It’s the Oscars of the foodie world, but instead of Mikey Madison and Demi Moore catwalking it up the red carpet, a legion of chefs took to Glasgow’s famous Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum to see if they cut the Michelin star mustard.

This year, a bright new star shot into Surrey – just five months after chef Nick Beardshaw opened his neighbourhood restaurant Starling in Esher.

Alex Payne at The Tudor Pass in Egham retained its one Michelin star status as did The Latymer in Bagshot, Sorell in Dorking and The Dysart Petersham in Richmond.

New this year, French neighbourhood bistro, Mignonette in Richmond was awarded the prestigious Bib Gourmand award – an accolade that highlights restaurants offering great quality, great value cooking.

Across the way in Berkshire, eight twinkers still shine bright throughout the county. And a new accolade for Newbury’s funky British tapas restaurant, Goat on the Roof, which was also awarded a Bib Gourmand.

While in Kent, Hide and Fox at Saltwood near Hythe is now shining just a little brighter, going from one star to two. Six other venues retained their stars.

In the big smoke it was great night with 12 new stars handed out to restaurants – two restaurants going from one two two stars, and 10 restaurants joining the one-star ranks.

Now, are you ready to go star-gazing?

The Tudor Pass, Egham ★ 

Retaining his star at the Tudor Pass, Alex Payne has some impressive experience on his CV. Previously the head chef at the Thames Table at Crockers in Henley-on-Thames, Alex has worked with both Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal and competed in the 2018 series of Masterchef: The Professionals. The Michelin guide said the menu at this intimate seven-table restaurant offers “a natural progression of tastes and tones, and is made up of detailed and elegant compositions that are both sophisticated and satisfying”.

Starling, Esher ★

This neighbourhood restaurant opened in Esher High Street in August 2024 – the first solo venture for Michelin-starred chef Nick Beardshaw. He previously worked with celebrity chef Tom Kerridge for 14 years. The Michelin guide has the menu at Starling “consists of the kind of seemingly straightforward dishes that are tricky to pull off yet so easy to eat.” The décor inside the restaurant is described as simple, yet elegant, “where its lack of pretension makes it all the more endearing.”

Sorrel, Dorking ★

Steve Drake’s fine dining restaurant Sorrel has been popular since it opened in Dorking six years ago – and it’s still going strong. Steve is known for his creative modern and original dishes, which he serves in the restaurant’s classic, intimate and understated surrounds. The Michelin judges said his “flavours, textures and temperatures come together in perfect harmony.”

The Dysart Petersham​, Richmond ★

Overlooking Richmond Park, this high-end gastropub is family owned and run, with head chef Kenneth Culhane in the kitchen. It’s held one Michelin star since 2020. Says Michelin: “There’s a natural ethos running throughout the highly seasonal menus, where impeccably sourced ingredients abound in assured, satisfying dishes that deliver some interesting combinations, underpinned by a classical base.”

The Latymer at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot ★

Steve Smith is the man at the stove at The Latymer. He’s well acquainted with the Michelin stars, winning his first as a 24-year-old head chef at Jean-Christophe Novelli’s Gordleton Mill in Lymington, Hants. Michelin admires his skill in taking “classic combinations and reworking them in a refined, creative modern style”.

La Trompette, Chiswick ★

A delightful neighbourhood restaurant with a loyal local following serving up terrific food without the pomp and prices that often go with top end London eateries. There’s also a cracking wine list. Michelin says: “The set price menu is balanced and appealing and, while the influences are varied, its heart is French with occasional nods to the Mediterranean. The dishes themselves are free of unnecessary adornment, so the focus remains on the top quality ingredients.”

The Anchor, Ripley – Bib Gourmand

Creative and inventive cooking from head chef Mike Wall-Palmer, former protege of Michelin-starred chef Steve Drake, now of Sorrel in Dorking, and a former owner of the Anchor. The pub is brimming with character – low ceilings, exposed beams, log fires and lots of cosy nooks and cubbyholes – reflecting the pub’s early 16th century heritage.

Dastaan, Ewell – Bib Gourmand

Michelin starred chef Angela Hartnett is a big fan of this rustic curry house in Ewell. She worked with owner and chef Sanjay Gour in Dubai, and brought him to London to work in her London flagship Murano. His CV sparkles with other high end Indians, including Tamarind of Mayfair, Zaika of Kensington and Gymkhana in Mayfair.

Ben Wilkinson at The Pass, Horsham, West Sussex ★

Head chef Ben Wilkinson reopened The Pass at South Lodge – just a nip across the Surrey border into Sussex – in August 2022 bringing Michelin star success and a wealth of experience from his previous position heading up the kitchen at The Cottage in the Wood in the Lake District. He’s still going strong, retaining a star for his fourth consecutive year. Says Michelin: “Ben Wilkinson is an intelligent and skilful chef who runs a calm, focused kitchen.”

