The annual awards, which are run in partnership with OpenTable, highlight the very best eateries in the country across seven categories, two of which are new for 2025.
The shortlist has now been revealed ahead of the ceremony and comprises some of Britain’s most prolific restaurants, including the likes of London’s iconic The Ritz Restaurant.
Opheem, a fine dining Indian Restaurant in Birmingham, is the region’s only contender for Restaurant of the Year.
Opheem has two Michelin stars (Image: Scott Rhodes / Opheem) The Good Food Guide review described dining at Opheem as a “taste adventure that sashays in contemporary, classy style between western European and Indian influences”, with the restaurant being awarded a second Michelin star in February 2024.
A spokesperson for the restaurant said they are “thrilled” to be shortlisted and represent the “wonderful” city of Birmingham and also praised the lineup of eateries that made the shortlist.
Not one, but two West Midlands restaurants have been shortlisted for Best New Restaurant: Birmingham Jewellery Quarter’s Albatross Death Cult and Native in Tenbury Wells.
Albatross Death Cult describes itself as an intimate “experimental dining experience”, offering a minimum 12-course, seafood-focused tasting menu that will “smack you in the face like ocean spray”.
Albatross Death Cult only seats up to 14 diners at a time (Image: Albatross Death Cult) Alex Claridge, Co-Owner of Albatross, called the nomination a “beautiful way to start the year”.
He said: “It’s a pleasure and a privilege for our small and unusual restaurant to enjoy billing on such a star-studded shortlist, and to see the region so well-represented across all categories.
“Congratulations to all those nominated, and our unreserved thanks to our guests and the good folks at The Good Food Guide who have supported us so ardently to date.”
Native in Tenbury Wells is a seasonal farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on using “wild foods” in their dishes, weaving them into a “narrative of sustainability and gastronomy”.
The Worcestershire Michelin Guide-featured restaurant is over the moon at making the shortlist, with Native chef, chef Ivan Tisdall-Downes, saying it “means a tremendous amount”.
He added: “It is testament to all the hard work that the team have put into making this restaurant what it is in such as short amount of time.
“The restaurants in our category are all amazing, and to have such wonderful restaurants in our region shows that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the hospitality industry!”
Grace & Savour in Hampton-in-Arden is a contender to be named the country’s Most Beautiful Restaurant, one of the new categories for the 2025 awards, which is unsurprising given its stunning location inside the Victorian Walled Garden in Hampton Manor.
The Michelin-star restaurant prides itself on offering a “sustainable dining experience” in a truly beautiful setting, with the restaurant’s designer, Fjona Hill, saying she is “delighted” at the nomination.
She said: “It’s wonderful to be recognised for a design that has brought together so many British craftsmen and women in the Midlands and nearby regions.
“Our Chef Director, David Taylor, works with regenerative and organic farmers so the design reflects that championing of the humble soil – with earthy tones, crafted simplicity and bespoke designed pieces, including all the handmade chairs by Nigel Briggs, coppiced from woodland near to the restaurant.”
As well as Restaurant of the Year, Best New Restaurant and the new category of Most Beautiful Restaurant, the awards also have Drinks List of the Year, Chef to Watch, Best Value Set Menu and the Russell Norman Award for Restaurateur of the Year categories.
As well as crowning the winners, they will also announce the Good Food Guide’s Most Exciting Food Destination for 2025 at the awards ceremony, which is taking place in the capital on February 3.