WIDNES Italian restaurant Pesto is celebrating after being named as a top performing restaurant as reviewed by travellers on the world’s largest travel site.

The restaurant in Birchfield Road received the 2014 Tripadvisor certificate of excellence this week which is only given to the top performing 10 per cent of businesses listed on their website.

General manager Melanie Mooney, aged 33, said: “We take great pride in the reviews we receive on Tripadvisor as these have helped keep us consistently in their top five restaurants in Widnes.

“We find it very humbling that so many of our diners take the time to write about their experience and this award really is the icing on the cake for the whole team.”

The accolade, which honours hospitality excellence, is only given to establishments that achieve outstanding traveller reviews on Tripadvisor globally by maintaining an overall rating of four out of five or higher for the past 12 months.

Recent Tripadvisor reviews describe the food as ‘outstanding’, ‘tasty’ and the ‘best restaurant in Widnes’ with many also commenting positively on the sharing concept of the restaurant.

Melanie added: “This award is a real achievement by the whole team showing their dedication and commitment in giving our guests the best possible experience and we’ll definitely be raising a glass or two to this.”

A Tripadvisor spokesman said: “The certificate of excellence award provides top performing establishments around the world the recognition they deserve, based on feedback from those who matter most, their customers.”