#FtLionAwards 2025 WINNERS…

WINNERS: GOST, Glasgow
Runner-up: SALT’S SMOKEHOUSE, London

In light of their good reviews, we were anticipating Gost to serve some premium food, we just weren’t prepared for how good it actually turned out.

This was the final restaurant of our first restaurant food tour of Scotland, and the only steakhouse we visited.

With an outstanding 5/5 all round menu, which has seen them win this year’s Best Steak, Best Dessert, Best Starter, and Best Beverage awards, it was a foregone conclusion.

As for Salt’s Smokehouse in west London’s Ealing Broadway, then they floored us with their meticulously prepared smoked meats.

Their burgers weren’t half bad either. Actually, they were so good, that we had a hell of a time separating between their Oklahoma and their Pulled burgers.

In the end, with the former being chosen for its simplicity, and their Ramadan meat platter causing shock waves, Salt’s Smokehouse is our runner-up.

WINNER: FATTOUSH, Liverpool
Runner-up: BONDA BY DUCK & NOODLE, London

Meanwhile, restaurant Fattoush turned out to be the surprise package during our epic restaurant tour of Liverpool.

Located in the city centre, this Syrian-Lebanese placed served us some times which we’d never had before at any Lebanese place before this.

This included an amazingly delicious Mixed Kebab platter which ultimately secured them runner-up in the Best Grill category, and winner of our Best Newcomer award.

Having visited the family-run brand Bonda before, we were expecting good things at their latest branch in London’s Paddington.

This predominantly Chinese restaurant did not disappoint, with consistently good food across the board.

With items that range from duck, fish, and meat dishes, to dumplings, noodles, and a range if sides, Bonda by Duck & Noodle is 2025’s Best Newcomer runner-up.

WINNER: GOST – Fillet
Runner-up: THE STEAK RESTAURANT – Ribeye

This category has, for good reason, been one of our most popular with many wanting to know the best Halal steaks in the UK.

While Gost steakhouse served us a number of exceptional ones, with cooking of the highest standard, their 200g fillet is the country’s Best Steak of 2025.

Executed to an impeccable medium rare, and with a good twist of coarse sea salt, the smoky and umami meatiness of this utterly moist Scottish beef was unfathomably divine.

Paired with a Blue Cheese Sauce, which added that mellow piquancy, and a portion of dangerously addictive, uber-crispy Skinny Fries, and Gost is worth visiting for all this alone.

As for the runner-up, then it has to be The Steak Restaurant in London’s Hatch End and their stupendous rib eye.

Diners will be able to savour a range of textures with this cut, and The Steak Restaurant have plenty of know-how too.

WINNER: SALT’S SMOKEHOUSE – Oklahoma Smash
Runner-up: BLEECKER – Double Cheeseburger

We’ve enjoyed a number of good burgers this year, which includes a few from some of the most unexpected brands.

But two stood out above all others, with Salt’s Smokehouse serving us one which we described as having left us shocked to the core.

The Oklahoma Smash was astoundingly good with an unmistakable umami taste and aroma courtesy of the 21-day dry-aged beef patty.

Add to that the truffle mayo’s earthy undertone, the grilled and fried onions’ sweetness, the piquancy of the cheese lingering in the background, and we have this year’s Best Burger (and their Pulled burger wasn’t far off either).

If you’re a burger connoisseur, then award-winning Bleecker shouldn’t require any introductions.

While their burgers are smaller than your average, they make up for that with sheer quality and unbridled flavour.

The most popular is the Double Cheeseburger (forget the single) which, in light of the thick beef patty with its juicy pink interior, stood out as their best, and good enough to take runner-up (watch out for their Blue burger too).

WINNER: SALT’S SMOKEHOUSE – Ramadan Platter
Runner-up: FATTOUSH – Mixed Kebab

Salt’s also takes the Best Grill for a grill platter of epic proportions that was designed for last Ramadan.

This didn’t just tick practically every aesthetic box for smoked meats – the signature wagyu brisket (250grms), wagyu short ribs (1 bone) and lamb ribs, to their quarter chicken and chicken wings – but also the condiments box.

We couldn’t fault anything on this platter, with the slow-cooked wagyu brisket being as tender and succulent as they come, and arguably the best all-round brisket we’ve ever had.

The same was true of wagyu short ribs, which boasted sophisticated flavours, thanks again to their secret blend of spices, and lamb ribs that was glazed to ensure a crispy exterior and plenty of smokiness.

With everything inhouse made and prepared, superbly grilled chicken, and sundries like Tallow Fries cooked in the rendered beef fat, stonking inhouse sauces, and sides of coleslaw, sumac onions, gherkins, and epic homemade Mac & Cheese; congrats Salt’s!

