THE Black Swan at Oldstead has been named the world’s best rated restaurant, according to annual TripAdvisor awards announced today (Wednesday).

It marks the first time a UK restaurant has topped the world category since the awards began in 2012.

The Black Swan is owned by brothers Tommy and James Banks, who took over the establishment at the ages of just 17 and 19. Since then, they and their parents have transformed the pub into the world’s best rated fine dining restaurant, with Tommy, who was the youngest British head chef ever to win a Michelin star at the age of 24.

Followed by the Black Swan is Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons in New Milton, Oxfordshire, which takes second place in the world.

This year is the first time that the Black Swan has appeared in the Travellers’ Choice Awards for Restaurants.

The awards winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for restaurants over a 12-month period.

Tommy said: “It is a huge honour to win this award, but what makes it really special is that it’s been awarded because of feedback from our customers.”