New Michelin-starred restaurants revealed

A total of 17 new restaurants across Great Britain and Ireland have received Michelin stars for the first time, with two Japanese restaurants in Mayfair topping the list.

Sushi chef Mitsuhiro Araki, of Araki in Mayfair

Of the 17 new additions to this year’s 2016 Michelin guide, there are 15 new one star restaurants and two new two star restaurants, with Japanese restaurants Araki and Umu, both in Mayfair, each receiving two Michelin stars.

Nine-cover sushi restaurant Araki, which launched in Mayfair last summer, charges £300 a head for its omakase menu and is overseen by chef Mitsuhiro Araki, who closed his three-star Tokyo restaurant in 2013 to open in London.

“It is a great compliment to London that when Sushi Master Mitsuhiro Araki closed his Three Star counter restaurant in Tokyo it was because he wanted to come to the UK to challenge himself in a different culture”, said Rebecca Burr, Editor of the Michelin Guide.

“Umu is a very different style of Japanese restaurant – chef Yoshinori Ishii has steadily been improving the food and he has taken it to a whole new level.”

Four other London restaurants received one star, which included James Lowe’s modern British restaurant Lyle’s in Shoreditch, Bonhams in Mayfair, Portland in Regent’s Park and the Dining Room at the Goring in Victoria.

Outside of the capital restaurants to achieve one star included Carters of Moseley in the West Midlands, Gravetye Manor in West Sussex, The Man Behind the Curtain in West Yorkshire, John’s House in Leicestershire, Woodpeen in West Berkshire and House of Tides in Tyne and Wear.

“The next generation of chefs are really coming through to give the established chefs a run for their money”, added Burr. “They all have their own individual style and their ability – coupled with their confidence – looks set to lead them on to great things”.

Chef Yoshinori Ishii of Umu in Mayfair

In Scotland, The Cellar in Anstruther received one stars, as did Eipic and OX in Belfast, the Greenhouse in Dublin and Loam in Galway.

Thirteen restaurants lost their one Michelin star rating, including Gordon Ramsay’s Maze in Mayfair, formerly run by Jason Atherton, and Indian restaurant Rasoi in Chelsea.

Maintaining three stars, and topping the guides best restaurants, was Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester in Mayfair and the Waterside Inn in Bray.

Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant The Fat Duck was omitted from this year’s guide following its temporary move to Australia, not reopening in time for Michelin to assess it.

The organisation’s Bib Gourmand accolade, which recognises establishments offering good food at affordable prices (the limit being £28 for three courses, €40 in Ireland), inducted 25 new restaurants in to its ranks.

Including among the 25 new “Bibs” was White Swan in Fence, Oli’s Thai in Oxford, Tom Kerridge’s pub The Coach in Marlow and Nuno Mendes’ Taberna do Mercado in Spitalfields.

Published today, the Michelin Guide London 2016 is priced at £16.99 (€17.99 in Ireland) and provides information on the best judged restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland.