Trip Advisor recently posted their Top 1% Best of the Best ‘Travelers Choice’Awards and if (a big if) they’re accessible they display the usual wheelchair sign – which as we all know, tells us nothing about true accessibility.
So we contacted each venue to find out more and here are the results:
We previously reviewed this restaurant with rooms and confirmed they had a disabled room and the restaurant was accessible, however as of 2026 they say
‘Unfortunately not. The Witchery is set within historic 16th-century buildings in Edinburgh’s Old Town, which retain much of their original character. This means there are 18 steps to the Secret Garden dining room and four steps to the Original Dining Room, which may make access challenging for some guests.’ So we’re confused and if you’re ready for fine dining and negotiating the unexpected stairs then The Witchery is for you.
The Entrance to The Witchery Looks Narrow, Steps Come Later
The Witchery Restaurant Looks Narrow & Challenging.
We responded that age of a building does not excuse inaccessibility, see our article on Grade II Listed Buildings. In response they elucidated further:
‘Unfortunately, due to the historic nature and layout of our buildings, we are unable to make the alterations to bathroom access you have mentioned. Neither our restaurant nor our accommodation is fully accessible, ………..When guests with mobility requirements contact us ahead of a potential visit, we explain the access arrangements and any limitations so they can make an informed decision. On occasion, guests who use wheelchairs have chosen to dine in our Original Dining Room following these discussions, and our team has assisted them where possible.
However, we recognise that our facilities will not be suitable for everyone. In such cases, we recommend our sister property, Prestonfield House, which offers wheelchair-accessible facilities.
Of our nine suites, one is located on the ground floor, while the remaining eight are accessed via spiral stone staircases. These arrangements cannot be altered, and unfortunately, portable ramps are not a viable solution given the nature and layout of the building.’
Detailed response is good but we can only give them 1.5 BBS Ticks for style and ambulant access.
is a mobile gastronomy experience on a London bus. It’s a sightseeing tour with fine dining. They’ve been quick to acknowledge our request for information and the front of the bus does display a wheelchair sign. Here’s what they say,
‘All dining takes place on the upper deck, which is accessed via seven steps. If the guest can manage the steps with support, our team can assist, although we cannot lift or carry guests. Their wheelchair can be stored securely on the lower deck during the tour.
Sightseeing commentary is available through a QR code on board, which guests can access on their own phones.’
Bustronome Offers Gastronomy & Sightseeing in London. You Have to Get to Upper Deck for Food -Ambulant Disabled Only
Once. on the Upper Deck the Tables are Fixed. Well lit and a Commentary on the Sights is Available.
So Bustronome is suited to ambulant disabled people and there is commentary for those with limited sight. We give them 2 BBS Ticks for style, ambulant accessibility plus an understanding of disability.
An Indian fine dining restaurant with very little information. So we can’t rate them until they reply!!! Openable says there is wheelchair access throughout the 3 floors and there is a drop off point outside. They get. a provisional 1.5 BBS Ticks until they reply.
Varanasi Appears to Have a Step at the Entrance
The Large Dining Room Appears to Have Plenty of Space With Smooth Floors & some Bright Internal Lighting
They ‘serve escapism through elevated modern Greek – Mediterranean cuisine’. The food looks delicious, there’s an emphasis on sharing plates and Jay Rayner in The Guardian said
‘…the modern Greek cuisine is simply exceptional’.
Nest Bar at Fenix Looks Accessible & It’s on Ground Level. The crazy Carpet May be a Challenge for Neuro Diversity
Fenix Restaurant is Well Lit Smooth Wood Flooring. Plenty of Room Between Beige Tables & Chairs. Access to This is Unclear
The venue appears accessible with plenty of room to move around. We’ve asked them for clarification and in the absence of their reply an AI search revealed,
‘The restaurant features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
Seating & Layout:Wheelchair-accessible seating is available. The venue is split into two primary areas: the intimate, darker ground-floor Nest Bar and a bright, sun-baked cave-style dining room upstairs.’
It’s part of the redeveloped Manchester Goods Yard so we hope access is good, no guarantee of course………until they reply we’ll give them a provisional 2BBS Ticks.
Based in the Ribble Valley this is a Michelin Star & 4 AA Rossette restaurant from Chef Patron Lisa Goodwin-Allen. They do display a wheelchair symbol and we easily found their access statement. Both the restaurant and hotel are accessible (2 accessible bedrooms) and you. can read their access statement here, we hope they add images. From our perspective Northcote is our No. 1 and we give them our highest 3 BBS Ticks. Excellent food and comprehensive accessibility. :))
Flat Access to Northcote Hotel & Restaurant in The Ribble Valley
The Restaurant Is Accessible With Disabled Toilets Nearby. Plenty of Soft Furnishing to Lower any Noise..Carpet May be a Wheelchair Nuisance if Too Plush
‘contemporary Japanese and Mexican cuisine inside the Free Trade Hall, one of Manchester’s most historic buildings’.
It is part of the Edwardian Hotel that occupies the site and on 2nd time of asking they told us,
‘The Peter Street Kitchen is part of the the Edwardian Hotel and the hotel is accessible . We suggest the guest use the entrance to the South mill street which has the accessible entrance and the restaurant is on ground floor and there are no stairs to the restaurant……………to use the Washroom , They are located on the lower ground floor however we do have lift which the guest access and we do also have accessible washrooms for the guest to use.
The tables are allocated on the day and it also depends on how busy the restaurant is, We can put a request to allocate on the quite table but it will be subject to availability’.
Accessible Entrance to The Edwardian Manchester. It’s Accessible and an add-on to the Historic Free Trade Hall Building
Peter Street Kitchen Look Bright & Accessible With Disabled Toilets on Floors Below
May Fair Hotel Home of a Great Bar & The May Fair Kitchen, Japanese Italian Food
May Fair Kitchen Has Smooth dark Flooring and Dark Wood Furniture with Plenty of Space. All Accessible But May be Difficult for Partially Sighted
There is also a Kitchen in the May Fair Hotel , London and they say ‘our hotel is accessible for guests with disabilities. Please let us know if you have any specific accessibility requirements, and we will be happy to assist.’ Luckily we reviewed previously. We give both 2.5.BBS Ticks.
is a fine dining restaurant serving ‘high quality food in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.’ They have a wheelchair symbol so we asked for more detail. Looking at the front door there is a step and small turning circle to the door?? Inside appears to have limited space and here’s what they said,
‘Unfortunately, we have 1 step from the pavement into the restaurant. There is no wheelchair accessible toilet, nor is there a lift. The restaurant is not generally very noisy, and it can be easy to allocate a quiet table especially at lunchtime’.
They serve great food that’s mentioned in the Michelin Guide and 3 AA Rosettes. So worth a visit if you’re feeling adventurous when it comes to accessibility. We give them 1.5 BBS Ticks for style & ambulant access.
Small Step at the Entrance to Melton’s a Fine Dining Restaurant in York
Inside Melton’s is a Tight Fit in a Small Area & no Disabled Toilet. Not Sure Why Their Entry Has a Wheelchair Symbol
So out of 7 of the ‘Best of the Best’ just 3 have good accessibility and Best of The Best for us!!!!!! Please add your comments here we’d love to know what you think, contact us.
