The Inspectors’ Latest Additions to The MICHELIN Guide

September 2024

15 restaurants have been added to The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland this month, indicating the constant thrilling evolution of the British and Irish food scenes. It’s been a particularly strong month for London, with two plant-based restaurants and the very current Whyte’s showing the city’s perennial ability to move with the times and capture the zeitgeist. Read on to discover all of the restaurants that have impressed our Inspectors recently.

Plates London

Vegan, Vegetarian

It may not necessarily have the most memorable name, but Plates is certainly a timely and worthy new addition to the London dining scene – a stylish, immensely popular spot serving a fully plant-based menu. Chef Kirk Haworth has cooking in his genes thanks to his father Nigel, a much-respected chef himself, and runs the cosy but warmly decorated restaurant with his sister Keeley. What makes Plates stand out is that its detailed, original vegan dishes arrive in a tasting menu format, providing something rarely found elsewhere in the city.

Tare Bistro, Bristol

Modern British

If you’re heading to Bristol and wondering where to eat, we have two words for you: Wapping Wharf. This modern development of shipping containers was already home to Bib Gourmand operations Root and BOX-E, and now you can add Tare Bistro to the list of fabulous eateries nestled in this industrial-chic area by the docks. It’s the new incarnation of the former restaurant Tare, occupying the same space as before but now with a sharing plates menu that offers great value at every turn. Come at lunchtime to enjoy 3 courses plus a glass of wine for just £30.

Whyte’s, London

World Cuisine

When a restaurant’s London Fields address is ‘Unit 3’, the name on its door comes in the form of scrawled graffiti and the chef goes by the moniker ‘Whyte Rushen’ – then you can be pretty sure you’re in hipster heaven. But as soon as the first dish arrives you quickly appreciate that his reputation, burnished through a variety of pop-ups and supper clubs, is fully warranted. The big-flavoured food provides moments of clever ingenuity and the intriguing menu changes every month; it could have a Basque influence the first time you visit, Thai the next. The prized seats are at the counter where the fun is.

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Other September additions to The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland include:

Botanical Rooms, Bruton
Modern British
Bucks Head, Dundrum
Modern Cuisine
Chef’s Table by Josh Barnes, Swinton
Modern British
Holy Carrot, London
Vegan
July, London
Modern French, Alsatian
Miga, London
Korean
Native, Tenbury Wells
Modern British
Puro by Tommy Thorn, Cleveden
Modern British
Tamarind Kitchen, London
Indian
The Counter by Robin Read, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Modern British
The Fuji Grill, London
Japanese
The Park, London
American, Italian

Hero Image: The Counter by Robin Read, Royal Tunbridge Wells (© Stuart Mack)

Albatross Death Cult, Birmingham

Seafood

Let’s first address the elephant – or rather, the albatross – in the room. This is no ordinary name for a restaurant, but then Alex Claridge has never been an ordinary restaurateur. The man behind the self-proclaimed ‘rock and roll fine dining’ at The Wilderness has taken inspiration from Coleridge’s poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ for the moniker of his latest venture – which consists almost entirely of small seafood dishes prepared using techniques like curing and water-bathing. The whole experience, centred around an attractive counter, will be a memorable one.

Roe, London

Modern British

Any food-lover with an Instagram account will have heard of Fallow. Chefs Jack Croft and Will Murray have managed to make their restaurant one of the most talked-about in London, while also expanding their scope with a handful of other projects. One of them is Roe, a huge new restaurant located in Canary Wharf. The menu is extensive and highly inviting, ranging from flatbreads and skewers to burgers and sharing platters. You may want to come back more than once, such is the amount of choice on offer.

Skof, Manchester

Creative

The minute Skof was announced, it was big news for the Manchester dining scene. The first solo venture from Tom Barnes, the former Executive Chef at Three Michelin Star L’Enclume, it opened at the end of May with lofty expectations. Fortunately, Tom and his team hit the ground running. They’re based inside an old warehouse in the modern NOMA district, with the lively thrum of contented diners reverberating off the exposed brick walls. The cooking itself is well balanced between rich, comforting dishes and those with a fresh, clean approach – all executed with the utmost skill.

Other August additions to The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland include:

Camille, London
French
daróg, Galway
Modern Cuisine
Julie’s, London
Modern British
The Coach House, Roundwood
Modern Cuisine
Volta Do Mar, London
Portuguese, Classic Cuisine

Auction House, Louth

Modern British

As the name would suggest, a former auction room is the setting for this restaurant in the historic market town of Louth. It’s a quirky place, with dining spread over two compact floors and the kitchen on the third level. Fans of an aperitif will be pleased to find a bar on the ground floor, while the upstairs features wonky walls that are in-keeping with the characterful period décor. There’s an experienced chef in the kitchen, Gareth Bartram, whose classical skill is evident in the well-constructed and suitably flavourful dishes.

Caladh, Greystones

Modern Cuisine

Caladh feels like the restaurant that the affluent seaside town of Greystones has been waiting for. A simple, unpretentious approach to the cooking has yielded wonderful results, with the straightforward menu putting the emphasis on quality ingredients and classical dishes. Whatever you order, be sure to accompany it with a side of roast potatoes and smoked garlic aioli, as they really are terrific. ‘Caladh’ is the Irish name for ‘landing place’ or ‘harbour’, and whilst the restaurant doesn’t quite overlook the harbour, it’s only a stone’s throw away.

Kolae, London

Thai

One of two restaurants added to The MICHELIN Guide this month in the ever-growing foodie hotspot of Borough Market (along with OMA), the emergence of Kolae has been music to the ears of Thai food fanatics across London. It’s the country’s southern provinces that exert the largest influence over the menu, which contains all manner of inviting dishes. Bring a few friends and share to make the most of the extensive choices; plant-based diners will delight in the multiple vegan options, including a version of the great value set menu. Sit at the counter for glimpses into the semi-open kitchen.

