- Unveiling of the 2026 MICHELIN Stars for Great Britain & Ireland in Dublin, with new 1 and 2 Star restaurants and notable trends.
- Rise of distinctive locations: train carriages, skyscraper rooftops, shipping containers and remote rural hideaways join the Starred list.
- Strong London presence with new 2 Star addresses and a wave of first-time 1 Star restaurants across diverse styles and cuisines.
- Spanish chef Nieves Barragán and her restaurant Legado highlight the growing influence of Spanish cuisine in the UK fine‑dining scene.
The 2026 edition of the MICHELIN Guide for Great Britain & Ireland has officially landed, bringing with it a fresh wave of excitement across the UK and Irish dining scene. Presented on 9 February at the Convention Centre in Dublin, the ceremony revealed a raft of new 1 and 2 Star restaurants, alongside a series of stories about chefs, locations and concepts that are shaping how fine dining looks right now in these countries, including creativity in the kitchen.
From high-altitude chef’s counters in London to converted shipping containers near Harrogate, rural Scottish retreats and a vibrant new generation of Spanish-led kitchens in the capital, the 2026 Stars show just how broad and inventive the region’s gastronomy has become. The new list doesn’t just reward technical perfection; it also shines a light on neighbourhood charm, bold relocations and restaurants turning remote corners of the map into destination dining hot spots.
2026 MICHELIN Guide Ceremony in Dublin
On the evening of 9 February, the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony 2026 took place at Dublin’s Convention Centre, where inspectors revealed the latest selection for Great Britain & Ireland. The event confirmed that, while no new UK or Irish restaurant reached the coveted three-star level this year, there is strong momentum in the 1 and 2 Star categories, particularly in London but also spread across England, Scotland, Ireland and the Channel Islands.
Inspectors used the occasion to highlight a number of trends: a growing appetite for immersive or unconventional locations, a renewed focus on refined yet comforting neighbourhood spots, and an increasing number of chefs choosing to move or reinvent their restaurants rather than opening from scratch. All of these movements are reflected in the updated Star list for 2026.
Eye-Catching MICHELIN Stars: Extraordinary Locations
Among the most striking new entries are restaurants recognised as much for their settings as for their cooking. The 2026 guide welcomes The Pullman, housed in two painstakingly restored Orient Express carriages, and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High, perched on the 60th floor of a London skyscraper. At The Pullman, the Belle Époque atmosphere of the train cars is matched by polished, detail‑driven dishes; at Gordon Ramsay High, guests sit at a dramatic chef’s counter while taking in sweeping views across the city.
Another example of an unconventional setting is FIFTY TWO, near Harrogate, which operates from a series of converted shipping containers. Here the inspectors found a kitchen that combines contemporary design with assured cooking, turning a modest structure into a serious culinary stop. These venues underline MICHELIN’s willingness to reward excellence regardless of whether it is delivered in a classic dining room or a repurposed urban space.
Neighbourhood Restaurants with MICHELIN Star Quality
Not every new Star comes wrapped in spectacle. In 2026, MICHELIN also celebrated understated neighbourhood restaurants that win diners over with warmth and consistency rather than show-stopping architecture. Among them is Forest Avenue in Dublin, where inspectors praised produce‑driven dishes, clean flavours and a relaxed, residential‑area setting that feels like a local’s secret rather than a tourist magnet.
On the English south coast, Maré by Rafael Cagali in Hove also joined the Starred ranks. Described by the Guide as blending global influences in imaginative ways, Maré brings a cosmopolitan flair to a quieter corner of the Brighton area. Both Forest Avenue and Maré embody the kind of places where regulars and out‑of‑towners mix, sharing a dining room that feels more like a trusted local haunt than a formal special‑occasion destination, while still meeting MICHELIN’s exacting standards.
Rebirths, Relocations and Fresh Chapters
Another recurring theme in the 2026 list is restaurants that have evolved into ‘version 2.0’. JÖRO, near Sheffield, and Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling on the Cornish coast, both relocated and reshaped their concepts before being rewarded with Stars in their new homes. Inspectors noted the way these teams have tightened their ideas, sourcing superb ingredients and delivering technically confident plates that feel more mature without losing personality.
In London, established names continued to push themselves. Figures such as Matt Abé, Clare Smyth and Michael Caines all feature in this year’s Guide with renewed recognition, showing that even well‑known chefs are far from resting on past achievements. Their latest projects and evolutions contributed to the sense that 2026 is a year where experience and reinvention go hand in hand across Great Britain & Ireland.
