There are few things more typically British than a good pub and when the sun’s out, we Brits tend to flock to our local and take up residence in the beer garden. Pubs are increasingly serving great quality food, so much so that many of them have been awarded a Michelin star. We take a look at twenty Michelin star pubs where you can enjoy top quality food in down-to-earth surroundings.
Yorkshire and Humberside
The Black Swan at Oldstead, North Yorkshire
Surrounded by glorious National Park countryside, The Black Swan was rated as one of the top five best value restaurants in Britain by The Sunday Times Food List. Tommy Banks' dishes are innovative yet unpretentious and draw heavily on Yorkshire produce. There are just two tasting menus on offer – one at lunch (only available on Saturdays), the other in the evening – offering a taste of the surrounding countryside. The dining area is full of character with antique furniture and oak floors, and many of the drinks are made in-house using foraged ingredients from the local area.
The Pipe and Glass Inn, Beverley, East Yorkshire
James and Kate Mackenzie’s quaint country pub dates back to the 15th century and boasts East Yorkshire’s first and only Michelin star. The portions are generous, the produce sourced locally and the menu changed regularly to reflect the season. The Pipe and Glass Inn seeks to cater for everyone with separate vegetarian and children’s menus and a takeaway option for those that are hosting a dinner party or simply want to eat from the comfort of their own homes. James’ food is unpretentious and unashamedly British, featuring classics such as Bubble and Squeak and Potted Pork. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with gorgeous bespoke wooden tables and outside dining facilities.
The Star Inn, Harome, North Yorkshire
Just on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors lies this quintessential country inn, which held a Michelin star from 2002 to 2011 and then regained it in 2015. Head chef Andrew Pern takes the ingredients found on his doorstep – among the best in the UK – and turns them into dishes in his inimitable ‘modern Yorkshire’ style. There’s a strong emphasis on game, and the thatched building itself has centuries of history behind it as an inn for travellers visiting the Moors.
The Box Tree, Ilkley, Yorkshire
One of the oldest buildings in Ilkley (dating back to 1720), this pub restaurant got its name from the box trees planted in the beautiful gardens surrounding it. It’s been operating as a restaurant since 1962, once gaining the coveted two Michelin stars and having chefs like Marco Pierre White at the helm. Nowadays it has one star, which it has held since 2005, and the food has a classical French base with light and delicate dishes made from local ingredients.
Wales
The Walnut Tree Inn, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
This rural Welsh pub has an illustrious history; from 1963 to 2001 it was successfully run by ground-breaking chef Franco Taruschio. After experiencing some hard times, Great British Chef Shaun Hill took it over in 2008 and has restored it to its former glory with his own distinctive style of cooking. Hill’s food is classic yet full of eclectic influences and his menus changes daily. He steers clear of overly elaborate dishes and the dining area reflects this minimalism with clean white walls and simple wooden tables. Hill’s lack of pomposity is also evident in the lack of service charge and the website which ‘will not offend visitors with smarmy overstatements of what’s on offer’! Clearly The Walnut Tree Inn’s reputation speaks for itself, as well as its Michelin star, it was voted 17th in the National Restaurant Awards list of the best 100 restaurants in the UK.