Other July additions to The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland include:

Deacon’s Bank, Chapel-en-le-Frith
Modern British
Jean-Georges at The Leinster, Dublin
Contemporary
OMA, London
Greek
The Bulls Head, Holymoorside
Modern British
The Cocochine, London
Modern French

Ballyfin, Ballyfin

Modern Cuisine

Built in the early 1800s and retaining all the opulence you would expect of the period, Ballyfin Demesne must be one of the finest manor houses in all of Ireland. It sits in over 600 acres of parkland, allowing visitors to explore the full splendour of the area. Fortunately, there is a restaurant to match these picture-perfect surroundings, serving classically based cuisine propelled by the considerable technical skill of the chefs. Expect some luxury ingredients like lobster along the way, alongside well-crafted components such as a rich, intense shellfish foam.

Hansom, Bedale

Modern Cuisine

Hailing from Darlington, Ruth Hansom has made the short journey over the border into North Yorkshire to open her first restaurant with her husband Mark, who’s also the General Manager. Her reverence for Yorkshire produce is clear throughout the menu, with the likes of locally grown asparagus given the platform to shine in Ruth’s vibrantly presented dishes that deliver bold flavours and complementary combinations. With a wine bar and terrace also included in the pretty 16th-century building, the overall package is rather handsome (pun intended).

The Shed, Swansea

Traditional British

It’s been a while since The Shed’s Chef-Owner Jonathan Woolway was cooking in his native Wales. He spent many years before this in London, specifically at St. John, and its influence can be felt throughout Jonathan’s cooking. Take a quick glance at the menu and you’ll notice that trademark lack of frippery, along with a touch of the nose-to-tail ethos; you could start your meal with crispy pig’s skin as a snack, then move on to the cheek for a starter and finally pork chop for a main. Look out for the proudly Welsh touches too, like the bara brith and Welsh cakes.

Other June additions to The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland include:

1919, Malvern Wells
Modern British
Josephine, London
Lyonnaise, French
Morchella, London
Mediterranean Cuisine
Sète, Margate
Modern British
The Owl, Hawnby
British Contemporary

Duck on the Pond, South Newington

Traditional British

A duck pond to its rear is the inspiration behind the name of this historic mellow stone inn. Part pub and part restaurant, it’s an immaculately kept place where the best spots to sit are in the alcove or by the lovely inglenook fireplace. There’s an unfussy honesty to the cooking, which eschews pretension in favour of flavoursome local produce. The ‘local’ part is of particular importance to the team, who proudly source ingredients nearby and from their own small holding.

MAYA, Manchester

Modern Cuisine

After an 18-month renovation project, the Manchester dining scene has a new member. MAYA’s location is inextricably linked to the city’s nightlife; it sits just round the corner from the bustling Canal Street in the heart of the Gay Village – a core part of Manchester’s party scene – and occupies the basement of a building which was once home to the celebrity-laden Mash and Air nightclub, the rest of which has been converted into the Leven Hotel. The restaurant itself doesn’t disappoint, with skilful, classically based cooking that’s sure to be a hit.

Thirteen, Poole

Modern Cuisine

This Dorset-based restaurant is a real family affair. Spearheaded by Chef Alex Naik, he is joined in this venture by his sister Frances, who runs the front of house, along with his parents Hem and Elisabeth. Unlike most people, the Naik family claim that 13 is their lucky number, and so it is proving with the success of their small but mighty restaurant. Alex’s cooking combines modern and traditional techniques, with a degree of creativity keeping the menu interesting.

Other May additions to The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland include:

Boheme, Chester
Modern Cuisine
Cuubo, Birmingham
Modern British
NORD, Liverpool
Modern Cuisine
Sune, London
European Contemporary

Kinkally, London

Eastern European

Providing further proof of the glorious diversity of London’s dining scene, Kinkally offers a modern take on traditional Georgian dishes. Located on Fitzrovia’s Charlotte Street (home to many a good restaurant over the years), it’s fun, it’s cool and the food is a delight to eat. Among the Georgian small plates on offer are a choice of khinkali dumplings, from which the restaurant gets its moniker. In the basement, the cheekily named ‘Bar Kinky’ offers an appealing cocktail selection in equally trendy surroundings.

Montrose, Edinburgh

Modern Cuisine

The team behind Michelin-Starred Timberyard, also in Edinburgh, are responsible for this recent opening where big, bold flavours reign supreme and quality produce is key. It’s split into a ground floor bar – where the knowledgeable team serve an interesting wine selection accompanied by small plates like oysters and charcuterie – and the upstairs restaurant, where a set 4 course menu pushes seasonality to the fore. If you’re on a sightseeing tour of  the city, then The Palace of Holyroodhouse is nearby.

Rabbit, Birmingham

Modern Cuisine

Few restaurants have relocated quite as far as Rabbit. Now settled in the Birmingham suburb of Stirchley, Chef-Owner Ash Valenzuela-Heeger first started showcasing her punchy, globally influenced cooking in Cape Town, where she was raised. After moving to the UK with her wife Erin, the pair are now attracting plenty of buzz and a constant influx of diners at the latest incarnation of their restaurant – where Erin leads the genial service and Ash serves from behind the kitchen counter. To make things even better, Rabbit doesn’t cost the earth.

Other April additions to The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland include:

1 York Place, Bristol
European
Bavette, Horsforth
French
Lasdun, London
Modern British
Osters, Newcastle upon Tyne
Seafood
Six, Newcastle upon Tyne
Modern Cuisine