- Two London restaurants, Row on 5 and Bonheur by Matt Abé, each received a second Michelin star in the 2026 guide.
- Bonheur, taking over the historic Le Gavroche location, earned its two stars remarkably quickly—just three months after opening.
- Twenty restaurants across Great Britain and Ireland were awarded their first Michelin star in the 2026 ceremony.
- No restaurants were awarded a third Michelin star; all existing three-star establishments retained their status.
London’s dining scene is having a moment. Two restaurants – Row on 5 and Bonheur by Matt Abé – were awarded their second Michelin star at the 2026 ceremony in Dublin, England, signaling a surge in culinary excellence.
Row on 5, which first earned a star last year, continues its ascent. Executive chef Spencer Metzger described the restaurant as “a dream to work in,” while chef patron Jason Atherton lauded Metzger as “the next generation of talent.”
But the biggest buzz surrounds Bonheur by Matt Abé. The restaurant achieved the rare feat of securing two stars a mere three months after opening its doors. Michelin international director, Gwendal Poullennec, noted that Abé “has shown that he is very much his own man – expressing a clear vision, distinctive style and future ambition” in a remarkably short time.
The weight of that history isn’t lost on Abé, who collaborated with chef Gordon Ramsay – a former trainee at Le Gavroche when he was just 22 – on the venture. “It’s daunting and challenging but something I would run to with arms wide open,” Abé said. “I just want to continue the legacy, nurture talent and hopefully carry that on for the future.” He added, “It’s amazing what we’ve done in three months – I’m really proud of the team and all the hard work everyone puts in.”
While no new restaurants reached the pinnacle of three stars in 2026, the guide recognized a wealth of emerging talent. Legado in London, England, was among the 20 restaurants awarded their first star. Chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho, who opened the restaurant in August in partnership with JKS Restaurant, expressed her joy, stating, “I have worked so hard on this project for many many years – I am super happy and super happy for the team.”
The awards weren’t limited to England. Jöro in Sheffield and Maré by Rafael Cagali in Brighton and Hove also earned their first stars, with Maré marking the region’s first Michelin star in almost 50 years. Forest Avenue in Dublin and The Pullman in Galway brought recognition to the Republic of Ireland, while Killiecrankie House near Pitlochry and 1887 in Torridon added Scotland to the list of celebrated newcomers.
New One Michelin Stars for 2026
- 1887, Torridon, Wester Ross
- Ambassadors Clubhouse, London
- Corenucopia by Clare Smyth, London
- Fifty Two, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
- Forest Avenue, Dublin
- Jöro, Oughtibridge, Sheffield
- Kerfield Arms, London
- Killiecrankie House, Killiecrankie
- Labombe by Trivet, London
- Legado, London
- Maré by Rafael Cagali, Brighton and Hove
- Michael Caines at the Stafford, London
- Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High, London
- Somssi by Jihun Kim, London
- The Boat, Lichfield
- The Pullman, Galway
- The Wilderness, Birmingham
- Tom Brown at the Capital, London
- Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling, Newquay
- Vraic, Guernsey
New Two Michelin Stars for 2026
Row on 5, London
Bonheur by Matt Abé, London
New Three Michelin Stars for 2026
No new restaurants were awarded three Michelin stars in 2026 – all the current three-starred restaurants retained their stars.
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