This year’s Best Newcomer, Fattoush, are runners-up with a Mixed Kebab that exhibited a strong meat game, with the chicken nuggets stealing the show, as well as juicy shish and kaftah kebabs that showed off a marvellous charcoal scent.

WINNER: KAHANI – Alleppey Swordfish & Octopus Curry
Runner-up: KITCHEN INDIA – Surmai Bass

#FtLionAwards Best Restaurant 2024 Kahani hasn’t lost its touch this year with another flawless 5/5 menu.

This Alleppey Swordfish & Octopus Curry dish is just one example of how consistently good Chef Peter Joseph has been these past two years.

An unforgettable plate really, made memorable by a mango-driven, gently sweetened curry that enveloped some uber-tender swordfish and octopus.

Another talented Indian Chef, Khilesh Anand, who was former head chef of world renowned fine-dining restaurant, The Cinnamon Club, and Mint Leaf in Haymarket, served us this Surmai Bass.

The subtly-spiced kadi gravy delivered on that familiar tangy edge, with the crunchy pakorai garnish providing the necessary textural contrast to ensure that this is our runners-up.

Worth the entry fee and travel to Kitchen India alone this one.

WINNER: MELI MELO – Beef Shortrib
Runner-up: KAHANI – Kolkata Lobster Masala

Meli Melo in east London’s Whitechapel by the brilliant chef and convert to Islam, Florent Fabulas, served us this life-changing main.

Known for his artistic flair and unusual flavour combos, this innovative take on a slow-cooked Beef Shortrib was exceptional.

While the mesmerisingly smoky pulled shortrib contrasted brilliantly against the sticky mound of rice beneath, what really set this apart from any others had in the past was the use of different flavoured sauces.

In effect, our taste buds were pushed and pulled by the spicy and the sweet, before being hit by the tangy herbiness of the chimichurri. As such, this is our Best Main for 2025.

At any other time, this Kolkata Lobster Masala by Kahani in London’s Chelsea would have taken the top prize.

What made this one so surprising was the addition of fragrant lime leaves to take this dish – a semi-dry curry rich in galangal and red chilli – to the next level.

WINNER: GOST – Pan Seared Scottish King Scallops
Runner-up: KAHANI – Konkani Soft Shell Crab

It’s Gost again with this Pan Seared Scottish King Scallops that were driven by nduja powder and hollandaise.

Just don’t let outward appearances deceive you, because this was anything but simple.

The scallops were dreamily tender; coupled with the mellow sweetness of the hollandaise sauce to help enhance the experience, this just pips its rival to win Best Seafood dish.

The brilliance of the execution of this Konkani Soft Shell Crab was something to behold.

It was surrounded by condiments in the form of fermented chilli, yellow tomato chutney, and pineapple kachumber, to deliver flecks of sweet, sour and chilli heat.

Add to that a light and crunchy batter that gave way to a wonderfully soft and delicate crustacean within, and this is the runner-up.

WINNER: GOST – Ferrero Rocher & Caramel Sundae
Runner-up: BOBO SOCIAL – Chocolate & Orange Torte

Admittedly this may not look like much, and we too were given to such initial doubts, but this Ferrero Rocher & Caramel Sundae rocked.

This triumphant dessert had a burnt milky aftertaste, with the cream on top hiding a sticky chocolate interior, which we lapped up in a hurry.

In fact, so light and airy was this that we could have had this three times over and still asked for more. FtLion’s Best Dessert 2025.

Bobo Social in west London’s Ealing Broadway served us a very strong all-round menu, which included this Chocolate & Orange Torte.

A decadent delight that will please any lover of chocolate, with a smooth and creamy top, which ensures that they grab the runners-up position.

WINNER: GOST – The Pomona
Runner-up: RAAZ – Kiwi Kooler

And finally, Gost continued to astound us right the way down to their non-alcoholic drinks menu.

They may only have a trio of mocktails for us teetotallers, but what they did offer, was levels above others.

Their mixologist has serious talent because The Pomona was something we’d never had the likes of before, and, honestly, could have downed an entire jug.

With Feragaia, passionfruit, pineapple and vanilla, this was, as we wrote in our review, “arguably one of the best mocktails we’ve ever had (and we’ve had quite a few in our time)”.

Indian restaurant Raaz in London’s Putney also had a mixologist that served us this mind-blowing Kiwi Kooler.

Comprised of honey, tick of chilli, and Tanquery (alcohol free 0.0), this beverage epitomised the meaning of the word smooth.

With a light sherbet-like sweetness to it, and the vanilla filtering through towards the end, its sophisticated flavour profile means Raaz takes the runners-up for this year.