Food Ratings Explained

Rosette awards for restaurants

AA (Automobile Association) inspectors annually award Rosettes to restaurants for the quality of their food. Most Star-rated hotels have their own restaurants and are also inspected. Not everyone receives a Rosette award, but they will generally serve enjoyable food of a reasonable standard.

  One Rosette
Excellent restaurants that stand out in their local area. The food is prepared with care, understanding and skill, using good-quality ingredients.

  Two Rosettes
The best local restaurants, offering higher standards and better consistency. Greater precision is apparent in the cooking, and there is obvious attention to the quality and selection of ingredients.

  Three Rosettes
Three Rosettes are awarded to outstanding restaurants that demand recognition well beyond the local area. The highest quality ingredients receive sympathetic treatment, and there is consistent timing, seasoning, and judgement of flavour combinations. You can expect excellent and intelligent service, and a well-chosen wine list.

  Four Rosettes
Four Rosettes highlight cooking that demands national recognition. Dishes demonstrate intense ambition, a passion for excellence, superb technical skills and remarkable consistency. An appreciation of culinary traditions is combined with a desire for exploration and improvement.

  Five Rosettes
The food at a five-Rosette restaurant stands comparison with the best in the world. It is highly individual, benefits from breathtaking culinary skills, and sets the standards to which others aspire. There will also be a knowledgeable and distinctive wine list.