It’s the Oscars of the foodie world – but instead of actors strutting a red carpet, a legion of chefs descended on Dublin’s Convention Centre to see if they’d cut the Michelin-star mustard.

This year, Surrey continues to shine. A strong line-up of restaurants across the county retained their stars, keeping Surrey firmly on the fine-dining map. The Tudor Pass in Egham held on to its single star, now under new head chef Stefano Di Giosia, while The Latymer in Bagshot, Sorrel in Dorking and The Dysart Petersham in Richmond also retained theirs. Over in Esher, chef Nick Beardshaw kept his star at neighbourhood favourite Starling.

Across the border in Berkshire, an impressive 11 Michelin stars continue to sparkle across the county. Sussex shone a little brighter still, with a new star awarded to Maré by Rafael Cagali in Hove, alongside four restaurants retaining their stars. There was also green star recognition for Knepp Wilding Kitchen in Horsham, joining fellow sustainability star Interlude just outside Horsham in Lower Beeding.

Kent held steady, with Hide and Fox in Saltwood near Hythe retaining its two Michelin stars. Five other venues kept hold of theirs, although one restaurant did sadly drop off the list.

And in the big smoke, it was a bumper year. London welcomed nine new one-star restaurants, while two were promoted from one star to two. That brings the capital’s total to a glittering 88 Michelin-starred restaurants in the 2026 guide, up from 85 last year.

So then… ready to go star-gazing? ✨

The Tudor Pass, Egham ★

Stefano Di Giosia, executive chef at Michelin-starred restarant The Tudor Pass in Egham.

The Tudor Pass, tucked inside the rather glorious Great Fosters hotel in Egham, is celebrating again – the restaurant has held on to its Michelin star for the seventh year in a row. And this year’s win comes with an extra flourish – it’s the first under executive chef Stefano Di Giosia, who took the reins only eight months ago in July 2025. It’s Stefano’s first Michelin star in his own right, though given his pedigree, it’s hardly a shock. He spent several years at Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in Bray and was more recently part of the team at KOL in Marylebone.

Stefano is joined in the kitchen by fellow Italian, sous chef Luca Delfini, who also has an impressive CV including Luca and Fallow, both in London, The Fat Duck in Bray and the three-star Villa Crespi in Italy.

The guide praised the intimate, seven-table restaurant for “excellent ingredients elevated by their well-crafted accompaniments, such as fallow deer with an intense red wine sauce, fried girolles and a sharp blackberry purée that cuts through the richness”.

The Latymer, Bagshot ★

Steve Smith, head chef at Latymer, the Michelin -starred restaurant at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot.

Steve Smith is the steady hand behind the stoves at The Latymer, the elegant fine-dining restaurant at Pennyhill Park Hotel, and Michelin stars are very familiar territory for him. He earned his first at just 24 years old while head chef at Jean-Christophe Novelli’s Gordleton Mill in Lymington – a serious achievement that marked him out as one to watch from an early age.

Since then, Smith has quietly built a reputation for confident, intelligent cooking that doesn’t shout but always delivers. At The Latymer, that approach translates into beautifully judged dishes that balance classical foundations with a modern eye for flavour and finesse. Michelin sums it up neatly, praising how “fine ingredients are crafted into dishes that use classic combinations which have been refined and reworked in a creative modern style”.

Starling, Esher ★

Chef Nick Beardshaw on BBC's Great British Menu — Nick Beardshaw on the BBC’s ‘Great British Menu’. *Photo credit: @beardymanchef / Instagram*

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 said 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 ★

Alex Payne, chef at Michelin-starred restaurant Sorrel in Dorking.

Owned by chef Steve Drake, Sorrel opened in Dorking in 2017 and quickly joined the Michelin ranks, gaining its first star in 2019. Set inside a beautiful 300-year-old former school in the centre of town, it’s been popular with locals – and is still going strong. In the kitchen, chef Alex Payne, formerly at The Tudor Pass, keep things light, seasonal and quietly confident offering an à la carte and tasting menu, filled with top-quality ingredients. Say Michelin: “From Orkney scallops to mature, full-flavoured Hereford beef, the produce is put to good use in detailed, intricate dishes.”

The Dysart Petersham, Richmond ★

Kenneth Culhane, head chef at the Dysart Petersham in Richmond. — Kenneth Culhane, heads up the stoves at The Dysart Petersham in Richmond.

Overlooking Richmond Park, this family-owned gem has held a Michelin star since 2020, with head chef Kenneth Culhane running the kitchen. Set in a striking Arts and Crafts building, the restaurant serves a nine-course tasting menu alongside three- and four-course options. Says Michelin: “Impeccably sourced ingredients and strong classical technique underpin assured, satisfying dishes where the boldly flavoured sauces are a highlight – be it honey and verjus with John Dory or a glossy sake sauce with Creedy Carver Duck. “

La Trompette, Chiswick ★

The dining room at La Trompette in 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. Largely British ingredients are combined with influences from France and occasionally the wider Mediterranean, says Michelin. “So you can expect carefully prepared dishes like Cornish cod with squid ink cavatelli or Devonshire duck breast with potato galette, where the flavours are as assured as they are satisfying. “

The Anchor, Ripley – Bib Gourmand

The Anchor, Ripley, Surrey, Bib Gourmand

This highly-regarded 16th-century pub in the pretty town of Ripley offers modern British fine dining in a gloriously rustic and cosy setting. Led by chef patrons Mike Wall-Palmer and David Adams it offers seasonal menus and a five-course tasting menu. According to Michelin, the choice of menus offers something for everyone. “Across them all is fresh seasonal produce cooked with care in unfussy preparations so the natural flavours shine through.”

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. Michelin says, though modest from the outside, this is a restaurant “run with true heart and soul”. The menu, they say, presents great value for money and takes North India as its main inspiration, with each dish delivering many layers of flavour thanks to the expert spicing.

Ben Wilkinson at The Pass, Horsham, West Sussex ★

The Pass, South Lodge, Horsham, Michelin star

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 fifth 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. Says Michelin: “The kitchen garden provides the kitchen’s heartbeat, with the fruit (and veg) of its labours being used across carefully executed dishes that appeal to both the taste buds and the eyes – as in the seemingly simple but utterly delicious ‘garden salad’.”

Woven by Adam Smith, Ascot, Berkshire ★

Adam Smith, head chef at Woven by Adam Smith at Coworth Park, Berkshire - Michelin star

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 – and according to Michelin the the restaurant is a stage for the chef to showcase a roll-call of superb British produce. “His technically skilled, beautifully presented dishes have a lightness of touch, while also displaying real depth and finesse. The signature chocolate dessert delivers on its promise, ending your visit on a euphoric note.”

Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond – Michelin green ★

Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond, Surrey – Michelin Green Star

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.

Surrey restaurants and pubs in the Michelin Guide

Food at The Bailiwick in Egham. — The Bailiwick in Egham.

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 or 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

Food from the Fat Duck in Bray. — The Fat Duck in Bray.

SUSSEX

Interlude, Lower Beeding near Horsham ★ and a Green Star
Maré by Rafael Cagali ★ NEW
Knepp Wilding Kitchen, Horsham – 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
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 ★
Sargasso, Margate – Bib Gourmand
Angela’s, Margate – Green Star

HANTS and ISLE of WIGHT

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

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.

Shine bright! Surrey’s Michelin Stars

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