The Michelin announcement is a key date in the foodie calendar; where the most exceptional restaurants await with bated breath to see if their culinary excellence has impressed enough to award them with a coveted Michelin star, or two, or three. Following the 2024 awards, we round-up some of the best restaurants in the UK and Ireland that have received (or retained) stars this year, plus the Michelin-starred stays conveniently located nearby to roll home to afterwards.
Terre | County Cork, Ireland
Being awarded two Michelin stars in this year's guide, Terre is an exciting spot based in Ireland's County Cork, overseen by French-born chef Vincent Crepel, which celebrates the vibrant flavours of Asia through a classical French lens. The multi-course tasting menu includes the likes of Hamachi (Japanese yellowtail) with miso beurre blanc, yuzu kosho, and makrut oil and Irish deer with foie gras, Wagyu beef ham, and Japanese sancho pepper and plum jus — taking guests on a spectacular gastronomic journey from Ireland to France to Japan.
Where to stay: Skyros, County Cork
Terre - Barry Murphy Photography
Crocadon | St Mellion, Cornwall
Deep in Cornwall's St Mellion countryside, Crocadon is an organic 120-acre farm with field-to-fork restaurant, which received its first Michelin star this February. The unique concept (much of the seasonal produce here from lettuce to lamb is grown regeneratively in the fields that surround) means that chef Dan Cox creates wholly original dishes that combine sustainability, beauty, and flavour. Dishes include cuttlefish with lemongrass and foraged dittander and sheep leg with golden beetroot, Basque chilli, and nasturtium.
Where to stay: Morwell, Calstock
Crocadon - rebecca dickson
Lake Road Kitchen | Ambleside, Cumbria
In the heart of the Lake District resides Lake Road Kitchen; an intimate restaurant overseen by Noma prodigy James Cross, which also received the prestigious one-star accreditation this year. Shaking up Ambleside with its cuisine that is subtle yet simultaneously daring, a far cry from some white tablecloth destinations, the fusion menu features a smörgåsbord of different global tastes, ingredients, and methods; such as steamed Norwegian sea trout, tomato consommé, and pink peppercorn or walnut gelato, calvados caramel, and lingonberries.
Where to stay: Skyline, Staveley
Lake Road Kitchen - Philipa Ashworth
Other Michelin-starred restaurants and where to stay
L'Enclume | Cartmel, Cumbria
Featuring alongside just eight other UK restaurants prestigious enough to fall into the three-Michelin star class, L'Enclume by Simon Rogan has received recognition as one of the best restaurants in the world, let alone the UK. Translating to "the anvil" in French, L'Enclume takes residence in a 13th century former blacksmith workshop and received its first Michelin star in 2005, followed by its second in 2013, and finally the full three in 2022. This one-of-a-kind dining experience is heavily routed in seasonality, with every dish starting its life on the restaurant's farm. Sample dishes from the £250 tasting menu include seaweed custard with bone broth, bone marrow, caviar, and Maldon oysters and the signature "Anvil" dessert comprising caramel mousse, homemade miso, apple, and spruce.
Where to stay: Winterfell, Windermere
Ynyshir | Ceredigion, Wales
Gareth Ward's Ynyshir became Wales' first ever restaurant to receive two Michelin stars back in 2022, following its one-star accreditation in 2014. Ynyshir's playful menu geniously blends Welsh ingredients with some of the finest from across the globe; featuring dishes such as shrimp with green curry and Gareth's iconic Char Siu Iberico pork. The approach here is "fun not fine dining" — food is centred on what it tastes like, the atmosphere is intentionally unpretentious, and music comes in the form of live DJ sets.
Where to stay: The Glasshouse, Ceredigion
Paul Ainsworth at No.6 | Padstow, Cornwall
This elegant Georgian townhouse by everyone's favourite chef, Paul Ainsworth, really helped to cement Cornwall's spot on the UK food map, especially since winning its first Michelin star back in 2013, and retaining it since. Here, the menu celebrates modern British cuisine with a Cornish twist; such as the iconic welcome course coined "Crabsticks & Scones", and tasty yet refined dishes such as Cornish cod with Camel Valley Chardonnay and grilled mussels.
Where to stay: Moku, Mawgan Porth
Loch Bay | Isle of Skye, Scotland
Located on Scotland's beautiful Isle of Skye, Loch Bay is a real destination spot — rural, with breathtaking views, and able to accommodate just 20 covers. Within 18 months of opening, Loch Bay was awarded one-Michelin star in 2017 for its skillfully-presented, seafood-centric Scottish dishes with French undertones. Sample dishes from chef Michael Smith include hand-dived Sconser scallops with saffron sauce vierge and bay lobster and monkfish with bay crab sauce and green apple.
Where to stay: Supernova, Isle of Skye
Walnut Tree | Abergavenny, Wales
Having received one-star accreditation in 2010, Walnut Tree is a restaurant by Shaun Hill; whose menu is designed around the food he likes to eat. Simple on the surface, but actually a real showcase of classical, technical skill for those that can appreciate, the dishes here rotate daily and include the likes of skate with brown butter, lemon, and capers and fillet of beef with smoked brisket boulangere potatoes and roast garlic.
Where to stay: Celestia, Talybont-on-Usk
Lumiere | Cheltenham, Cotswolds
Another recent arrival to Michelin's prestigious yearly guides, Lumiere in Cheltenham received one-star status last year. Here, chef Jon Howe creates visually-striking dishes that are centred on the best of British produce. Offering a range of tasting menus, from four-course to eight, guests can enjoy Aberdeen Angus and Hereford-cross cottage pie with celeriac, Wensleydale, and black truffle or forced rhubarb with ginger, blonde orelys chocolate, and sorrel.
Where to stay: Anthology Farm, Cheltenham
Feeling inspired? Discover where to eat and drink in Cornwall by restaurant vibe, read about the Great British food renaissance, or browse the full collection of luxury homes in Cornwall.
