The Fat Duck, Bray

Michelin Stars? ***

For three decades this eaterie has been thrilling diners with gastronomic theatre you can only expect from Heston Blumenthal. Embark on an adventure of innovative, multi-sensory dishes – we challenge you not to be talking about them for decades. The Journey – a 12-course tasting menu (£350) – will be your ultimate passport to Hestonland. Including dishes such as crab and passionfruit 99’, and lamb, cucumber and smoked caviar, The Fat Duck continues to push cuisine forward. www.thefatduck.co.uk

Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Auchterarder

Michelin Stars? **

Nestled among Gleneagles Hotel, Restaurant Andrew Fairlie is Scotland’s longest-standing two Michelin star restaurant. Committed to sustainability and traceability in food, many of the ingredients are cultivated in the restaurant’s secret garden. House favourites such as mushroom and black truffle ravioli and fillet of halibut with baby leeks, mild curry and Shetland mussels can be found on the decadent four-course menu (£175) and are bound to enthral. www.andrewfairlie.co.uk

Moor Hall, Aughton

Michelin Stars? ***

Housed within a beautifully restored 16^th century country house and five acres of Lancashire gardens, this scandic-style restaurant is renowned for its brilliant combinations and produce-driven menu. Chef Patron, Mark Birchell, hails from Lancashire and is famed for his gastronomic genius and championing of his local area. For an indelible experience, sample the Provence menu (£265) – the honey roast Sladesdown duck and Ormskirk gingerbread are culinary masterpieces. www.moorhall.com

L’Enclume, Cartmel

Michelin Stars? ***

Located in the heart of a beautiful Cumbrian village, everything about this restaurant exemplifies Simon Rogan’s farm-to-fork philosophy. Keeping seasonal produce at its heart, each dish begins life at L’Enclume’s own farm, or from wild and local producers. Perfect for diners craving a take on culinary alchemy, dive into dishes like fritter Duroc pig and smoked Eel from the tasting menu (£265) – or take one of six coveted seats at the exclusive Aulis Cartmel to witness Simon in action. www.lenclume.co.uk

Skof, Manchester

Michelin Stars? *

One of the most exciting restaurants to be awarded a Michelin star in 2025, Skof is Tom Barnes’ debut restaurant after working for 20 years as a chef in some of the world’s best. Located in an old warehouse, you won’t find tablecloths here, but you will find cuisine to enliven your taste buds. The tasting menu (£175) includes Chalkstream trout with salted plum condiment, with your dining experience ending with Barney’s Tiramisu, a pudding touchingly inspired by Tom’s late father. www.skofmanchester.co.uk

D’Olier Street, Dublin

Michelin Stars? *

A fine-dining experience in the city centre, soak up the atmosphere in the dining room or take a bird’s eye view at the chef’s counter. Headed by Australian-born James Moore, D’Olier Street received its first Michelin star this year thanks to its artfully designed 13-course tasting menu (€135). Updated every eight weeks and spotlighting delicious dishes such as foie gras custard and Irish Wagyu spiced taramasalata with onion and caviar, Dublin has a new icon in the making. www.dolierstreetrestaurant.com

Gorse, Cardiff

Michelin Stars? ***

From Pierre Yovanovitch’s cosy and contemporary interiors to the welcoming staff, everything about this fine dining favourite exudes elegance. The kitchen’s mastery showcases the best in seasonal produce with exquisite flavours from Hélène’s international travels. Try the Isle of Mull lobster with tandoori spices or the A5 wagyu beef with white miso in the Taste of Autumn seven course menu (£225) – or watch culinary art come to life by taking a seat at the newly unveiled Chef’s Table. www.gorserestaurant.co.uk

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London

Michelin Stars? *

After three years at The Fat Duck, welsh-born Tom Waters opened his own restaurant, receiving a Michelin star in just eight months. Enjoy intimate surroundings and unobtrusive service, while savouring a menu centred around Wales’ bountiful produce. The 10 course tasting menu (£125) includes bara brith, perl wen and Welsh truffle – a dish that combines homey ingredients with luxury, while the mackerel with horseradish, lovage and apple puts Welsh gastronomy on its rightful pedestal. www.the-connaught.co.uk

The Ledbury, London

Michelin Stars? ***

Every ingredient is of premium quality at The Ledbury, from the pigs raised on head chef, Brett Graham’s, farm, to the restaurant’s much-prized mushroom cabinet. Offering beautifully balanced modern combinations, such as hay-aged pigeon with girolles, vadouvan, cherry and sauerkraut, the feel at The Ledbury is sophisticated but never over-complicated. Enjoy the eight course tasting menu (£260) or dinner tasting menu (£285) for a procession of refined gastronomic perfection. www.theledbury.com

Gymkhana, London

Michelin Stars? **

Taking inspiration from the elite clubs of India, where high society revelled in the very finest of food and company, if you like your classic Indian cuisine to be served with a side of luxury, Gymkhana never fails to delight. An unrivalled choice for vegetarians, the meat-free tasting menu (£135) offers delicious mouthfuls such as beetroot chops pao with peanut ghati masala and gucchi, and khumb and truffle pilau, while the meat version (£145) offers the foodie famous wild venison biryani. www.gymkhanalondon.com

Disclaimer All prices, menus and availability details are accurate at the time of publication; however, these may be subject to change without notice.