Gravetye Manor, East Grinstead, West Sussex ★

Another star that’s only just over the Sussex border – Gravetye Manor in East Grinstead takes its lead from the seasons, sourcing all produce from their own gardens or local producers. And, says Michelin, chef George Blogg knows how to get the best out of it. “Carefully executed, measured dishes appeal to both the taste buds and the eyes, with their assured flavours and colourful presentation.”

Woven by Adam Smith, Ascot, Berkshire ★

Executive chef Adam Smith showcases his gastronomic talents by taking classic British flavour combos and giving them a modern twist. Formal fine dining is what you’ll get here – plates of food dressed with ingredients elegantly draped on a plate with tweezers, crisp white table cloths, attentive service and a copper oak leaf halo hanging from the ceiling. Adam is an exceptional chef whose assured top-notch cooking adds oomph to premium British ingredients. Steep prices go with the territory, although the fixed-price menus are good value.

Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond – Michelin green ★

Retaining its green star for its gastronomy and sustainability, the greenhouse restaurant at Richmond’s Petersham Nurseries Café is a gorgeous spot to dine, beneath a canopy of bougainvillea, vines and fragrant jasmine. Food is seasonal, inspired by their own kitchen garden. 

OTHER SURREY RESTAURANTS AND PUBS IN THE MICHELIN GUIDE

While the Michelin Guide recognises excellence through its stars and Bib Gourmands, a handful of Surrey restaurants have made it into the guide which means the quality of the food is above average, but not quite reaching star of Bib level.

The Bailiwick, Egham

This pretty country pub from head chef Steven Ellis and his talented pastry chef wife Aimee Ellis is nestled by the gates of Windsor Gate Park. The provenance of the food and drink here is important – and Steven’s great relationship with the head gamekeeper at the Royal Farm and Windsor Great park means The Bailiwick benefits from gorgeous local ingredients throughout the seasons.

1215, Egham

Named after the date of the signing of the Magna Carta at Runnymede, this restaurant at Fairmont Windsor Park Hotel. Choose from two lengths of tasting menu or the à la carte, all of which feature prime British ingredients. Michelin says the chefs treat this produce with an unfussy approach, resulting in enjoyably pared-back dishes.

The Victoria, Oxshott

The Victoria has been getting attention all over the place since opening in the village of Oxshott in 2022. It’s the first pub from Matt Larcombe, former head chef at Heston Blumenthal’s The Crown in Bray, and Simon King who was used the operations director for the Gordon Ramsay Group. London food critics including Grace Dent have given the place the thumbs up, and they’ve been highlighted as ‘one to watch’ by Estrella Damm which lists the country’s finest gastropubs. Local provenance and originality are high on the agenda, but the interiors are unpretentious and there’s a relaxed vibe. It’s ideal for a special occasion. Read our review.

Maison, Wrecclesham

This restaurant is from chef Ben Piette and his wife Lornette who formerly ran the popular London House in West Byfleet. It’s an intimate six-table restaurant inside the 15th Century Wrecclesham House, once home to the actress Liza Goddard, and now home to the couple who live upstairs. The restaurant is on the ground floor and offers a cosy dinner party vibe with a tasting menu and just one sitting each evening. 

STARS AND BIBS FROM FURTHER AFIELD

SUSSEX

• Interlude, Lower Beeding ★ and a Green Star
• Flint House, Brighton – Bib Gourmand
• Cin Cin, Brighton – Bib Gourmand
• Burnt Orange, Brighton – Bib Gourmand
• The Royal, St Leonards on Sea – Bib Gourmand
• Tillingham, Peasmarsh – Green Star
• Dill, Lewes – Bib Gourmand
• Palmito, Hove – Bib Gourmand

BERKSHIRE

• The Fat Duck, Bray ★★★
• The Waterside Inn, Bray ★★★
• The Hind’s Head, Bray ★
• Woven by Adam Smith at Coworth Park, Ascot ★
• Goat on the Roof, Newbury – Bib Gourmand
• The Loch and The Tyne, Windsor – Bib Gourmand 

KENT

• Hide and Fox, Saltwood ★★
• The Sportsman, Seasalter ★
• Fordwich Arms, Fordwich ★
• Hide and Fox, Saltwood ★
• Bridge Arms, Canterbury ★
• Sargasso, Margate – Bib Gourmand
• Angela’s, Margate – Green Star

HANTS and ISLE of WIGHT

• Pulpo Negro, New Alresford – Bib Gourmand 
• Marle, Heckford – Green Star

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For a full list of Michelin-starred pubs and restaurants click here and for the Bib Gourmand list click here. But if you don’t feel like being a fancy pants, we review loads of really brilliant eateries.