The UK is home to some incredible chain restaurants, from Wagamama to Pizza Express.
But it’s The Ivy which has just been crowned Britain’s best-loved restaurant chain by Good Housekeeping’s Food Awards, described as a ‘firm favourite amongst UK diners’ and scoring highly for accommodating allergies and special requests.
In a shocking turn of events, it beat out runner-up Nando’s, which has an army of passionate fans, including global megastars Beyonce and Adele, and is perhaps the most-memed UK restaurant around (anyone for a cheeky Nando’s?).
As such, The Ivy might be a surprising choice for some.
An institution that’s been around since 1917, it was was once considered a paragon of British sophistication.
On social media however, diners have complained of declining standards.
After visiting The Ivy in the West End in London in December 2025, a user by the name of Inso D left a scathing review on TripAdvisor, writing: ‘Once upon a time, The Ivy was a ritual… full of energy and confidence, where the food matched the reputation. This visit felt like an ending.’
‘For a bill of around £250, the food quality was extremely disappointing. The overall impression was of a place trading heavily on its past rather than delivering the standard it was once known for… ‘The Ivy I used to love is no longer here.’
Something that also seems to be a big gripe among customers is the quality of the service.
Standout remarks that sum this sentiment up include: ‘Die of old age before order is taken’, ‘all show with no substance’ and ‘I felt invisible’.
It’s not all bad news for The Ivy though; other diners across its 46 locations, which now includes the likes of Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow and Belfast, gave the place rave reviews.
Tash C, who visited a branch in London at the end of last year, started her write-up: ‘I think it’s telling that this is the second time now that I’ve given The Ivy in Marylebone a five star review.’
‘It’s a testament to any restaurant when the quality of service and the food does not drop during especially busy periods of time,’ she continued.
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‘I cannot recommend this venue enough. The warmth of the staff makes this restaurant truly special as well as the quality service.’
Good Housekeeping's 2026 Food Awards winners
Favourite restaurant chain: The Ivy
Runner-up: Nando’s
Best value restaurant: Wagamama
Runner-up: Nando’s
Best restaurant for vegans and veggies: Wagamama
Runner-up: The Ivy
Best for dietary requirements: The Ivy
Runner up: Rosa’s Thai
Focused on British cuisine, The Ivy’s menu offers an ‘elevated’ culinary experience, serving everything from brunch and cocktails to grilled timeless classics and their signature steak.
And despite it’s fancy reputation, some dishes are more than reasonable, such as Wagyu Beef Burger at £15.00 or Mussels at £14.00 (although these slightly cheaper options are somewhat few and far between).
Overall, the average price for a main meal ranges between £18 and £40, with the rib eye steak costing £27.00 and the fillet steak costing £30.00.
The Ivy dress code
According to its website, diners at The Ivy are required to wear ‘smart casual’ clothing, although ‘tailored shorts and short sleeved shirts are permitted during fine weather’.
It adds: ‘However, guests are asked to be respectful of the fact that many diners will be dressed for a celebration.’
A standout in the company’s repertoire is The Ivy Asia. Offering pan-Asian cuisine in ‘a luxurious and theatrical setting’, these eight partner restaurants are marketed as a much decadent dining experience.
The Ivy Asia menu is extensive – similar to the original chain – with options for afternoon tea, set lunch menus, and a la carte. The restaurant also has an ‘experience menu’, which starts from £65 per person and includes a variety of diverse Asian-inspired dishes selected by the chefs.
The first location opened in 2023, in Liverpool, and has a sparkling reputation among customers online.
On TripAdvisor, Leevy Dines stated: ‘Ivy Asia St Paul’s delivers an experience that feels polished from the moment you arrive. The room dazzles without tipping into excess, and the atmosphere strikes a rare balance between lively and genuinely comfortable. Service is confident and attentive, adding to the sense that everything is running exactly as it should.’
Another visitor, Rich G, added: ‘Couldn’t fault it, fantastic!’
The Ivy isn’t the only restaurant to have earned an eyebrow-raising accolade though.
The Big Mamma Group, which owns restaurants like Jacuzzi, Ave Mario, and Circolo Poplare, came third in a ranking of the 50 Top Pizza Awards, despite customers branding its food ‘good but not amazing’, ‘average’, and ‘overrated’.
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