Trencherman’s Awards 2026
Each year, the Trencherman’s Awards offer a moment to reflect on the restaurants, pubs and people that have looked after us best
They exist to recognise care, consistency and hospitality – often shown quietly, over time – and are shaped by the experiences of those who return again and again. The awards are about places and people that matter.
The finalists for the Trencherman’s Awards 2026 have been revealed – see below to discover who is in the running to win one of the prestigious accolades this year.
The awards and ceremony
The Trencherman’s Awards are widely regarded as the South West’s most prestigious hospitality event of the year, celebrating independent restaurants, pubs, hotels and individuals across the region.
The 2026 Awards ceremony and dinner will take place on April 27, 2026, at The Beach Club Restaurant at Carbis Bay Estate, bringing together those recognised by the public for the way they care for their guests. The evening will include a Champagne reception, a multi-course dinner created by Andrew Houghton of Walter’s on The Beach at Carbis Bay Estate, plus 2025 award winners Ayesha Kalaji of Queen of Cups, Luke Bryant of The Clockspire Restaurant and Bar, and Rick Toogood and Eddie Thomson of Barnaby’s, paired wines and drinks, and will conclude with coffee and petits fours.
The finalists
Best Chef (sponsored by Hallgarten & Novum Wines)
James Boniface, The Castle Inn, Castle Coombe
Ben Champkin, Catch at the Old Fish Market, Weymouth
Adam Handling, Ugly Butterfly, Newquay
Georgia Mugford, Bedruthan Hotel, Mawgan Porth
Robert Smart, Da Costa, Bruton
Best Restaurant (sponsored by Four Seasons Fruiterers)
2 Fore Street, Mousehole
Catch at the Old Fish Market, Weymouth
Petty Fours, Truro
Thirteen, Poole
Ugly Butterfly, Newquay
Best Hotel
Francis Hotel, Bath
Homewood, near Bath
The Idle Rocks, St Mawes
Mill End Hotel, Chagford
The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury
Best Pub (sponsored by Sharp’s Brewery)
The Acorn Inn, Evershot
The Barley Sheaf at Gorran, Gorran Churchtown
Millbrook Inn, Southpool
The Tytherleigh Arms, near Axminster
St Tudy Inn, St Tudy
Creativity and Innovation
Caper & Cure, Bristol
Circa, Totnes
Fern, near Bodmin
Holm, South Petherton
Prawn on the Lawn, Padstow
Best Front of House Team (sponsored by Navas)
Bishopstrow, Warminster
Greenbank Hotel, Falmouth
Holm, South Petherton
Prawn on the Lawn, Padstow
The Tytherleigh Arms, near Axminster
Best Trencherman’s Newcomer (sponsored by Harvey & Brockless)
Halwyn, Crantock
Lapin, Bristol
Noah’s, Bristol
Restaurant Kensington, Lynton
Yamas, Looe
Best Bar List
Gurnard’s Head, near St Ives
Indidog, Falmouth
Kota, Porthleven
Queen of Cups, Glastonbury
The View, Exeter
The Award for Special Contribution (sponsored by Trevethan Distillery) is selected by the Trencherman’s committee and will be announced at the awards ceremony.
Browse previous winners here.
How voting works
There are two rounds of public voting, designed to allow time for thoughtful consideration.
Voting is open to anyone, with each vote submitted via a unique email address to ensure fairness.
Trencherman’s Guide restaurants
Read about the current members of the Trencherman’s Guide by clicking the links below.
With thanks to our partners
The Trencherman’s Awards are made possible with the support of a select number of partners whose values align closely with those of the guide.
We are grateful for their continued involvement and commitment to independent hospitality.
Four Seasons Fruiterers, Hallgarten & Novum Wines, Harvey & Brockless, Navas, Salt, Sharp’s Brewery, Trevethan