Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

<div id="attachment_26292" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26292" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-26292" src="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2017/10/olive-tree-bath.jpeg" alt="" width="1000" height="759" />Strawberry, marscapone, meringue and basil by Chris Cleghorn of the Olive Tree, Bath</div>
Hot off the press (or should that be out of the oven?) are this year’s Michelin Guide star ratings. If you’re in search of a fancy-pants dinner (er, always), don’t book anything until you’ve had a peek at our round-up, showing which restaurants in Somerset and surrounding counties have (1 Michelin) stars in their eyes.
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<h2>SOMERSET</h2>
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<a href="https://www.olivetreebath.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Olive Tree</a>, Bath, Somerset (NEW)
In the basement of the elegant, eclectically styled Queensberry Hotel, the winner of Bath&#8217;s one and only Michelin star, Chris Cleghorn cooks up Modern British in the Olive Tree restaurant. Thoughtful as well as talented, no one&#8217;s left out: amongst his &#8216;fives&#8217; and &#8216;sevens&#8217; multi-course tasting menus there are vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free &#8216;sevens&#8217; too.
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<a href="http://www.theponyandtrap.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Pony &amp; Trap</a>, Chew Magna, Somerset 

No fancy surroundings – this is a homely Somerset boozer run by brother and sister duo Josh and Holly Eggelton – but the food&#8217;s been Michelin star standard since 2011.
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<h2>BRISTOL</h2>
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<a href="http://www.bulrushrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bulrush</a>, Cotham, Bristol (NEW)
Just your average neighbourhood restaurant. Not. Sit downstairs near the kitchen where chef/proprietor George prepares seasonal organic and foraged menus, often using pickled and preserved ingredients.  Put me down for the nine-course tasting menu on Fridays and Saturday eves.
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<a href="http://www.casamiarestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Casamia</a>, Bristol 

This tiny family-run restaurant with just nine tables is housed on the ground floor of an old hospital along Bristol&#8217;s waterfront. Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias and his team serve up just one eclectic multi-course tasting menu and advise allowing around three and a half hours to enjoy it to the full – alrighty!
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<a href="http://www.pacotapas.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paco Tapas</a>, Bristol 

Just along from Casamina is another arm of the Sanchez-Iglesias family&#8217;s empire. This is where Andalucian meets the West Country to create perfect tapas. I&#8217;ve got my eye on their vast, almost lobster-sized red Spanish prawns&#8230;
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<a href="http://www.wilksrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wilks,</a> Redland, Bristol
Owner James &#8216;Wilks&#8217; Wilkins learned his craft under Gordon Ramsey, the Galvin brothers and triple Michelin starred Michel Bras in France and Japan before setting up on his own. It took just a year to be awarded a Michelin star in 2012. Expect classic flavours, traditional and modern techniques – and an exceptional Sunday roast.
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<h2>WILTSHIRE</h2>
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<a href="https://www.exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house/restaurants-bars/the-bybrook/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Bybrook</a>, Castle Combe, nr Bath, Wilts 

The Manor House is a five-star luxury country house hotel in the Cotswolds with Rob Potter, previously at Michelin starred Lucknam Park, in charge of The Bybrook restaurant since 2016. Walk off a gourmet lunch in the glorious grounds or picture postcard village – or maybe make a weekend of it?
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<a href="https://www.whatleymanor.com/eat-drink/the-dining-room/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Dining Room at Whately Manor</a>, Malmesbury, Wilts 

Michelin&#8217;s Young European Chef of the Year 2018, Niall Keating, takes his inspiration from around the world including Korean, Japanese and French cuisine. £200 will get you the gastronomic tasting menu with matching wine.
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<a href="https://www.lucknampark.co.uk/dining/restaurant-hywel-jones-by-lucknam-park/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Park (at Lucknam Park Hotel)</a>, Colerne, nr  Bath, Wilts 

Stupendous 5-star country house hotel (it&#8217;s got a mile-long driveway) with a very posh dining room – no ripped jeans or trainers allowed in here – headed up by Hywel Jones. Michelin starred since 2006.
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<a href="http://www.redlionfreehouse.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Red Lion Free House</a>, East Chisenbury, Wilts
Another pub, another county. This time it&#8217;s a thatched country pub run by two chefs, just 15 mins drive from Stonehenge. Prix Fixe Weds–Fri lunch/Thurs &amp; Fri dinner is especially good value.
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<h2>GLOUCESTERSHIRE</h2>
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<a href="http://www.lechampignonsauvage.co.uk/carte.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Le Champignon Sauvage,</a> Cheltenham, Gloucs
Down from 2 to 1 star this year, chef David Everitt-Matthias and front of house wife Helen have been running this place since 1987  – and David&#8217;s never missed a service, apparently. The decor may not be exceptional but the French food is.
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<h2>DEVON</h2>
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<a href="http://www.gidleigh.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gidleigh Park,</a> Chagford, Devon (NEW)
They lost their 2 star status with the departure of Michael Wignall but new Executive Chef, Chris Simpson&#8217;s decadent tasting and à la carte menus wins him his first 1 star. Nosh in a wood-panelled restaurant set within a luxury mock Tudor mansion overlooking the river Teign. With over 13,000 bottles in the wine cellar there&#8217;s sure to be something to tickle your fancy.
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<a href="https://lympstonemanor.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lympstone Manor</a>, Lympstone, nr Exmouth, Devon 

Hurrah for the recognition of Michael Caines&#8217; super-classy destination in south-east Devon.  If you’re curious, try and nab yourself tickets for a dining event with the chef himself at the end of this month.
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<a href="https://www.elephantrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Elephant</a>, Torquay, Devon
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside. Especially if we&#8217;re tucking into food that&#8217;s as amazing to look at as it is to eat.  This super relaxed (well-behaved kids and dogs both welcome) bistro overlooking Torquay harbour is run by one of the UK&#8217;s most decorated chefs Simon Hulstone and his wife Katy.
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<a href="http://www.masonsarmsdevon.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Masons Arms,</a> Knowstone, Devon 

These guys arrived on Exmoor’s food scene in 2005, won their Michelin star in 2006 and have retained it ever since. I’m no expert, but I reckon owner and chef Mark Dodson knows what he’s doing.
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<a href="https://www.thomascarrdining.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Thomas Carr @ The Olive Room</a>, Ilfracombe, Devon
Unpretentious surroundings (underneath a B&amp;B) and super-fresh seafood caught that day, cooked up by Thomas Carr, who trained under Cornwall&#8217;s Nathan Outlaw.
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Have a gander at the <a href="https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/features/michelin-guide-results-2019?utm_campaign=1308633_01-10MichelinResults&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=GreatBritishChefs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">full list of Michelin stars</a> for 2019. PS – If you’re seeking for a more low-key, laid-back or frankly less spendy dinner, don’t forget we also review brilliant pubs, cafes and restaurants <a href="https://somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HERE!  </a>

2019’s Michelin stars

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