Two restaurants in Scotland have been awarded Michelin stars following the unveiling of the 2023 Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland.
Considered the most distinguished award in the food industry, Michelin stars are coveted by chefs and restaurant owners. According to the Michelin website, "one star is awarded to restaurants using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavours are prepared to a consistently high standard."
Both located in Edinburgh, the two newest Scottish restaurants to receive a coveted star are Heron and Timberyard. Heron is situated within the capital's picturesque Water of Leith and describes itself as a "relaxed fine dining restaurant". The Michelin Guide praised it for being "fresh, understated and uncluttered", as well as the "prepared, balanced, and delicious dishes".
Meanwhile, the family-run Timberyard is found in the heart of Edinburgh within a warehouse that dates back to the 19th century. It was singled out by the Michelin Guide for its "well defined and satisfying" dishes and "lovely" service team.
The two join the 10 other Scottish restaurants to possess one Michelin star: Cail Bruich in Glasgow, The Cellar in Anstruther, Condita in Edinburgh, Glenturret Lalique in Crieff, The Kitchin in Edinburgh, Loch Bay in Stein, Number One in Edinburgh, Peat Inn near Cupar, Martin Wishart in Edinburgh, and Unalome by Graeme Cheevers in Glasgow.
Three restaurants across the UK and Ireland also received a second Michelin star: Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal in London, dede in Baltimore, and The Ledbury in London. A second star is reserved for restaurants in which the "personality and talent of the chef are evident in their expertly crafted dishes" and whose "food is refined and inspired".
Currently, only one restaurant in Scotland holds this prestigious honour: Restaurant Andrew Fairlie within the Gleneagles Hotel.
Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, said: “The Michelin Guide team is on hand and busy organising a celebration to fully reflect the talent, commitment and resilience of the British and Irish gastronomic scenes – a celebration all the more welcome in the current challenging economic climate.”
More information can be found on the Michelin Guide website.
Newest UK and Ireland restaurants to receive Michelin stars
New Two Star Restaurants
- Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, London
- dede, Baltimore
- The Ledbury, London
New One Star Restaurants
- Àclèaf, Plymouth
- Ben Wilkinson at The Pass, Horsham
- Cycene, London
- Gidleigh Park, Chagford
- Grace & Savour, Hampton in Arden
- heft, Newton in Cartmel
- Heron, Leith
- Luca, London
- Lumiére, Cheltenham
- Pentonbridge Inn, Penton
- Restaurant Twenty-Two, Cambridge
- sō–lō, Aughton
- SOLSTICE BY KENNY ATKINSON, Newcastle upon Tyne
- St. Barts, London
- Store, Stoke Holy Cross
- Taku, London
- Terre, Castlemartyr
- The Samling, Ambleside
- The Tudor Pass, Egham
- Timberyard, Edinburgh
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