Food experts have voted Anthony's, in Leeds city centre, and the Michelin-starred Box Tree at Ilkley as two of the best eateries outside the capital, ahead of the 10th London Restaurant Awards.

The popular pair are now battling it out with 38 other venues to be named among the top 10 restaurants outside London, a category in which Yorkshire has eight nominees – more than any other region.

It is the first time the accolades have extended to venues outside London, recognising the gastronomic experiences on offer elsewhere in the UK.

They will be judged by a panel of food experts and Michelin-starred chefs from across the UK,

The prospect of scooping a national trophy is nothing new for Simon Gueller, who runs the famous Box Tree and has been awarded a coveted Michelin Star for four years running.

He held a Michelin star at each of his two previous restaurants, Rascasse and Guellers – both in Leeds – making him the only chef to have achieved stars three times in Yorkshire.

And last year the Box Tree received a rare rave review from famous fiery chef Marco Pierre White, who began his training there and named it his "favourite restaurant in Britain."

Anthony Flinn, who opened Anthony's on Boar Lane in 2004, has also won a clutch of awards including New Restaurant of the Year at the Remy Awards and the Yorkshire Evening Post Oliver's Restaurant of the Year title.

His name is synonymous with fine dining in Leeds, but he also owns the less formal Anthony's at Flannels and Anthony's Patisserie in the Victoria Quarter, and recently announced plans for The Piazza by Anthony at Leeds Corn Exchange.

He has already flown the culinary flag for Leeds this year by competing in the BBC's Great British Menu, but lost out to Nigel Howarth, of Northcote Manor in Lancashire.

Winners in the 18 categories of the London Restaurant Awards will be announced on September 1 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.