They are some of the most luxurious restaurants in the world where every mouthful of food is precision engineered for absolute pleasure – but you can’t please everyone!
MailOnline has found that some diners who shelled out for banquets at the UK’s three-Michelin starred restaurants, operated by top chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse, have left scathing and sometimes amusing TripAdvisor reviews.
And predictably some of them are more justified than others.
The UK has just eight three-Michelin starred restaurants which are ran like military units by their hugely experienced teams of culinary gods with decades of culinary experience.
A Michelin Star is a sign of quality and restaurants can be awarded zero to three stars based on five areas: quality of ingredients, mastery of flavour and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in the cuisine, value for money and consistency of food.
The admittedly pompous French guide states: ‘A Michelin Star is awarded for the food on the plate — nothing else.
‘The style of a restaurant and its degree of formality or informality have no bearing whatsoever on the award.’
We’ve collated some of the strangest reviews from each restaurant below. They make for interesting reading.
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
The eponymous eatery in the heart of London’s exclusive Chelsea neighbourhood was opened by the celebrity chef in 1998 and was Gordon Ramsay’s first solo endeavour.
Just three years after opening, the TV chef was awarded three Michelin stars and has since celebrated 20 years with all three of the coveted prize.
The eponymous eatery in the heart of London’s exclusive Chelsea neighbourhood was opened by Gordon Ramsay in 1998 and was the celebrity chef’s first solo endeavour
Its set lunch menu costs £125 before drinks while its ‘carte blanche’ menu which ‘focuses on discovery and the element of surprise’ and is bespoke to the diner costs £260
While Ramsay opened the fine dining experience under his name, in 2013 – after an art deco redesign – the running of the restaurant was handed over to chef patron Clare Smyth
The three Michelin-star establishment is known for its modern French cuisine including lobster ravioli, scallops and steak
While Ramsay opened the fine dining experience under his name, in 2013 – after an art deco redesign – the running of the restaurant was handed over to chef patron Clare Smyth.
In 2020 Matt Abé took over and oversees the running of all of Ramsay’s eateries.
The three Michelin-star establishment is known for its modern French cuisine including lobster ravioli, scallops and steak.
Its set lunch menu costs £125 before drinks while its ‘carte blanche’ menu which ‘focuses on discovery and the element of surprise’ and is bespoke to the diner costs £260.
Despite the high-end offerings and attention to detail, not everyone has been left with a sated appetite.
Previous foodies have slammed the restaurant as ‘disappointing’, ‘tasteless’ and a ‘ripoff’ and questioned how the celebrity cook had managed to get any Michelin stars at all.
One reviewer complained that the lobster linguini was like rubber while another said they found the waiters frustrating and claimed they couldn’t understand them
Previous foodies have slammed the restaurant as ‘disappointing’, ‘tasteless’ and a ‘ripoff’ and questioned how the celebrity cook had managed to get any Michelin stars at all
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester
Alain Ducasse’s restaurant, nestled in the luxury Dorchester hotel in central London, is one of more than 25 restaurants operated by French-born chef.
It opened in 2007 and in its first three years was awarded three Michelin stars.
Although Ducasse’s name is above the door, the eatery is run by executive chef Jocelyn Herlan.
Alain Ducasse’s restaurant, nestled in the luxury Dorchester hotel in central London, is one of more than 25 restaurants operated by French-born chef
Although Ducasse’s name is above the door, the eatery is run by executive chef Jocelyn Herlan
The menu offers pigeon served with wild garlic and marigold or milk-fed lamb from the Pyrénées
The fine dining spot is known for its luxury décor including ceramic vegetables, handmade butter dishes in pink marble, and Porthault linen tablecloths as well as its contemporary French cuisine.
The menu offers pigeon served with wild garlic and marigold or milk-fed lamb from the Pyrénées.
For £285, diners can enjoy a seven-course tasting menu that includes a French cheese board and strawberries with nettle and elderflower.
While previous restaurant critics have called it magical and a ‘grande dame’ of English dining, others were less than impressed.
One upset customer called his meal ‘depressingly bad’ and slammed the dishes for lacking flavour while another urged potential customers to avoid after being charged £500 extra per person for a meal with specialised wine tasting.
One upset customer called his meal ‘depressingly bad’ and slammed the dishes for lacking flavour while another urged potential customers to avoid after being charged £500 extra
Core by Clare Smyth
A former Gordon Ramsay head chef, Clare Smyth went out on her own in August 2017, opening up Core in the heart of London’s Notting Hill.
