NEWS : Michelin Stars - where to dine in Scotland

Every autumn, Michelin releases its UK index the Michelin Guide. It’s a fairly stressful time for restaurants and chefs - it can be a joyous or tearful occasion, receiving a star or loosing one.

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The Michelin Guide was started by the Michelin brothers, Edouard and Andre in 1900 after they started their tyre company in 1889. They wanted to encourage people to travel further afield, thus buying more tyres!

So how does the rating system work?

They have 5 criteria :

  • quality of the ingredients used

  • mastery of flavour and cooking techniques

  • the personality of the chef in their cuisine

  • value for money

  • consistency between visits

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One star: Very good cooking in its category. 

Two stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour. 

Three stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.

Bib Gourmand: Recognises "small, charming restaurants" serving good food an affordable prices – in the UK, this means three courses for under £28.

Michelin Plate: A nod to places that have been recognised but are yet to earn one of the other awards;

You may think that the Michelin Guide is all about fine dining but you couldn’t be more wrong. Yes they’ve awarded restaurants with white table cloths and polished crystal glasses but they have also awarded stars to the like of the Hong Kong dim sum chain Tim Ho Wan’s hole-in-the-wall maiden outlet in Mongkok; the street side ramen noodle bar Tsuta in Tokyo and a street food stall in Singapore offering a plate of soya sauce chicken from HKD12!

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Scottish restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide

Here is the list of Michelin awarded restaurants in Scotland (alphabetical order) with my symbols for one star, two stars, bib gourmand and michelin plates.

* one star **two star $ bib gourmand IOI michelin plate

Mackerel Dish from Moonfish Cafe taken from their Facebook page

Mackerel Dish from Moonfish Cafe taken from their Facebook page

ABERDEEN CITY

ABERDEENSHIRE

ANGUS

Airds Hotel, Port Appin

Airds Hotel, Port Appin

ARGYLL AND BUTE

AYRSHIRE

BORDERS

DUMFIES AND GALLOWAY

Crab and Smoked Salmon dish from Castlehill Dundee. Photo taken from their Facebook page

Crab and Smoked Salmon dish from Castlehill Dundee. Photo taken from their Facebook page

DUNDEE CITY

EDINBURGH CITY

Mono Restaurant Edinburgh

Mono Restaurant Edinburgh

EAST LOTHIAN

FALKIRK

Chez Roux, Greywalls, East Lothian

Chez Roux, Greywalls, East Lothian

FIFE

GLASGOW CITY

Kylesku Hotel, Kylesku. Photo taken from their Facebook page

Kylesku Hotel, Kylesku. Photo taken from their Facebook page

HIGHLANDS

MIDLOTHIAN

Ballintaggart Farm, Grandtully. Photo taken from their Facebook page

Ballintaggart Farm, Grandtully. Photo taken from their Facebook page

PERTH AND KINROSS

STIRLING

There is so much great food being made around Scotland, using the best of Scottish produce, and prepared by very passionate Chefs; and with this handy list, I am sure you will be able to find a Michelin recommended restaurant near you.

For the full Michelin Guide visit their website https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en

Check out my top fine dining restaurants around the world https://www.tartanspoon.co.uk/fine-dining