Long-Standing Favourites Coming of Age
While some restaurants have been fast‑tracked to stardom, others have taken the long route. The Boat in Lichfield and The Wilderness in Birmingham finally secured their first MICHELIN Stars this year after around a decade in the wider selection. According to inspectors, what tipped them over the line was a clear refinement of flavour and restraint: rather than overcomplicating their dishes, the chefs have learned to let top‑quality ingredients speak for themselves.
These stories of gradual evolution are an important part of the 2026 picture. They show that the Guide continues to reward steady improvement and consistency, not just headline‑grabbing openings. Chefs who have quietly honed their style over many years are now seeing that work reflected with a Star.
Destination Dining: Remote MICHELIN Stars Worth the Journey
The 2026 Guide for Great Britain & Ireland once again highlights a number of restaurants that require a deliberate trip. Already‑famous names such as The Glenturret Lalique, Homestead Cottage and Loch Bay remain essential stopping points for those seeking refined cooking amid natural beauty. They are now joined by 1887, Killiecrankie House and Vraic, each turning a relatively secluded setting into a compelling reason to travel.
Both 1887 and Killiecrankie House are found in picturesque rural Scotland and offer MICHELIN‑endorsed bedrooms, encouraging diners to make a full overnight escape of their visit. Vraic, on the island of Guernsey, has helped put this Channel Island more firmly on the culinary map by serving precise, produce‑focused dishes that make the most of local ingredients. For many guests, these restaurants will be the kind of place you plan a weekend around, rather than dropping in spontaneously.
London’s New 2 MICHELIN Star Restaurants
This year’s ceremony confirmed that London did not gain a brand‑new three-star restaurant, but the capital did see notable movement in the 2 Star bracket. Two addresses in particular drew attention: Bonheur by Matt Abé and Row on 5, both of which now sit among the city’s most highly regarded kitchens.
Bonheur, Matt Abé’s first restaurant under his own name, takes over the site formerly known as Le Gavroche. After nearly two decades working alongside Gordon Ramsay and leading the three-star Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Abé has launched a project that inspectors describe as skilfully balancing classical techniques with a measured sense of modernity. Flavours are controlled yet expressive, with the kitchen showing a confident grasp of traditional foundations and contemporary presentation.
Row on 5, which secured its first Star shortly after opening, has now climbed to two Stars. Inspectors praised its refinement, noting attentive and personable service and a cuisine that makes exceptional use of British seasonal produce. The restaurant was singled out for the way it adds layers of depth to flavour without overwhelming its core ingredients, an approach that clearly resonated with MICHELIN’s criteria.
In addition to its second Star, Row on 5 also picked up a special award. Sommelier Roxane Dupuy was recognised with the MICHELIN Sommelier Award for overseeing a wine list of more than 2,400 references from across the globe, including a particularly notable lineup of grower Champagnes that impressed the inspectors.
New 1 MICHELIN Star Restaurants in London
At the 2026 ceremony, nine London restaurants earned their first MICHELIN Star, reflecting the capital’s ever‑shifting and increasingly diverse food landscape. The new cohort includes everything from an elevated pub in Camberwell to a stylish wine‑led venue, a high‑rise fine‑dining room and a Korean counter hidden beneath a staircase.
Ambassadors Clubhouse in Mayfair, described by local observers as serving some of the most accomplished Indian food in the city, now carries a Star. Guests can expect bold Punjabi‑inspired flavours, a plush interior and cocktails that play with desi cultural references, combining a luxurious setting with robust, spice‑driven cooking.
Another newcomer is Corenucopia by Clare Smyth, a bistro‑style spin‑off from the three‑starred Core by Clare Smyth. Here, the tone is more relaxed but still polished, offering elevated versions of British comfort dishes – including a carefully executed fish and chips – alongside a playful line‑up of potato‑focused plates. The restaurant shows how a chef known for top‑tier fine dining can translate that precision into a more casual framework.
In Camberwell, Kerfield Arms became London’s second pub to gain a MICHELIN Star. While the room has more refinement and a touch of opulence compared to a typical local, it remains recognisably a pub: light‑filled, warm and genuinely welcoming. The menu lifts classic pub fare into more intricate territory without losing its approachable feel.
Labombe by Trivet joined the list as a wine bar and restaurant created by the team behind Trivet. With cooking over open fire and an eclectic menu of sharing plates, it is supported by an ambitious wine selection that caters to both enthusiasts and curious newcomers. For MICHELIN, the combination of serious wine credentials and well‑judged dishes added up to Star‑worthy consistency.
