Quick Read
- Dublin hosted The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026 ceremony on February 9th.
- Forest Avenue in Dublin earned a new One MICHELIN Star.
- Three Dublin restaurants (BIGFAN, BORGO, Forêt) received new Bib Gourmand distinctions.
- Two new Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurants, Bonheur by Matt Abé and Row on 5, were announced in London.
- All 10 Three-MICHELIN-Star restaurants in Great Britain & Ireland retained their status.
DUBLIN (Azat TV) – Dublin served as the prestigious host city for the unveiling of The MICHELIN Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026 selection, held at the Convention Centre on Monday, February 9th. The ceremony celebrated a remarkable year for the Irish capital’s culinary scene, with Forest Avenue earning a coveted One MICHELIN Star and three Dublin establishments receiving new Bib Gourmand distinctions, underscoring the city’s growing gastronomic prominence.
The 2026 guide features a total of 1,210 recommended restaurants across Great Britain and Ireland, including 230 establishments holding MICHELIN Stars. While all ten Three-MICHELIN-Star restaurants successfully retained their elite status, the guide introduced two new Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurants, 20 new One-MICHELIN-Star restaurants, seven new Green Stars, and 37 new Bib Gourmands, highlighting a vibrant and evolving culinary landscape.
Dublin’s Culinary Gains in the MICHELIN Guide 2026
As the host city, Dublin had particular cause for celebration. Forest Avenue, under the direction of Chef John Wyer, was promoted to One MICHELIN Star status. Inspectors lauded Wyer’s pared-back cooking style, which effectively allows superb ingredients to shine. This recognition places Forest Avenue among the top dining destinations in the city and contributes to Dublin’s growing reputation for high-quality, produce-led cuisine.
Beyond the Stars, Dublin also saw three of its restaurants — BIGFAN, BORGO, and Forêt — join the ranks of Bib Gourmand recipients. This distinction recognizes establishments offering good food at a great price, signaling accessible yet exceptional dining experiences for both locals and visitors. These additions reflect a broader trend of culinary excellence extending beyond the fine dining sphere into more casual, value-driven offerings in the city.
New Two and One MICHELIN Stars Across Great Britain & Ireland
The 2026 guide saw significant advancements across the region. London’s dining scene continued its strong performance, with two restaurants achieving Two MICHELIN Stars. Bonheur by Matt Abé, an eagerly anticipated opening, quickly earned two stars just months after launching, impressing inspectors with Chef Abé’s modern and technically brilliant dishes. Row on 5, a collaboration between Jason Atherton and Spencer Metzger, was promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars after receiving its first star last year, noted for its luxurious experience and exceptional ingredients.
Twenty new restaurants were awarded One MICHELIN Star. In the Republic of Ireland, alongside Dublin’s Forest Avenue, The Pullman in Galway also received a new star for Chef Angelo Vagiotis’s cooking within its unique Orient Express train carriage setting. Other notable new One Stars included Killiecrankie House in Scotland, Vraic in Guernsey, JÖRO in Oughtibridge, and Maré by Rafael Cagali in Hove, which became Brighton and Hove’s first starred restaurant in nearly 50 years. Several established chefs, including Clare Smyth with Corenucopia and Michael Caines at The Stafford, also added new stars to their London portfolios.
Beyond the Stars: Bib Gourmands and Green Stars
The MICHELIN Guide also recognized a broader spectrum of culinary excellence. A total of 37 new Bib Gourmand restaurants were announced, celebrating eateries that deliver high-quality cooking at an affordable price point across Great Britain & Ireland. These establishments, including Dublin’s BIGFAN, BORGO, and Forêt, highlight the diversity and accessibility of excellent food.
Furthermore, seven new Green Stars were awarded, bringing the total to 37. This distinction celebrates restaurants with an outstanding commitment to sustainable gastronomy. New Green Star recipients included 1887 in Torridon and Forest Side in Grasmere, showcasing innovative practices that are shaping a more responsible future for the culinary industry.
Special Recognition and Industry Trends
Five special awards were presented to individuals and teams for their exceptional contributions. Maria Bradford’s Shwen Shwen in Sevenoaks received the MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award, while Tom Earnshaw from Bohemia in St Helier was honored with the MICHELIN Young Chef Award. The MICHELIN Service Award went to Barbara Nealon from Saint Francis Provisions in Kinsale, and Roxane Dupuy of Row on 5 earned the MICHELIN Sommelier Award. Alasdair Shaw from Sebb’s in Glasgow was recognized with the MICHELIN Exceptional Cocktails Award.
The comprehensive 2026 selection underscores a dynamic culinary scene across Great Britain & Ireland, characterized by both established excellence and innovative new talent. From the retention of all ten Three-MICHELIN-Star restaurants to the emergence of new stars and sustainable dining initiatives, the guide reflects a robust and diverse gastronomic landscape.
The decision to host the prestigious MICHELIN Guide ceremony in Dublin, coupled with the notable successes of its local restaurants, signals the city’s rising stature as a significant culinary destination within the broader British and Irish gastronomic context. This strategic move by MICHELIN not only brought international attention to Dublin’s vibrant food scene but also validated the efforts of its chefs and restaurateurs in elevating the city’s reputation.