A restaurant owned by a Masterchef winner has been ranked as one of the best restaurants in the UK.

Etch, founded by MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards, in Church Road, Hove, was listed as one of the top 100 restaurants in the country by The National Restaurant Awards.

A spokesman for Etch said: "Wow, what an amazing night.

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"We're incredibly proud to be featured in this year's National Restaurant Awards 100 Best Restaurants in the UK.

"Thank you so much National Restaurant Awards for recognising the hard work and dedication of our wonderful team."

The restaurant offers a seasonal £50 five-course tasting menu and aims to "celebrate local and British produce".

The restaurant has an average five-out-of-five star review on Tripadvisor and is ranked as the third-best restaurant in Hove.

One reviewer said: "As foodies that love visiting restaurants all over, the three of us agreed that this was the best dining experience we’ve had in years.

"Absolutely perfect welcome into the restaurant by the main man. Modern cocktails in the bar first followed by an amazing tasting menu.

"Amazing pescatarian and vegetarian menu that isn’t a polite alternative to meat as in many high-end restaurants, fresh flavours, outstanding taste and wonderful service."

A regular customer wrote: "I have plenty of favourites, but this one is special, and a cut above anything else the city has to offer.

"It is, without doubt, the best restaurant in Brighton. It always feels like such a special treat to be cooked for, and looked after, by this talented bunch.

"I’ve been coming here since it first opened, and just love it. It seems to get better every time.

"Steven and the team do such an amazing job of making you feel so welcome.

"It’s a perfect balance of sophisticated, yet relaxed. The food is simply another level.

"So much flavour in every bite and all presented in such an elegant way. The service is always fantastic.

"A very welcoming team, who always go above and beyond to make your night special. We are very lucky to have this talented chef in our city, and the restaurant deserves all the accolades and praise it receives."