butchershop restaurant in the west end garnered praise for its “excellent service and a high energy atmosphere.”
James Rusk, founder of The Butchershop and Spanish Butcher, said: “It’s a real honour to be recognised among the UK’s top 100 restaurants, particularly as the only Glasgow venue to make the list.
“We opened our doors in 2010 with a clear idea of the kind of restaurant we wanted to bring to Glasgow. Having worked in New York, I wanted to bring some of that classic Manhattan steakhouse atmosphere to the city, combining it with the quality of Scottish produce and the warmth of Scottish hospitality.
“Over the past 16 years, we've seen Glasgow’s restaurant scene evolve, with so many brilliant places opening and raising the bar. To be recognised by the people who actually visit and dine with us means a great deal. It’s a credit to our team and the consistency they bring every day.
“We want diners to enjoy themselves, eat great food and leave already thinking about when they’ll come back.”
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