Michelin predictions: Critics reveal their tips for stars in 2026

David Ellis, restaurant critic, the Standard 

AngloThai

 

Michelin can often be elusive and, at times, baffling. It will be interesting to see if any of the press around Ynyshir and its one-star hygiene rating has a last-minute influence. Will the inspectors really want their guide associated with (perceived) poor cleanliness? If stars are dropped, it might suggest so.  

 

I sincerely hope the Ritz London attains its third star; it deserves to, and given the considerable chatter around quite how good it is, I wonder if the guide wouldn’t want to be seen as behind the times?

 

Spencer Metzger and Jason Atherton at Row on 5 do deserve a second star. Likewise, if AngloThai picked up a star last year, then given the improvements and innovations I’ve seen since then, I could see a star on the cards. But it is incredibly unusual for Michelin to move from one star to two within a year – in fact, it is almost unheard of. 

 

Tom Brown at the Capital has turned out some extremely good food this year, but perhaps he needs to bed in his formula before he makes the guide.   

 

Bonheur, I think, deserves a star (but Matt Abé’s move there doesn’t mean Kim Ratcharoen at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay should lose one; a meal I had under her this year was exceptional). I think Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High in Bishopsgate in London probably deserves a star too.  

 

The judges would be brave to reward lesser-known places such as La Palombe (with ex-Ledbury chef Jake Leach; one is possible), and though it is very casual, Eel Sushi Bar deserves at least one.  

 

Finally, there has been a lot of chatter around Adam Byatt and Trinity this year, so perhaps he will get the long-awaited second star. 

 

William Sitwell, food critic, The Telegraph  

Catch at the Old Fishmarket

 

I think Juliet in Stroud and Catch at the Old Fishmarket in Weymouth should get a star, and Legado in London and Bellota in Bury St Edmunds should get two.

 

I don’t think any restaurant should get three Michelin stars because it just means they whack their prices up, no one can get a table and the chefs will all collapse from the stress of having to keep the damn things this time next year. 

 

Meg Houghton-Gilmour, founder and editor, the Bristol Sauce 

Higher Ground

 

Dongnae in Bristol has only been open a year and a half, so a star at this point would be an exceptionally speedy turnaround, but stranger things have happened. 

 

Once a holder of a Michelin star back when it was the Pony and Trap, the now refurbished Pony Chew Valley features a menu that revolves almost entirely around what’s grown in the garden. What’s not produced on site is sourced locally and carefully. It is well overdue getting a star back, even a green one. 

 

I’ve always thought Manchester is cruelly underserved by stars when it has some restaurants that are truly worthy. Higher Ground could very likely get a star for its bold, British, seasonal fare. Skof being promoted to two is easily conceivable as well. 

 

If there’s a shoo-in on this list for at least one star, it’s Bonheur by Matt Abé. It’s only been open two months – but stars have been handed out for less time trading. The combination of Abé’s impressive CV, plus the fact he’s opened his debut restaurant in the site previously home to Le Gavroche, has me confident that he’ll have a good night in Dublin. 

 

Lowri Cooke, Welsh restaurant writer and critic 

Jackdaw

 

I’ve been harping on about chef Nick Rudge at the Jackdaw in Conwy for a good few years. There’s an intelligence at work there and a deep respect for local flavours. Nick is just as deserving of a Michelin star as his friend and fellow Fat Duck-ling, Tom Waters (of Gorse in Cardiff), in my opinion.

 

Meanwhile, 140 miles south-west from Conwy, an honourable mention to chef Douglas Balish at the Grove of Narberth. His creative partnership with head sommelier Cathryn Bell (previously of Aimsir and Chapter One in Ireland) is wildly exciting, and my evening at the Fernery restaurant was definitely the best Welsh food and wine experience for me last year. 

 

And just a couple of miles north-east on the high street in Narberth, Annwn’s Matt Powell continues his mind-blowing explorations into the flavours of Pembrokeshire, past, present – and future.

 

Thom Hetherington, founder, Landing Light 

Cocochine

 

In terms of my home city of Manchester, I think after a strong opening Skof has settled into an impressively consistent and elevated rhythm, so a second star in quick succession would not be a surprise. 

 

Interestingly that would make Skof the only two-star restaurant in the whole of the north, with L’Enclume and Moor Hall rightfully making the leap to three and the Raby Hunt closing (though James Close’s upcoming new venture at Rockliffe Hall is one to keep an eye on in 2026). Another option for a northern second star could be Kenny Atkinson’s Solstice, which looks to be pushing onwards and upwards.  

 

In terms of new stars, possibly Sonnet, also in the north east, is a contender, and Jöro, now settled in its new and more expansive home, should also be in the running. Li~ly has also been in fine form, and Aiden Byrne has significant pedigree with the guide. The Michelin motherlode of the Lake District looks as strong as ever. Could it finally be the year for Henrock, the only one of Simon Rogan’s restaurants yet to gain a star? 

 

I’ve also been spending a lot of time in London this year, and for me Cocochine is exquisite and has to get a first star. And surely Row on 5, which felt like a multi-starred operation from day one, will be in the running for a rapid-fire second?