Michelin Guide UK 2023: Chefs' predictions

Last year, the release of the Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland represented a return to more certain times for hospitality after numerous businesses closed following nearly two years of turmoil resulting from the Covid pandemic.

Despite an ongoing cost of living crisis, wide-spread economic downturn and a corrupt government that seems keen to ignore industry concerns; news of the Michelin Awards 2023 returning as a physical event spurred hope that brighter days lie on the horizon for hospitality. 

The Michelin Guide is announcing new stars for 2023 on Monday, 27th March 2023.

Once released, the 2023 guide will be accessible digitally via the Michelin website and app.

Who the guide decides to give stars to eludes even the most perceptive in the industry - but for a bit of fun, we asked some of the UK and Ireland's great chefs who they think might win a coveted star (or two, or three) in the upcoming guide:

Ahmet Dede, Dede

Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen  

Lignum in Galway  

Terre, Castlemartyr  

Alex Bond, Alchemilla

Joro

Grace and Savour

Folium  

AIMSIR

Alex Nietosvuori, Hjem

Solstice

St. Barts

Grace and Savour

The Ledbury

Endo at Rotunda

The Ritz

Ikoyi (new location)

AIMSIR

Andy McFadden, Glovers Alley

Chapter One 

Midsummer House

Terre, Castlemartyr

The Ritz

Lignum

The Grill at The Dorchester

Ben Wilkinson, The Pass

Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen

The Ledbury

Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal

Tony Parkin at the Cliff House

The Rogan empire

Cal Byerley & Ian Weller, Pine

Soltice

"Kenny Atkinson’s brand new restaurant Soltice is a new heavy hitter up north. A star is hopefully all but guaranteed for him as he’s no stranger to Michelin and having eaten at every starred restaurant he’s been at the helm of, this one tops the lot."

"Like all great restaurants he’s cooking for the customer and not the accolades, but we’re sure they’ll come through his doors just as quick as each other."

Heft at High Newton 

Grace and Savour 

Akoko  

Joro 

Aizle

Ikoyi

Alex Dilling at Café Royal

Dan Cox at Crocadon Farm (Green star)

"When the restaurant is at full flow it’ll be interesting to see the style he goes for but knowing Dans cooking capabilities he’ll be on the 1 or 2 star radar with out a doubt."

Craig Johnston, Restaurant Marcus Wareing

Launceston Place

Cycene

Dorchester Grill

Ledbury

Alex Dilling at Café Royal 

Moor Hall

Galton Blackiston, Morston Hall

Moor Hall

Chapter One

"I had a brilliant meal at Moor Mall and Chapter one, maybe one or both for 3 stars." 

Alex Dilling at Café Royal

The Ritz

Restaurant 22

Garrett Byrne, Campagne

Chapter One

The Ritz

Alex Dilling at Café Royal

Dede

Corrigans Mayfair  

Dax in Dublin

Gregans Castle

Uno Mas

Tony Parkin at the Cliff House

Geoffrey Smeddle, The Peat Inn

“Recent years for Scotland in the Michelin guide have seemed impressive with new stars awarded to Cail Bruich, Unalome and Lalique but given the history of each of the chefs, these awards were no surprise to anyone. Perhaps Number One at the Balmoral will return to one star status, now that their personnel changes have been established.

"I do think Scotland is close to getting another two star restaurant: Mark Donald at Lalique at the Glenturret  is defiently cooking at two star level, it would be fast for it to be awarded this year and Michelin has a reputation understandably for being cautious to make such big awards but definitely keep an eye on that. It will happen.

"In London, this year surely after too long, is the year Claude Bosi at Bibendum finally gets elevated to three stars."

Greg Anderson, Meadowsweet

Chapter One

Moor Hall

The Ritz  

Restaurant 22

Stoke Mill Store  

Restaurant Benedicts

The Old Bank in Snettisham

Hywel Griffith, The Beach House in Oxwich

"Im hearing good thong about Jackdaw In Conwy. Possibly another star for Wales?"

Keelan Higgs, Variety Jones

"I can only speak for what I've seen in Ireland, Chapter One and AIMSIR have spent the money and have built a team - they're definitely aiming for 3."

"Terre, spent an absolute fortune and brought in a whole team- pay to win stuff- anything less that 2 stars and they should take a long look at their business model."

"Library St are cooking some really tasty food, potential for 1 star there. Also the Ciaran Sweeney in the old Glen Bar in Donegal is doing some great food, I wouldn't be surprised if he got a star."

Luke Tipping, Simpsons

A WONG

The Greenhouse, Dublin

Alex Dilling at Cafe Royale

The Ritz

Dorian in Notting Hill  

Folium  

Joro  

Smoke

Grace and Savour  

Solstice in Newcastle

Mark Donald, Glenturret Lalique

Chapter One

Alchemilla

Solstice

Aizle Edinburgh

Mark Kempson, Kitchen W8

Bibendum

Alex Dilling at Cafe Royale

Dorian

Jeremy Chan, Ikoyi

"Endo at Rotunda get's two stars again this year!"

Elliot Hill, The Chester Grosvenor

Chapter One

Moor Hall

Ledbury

Alex Dilling Hotel Cafe Royal

Grace and Savour

Glynn Purnell and Luke Butcher, Purnell's

Ledbury

Solstice

Lunar by Niall Keating

Grace and Savour at Hampton manor

Casa restaurant Bristol

Manteca

Fallow

The Store in Stoke Mill, Norwich

Kevin Mangeolles, Neptune Restaurant

Moor Hall

The Ledbury

The Ritz

Restaurant 22

MiMi Mayfair

Dew Drop Inn

Angel at Hetton

Ben Murphy, Launceston Place

"Kenny Atikinson will definitely get one, fingers crossed he gets two. For two, Alex Dilling Hotel Cafe Royal for sure. I love what he does, easily two. The Ledbury, retain two for sure. For three Chapter One, I haven't eaten there but I follow him on Instagram and I think what he's doing is incredible, he a true inspiration."

Hrishikesh Desai, Farlam Hall

The Ritz

Moor Hall

Simon Rogan, L'Enclume

Heft at High Newton 

"I'd like to see a couple of our own restaurants get the nod this year, who knows. Good luck to everyone, I hope you all get what you're looking for!"

Raymond Blanc, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

"I think the biggest change we'll see is a global change on how we percieve hospitality. We have a consumer who is knowledgable, who is aware and who wants authenticity; in the food, where the food comes from, and what's in it."

"There are so many gifted young British chefs and I wish them all well. I would love to see Ollie Dabbous to get a star because he deserves and you could say he is one of my protégés. I was very happy when Simon Rogan got his third. There's is so much talent in the industry and the profile of the British chef is the best it's ever been."

Eric Lanlard, Cake Boy

"I think this years awards will be more about who kept their stars than who gained new ones! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed and want to give my best wishes to all my friends and colleagues ahead of this year's event."

Do you have any predictions that you would like included in the piece? Comment below or DM us on Instagram your picks and we'll add them to the article ahead of this month's Michelin Guide UK and Ireland Awards 2023 event!