The post 10 Michelin Star Restaurants Around the UK to Reserve a Table At appeared first on Best of Living.

What makes certain whiskies so expensive?

“An old whisky matured for a long time before it was bottled, or one bottled a long time ago. A high age statement costs a fair amount of money, as will anything before the Nineties. Over that time, it will have developed a lot of flavour and character: a drop of liquid history, frozen in time.”

What should I collect?

“Anything hard to get or limited in supply. Bottles from silent distilleries like Littlemill or Caperdonich are costly because those whiskies will never be made again. The same goes for novelty and uniqueness, like the one Frank Sinatra gave to a doorman as a tip.”

What is secondary market whisky?

“Here, people buy whisky they know will be in-demand and flip at a higher cost in auctions. It can be a cyclical market too: the more money a whisky sells for on the secondary market, the more it will make in the future, as people want to cash in on how much it will go for at auction.”

How much could I pay?

“In 2019 The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 60-year-old single malt set a world record for a bottle, fetching £1.5 million at auction [this world record has since been beaten by the same spirit at £2.1 million].”

Why is single malt more expensive?

“It’s made from 100% malted barley, distilled at a single distillery in pot stills and aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. The flavour tends to reflect the unique characteristics of the distillery’s location and production methods, too.”

Does expensive whisky taste better?

“Here, it’s important to note that price does not always equal quality. Neither does age or prestige. None of the above means much if a whisky isn’t to your taste. Ultimately that’s what whisky is about. Taste is subjective.”

Ready to invest? Here’s four whiskies to add to your collection before they’re gone:

Glenfarclas Family Case Trunk 1000cl – £115,000

This trunk is a spectacular addition to the Glenfarclas’ Family Cask collection, believed to be the most expansive single collection ever released by one distillery. It contains every vintage made by the Speyside distillery between 1954 and 2003 – 50 200ml bottles of Glenfarclas goodness.

Midleton 47 Year Old Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three 75cl – £32,995

The Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection is made up of some of the last surviving casks distilled at the Old Midleton Distillery in Cork. Chapter Three in the collection is a single pot still Irish whiskey taken from two casks, an ex-sherry butt, and an ex-bourbon barrel, both of which were distilled in 1973.

Visit www.masterofmalt.com

Glen Grant 1948 (cask 1365) King Charles III Coronation Release (Gordon & MacPhail 70cl) – £24,995

Marking King Charles’ III coronation and hailing from the Glen Grant distillery, this single malt was distilled in 1948, the birth year of King Charles, then filled in a sherry cask to mature. Despite over seven decades of maturation, the spirit retained a hearty cask strength of 50.4% ABV upon bottling in 2022.

The Dalmore 45 Year Old 1966 (cask 7) Constellation Collection 70cl – £22,999.95

This 45-year-old expression was first aged in an American white oak ex-bourbon cask for 37 years – but that just wasn’t enough for the Dalmore team. They then moved the whisky over to a Matusalem Oloroso sherry cask for six years, and then finally two more years in a bourbon barrel.

Disclaimer: This feature is for editorial purposes only and should not be regarded as financial advice. Prices, product details and availability were correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change. The value of whisky or any collectable may rise or fall, and readers are encouraged to seek independent professional advice before making investment decisions. Best of Living supports mindful enjoyment of alcohol – please drink responsibly. For guidance and support, visit drinkaware.co.uk.

The post Why Now’s the Right Time to Invest in These Super-luxe Whiskies appeared first on Best of Living.

Whisking you away to the Eastern Mediterranean

Megan’s is a collection of beautifully styled neighbourhood restaurants serving brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails every day. Known for their twinkling interiors and Eastern Mediterranean-inspired menus, they offer a welcoming, relaxed environment that’s perfect for everything from catch-ups to celebrations.

With locations across London and beyond, Megan’s restaurants are dog-friendly and available for private hire with no booking fee. Share vibrant feasting boards, enjoy plentiful Prosecco and immerse yourself in the warm, inviting atmosphere.