Legado, the latest opening from chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho – known for Sabor – also secured a Star for 2026. Located in Shoreditch, it brings region‑spanning Spanish cooking to east London with a larger and bolder set‑up than its sibling restaurant, positioning Spanish gastronomy firmly within the capital’s contemporary fine‑dining conversation.
Michael Caines at The Stafford offers a classic, elegant setting in St James’s, where the chef presents his polished modern British cuisine. Diners will encounter signatures such as beef Wellington alongside an array of seafood dishes and a high‑end wine list priced to match the refined ambience. The restaurant effectively transplants a slice of Devon‑rooted cooking into a central London hotel environment.
Returning to those eye‑catching views, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High has become the highest MICHELIN‑Starred restaurant in Europe thanks to its location on the 60th floor. Inspectors found that the kitchen’s output stands up to the dramatic skyline, with cooking that is as focused as the panorama is expansive. The interplay between chef’s counter intimacy and skyscraper spectacle makes it one of the city’s most distinctive new Starred spots.
Hidden beneath a staircase at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, Somssi by Jihun Kim adds another dimension to London’s Korean offering. Centred around a counter tasting menu, Somssi combines Korean flavours with subtle French influences while drawing heavily on British produce. Inspectors noted how the food manages to honour tradition while still feeling personal and contemporary.
Rounding out the new London Stars, Tom Brown at The Capital marks something of a homecoming for the chef, who first made his name in this very hotel when working under Nathan Outlaw. Now leading his own dining room, Brown focuses on outstanding seafood and top‑tier ingredients, continuing the reputation for serious fish cookery that helped establish his profile in the first place.
Nieves Barragán, Legado and the Rise of Spanish Cuisine in the UK
One of the most talked‑about stories within the 2026 Great Britain & Ireland selection is the success of Nieves Barragán and her new restaurant Legado. Born in Bilbao and having arrived in the UK in 1998 with limited English, Barragán has gradually become a leading ambassador for Spanish cooking in London. Her latest Star consolidates a journey that has already seen multiple MICHELIN accolades.
After early work at Simply Nico, she joined the Harts Restaurant Group in 2003 and became executive chef by 2007, playing a key role in the launch of the original Barrafina on Frith Street. Over the following decade she helped open two more Barrafinas and earned a MICHELIN Star for the group. In 2018, she launched Sabor with business partner José Eturra, winning a Star for that restaurant before the year was out. The Star for Legado now adds another milestone to her London career.
Legado itself is structured around two distinct menus: one for the restaurant and one for the more informal tavern area. Both sides showcase deeply rooted Spanish flavours, leaning on classic recipes that many diners will recognise from across the country’s regions, but refined with contemporary touches. Dishes range from tapas such as gazpacho, prawns from Cádiz and anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea to rice preparations, seafood and meat‑focused plates.
On the menu, guests might encounter rice cooked with crab or in a more rustic ‘campero’ style, alongside gambas al ajillo, octopus, suckling pig and lamb sweetbreads. The MICHELIN Guide highlighted the counter seating at Legado as one of the best ways to appreciate the team’s craft at close quarters, recommending items such as suckling pig, lamb offal and delicate ‘crystal’ prawns, all supported by a wine list made up entirely of Spanish bottlings.
The restaurant’s own team expressed pride at having received a Star just seven months after opening, framing Legado as a project dedicated to shining a light on lesser‑known dishes and traditions from across Spain. Their approach emphasises whole‑animal butchery, carefully sourced ingredients and a strong respect for the stories and regional backgrounds behind each plate – qualities that align closely with what MICHELIN inspectors look for when awarding Stars.
More broadly, Legado’s success sits within a larger pattern: the increasing presence of Spanish cuisine at the top end of the UK dining scene. From New York to London, Spanish restaurants are gaining international recognition, and London’s 2026 MICHELIN list further underlines that momentum, with Barragán now firmly established as one of the leading figures promoting Spanish gastronomy abroad.
Across Great Britain & Ireland, the 2026 MICHELIN Stars tell a story of diversity, evolution and geographic spread. Landmark venues in striking settings, modest neighbourhood favourites, ambitious London openings and chefs such as Nieves Barragán building long‑term careers all share space in a guide that continues to broaden its lens. Diners looking to explore the region’s most recognised tables now have more options than ever, whether they are planning a big‑ticket London evening, a countryside escape or a deep dive into Spanish flavours in the heart of the UK.
