New study names Nando’s as UK's top restaurant - Derby locations of 10 popular eateries includes PizzaExpress
Researchers analysed 92 different restaurants to reveal the ranking
Nando’s has been crowned the UK’s favourite restaurant in a new study released today (Friday, March 14, 2025).
Sky dining restaurant Dinner In The Sky analysed the average monthly search volume for 92 restaurant chains to discover which ones Brits were most desperate for, and which would take the title as the UK’s favourite.
Researchers say Nando’s garnered an average of 391,000 searches per month, a whopping 208% more compared to runners up Wagamama.
After opening its first restaurant in the UK in 1992, Nando’s has exploded in popularity, even cementing itself into UK meme culture with the idea of going for a “cheeky Nando’s.”
“Where is Nando's from?” is the top search query for the South African food chain, with 5,400 searches per month.
Its popularity continues to grow across the country and in Derby, where a fourth branch is set to open at Meteor Centre.
Wagamama is in second, with an average of 127,000 searches per month.
Founded in the UK in 1992, the brand takes inspiration primarily from Japanese cuisine, offering a mix of ramen, donburi, teppanyaki, and katsu curries, as well as a vast selection of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Third is Toby Carvery, with an average of 117,000 searches per month.
“What time does Toby Carvery start serving lunch?” is the most frequently asked question, with 700 searches per month.
Most restaurants start serving lunch around 11am, but this depends on location and breakfast timings.
Miller & Carter ranked fourth, PizzaExpress fifth, Harvester and TGI Fridays tied for sixth place, joint seventh was Beefeater and Hungry Horse, and Brewers Fayre came in at number 10.
Here are top 10 restaurants in UK along with average monthly searches over the past 12 months, and Derby locations
1. Nando’s (391k)
Branches at Derbion, Pride Park, Market Place
2. Wagamama (127k)
Derbion
3. Toby Carvery (117k)
Chaddesden
4. Miller & Carter (91k)
Burton-on-Trent
5. PizzaExpress (84k)
Derbion, Iron Gate
6. Harvester & TGI Fridays joint (52k)
Harvester Pride Park, no TGI Friday’s in Derby
7. Beefeater & Hungry Horse joint (46k)
The Mallard Beefeater Southmead Way is only open to Premier Inn guests. Hungry Horse branches at Merlin Pride Park, Mundy Arms Heanor, Tall Chimney Swadlincote.
8. Brewers Fayre (43k)
Castlewood in Alfreton
9. Bella Italia (37k)
Burton-on-Trent
10. Las Iguanas (32k)
None in Derby
Seven Rooms’ research found that if guests couldn’t get a reservation at their favourite restaurant, 35% would look for a different date and time, 29% would look for availability at other restaurants within the same hospitality group, 25% would look at different sites for reservation availability at the same restaurant, and 4% would set up an alert for when reservations became available.
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from dinnerinthesky.hr said: “After COVID, the UK restaurant scene has faced some real challenges, including rising costs and a change in consumer behaviour, with delivery services becoming more and more popular.
“However, Curren Goodden Associates (CGA) estimate that around two in five Brits go out to eat and drink each week, proving that the demand for a good dining experience is still strong.
“Gen Z are at the forefront here, with data by Seven Rooms claiming that more than half dine out at least three times per month, and 15% dine out five or more times.
“The chains and restaurants on this list have shown resilience and adaptability, enabling them to become firm favourites across the UK.”