Michelin Guide UK 2026: Chef predictions
The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026 ceremony in Dublin is now less than a week away.
Chefs up and down the country will be nervously awaiting news of if their restaurant has earned its first star, moved up to two or three stars, or retained their star from previous years, when this year's selection is revealed on Monday, February 9.
Headlines in 2025 in Glasgow included Mark Birchall at Moor Hall joining the elite club of three-Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK, while John Williams MBE at The Ritz earned a second star.
Among the new one-star restaurants were Row on 5 by Jason Atherton, Stuart Ralston’s Lyla and Emily Roux at Caractère.
But who will be recognised in 2026?
We asked some of the UK’s most well-respected chefs for their predictions.
Matt Abé tipped for glory
The most common name mentioned was Bonheur by Matt Abé, heavily predicted to go straight in at two stars, having opened in November 2025. It follows his departure from three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.
Ashley Palmer-Watts of The Devonshire said: “Matt Abé at Bonheur must be in for something I would imagine, given his pedigree.”
Steve Drake, owner of Michelin-starred Sorrel, added: “Matt at Bonheur, he’s got to be nailed on to get two or three straightaway.”
Meanwhile, Dublin’s Mickael Viljanen at Chapter One has been tipped to join the three-star club.
Calum Montgomery, chef owner at Edinbane Lodge, said: “I had the absolute privilege to eat at Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen last year and I would really hope that it is looked at for three stars.
“I could not fault a single thing. It is unbelievable.”
Here is a rundown of chef’s predictions for Michelin stars in 2026.
Graeme Cheevers, chef patron, UNALOME and LOMA by Graeme Cheevers
Three stars: Mickael Viljanen, Chapter One
Three stars: Mark Donald, The Glenturret Lalique
One star: Macallan Distillery
“And fingers crossed LOMA by Graeme Cheevers, one star!”
Andy Beynon, chef owner, Behind
Two stars: Stuart Ralston, Lyla
“I cooked with him over the past year and it’s incredible what he’s done. He got a star quite quickly and he’s really on the step up.”
Two stars: Adam Smith, Woven by Adam Smith
“I’ve been there a couple of times, absolutely incredible, definitely deserves two stars.”
One star: Gabriel Waterhouse, The Water House Project
“A restaurant I think that should get their first Michelin star, which is quite under the radar, is Gabriel at The Waterhouse Project. Beautiful cooking in a wonderful environment.”
Charlie Tayler, head chef, Aulis
Three stars: James Knappett, Kitchen Table
Three stars: Angelo Sato, Humble Chicken
James Goodyear, executive chef, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High
Two stars: Matt Abé, Bonheur by Matt Abé
Michael Olive, head chef, Elystan Street
Two stars: Adam Byatt, Trinity
One star: Ben Marks, Perilla
Ashley Palmer-Watts, co-founder, The Devonshire
Three stars: Gareth Ward, Ynyshir
Two stars: Jason Atherton, Row on 5
One star (at least): Matt Abé, Bonheur by Matt Abé
Alex Payne, chef patron, Sorrel
Two stars: Jean Delport, Restaurant Interlude
Two stars: Jason Atherton, Row on 5
One star: Tom Hamblet, The Avenue
Orson Vergnaud, executive head chef, Pétrus by Gordon Ramsay
Three stars: Mickael Viljanen, Chapter One
Two stars: Matt Abé, Bonheur by Matt Abé
Two stars: Jason Atherton, Row on 5
Calum Montgomery, chef owner, Edinbane Lodge
Three stars: Mickael Viljanen, Chapter One
“I had the absolute privilege to eat there. I would really hope that it is looked at for three stars. I could not fault a single thing. It is unbelievable.”
One star: LOMA by Graeme Cheevers
“I ate there and it was phenomenal. Totally refined, every single thing that goes along with it.
“I also ate at The Devonshire. It was phenomenal too, loved it.
Mark Poynton, chef owner, Ancient Shepherds by Mark Poynton and Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall
Three stars: Mickael Viljanen, Chapter One
Two stars: Sam Carter, Restaurant 22
One star: Sam Carter, Margaret’s
taz sarhane, head chef, cycene
Two stars: Jason Atherton, Row on 5
One star: Sebastian Myers, Planque
Sameer Taneja, executive chef, Benares
One star: Ben Murphy, 74 Charlotte Street
“Newly opened, beautiful restaurant. It’s very new, but I can’t see it not being in Michelin.”
One star: Chet Sharma, BiBi
“I’ve been predicting this restaurant for a couple of years now. BiBi has to be in the Michelin star list. Good luck to both of them. Both are my favourite restaurants!
Simon Bonwick, chef patron, The Crown at Bray
Three stars: Sid Ahuja, Gymkhana
Three stars: Jeremy Chan, Ikoyi
Two stars: Jason Atherton, Row on 5
Two stars: Tom Barnes, Skof
One star: Joo Won, Calong
One star: Chris Trundle, Climat
Steve Drake, owner, Sorrel
Three stars: Sat Bains, Restaurant Sat Bains
Two stars: Matt Abé, Bonheur by Matt Abé
Tom Waters, chef owner, Gorse
Three stars: Mickael Viljanen, Chapter One
"Some of the sharpest looking food there is. I hope he gets the award with the highest possible distinction."
Three stars: Gareth Ward, Ynyshir
"One of the best meals I've ever had in my life and one of the loveliest guys as well."
Two stars: Ollie Bridgwater, SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel
Two stars: Jean Delport, Restaurant Interlude
One star: Nick Rudge, The Jackdaw
One star: Ben Marks, Perilla
One star: David Knapman, Glebe House
We also asked some front-of-house members for their Michelin 2026 predictions, who followed a similar trend to the chefs.
Oran Isin, general manager, Restaurant St Barts
Two stars: Matt Abé, Bonheur by Matt Abé
Two stars: Adam Byatt, Trinity
Becky McLaughlin, general manager, Elystan Street
Two stars: Matt Abé, Bonheur by Matt Abé
Stay close to The Staff Canteen website and socials from Monday, February 9 for all the latest from Dublin as it happens.
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Michelin Guide UK 2026: Chef predictions
