Now, while we may cover the Michelin Guide announcements and be constantly striving to find ways to enjoy Michelin-quality food for less, we know that a Michelin star is not the only mark of quality for a restaurant. Indeed, many of our favourite restaurants in London don’t have Michelin stars. But it is still a decent indicator of exceptional food. So, naturally, you can imagine our curiosity was piqued when we found out about Hand and Flowers – the only pub in the UK to have two Michelin stars.
Yup, you read that correctly. This charming Marlow pub boasts not just one, but TWO Michelin stars. And you can get there in under an hour and a half from London! How’s that for some cracking pub grub?
Image: @handfmarlow, via IG
The Michelin Guide describes the pub:
This flagship operation from Tom Kerridge – the king of British pub dining – provides exactly what you’d expect: classic dishes executed with such skill and precision that they soar to rarely seen heights. The menu is not overly long but it still proves hard to choose, as every dish sounds so appealing. The ingredients are exemplary, presentation is first-rate and the bold, natural flavours are given room to shine, resulting in memorable dishes like an outstanding banana soufflé. The beams add character to the room, while the friendly staff keep the atmosphere light and convivial.
Now, as you might expect, a multi-Michelin-starred pub is not exactly the cheapest place for a meal. The set lunch menu is available from Monday to Friday, and is priced at £55 for two courses, or £65 for three courses. Alternatively, the three-course ‘Classics’ menu is available for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday, which will run you £95 per person.
But if you want the full two-Michelin-starred experience at the Hand and Flowers, it’s likely the ‘House’ menu you’ll be going for. Available from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, this luxurious experience of a (pub) meal costs £175 a head.
And what about a Sunday roast? It’s hardly a pub without a Sunday roast! Well, there is a Sunday lunch option – but it’s not cheap! Heading to the Hand and Flowers for an indulgent Sunday lunch will set you back an eye-watering £175.
Michelin-starred pubs
Hand and Flowers isn’t the only Michelin-starred pub in the UK, though. In fact, its sister pub, The Coach, boasts a Michelin star of its own. It’s just down the road from the Hand and Flowers, so you could (if your wallet stretches enough) enjoy two stonking Michelin-starred pub meals in one day!
Bear in mind, fewer than 200 venues in all of the United Kingdom have any Michelin stars at all, but these two neighbouring sibling pubs have three among themselves!
Each of these UK pubs also boasts a Michelin star of its own:
- The Angel at Hetton, North Yorkshire
- The Black Swan, Oldstead – also in possession of a MICHELIN Green Star
- The Bridge Arms, Bridge
- The Cross, Kenilworth
- The Dog and Gun Inn, Skelton
- The Fordwich Arms, Canterbury
- The Harwood Arms, Fulham – the only pub in London with a Michelin star
- heft, Newton in Cartmel
- Hinds Head, Bray – though some would argue this isn’t a pub…
- The Masons Arms, Knowstone
- The Nut Tree Inn, Murcott
- The Pentonbridge Inn, Penton
- The Pipe and Glass, South Dalton
- The Royal Oak, Whatcote
- The Sportsman, Seasalter
- The Star Inn, Harome
- The Walnut Tree Inn, Abergavenny
- The White Swan, Fence
So, if you fancy a spot of ultra-fancy pub grub, now you know where to go! (Me, though? I’m going to stick with my local…)