Hackney Wick’s floating restaurant, Barge East, has been awarded a prestigious spot in
Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Restaurants 2025, ranking No. 9 in
the World and No. 1 in the UK in the newly created “One of a Kind” category.
This brand new global accolade celebrates the most unique dining experiences, with winners
selected through a combination of Tripadvisor’s editor curation and millions of traveller reviews.
With the Hackney Wick venue flying the flag for the UK food scene in the global top 10.
Barge East is an independent, sustainable restaurant aboard a 125-year-old Dutch barge
which the founders saved from the scrap yard and lovingly converted it into a true one-of-a-kind
floating restaurant. Now permanently moored by the London Stadium, since opening in 2018 it
has become one of London’s most distinctive dining destinations. Known for its hyper-local
approach, sustainability-led ethos and award-winning menus crafted by Head Chef Kayla
Dimmick, Barge East continues to make waves both locally and internationally.
This latest achievement adds to a growing list of honours. Earlier this year, Barge East was
awarded 2 AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence for the third consecutive year, further
cementing its reputation as one of the UK’s leading independent restaurants.
Co-founder Tommo Stuart Thomson said:
To be recognised not just nationally, but globally, as one of the top 10 most unique
dining experiences is something really special for our team. From day one, Barge
East has been about creating something truly distinctive, sustainable food, grown in
our own gardens, served aboard a historic barge in Hackney Wick. To now be
named No. 1 in the UK is a huge honour and a testament to our chefs, our team,
and our guests who’ve supported us year after year.
Head Chef Kayla Dimmick added:
To now be awarded and recognised by Tripadvisor’s global audience shows how
far we’ve come in putting sustainable, creative British dining on the map. We’re so
grateful to everyone who’s dined with us and shared their experiences. We’re
making waves and can’t wait to welcome more customers aboard!
With this award, Barge East joins a prestigious list of world-class restaurants, reinforcing its
reputation as one of London’s most exciting and memorable dining destinations.