The results are in for another year, and Michelin has announced a new class of entrants into the hallowed pages of the Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. So, we're all asking the big question - who won Michelin stars in 2023?
As restaurants continue to go through the trials and tribulations of rising energy bills, a staffing shortage, increased produce costs and more, Michelin’s awards provide a bit of stability and support in what is a tough time for hospitality. The uplift provided by a place in the guide is well-known - winning a Michelin star can make or break a restaurant.
Once upon a time, the Michelin Guide was built around luxury fine dining establishments, but the democratisation of dining has pushed Michelin towards the middle of the road. In more recent years it has established other awards that recognise great restaurants that aren't at the very top of the fine dining pyramid. The Michelin Green Star, for example, recognises great restaurants that are also committed to sustainability. Elsewhere, The Michelin Bib Gourmand is awarded to more casual restaurants that perhaps aren't quite worthy of a Michelin star, but still offer great quality food at reasonable prices.
As usual, Michelin handed out an array of other awards. The annual Service Award went to Declan Maxwell of Spitalfields restaurant in Dublin, whilst SOLA sommelier Tara Ozals scooped the Michelin Sommelier Award. A brand new award for 2023 was handed out for mixology, and the debut award for Exceptional Cocktails was given to Makis Kazakis from Park Chinois. Michelin's Young Chef Award for 2023 went to Sarah Hayward - the 21-year-old head chef of Tom Kerridge's The Coach in Marlow.
In our opinion, food across the British Isles is as good as it has ever been, and that has been reflected in the latest additions to the Michelin Guide for 2023. London continues to press its claim as one of the best food cities in the world, and there are awards given to every corner of the British Isles, from Wales and Scotland to Northern Ireland. SquareMeal reflected the length and breadth of talent across the UK with our own awards earlier this year, as we named the Top 100 Restaurants in the UK and the Top 100 Restaurants in London.
New three Michelin star restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland 2023
The three Michelin starred restaurants in the UK represent the very highest echelons of fine dining and ‘people travel the world to experience such restaurants,’ says the guide. There were no new three Michelin star restaurants in 2023, but check out our guide to every three Michelin star restaurant in the UK - all of which have retained their three-star status this year.
New two Michelin star restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland 2023
With just a handful of restaurants in the UK holding a coveted two stars, they ‘represent exceptional cuisine’ with ‘a degree of refinement’. The guide adds that, ‘two stars elevates your restaurant to be one of the best in the world’. Here are the 2023 winners!
New one Michelin star restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland 2023
While it may be the largest category, one Michelin star restaurants in the UK usually offer a more affordable way into this style of dining. With spots from the east of Scotland through to the west of England, these are the super special one Michelin starred restaurants to visit in 2023.
England:
- Pentonbridge Inn, Cumbria
- Gidleigh Park, Devon
- The Samling, Cumbria
- So Lo, Lancashire
- The Tudor Pass, Surrey
- Grace & Savour, Hampton-in-Arden
- Restaurant 22, Cambridge
- Ben Wilkinson at the Pass, Sussex
- Lumiere, Cheltenham
- Store, Norfolk
- Acleaf, Plymouth
- Heft, Cumbria
- Solstice, Newcastle
London:
Scotland:
Ireland:
New Michelin green star restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland 2023
Only introduced in 2021, the Michelin Green Star award is given to restaurants who have inspiring sustainability practices. While there is no specific criteria these restaurants are marked on, the guide states that ‘the Inspectors are simply looking for those at the top of their game when it comes to their sustainable practices.’
If you have a taste for the finer things in life, perhaps you should check out our guide to every three Michelin-starred restaurant in the UK.