Winning three Michelin stars by 2021 as well as Best Restaurant at the GQ Food and Drink Awards, Smyth’s restaurant offers seasonal British fine dining.
And it’s not just the chefing world she’s got the seal of approval from.
Smyth is also a firm favourite of the celebrity scene and hosted David Beckham’s 50th birthday party earlier this year which was shut down by police at 3.30am after noise complaints.
In 2018 the talented chef also catered for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding reception with a menu designed around finger food so guests could continue to talk as they ate.
A former Gordon Ramsay head chef, Clare Smyth (pictured) went out on her own in August 2017, opening up Core in the heart of London’s Notting Hill.
Winning three Michelin stars in 2021 as well as Best Restaurant at the GQ Food and Drink Awards, Clare’s restaurant offers seasonal British fine dining
Known for its eye-catching presentation of dishes like smoked Fowey mussels or ‘Rhug Estate venison (pictured), the chef offers seasonal tasting menus for £265
Smyth won three Michelin stars in 2021 as well as Best Restaurant at the GQ Food and Drink Awards in 2023
And in her restaurant, Smyth also knows how to wow with eye-catching dishes of dishes of smoked Fowey mussels or ‘Rhug Estate venison, the chef offers seasonal tasting menus for £265 which include British staples such as leek and potato dishes, Cornish turbot and Raspberry fool.
Previous reviews have called the restaurant a ‘culinary miracle’ and she’s certainly a favourite among the famous, but for those not in the professional restaurant reviewing game, their takeaways were starkly different.
Rather than fawning over the high-end restaurant (previously the site of Bake Off star Prue Leith’s restaurant), customers have made their frustrations known.
One diner confessed they had experienced a cattle-class service and felt rushed through their meal while another added that they were asked to leave after two and a half hours despite not even finishing their dinner and forking out more than £1,000 for it.
One customer revealed their husband had food poisoning after enjoying a meal at Core and said the experience left ‘a bad taste in our mouth – both literally and figuratively’.
Rather than fawning over the high-end restaurant (previously the site of Bake Off star Prue Leith’s restaurant), customers made their frustrations known
Fat Duck – Heston Blumenthal
The Fat Duck bills itself as a fine dining experience in Bray, in the heart of Berkshire.
Owned by TV chef Heston Blumenthal, who is known for his wacky creations and exciting culinary chemistry, the eatery is housed in a 16th century house and opened in 1995.
The exciting restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in 1999, its second in 2002 and its third just two years later.
Owned by TV chef Heston Blumenthal, who is known for his wacky creations and exciting culinary chemistry, the eatery is housed in a 16th century house and opened in 1995.
The exciting restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in 1999, its second in 2002 and its third just two years later
Known for its outlandish dishes including a bacon and egg ice cream and a mock turtle soup, Blumenthall also offers salmon poached in liquorice gel with vanilla mayonnaise and asparagus
Originally opened as French bistro serving steak and lemon tart, it quickly gained a reputation for exciting flavour combinations and inventions including triple-cooked chip
In 2005 it was ranked among the world’s 50 best restaurants and although it lost its stars when it underwent renovation in 2016, it quickly regained them.
Originally opened as French bistro serving steak and lemon tart, it quickly gained a reputation for exciting flavour combinations and inventions including triple-cooked chip.
Known for its outlandish dishes including a bacon and egg ice cream and a mock turtle soup, Blumenthall also offers salmon poached in liquorice gel with vanilla mayonnaise and asparagus, black love and leather puree with pistachio scrambled egg alongside more traditional dishes including crab risotto and pork belly.
Despite the exciting offerings, diners have been left less than impressed and complained of theatrical but unpleasant-tasting food with one customer confessing they felt ‘repulsed’ by the plates offered in the ten-course tasting menu.
Despite the exciting offerings, diners have complained of theatrical but unpleasant-tasting food with one customer confessing they felt ‘repulsed’ by the plates offered
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
A former pupil of Alain Ducasse, Hélène Darroze was named as the new head chef at the five-star hotel Connaught in London in 2008, replacing Angela Hartnett.
After taking over, her menu was panned by critics with Jay Rayner describing the food there as ‘Two of the very worst dishes ever to be served to me at this level.‘
Despite the initial set back she won her first Michelin star there in 2009, a second star in 2011 and a third in 2021.
Known for high-quality ingredients, Darroze offers dishes such as lobster with tandoori spices, carrot and coriander or Wagyu beef with fermented pepper.
