Berkshire and South Bucks restaurants celebrate 'huge honour' of retaining Michelin stars

Six restaurants in East Berkshire and South Bucks have continued their reputation for culinary excellence by retaining Michelin stars for another year.

The familiar names in Bray, Marlow and Old Windsor were recognised in the Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland 2025 list published on Monday (yesterday).

The Waterside Inn is ‘delighted’ to have retained three Michelin stars, marking a record 40 consecutive years.

It is the only restaurant outside France to have retained three stars since 1985.

Chef-owner Alain Roux has been based at the riverside restaurant since 1992 and accepted the accolade on behalf of the Bray restaurant at a ceremony held in Glasgow on Monday.

In a statement shared with the Advertiser, he said it was a ‘huge honour to retain the three stars for a record fortieth year’, adding:

“The stars and record belong to them [the team], the bedrock of The Waterside Inn, who pour their skill and pride into every dish and experience for our guests."

Chef Alain paid tribute to his father, Michel and his uncle Albert, who opened The Waterside Inn in 1972. 

“We stand on the shoulders of giants. To have held three Michelin stars since 1985 is a profound realisation of their dream and lifelong dedication to culinary excellence," he said.

“Although The Waterside Inn was the love of my father’s life, as it is mine, the stars have never dominated us. 

“My father taught us to work to the same level of consistency and quality in spite of the stars, never to protect them.”

The Fat Duck in Bray High Street is among the venues also retaining three Michelin stars on the prestigious list.

Another Bray High Street winner is The Hinds Head retaining its one Michelin star for the 12th consecutive year.

Heston Blumenthal’s venue has been operating in Bray since 1995 with executive chef Peter Gray and head chef Edoardo Brambilla at the helm.

The business thanked its customers for ‘being part of this journey’ on Facebook.

The statement said: “We are very proud to be retaining our Michelin star for the 12th consecutive year.  

"This wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our amazing team, the contributions of our suppliers and the support of our guests.”

Two gastropubs have ensured Marlow’s status as one of the go-to destinations for fine dining.

The Hand and Flowers, run by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, has retained two Michelin stars in the 2025 guide.

Likewise, The Coach, led by head chef Sarah Hayward who won Michelin Young Chef of the Year 2023, has also retained its one Michelin star rating.

The Hand and Flowers congratulated its sister pub in the following Instagram post today (Tuesday):

“Congratulations to all the new and existing Michelin Guide awarded yesterday. We are incredibly proud to have retained our two stars, and we are so happy for our sister pub The Coach for retaining their star. We are so proud.”

Woven by Adam Smith, based at Ascot’s five-star Michelin-recommended Coworth Park hotel, has retained its one Michelin star.

The Loch and the Tyne in Old Windsor remains on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list after joining in 2024, which recognises establishments offering ‘great quality, great value cooking’.

Newly opened The Braywood in Paley Street was also added to the Michelin Guide 2025.