Hibiscus Fine Dining at Delapré Abbey has been named Restaurant of the Year at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2026/27, receiving a Gold award alongside The Cedar Restaurant at Fawsley Hall.
The Northampton restaurant was recognised at the annual awards ceremony, held at Royal & Derngate on Thursday 15 October, which brought together businesses and individuals from across the county’s food and drink industry.
The Restaurant of the Year category, sponsored by Whitco Catering & Bakery Equipment, was among 20 categories recognising the achievements of Northamptonshire’s restaurants, producers, hospitality businesses and their employees.
Hibiscus Fine Dining operates within the historic Delapré Abbey, offering a seven-course tasting menu developed by executive head chef Bart Polinski, who previously won Chef of the Year at the 2022/23 awards.
The restaurant’s approach combines seasonal menus with locally sourced ingredients, including produce grown in Delapré Abbey’s own walled garden. It also works with other local suppliers, placing Northamptonshire produce at the centre of its offering.
Bart said: “It is an honour to receive this award again and is a great recognition for all the work that goes into creating these menus and the hard work that goes on in the kitchen to prepare the food each day.
“It has always been a priority for us that all the ingredients we use are fresh and locally sourced, we don’t only grow our own ingredients in the Walled Garden, but we also source other ingredients from local producers, making each meal the freshest it can be.”
The restaurant has recently introduced its autumn menu, featuring dishes including pork tenderloin with leek ash, wildflower honey, prune and saffron pear, alongside duck with cherries, celeriac, beetroot and Jerusalem artichoke.
Seasonal desserts include spiced pumpkin cheesecake and rum and raisin, with customers also able to select wines paired to individual courses.
Deputy restaurant manager Cara West said: “Our seasonal menu’s always offer unique flavours in a variety of dishes perfectly designed to complement each season. We also offer a wine pairing option that means we carefully select a wine that compliments each dish, this provides customers with the perfect way to elevate their fine dining experience.”
Hibiscus Fine Dining is open on Friday and Saturday evenings and the third Thursday of each month.
The restaurant forms part of the hospitality offering at Delapré Abbey, the Grade II* listed Northampton landmark which reopened to the public in 2018 following a major restoration.
Further information and reservations are available through the Delapré Abbey website.
Pictured: Celebrating success: Hibiscus Fine Dining at Delapré Abbey receives a Gold award for Restaurant of the Year at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2026/27.
