22 new Bib Gourmands in the Michelin Guide UK 2020

Ahead of the annual Michelin Guide release on Monday, the Guide has published its list of Bib Gourmand restaurants. 

Establishments endowed with a Bib Gourmand have been deemed to offer ‘good quality, good value cooking.’ 22 new restaurants have made it onto the list this year. 

Newcomers

In London, Benrejak, Bancone (in Strand and Covent Garden) and Two Lights were awarded the accolade, while elsewhere in England newcomers are Beckford Bottle Shop (Bath), Brighton's The Set and BOX-E in Bristol, grain in Colchester, The Duncombe Arms in Ellastone, Ashbourne, Pilgrim in Liverpool, Sardine Factory in Looe, Cornwall, Newcastle's Violets, Hitchen's Barn in Oakam, East Midlands,  Arya in Ramsgate and Wiveton Bell.

In Scotland, Edinburgh's Merienda, Bonnie Badger in Gullane and Provender in Melrose brought the number of Bibs up to eight, while Balloo House was the only newcomer in Northern Ireland and Thyme in Athlone, Land to Sea in Dingle, Uno Mas in Dublin and Circa in Terenure made it onto the Republic of Ireland list. 

Rebecca Burr, Director of the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland said that while there’s no set formula for a Bib "we have seen a trend for great value sharing plates this year. While many diners still like to celebrate occasions with a traditional three course meal, less structured menus are now also on the rise, as guests search for more flexible ways of dining.”

Meanwhile, international director of the guide, Gwendal Poullennec said that Bib Gourmands "are not just about value for money." 

"The pricing must go hand-in-hand with quality cooking. In uncertain times, our readers are looking for ways to spend their money wisely and our Bib Gourmands promise a good meal at a great price.” 

Deletions - excluding closed restaurants 

Other than restaurants having lost the recognition because they closed, London's Indian Essence, Barrica, Picture Fitzrovia, Copita, The Frog Hoxton, Comptoir Gascon and Bistro Union had their Bib Gourmand taken away. 

In England, The Barn in Aughton, Tare in Bristol, Made by Bob in Cirencester, White Oak in  Cookham, Tolcarne Inn in Newlyn, River Café on the Tyne in North Shields, Berkeley Arms in Wymondham were deleted from the list. 

In Scotland, Osso lost its Bib, while Wales' Felin Fach Griffin and Northern Ireland's James St (Belfast) and Fontana lost theirs.

Dublin's Bastible, Delahunt, Etto, Forest & Marcy, Pig’s Ear, were taken off the Bib list this year, as was Craft in Terenure.

View the full list of Bib Gourmand restaurants here.