A top restaurant critic has claimed London now outstrips Paris as Europe’s cuisine capital thanks to Londoners shedding their British reserve.

In years past the English were known more for fish and chips with mushy peas rather than fabulous gastronomic affairs but that has all changed according to Barry Verber, who is dubbed the ‘Jeremy Paxman of the dinner table’ for his no-nonsense reviews.

The Bayswater-based critic, who has dined in most of London’s top restaurants, has said Britons are now embracing the candid cynicism more usually seen in American visitors which is making them speak up instead of remaining sulkily silent about an overcooked rare steak.

He believes this has even spurred some restaurants to reduce their prices and particularly pretentious one to become less ostentatious.

Mr Verber, who has held an elite monthly Supper Club at restaurants all over London for more than a decade, said: “There can be little doubt in anyone’s mind that London has finally triumphed over its arch enemies in Paris.

“For the first time in at least 30 years, I can now say – with some confidence – that the capital’s restaurants are notably better than those in Paris.

“Why so? Because Britons have finally found their voice. British diners are being influenced by – and, moreover, embracing - the forthright complaining culture of the Americans.

“As a nation we are, in my view and from personal experience, benefiting from doing so. There are no greater restaurants than those in London at this time.”

Research from 2013 found 75 per cent of British consumers who experience poor customer service or buy shoddy products do not complain and the restaurant critic says the same can be said for diners which is why restaurants in London and the UK’s major cities have a free reign to act, charge and serve up ‘whatever they please’ without recourse or fair criticism.

He believes the tide began to turn a few years ago when the American culture of criticism caught on in Britain.

“Many people, including me, will have found this shocking at first,” he said. “ But the frankness of Americans, as well as Russians, Chinese and French visitors, has ultimately proved an inspiration. British diners afraid to hold their tongue which is beautifully obvious.

“The quality of cuisine in Paris has stood still, as has its service. London, meanwhile, has excelled - spurred on, no doubt, by the thought of British diners becoming as vocal as their American counterparts.”