Taste of Excellence Food and Drink Awards 2026 – WINNERS!

Announcing our 2026 Award Winners.

A tremendous thank you to everyone who nominated their favourite eateries, hostelries, venues and businesses for this year’s Taste of Excellence awards. The county’s most coveted food, drink and hospitality awards took place at The Charlotte House, Lincoln on Wednesday 4th November.

Best Restaurant of the Year
Restaurant Auction House, Louth (WINNER)
Restaurant DOM, Scunthorpe (Finalist)
San Pietro, Scunthorpe (Finalist)

Best Dining Pub of the Year
The Hope & Anchor, South Ferriby (WINNER)
The Railway Inn, Thorpe on the Hill (Finalist)
The Tempest Arms, Coleby (Finalist)

Best Food To Your Door
Tang Takeaway, Lincoln (WINNER)
Riverhead Coffee, Cleethorpes (Finalist)
Yellowbellykitchen, Fulletby (Finalist)

Best Drinks Product of the Year
The Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company, Lincoln (WINNER)
Riviera Iced Tea, Newark (Finalist)
Wressle Vineyard, North Lincolnshire (Finalist)

Best Hotel of the Year
Washingborough Hall Hotel, Lincoln (WINNER)
Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa (Finalist)
White Hart Hotel, Lincoln (Finalist)

Best Bed & Breakfast of the Year
The New Inn, Great Limber (WINNER)
Bridleway Bed & Breakfast, Grange de Lings (Finalist)
The Hope & Anchor, South Ferriby (Finalist)

Best Newcomer of the Year
Otby Lake Boat House, Market Rasen (WINNER)
No.8 Coffee Shop, Horncastle (Finalist)
Soma Café, Sleaford (Finalist)

Best Tea or Coffee Shop of the Year
Dandelion & Duck, Gainsborough (WINNER)
Soul Foods, Alford (Finalist)
Tablez Café Bistro, Sleaford (Finalist)

Best Independent Farm or Local Shop of the Year
Doddington Farm Shop, Lincoln (WINNER)
Uncle Henry’s, Gainsborough (Finalist)
The Wolds Edge, Market Rasen (Finalist)

Best Bakes or Sweet Treats of the Year
Coffee Depot, Lincoln (WINNER)
The Choowee Cookie Company, Lincoln (Finalist)
Just Bake It, Lincoln (Finalist)

Best Producer of the Year
Vine’s Bakery, Lincoln (WINNER)
The Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company, Lincoln (Finalist)
Lincolnshire Pork Co., Gainsborough (Finalist)

Best Wedding Venue of the Year
The Elm Tree, Hundleby (WINNER)
Doddington Hall, Lincoln (Finalist)
Washingborough Hall Hotel, Lincoln (Finalist)

Best Self Catering Accommodation of the Year
Bainland Lodge Retreats, Woodhall Spa (WINNER)
Doddington Hall Holiday Cottages, Lincoln (Finalist)
Panton House Farm Holiday Cottages, Wragby (Finalist)

Best Young Chef of the Year
Emily Ayrton , Restaurant Auction House (WINNER)
Kris Gadzhonov, Restaurant DOM (Finalist)
Theo Haxby, Grain Store Restaurant & Bar (Finalist)
Zara Tobin, The Hope and Anchor (Finalist)

We wouldn’t be able to put this event together without the help and support from our sponsors.

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