The Michelin Guide is, for many, a source of inspiration for fine dining as its star system was designed to list restaurants worth a journey. But as well as being home to the UK and Ireland’s best fine dining restaurants, it’s also full of recommended restaurants and bib gourmands, which won’t break the bank.
The 2025 Michelin Guide is now live, and in it are the new stars, including Avery and Lyla - the two new additions who picked up one star each at the ceremony in Glasgow in February.
Michelin awards a star or stars to restaurants that offer ‘outstanding cooking’. They work from five criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavours, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and consistency both across the entire menu and over time.
One Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavours are prepared to a consistently high standard. This was traditionally classed as a restaurant worth a stop.
Two Michelin Stars are awarded when the personality and talent of the chef are evident in their expertly crafted dishes; their food is refined and inspired. This was traditionally classed as worth a detour.
Three Michelin Stars is the highest award, and it’s given for the superlative cooking of chefs at the peak of their profession; their cooking is elevated to an art form and some of their dishes are destined to become classics. This was traditionally classed as a restaurant worth a special journey.
Scotland also gained five new Bib Gourmand restaurants, including two in Edinburgh, two in Glasgow and one in the Highlands.
The Bib Gourmand distinction is The Michelin Guide’s way of recognising restaurants that offer good food at a great price.
While all Bib Gourmands are unique in style and approach, they share the same spirit of generosity and a commitment to quality cooking.
This year, no less than 36 restaurants have been newly awarded a Bib Gourmand, showing the wealth of restaurants around the UK and Ireland that are committed to offering affordable, high-quality cooking.
As well as stars, green stars (awarded for sustainability) and Bib Gourmands, the Guide also has general recommendations -places the inspectors have visited and enjoyed enough for a mention.
With all this in mind, here are all the Scottish restaurants in the Michelin Guide.
Michelin inspectors said “dishes showcase prime Scottish ingredients and many exhibit subtle modern touches.”
We’ve been here and loved it, and Michelin agreed saying: “the menu changes regularly, such is Craig’s commitment to showcasing the best seasonal Scottish produce.” One to watch for a future star.
Another future star here possibly, Michelin said: “The kitchen applies classical techniques to top-quality Scottish ingredients, while incorporating some subtle international influences.”
Find out more via the Michelin Guide here.