While the eight-course summer tasting menu costs £225 each, many of the dishes ask for a supplement that for some costs up to £120.
Hélène Darroze was named as the new head chef at the five-star hotel Connaught in London in 2008, replacing Angela Hartnett
Known for high-quality ingredients, Darroze offers dishes such as lobster with tandoori spices, carrot and coriander or Wagyu beef with fermented pepper
While the eight-course summer tasting menu costs £225 each, many of the dishes ask for a supplement that for some costs up to £120
Other plates on offer include piglet with cherry and black pudding and desserts such as cardamom and almond chocolate.
And while the luxury hotel boasts about their resident chef, not all customers are convinced she’s worth the price.
Diners have criticised the lack of soul in the food and the bland lunch offering.
One complimented the plating, calling it a ‘visual work of an art’ but slammed the taste as feeling like ‘an afterthought’ and one frustrated diner described the atmosphere in the restaurant as closer to a ‘truck stop diner’ than a five-star establishment and called it ‘the most disappointing dinner ever’.
While the luxury hotel boasts about their resident chef, not all customers are convinced she’s worth the price and have criticised the lack of soul in the food and the bland lunch offering
L’Enclume
L’Enclume is a luxury modern British restaurant hidden in Cartmel, Cumbria and run by chef Simon Rogan and his partner Penny Tapsell.
Opened in 2002, it has received three Michelin stars as well as a ten out of ten rating in the Good Food Guide five times in a row.
Converted from an 800-year-old former smithy, Rogan paid homage to the history of the building by calling it anvil in French.
L’Enclume is a luxury modern British restaurant hidden in Cartmel, Cumbria and run by chef Simon Rogan and his partner Penny Tapsell in a converted 800-year-old smithy
L’Enclume is known for his 20-course tasting menu with a focus on herbs and flowers
Some of its dishes include Cherry Belle radish, pickled rose and Chalk Stream trout tart, roasted Orkney scallop and Purple Azur kohlrabi and Caramel mousse with miso and apple
The head chef grows almost everything supplied including vegetables, chickens and pigs and the luxury diner was included in the 2010 BBC comedy The Trip starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon as fictionalised versions of themselves doing a restaurant tour of northern England.
L’Enclume is known for his 20-course tasting menu with a focus on herbs and flowers and some of its dishes include Cherry Belle radish, pickled rose and Chalk Stream trout tart, roasted Orkney scallop and Purple Azur kohlrabi and Caramel mousse with our miso, apple and spruce.
Despite the extensive menu and three Michelin stars, diners slammed the overpriced menu, complaining of expensive wine at £110 a bottle as well as undercooked meat.
Despite the extensive menu and three Michelin stars, diners slammed the overpriced menu, complaining of expensive wine at £110 a bottle as well as undercooked meat
One customer was outraged by their ‘anaemic’ guinea fowl and ‘overcooked’ ox cheek.
Moor Hall
Moor Hall, in the village of Aughton, Lancashire, is a converted Grade II* listed gentry house from the 16th century which was bought by Andy and Tracey Bell in 2015.
The award-winning restaurant is run by Mark Birchall who joined the stunning eatery in 2017 when the couple opened its doors to diners.
Within it first two years the restaurant had won two Michelin stars and gained its third earlier this year which Birchall said was ‘simply brilliant’ and a dream come true, the BBC reports.
Moor Hall, in the village of Aughton, Lancashire, is a converted grade II* listed gentry house from the 16th century which was bought by Andy and Tracey Bell in 2015
The award-winning restaurant is run by Mark Birchall who joined the stunning eatery in 2017 when the couple opened its doors to diners
Some of the dishes on offer include east coast lobster with fresh and fermented tomatoes, smoked marrow and rosehip, Cornish lamb and a peach, lemon and goat’s cheese
Some of the dishes on offer include east coast lobster with fresh and fermented tomatoes, smoked marrow and rosehip, Cornish lamb and a peach, lemon and goat’s cheese.
With prices starting at £145 per person it’s one of the cheaper Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK but customers have still complained about the prices and the quality of the food.
Disappointed diners siad their two courses took almost three hours to arrive and they were charged an extra £100 while another said the menu needed re-evaluating and compare their steak to a Michelin tyre.
Disappointed diners claimed their two courses took almost three hours to arrive while another said the menu needed re-evaluating and compare their steak to a Michelin tyre
Sketch, The Lecture Room and Library
Sketch restaurant opened in Mayfair, London in 2003 with a New French cuisine.