Visit megans.co.uk

Enjoy a taste of Wales

Welsh Lamb, which carries the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) mark, is a premium choice for anyone seeking flavour, quality and sustainability. Reared in Wales using generations of traditional farming knowledge, it offers a naturally rich and distinct taste.

From slow-roasted joints to modern, spice-led dishes, Welsh Lamb brings versatility to everyday meals and special occasions alike. Discover recipes and inspiration that reflect the character of Welsh landscapes and craftsmanship.

Visit eatwelshlamb.com

The perfect whisky gift

Beckett’s, the English gin producer, has launched a limited-edition single malt whisky matured in sloe gin casks. Each numbered bottle in this inaugural 324-bottle release offers a unique flavour profile, with black cherry and vanilla notes followed by a long honey finish.

Created by resting malt spirit in casks previously used for Beckett’s sloe gin, this distinctive whisky is part of an ongoing annual series. With each release aged a year longer than the last, it’s a collector’s piece for connoisseurs and curious whisky lovers alike.

Visit beckettsgin.co.uk

Indulge in a classic fino sherry

Tio Pepe is a dry fino sherry produced in Andalusia and enjoyed worldwide for nearly 200 years. Made from Palomino grapes and matured in barrels for four years, it offers a crisp, refreshing taste that pairs well with everything from tapas to seafood.

Serve chilled in a white wine glass or mix with tonic for a modern twist. With its clean, complex profile and historic heritage, Tio Pepe is a sophisticated choice for any occasion — whether shared at home or sipped in good company.

Visit tiopepe.com

Give the gift of dining out

The Dining Out Gift Card can be redeemed in more than 1,600 pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels across the UK. Whether you’re treating someone to a countryside lunch, a city cocktail night or a romantic dinner, it offers flexibility and flavour in equal measure.

Available online or by post, the gift card can also be sent digitally via text or social media. From well-known brands to local favourites, the Dining Out Gift Card makes sharing a meal as easy — and thoughtful — as it should be.

Visit thediningoutgiftcard.co.uk

Discover the perfect beer

Conwy Brewery has been brewing award-winning beers in North Wales since 2003, using locally sourced ingredients and traditional conditioning techniques. Their range includes Clogwyn Gold, a crisp, golden ale brewed with Snowdonia spring water and carefully selected hops.

With a commitment to sustainability — including solar-powered brewing — and a presence in pubs, taprooms and farm shops, Conwy Brewery combines flavour, craftsmanship and eco-conscious practice.

Visit conwybrewery.co.uk

Enjoy caviar at its finest

Founded in Paris in 1920, Petrossian is renowned for bringing expertly matured caviar to tables around the world. Family-owned for over a century, the company now operates boutiques in London, New York and other global culinary capitals.

From caviar and smoked salmon to truffles and foie gras, Petrossian offers refined indulgence and impeccable provenance. Visit their South Kensington boutique or browse online to explore their range of gourmet delicacies.

Visit petrossian.co.uk

Embark on a gastronomic journey at TDQ Steaks, London

TDQ Steaks on London’s Albert Embankment delivers fine dining with global flair. With roots in Amsterdam and a focus on rare cuts, the restaurant offers everything from Japanese Kobe Wagyu to Canadian Bison, crafted with care and culinary precision.

Each dish reflects decades of experience and a passion for quality. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner or a celebratory evening, TDQ Steaks offers a world-class experience in the heart of the city.

Visit tdqsteaks.com

A slice of Mexico in the heart of London

Mestizo, located on London’s King’s Road, is a family-run Mexican restaurant that celebrates authentic cuisine and warm hospitality. Dishes like volcanic Molcajete bowls and Cuitlacoche (Mexican truffle) bring generational recipes and rich flavours to life.

Guests are invited to relax, make tacos at the table, enjoy mezcal and connect with the essence of Mexico. With a lively atmosphere and heartfelt menu, Mestizo is a true culinary tribute to tradition.

Visit mestizo-chelsea.com

An immersive journey into Northumbria’s Golden Age

Ad Gefrin, England’s northernmost distillery, blends whisky making with local heritage. Based in Northumberland, it offers distillery tours, tastings, and a cultural museum celebrating the region’s Anglo-Saxon past.

Whether exploring handcrafted spirits or engaging with history, Ad Gefrin offers a distinctive experience that connects visitors to the stories and flavours of the North.

Visit adgefrin.co.uk

Award-winning gin and spirits school

820 Spirits in the New Forest hosts hands-on gin and rum schools, where guests craft their own bottles using over 30 botanicals. Cocktail-making classes are also available, making each visit both educational and enjoyable.

With gift vouchers and personalised labels, the experience offers something lasting — whether for yourself or someone special. It’s a blend of learning, flavour and fun.

Visit 820spirits.com

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