An Ayr restaurant has been named among Scotland’s best after Homestead Smokehouse won Burger Bar of the Year 2026 at The Food Awards Scotland.
The award marks a significant turnaround for the business, which closed its former premises on Alloway Place just before the new year in 2022 after a difficult period during the pandemic. Homestead later returned in a new home on Miller Road, taking over the premises formerly occupied by Retro Bar.
Owner John Wyllie runs the restaurant with his partner, Magdalena Gad. He said the result came as a surprise, despite privately believing the business had a chance of winning.
“We were really surprised when we won because it's for the whole country and there were some big boys in our category.”
Almost the entire team attended the awards ceremony, with just one member of staff unable to go. Wyllie said the restaurant has a relatively young workforce and that the event was a first awards ceremony for the staff who attended.
“All the staff went up to the ceremony except one. We have quite a young staff, so it was the first one they'd ever been to.”
The owner said the reaction was especially enthusiastic when Homestead’s name was announced. The team is now planning a staff barbecue to celebrate the national recognition.
“We are going to have a BBQ as a staff, which will be a well-deserved treat and a good way to celebrate.”
Why Homestead Smokehouse closed and returned
Wyllie had not originally intended to reopen the restaurant after its three-year closure. He had been considering a change of career, but reconsidered after seeing the Miller Road building was available.
“I was going to change career path but I missed doing it and I saw this building was available.”
He said the new premises, its atmosphere and the food had been well received by customers. The restaurant’s smokehouse approach also sets it apart, with Wyllie describing Homestead as the only smokehouse outside Glasgow.
“We are the only smokehouse outside of Glasgow, and it's a real labour of love to do the actual smoking.”
For the business, the next priority is maintaining its standards while continuing to improve. Wyllie said the restaurant’s focus is on making small gains each day, with the team trained in both the practical operation of the restaurant and the business work behind it.
“For me it's all about the wee details. My motto is to be one per cent better every day and the staff all know that.”
He singled out Kailla, Cailan, Rhys, Wikgoria and Devin for their passion and contribution to the restaurant’s progress. The award gives the Miller Road business a national accolade following its difficult closure, relocation and return to Ayr’s food-and-drink scene.
