The 2011 edition of the ultimate foodie guide, which is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its UK version this year, has just been revealed today- and with 53 stars out of a total of 143 going to London (a record), the British capital proves that it has truly become one of the best places to eat out in the world.
When Joël Robuchon recently declared in the London Evening Standard that “London is very possibly the gastronomic capital of the world”, he might have raised a few highbrows in France. However, the famous French chef was definitely right, and no one can argue the incredible metamorphosis of London into a true foodie capital over the past 15 years or so.
“This centenary edition underlines the UK’s greatest strength which is the rich diversity and variety of its restaurants, remarked the guide’s editor in chief Rebecca Burr. The country embraces all kinds of restaurants and every type of cuisine and the public’s appetite shows no signs of abating.” The guide found 12 new one star establishments and awarded 26 new Bib Gourmands to restaurants particularly appreciated for their moderate prices.
But French compatriots, fear not, as France remains well represented in London, amongst others by Alain Ducasse, Joël Robuchon, Pierre Gagnaire, Pascal Aussignac, Michel Roux Jr and Hélène Darroze, as one of the highlights in this year’s guide is the fact that The Connaught has just gained its second star only two years after her arrival. Cocorico indeed…
Three Stars
- Gordon Ramsay, Chelsea
- Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Mayfair
Two Stars
- Pied à Terre, Bloomsbury
- The Ledbury, Kensington
- Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, Belgravia
- Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Mayfair
- Le Gavroche, Mayfair
- Hibiscus, Mayfair
- Square, Mayfair
- L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Covent Garden
One Star
- Chapter One, Bromley
- Hakkasan, Bloomsbury
- Club Gascon, City
- Rhodes Twenty Four, City
- Harwood Arms, Fulham
- River Café, Hammersmith
- La Trompette, Chiswick
- St John, Clerkenwell
- Rasoi, Chelsea
- Tom Aikens, Chelsea
- Kitchen W8, Kensington
- The Glasshouse, Richmond
- Bingham Restaurant at Bingham Hotel, Richmond
- Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond
- Viajante, Bethnal Green
- Galvin La Chapelle, Spitalfields
- Chez Bruce, Wandsworth
- Amaya, Belgravia
- Apsleys at Lanesborough Hotel, Belgravia
- Pétrus, Belgravia
- Zafferano, Belgravia
- Benares, Mayfair
- Galvin at Windows, Mayfair
- Greenhouse, Mayfair
- Kai, Mayfair
- Maze, Mayfair
- Murano, Mayfair
- Nobu at The Metropolitan Hotel, Mayfair
- Nobu Berkeley St, Mayfair
- Semplice, Mayfair
- Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library), Mayfair
- Tamarind, Mayfair
- Umu, Mayfair
- Wild Honey, Mayfair
- L’Autre Pied, Marylebone
- Locanda Locatelli, Marylebone
- Rhodes W1 (Restaurant), Marylebone
- Texture, Marylebone
- Seven Park Place at St James’s Hotel and Club, St James’s
- Arbutus, Soho
- Gauthier Soho, Soho
- Yauatcha, Soho
Michelin Great Britain and Ireland 2011 (£15,99)
