Four Kent restaurants have featured on a coveted list naming the top 100 in the UK.
OpenTable, one of the world’s largest dining reservation services, compiled the list “based on insights and reviews” from diners.
Rio and Tomas Eriksson of Bar Ingo, Broadstairs. Picture: Bar Ingo
Even more impressively, two of those were among a handful to achieve a 4.9-star rating – the highest of any on the list.
Broadstairs-based Bar Ingo was one, with its owner and head chef Tomas Eriksson keen to thank customers for their loyalty.
He told KentOnline: “All the hard work pays off, it’s nice to be recognised, and because it comes from the guests and not from when people ask for votes, it means a lot.
“I don’t like to ask people to vote for us; it should come organically, I think, and I think this definitely has done so.
“I’m sure we’re going to crack on with it, we’ve got a few dishes coming on the menu, so both me and Rio [Tomas’s son and fellow chef] are ready to get back into it and really crack on with it, so yeah, exciting times ahead.”
Bar Ingo is very much a family affair with Tomas and Rio Eriksson at its heart
Bar Ingo has fast become one of the county’s trendiest restaurants, despite only opening last year.
An Eat My Words visit from earlier this year heaped praise on its small plates in a five-star review.
Our reviewer wrote: “Truthfully, I believe it won’t be too long before the inspectors for the prestigious guide come knocking and recognise Bar Ingo for the iconic dining spot it is.
“I never doubted Bar Ingo’s ability to satiate me, but this was well above what I expected.
“How am I meant to eat anywhere else, knowing there is no better place in Kent for food at the moment?”
Sotirio’s in Folkestone. Picture: GoogleLucas, Alex and Costas Sotiriou, co-owners of Sotirios in Folkestone
Sotirio’s Bar and Restaurant in Folkestone also achieve the impressive feat, and the family-run eatery has earned a range of accolades since opening in 2019.
Lucas Sotiriou runs the Bouverie Road West business alongside his brother Alex and father Costas, who has been operating restaurants in Kent for more than 35 years.
He told KentOnline: “It’s always absolutely great news every time we get an email and get told, it just shows the consistency within the team, they never drop their standards really.
“I think the thing that we do so well is we all sort of know what’s expected from each other, and everyone’s got such a good relationship within the team as well.
“Every time we get told that we’re in the top 100, everyone’s sort of happy and celebrates, but it means we don’t stop there – every year we still want to improve.”
Land + Sea in Tankerton. Picture: GoogleThe Corner House in Canterbury. Picture: Fleurets
The Corner House in Canterbury and Land + Sea in Tankerton also featured, both attaining a 4.8-star score.
The top 100 list is based on more than 1.4 million reviews from diners who reserved tables via the OpenTable booking platform.