Scotland gains two one Michelin star restaurants in 2025 ceremony

Scotland gained two new Michelin star restaurants at an awards dinner in Glasgow on Monday.

Two Edinburgh venues – Stuart Ralston’s Lyla and Rodney Wages Avery – were both awarded stars as the Michelin Guide 2025 for the UK and Ireland was held at Kelvingrove Museum.

Thirty-six new Bib Gourmands were also awarded for restaurants offering good food at a great price, including five in Scotland. The honour was awarded to Gaga and Margo in Glasgow, Skua and Ardfern in Edinburgh, and the Fish Shop in Ballater.

A total of 1,147 restaurants, including 220 starred ones, were included in the selection, with Moor Hall in Aughton, West Lancashire, unveiled as The Guide’s latest three-star restaurant.

Several other restaurants, including one serving the famous The Ritz hotel in London, were awarded three and two stars.

Plates London, located on Old Street, serves a fully plant-based menu and chef Kirk Haworth wowed judges by “taking his classical training and inventively adapting it to a vegan diet”, Michelin said.

Asked what he loved about cooking elevated vegan dishes at the ceremony, Mr Haworth said: “Trying to get rid of that word is everything that I love about it.

“It’s just about flavour, that’s all it’s about. Flavour, excitement, innovation, and trying to take it to a new space of deliciousness.”

Moor Hall, located in the village of Aughton around 10 miles from Liverpool, opened in 2017 and received its first two Michelin stars in the two following years.

The modern European restaurant becomes only the 10th restaurant across the UK and Ireland to currently hold the three stars.

Michelin said: “At Moor Hall, Chef Mark Birchall and his team have continued to hone their craft and have now achieved new levels of excellence.

“The ingredients, many from the kitchen garden, are outstanding; the chefs’ culinary technique is hugely impressive; and the judgment of flavours, of when to prioritise simplicity and when to add complexity, is exemplary.”

Reacting to the third star, Mr Birchall said: “I think you kind of dream about these things.

“You kind of almost act it out in your mind of how you would be, but the the emotion is incredible.”

The chef said the secret to Moor Hall’s success was having a good team and making all its guests “feel so special”.

Judges said The Ritz Restaurant was “currently at the peak of its powers” and had earned two stars after “taking classically based dishes… and adding increasing amounts of originality and modernity”.

Soho’s Humble Chicken and neighbourhood restaurant hide and fox, in Kent, also each picked up second stars for their “thrilling cuisine” and “dishes that succeed on every level” respectively.

This year’s ceremony, which also saw five new Green stars awarded for commitment to sustainability, was held as the Michelin Guide celebrates its 125th anniversary.

Speaking at the ceremony, international director Gwendal Poullennec said the company was “incredibly proud” of the milestone.

He said: “It’s an opportunity to celebrate the core value that has shaped our identity since 1900 – unearthing exceptional gastronomic talent, showcasing local food culture and announcing life’s most meaningful moments, whether shared around the table with loved ones, enjoyed in a hotel for a well-deserved break, or marking life’s biggest celebration.”

The full list of award-winning restaurants was:

Three stars