Within the historic building are five eateries, including three restaurants: the Parlour, the Lecture Room & Library, the Glade, the Gallery, and the Eastbar & Pods and The Lecture Room & Library holds three Michelin stars.
Sketch covers two floors of the 18th century building and has a permanent exhibition of the surreal cartoonist David Shrigley who also designed the restaurant’s tableware.
The luxury eatery was awarded its first Michelin star in 2005, its second in 2012 and its third star in 2019.
Known for its quirky design as well as its food, the restaurant offers customers a sensory experience like no other.
Sketch restaurant opened in Mayfair, London in 2003 with a New French cuisine and covers two floors of the 18th century building
The eatery also has a permanent exhibition of the surreal cartoonist David Shrigley who also designed the restaurant’s tableware
Dishes on the menu include seaweed jelly with smoked sardines and cauliflower florets as well as lobster five different ways
Known for its quirky design as well as its food, the restaurant offers customers a sensory experience like no other
Dishes on the menu include seaweed jelly with smoked sardines and cauliflower florets as well as lobster five different ways.
The three course menu costs an eye-watering £235 per person with wine pairing an additional £165.
Other dishes on offer include roasted Limousin veal sweetbread and potato cream or saddle of Welsh lamb.
And while for some the menu may sound mouth-watering, for some customers they left with a bitter taste in their mouth.
And while for some the menu may sound mouth-watering, for some customers they left with a bitter taste in their mouth
One couple hit out at the restaurant for its ‘unimaginative’ dishes and said it was ‘far from a three-star French or Swiss’.
Others were shocked by the prices and said it ‘ruined’ their night and even brought them to tears.
The Ledbury
The Ledbury is located in the heart of London in Notting Hill and was opened in 2005, winning its first Michelin star in 2006 and its second in 2010 before being awarded a third in 2024.
The restaurant’s chef-patron Brett Graham was born in Australia and moved to London in the 2000s before joining the Ledbury’s now closed sister restaurant The Square.
The exclusive dining experience offers an eight-course tasting menu for £260 with matching wines an extra £135.
The Ledbury is located in the heart of London in Notting Hill and was opened in 2005, winning its first Michelin star in 2006 and its second in 2010 before being awarded a third in 2024
Diners can enjoy lobster with bergamot, apple marigold, wakame and cherry blossom or Iberian pork with karashi mustard, morel and umeboshi
Famously the restaurant does not cater to vegans or those with dairy and egg allergies, citing strains on the kitchen
Diners can enjoy lobster with bergamot, apple marigold, wakame and cherry blossom or Iberian pork with karashi mustard, morel and umeboshi or 72 per cent Solomon Islands chocolate with olive oil.
Famously the restaurant does not cater to vegans or those with dairy and egg allergies, citing strains on the kitchen.
Despite the luxury ingredients, previous diners have reviewed the London restaurant poorly, complaining of an uninspiring menu.
They added that the service was perfunctory and the whole experience was a ‘total disappointment’.
Despite the luxury ingredients, previous diners have reviewed the London restaurant poorly, complaining of an uninspiring menu
Another added that despite the six curses on offer, they were still left wanting a curry or a pizza after their meal.
Waterside Inn
The Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire was founded by Michel and Albert Roux and has retained its three Michelin stars for 40 years.
Opening in 1972, the restaurant is now run by Michel’s son Alain and the interior of the eatery and the rooms above were designed by Michel’s wife Robyn making the restaurant truly a family affair.
The Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire was founded by Michel and Albert Roux and has retained its three Michelin stars for 40 years
The dishes include ravioli and Burgundy snails with parsley and garlic, Seared Orkney scallops with fennel with fresh almonds, Spit-roasted Limousin veal chop or line-caught red mullet fillet
The restaurant offers luxurious dishes including caviar and cocktails or three course menus for £265 per person
But not everyone has been left enamoured by their visit with some customers slamming the poor service and dress code while others said they were still hungry after their meal
The restaurant offers luxurious dishes including caviar and cocktails or three course menus for £265 per person.
Some of the dishes include ravioli and Burgundy snails with parsley and garlic, Seared Orkney scallops with fennel with fresh almonds, Spit-roasted Limousin veal chop or line-caught red mullet fillet cooked under potato scales.
With a strict dress code of collared shirts and a jacket and smart shoes for men and a ban on sandals and T-shirts, Waterside Inn is a true luxury experience.
But not everyone has been left enamoured by their visit with some customers slamming the poor service and dress code while others said they were still hungry after their three-course meal.
