AA Rosette

The Rosette scheme recognises cooking at different levels across the UK. The judgement is reached after one or more visits by an AA inspector to a hotel or restaurant - a snapshot, whereby the entire meal, including ancillary items (when served), is assessed.

Approximately 10% of restaurants nationwide are of a One Rosette and above standard. The guidlines below are from the AA Guide.

Where the winning of Rosettes is an aspiration, the simple guidelines below provide helpful information. AA food tastings, enhanced food tasting, or signing up to one of the AA Rosette Academies also give further insight and guidance, but they are separate from the awards process and do not influence any assessments.

AA Rosettes are solely awarded by AA Hotel and Restaurant Inspectors. External influences from hotels, restaurants or other guides are not taken into account when awarding Rosettes.

These restaurants achieve standards that stand out in their local area. They serve food prepared with care, understanding and skill, using good quality ingredients. The same expectations apply to hotel restaurants, where guests can eat in with confidence and a sense of anticipation. Around 50% of restaurants/hotels within our AA Restaurant Guide have One Rosette.

Excellent restaurants that aim for and achieve higher standards and better consistency. A greater precision is apparent in the cooking, and there will be obvious attention to the selection of quality ingredients. Around 40% of restaurants/hotels within our AA Restaurant Guide have Two Rosettes.

Outstanding restaurants that achieve standards that demand recognition well beyond their local area. The cooking is underpinned by the selection and sympathetic treatment of the highest quality ingredients. Timing, seasoning and the judgment of flavour combinations will consistently be excellent. These virtues tend to be supported by other elements, such as intuitive service and a well-chosen wine list. Around 10% of the restaurants/hotels within the AA Restaurant Guide have Three Rosettes and above.

Among the top restaurants in the UK, where the cooking demands national recognition. These restaurants exhibit intense ambition, a passion for excellence, superb technical skills, and remarkable consistency. They will combine appreciation of culinary traditions with a passionate desire for further exploration and improvement. There are very few restaurants with Four AA Rosettes.

The pinnacle, where cooking compares with the best in the world. These restaurants have highly individual voices, exhibit breathtaking culinary skills, and set standards to which others aspire to, yet few achieve.

Announcements of awards

• One and Two Rosettes are awarded at the time of inspection.
• Three and Four Rosette awards are announced twice during the year, but never at the time of inspection.
• Five Rosettes are awarded just the once during a year, and never at the time of inspection.