The Lloydies 2025

Welcome to this year’s #TheLloydies my Personal Food and Drinks Awards. It’s been another tough year in the hospitality industry with many closures but this has not stopped us enjoying an amazing year of fantastic food and service. On the other end of the scale we’ve been unable to visit as many restaurants as we would like due to the high price rises in some restaurants. This has led us to look around more and I have to say there are some fantastic options we are looking to visit in 2026. But despite all this I can’t thank the industry enough for making 2025 a memorable one.

This year’s awards will be based on the Best Dining Experience which will include Food , Service and especially Value for Money.

The categories are the Best Michelin , London , Essex Dining Experience. Best Tasting Menu , A La Carte and Sunday Lunch. There will also be my favourite Dining Experience from my Travels and last but not least Dessert of the Year. All these categories are enhanced by good wine pairings so there is also the Top Sommelier category.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL

TOP MICHELIN STAR DINING EXPERIENCE

2nd – Helene Darroze at the Connaught 🥈

3rd – Da Terra 🥉

TOP LONDON DINING EXPERIENCE

2nd – Cafe Spice Namaste 🥈

3rd – Dovetale 🥉

TOP ESSEX DINING EXPERIENCE

2nd – Pieno Lleno (Upminster) 🥈

3rd – The Aviary Hornchurch 🥉

BEST TASTING MENU

BEST A LA CARTE

BEST SUNDAY LUNCH

CONGRATULATIONS to THE BAILIWICK FREEHOUSE

TOP TRAVEL DINING EXPERIENCE

CONGRATULATIONS to DEBONE in SKIATHOS 🇬🇷 🥇

2nd – Akrogiali in Skiathos 🥉

3rd – Nonoja Cafe in Cerreto Guidi 🥉

DESSERT OF THE YEAR

Chocolate Soufflé with Vanilla Chantilly at THE RITZ RESTAURANT

TOP SOMMELIER EXPERIENCE

CONGRATULATIONS to ASTRIT LIMANI at Theo Randall Cucina Italiana

SPECIAL MENTION

This year I’ve chosen a local French patisserie in Hornchurch. I’m talking about Le Moulin a local establishment in my hometown. This place is always very busy and it’s not hard to see why. The patisserie is a family run business where owners Serge and Helene along with their daughters Charlotte , Emilie and the team provide a friendly atmosphere. This is a great place to meet up with friends and enjoy a delicious cake or pastry , a light lunch of gather a group for a fabulous afternoon tea. We have popped in many times over the years and will continue to do so because everything they do makes Le Moulin the place it is today. Wishing them continued success for the future.