The Michelin Guide has long been associated with exclusive, high-end dining experiences that demand formal attire and advance planning. However, the prestigious guide's 2026 Bib Gourmand awards for Great Britain and Ireland reveal a different side of culinary excellence, celebrating 37 establishments that deliver exceptional food at remarkable value, with many offering convenient takeaway services.
Redefining Fine Dining Accessibility
Unlike the star-awarded restaurants where meals can cost hundreds of pounds, the Bib Gourmand recognition focuses specifically on quality cooking at reasonable prices. Originally established in 1997 with a requirement for three-course menus under £30, Michelin has since refined the criteria to simply honour establishments providing good quality, good value cooking, making gourmet experiences more accessible than ever.
London's Culinary Highlights
London dominates this year's awards with twelve recipients showcasing the capital's diverse food scene. In Clapham, Tamila has gained recognition for its South Indian small plates and curries, with dishes like Thanjavur chicken and Chettinad lamb priced up to £16 and available through Deliveroo. The restaurant follows the success of the brand's TikTok-famous Indian pubs, The Tamil Prince and The Tamil Crown in Islington.
Wimbledon's authentic Korean restaurant Ssam Ssam earns its place with offerings like £15.50 wagyu bavette and £13.90 traditional bibimbap, available both for dining in and takeaway. Meanwhile, Notting Hill's Canteen, created by The Public House group behind establishments like The Pelican and The Hero, offers daily-changing seasonal pastas, pizzas, and small plates averaging around £20 per dish.
The restaurant received praise from Daily Mail food critic Tom Parker Bowles upon its 2024 opening, who commended the predominantly female kitchen team and River Cafe-trained head chef Jess Filbey as a class act. Islington also celebrates two winners: De Beauvoir wine bar Goodbye Horses and Newington Green's Cadet.
Nationwide Culinary Excellence
Beyond London, the awards highlight exceptional value dining across the United Kingdom. Nottingham's neighbourhood dining spot Piccalilli focuses on seasonal small plates using local East Midlands produce, while Stockport's Cantaloupe offers a sophisticated £35 per person lunch menu featuring expertly executed simple dishes like Milanese Chicken Terrine and Smoked Sausage with Lentils and Dijon Mustard.
Manchester's Erst showcases premium ingredients like dry-aged sirloin from five-year-old ex-dairy cows from the Peak District. Cardiff's Indian restaurant Purple Poppadom combines traditional dishes like £18.95 Lamb Rogan Josh with modern interpretations such as Burrata Lababdar, while Abergavenny's The Gaff presents creative dishes highlighting seasonal ingredients.
Scottish and Irish Recognition
Scotland secures four restaurants on the list, including Glasgow's underground bar Sebb's with its wine-on-tap system and rotating DJs, and the more relaxed gastropub The Clarence offering a £29 set three-course menu of traditional fare. Dublin's Borgo, described as an osteria locale, makes everything in-house daily including sourdough pizzette, fresh pastas, cultured butters, and fresh ricotta.
Complete 2026 Bib Gourmand List
The full selection of Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants for 2026 includes:
London
- Calong, Stoke Newington
- Oren, Dalston
- Cadet, Islington
- Goodbye Horses, Islington
- Singburi, Shoreditch
- Canteen, Notting Hill
- Café Spice Namasté, Royal Albert Dock
- Akara, Borough Market
- Lai Rai, Peckham
- Kruk, Peckham
- Tamila, Clapham
- Ssam Ssam, Wimbledon
Elsewhere in England
- Norman's Neighbourhood Kitchen, Kirkburton
- Almanac, Glossop
- Erst, Manchester
- Cantaloupe, Stockport
- Piccalilli, Nottingham
- The Yurt at Nicholsons, North Aston
- The Oarsman, Marlow
- Gina, Chingford
- Shwen Shwen, Sevenoaks
- Jai Ho, Bishop's Cleeve
- Post, Newman
- Ragù, Bristol
- Counter Culture, Newquay
Scotland
- Mara, Aberdeen
- Angeethi by Sagar Massey, Cardonald
- Sebb's, Glasgow
- The Clarence, Glasgow
Northern Ireland
- Beau, Belfast
Republic of Ireland
- Bigfan, Dublin
- Borgo, Dublin
- Fôret, Dublin
- Farmgate Lismore, Lismore
Wales
- The Gaff, Abergavenny
- Purple Poppadom, Cardiff
Channel Islands
- Alba, St Peter Port, Guernsey
This year's Bib Gourmand selection demonstrates that exceptional culinary experiences need not come with exorbitant price tags or formal requirements, bringing Michelin-approved dining within reach of more food enthusiasts across Britain and Ireland.
