With the announcement of the Michelin Guide for 2021 we thought that we would give you a helping hand to find these havens of gastronomy that are our doorstep.

There are no less that two 3 Star Restaurants, two 2 Star Restaurants, four 1 Star Restaurants and fifteen Michelin Plate Restaurants within a 10 mile radius of Henley.

Congratulations to Crockers of Henley, Bistro at the Boathouse (Henley), Bottle & Glass Inn (Binfield Heath), Orwells (Shiplake Row), The French Horn (Sonning) and Hurley House (Hurley) all awarded a Michelin Plate.

What a treat we have in store once all their doors are open again.

Here’s a full run down…

Image: Michelin

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View – This iconic restaurant celebrates its 25 year anniversary with an Anthology Menu of its classic dishes; with a different seasonal menu (or ‘Volume’) each quarter, exploring the most famous and fantastical dishes to have come from Heston Blumenthal’s imagination.

Snail porridge, Crab Ice Cream, Sound of the Sea; all the instantly recognisable classics are here, and their theatrical and interactive presentation by a truly engaging service team only serve to further heighten the experience.

Heston’s motto is ‘Question everything’, and his multi-sensory cooking is testament to his ground-breaking approach: innovative, evocative, playful and perfectly judged, with harmonious textures and flavours. Tables are released several months in advance, so you’ll need to plan ahead if you have a special date in mind.

thefatduck.co.uk/

Image: Waterside Inn

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View – Guests are welcomed as if they are friends at this illustrious restaurant in a picture perfect spot on a bank of the Thames. The wonderful terrace is fringed by weeping willows and boats and swans vie for positions on the water.

A bastion of culinary excellence, it was opened in 1972 by the late brothers Michel and Albert Roux and, despite being the longest-standing Starred restaurant in the UK, it continues to go from strength to strength under the auspices of Michel’s son, Alain.

Luxury is at every turn, from the finest crockery and glassware to indulgent ingredients and this, combined with the effortless service, creates a truly memorable dining experience. Menus list all the French classics, from rabbit to lobster, and there’s always a soufflé of the day. Flavours are full and sauces are intense but there’s also a lightness of touch to the execution.

www.waterside-inn.co.uk/restaurant

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View – Tom Kerridge’s flagship restaurant sits within this characterful beamed pub; now a world-renowned institution. Find a spot in the comfortable bar or out on the terrace and choose from a dazzling array of drinks – including their own light beer – then head through to the quirky dining room divided by period beams and pillars.

Food is based around pub classics but those classics are elevated to new heights and are among the best in the UK. The sourcing of ingredients is given due reverence and execution is skilful and confident, while the dishes themselves are characterised by rich, powerful flavours – and the presentation is first-rate. Desserts are a real highlight and you’ll always find a soufflé on the list.

For those who want to make a night of it, luxurious bedrooms are dotted about the town.

www.thehandandflowers.co.uk

Image: John Scott Blackwell/BelmondLe Moir aux Quat’ Saisons

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View – You cannot help but fall in love with this iconic country house restaurant. The setting is divine and a feeling of luxury envelops you, from the sumptuous lounge, via the magical interconnecting beamed dining rooms, to the conservatory overlooking manicured gardens.

Since 1984 it has helped elevate the standard of British cooking – and many who have gone on to become great chefs have trained here. As its name suggests, the seasons lead the way: wander the grounds and you’ll discover an amazing array of plants, as well as a 2,500 strong orchard boasting many rare varieties.

Legendary chef Raymond Blanc leads the team and, while the skilfully executed cooking has a classic French base, it also comes with a light, modern touch. Flavours are intense, combinations are sophisticated and the presentation shows an eye for detail. Desserts are a highlight.

www.belmond.com/europe/uk

Image: Simon Bonwick/Crown

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View – The endearingly friendly Crown sits in a pretty village opposite a 300 year old oak tree and is very proudly and passionately run by the Bonwick family; dad takes charge in the kitchen, while the children keep things running smoothly out front. Cookery books are piled in every available space in the tiny bar and memories of the owner’s earlier ventures help to give the place a cosy, homely feel. It is a rather unique place that comes alive due to the sheer passion of the family.

The concise selection of deftly prepared, classically based dishes is decided upon daily; the options are diverse and all are equally appealing and flavoursome, with defined flavours and a refined touch. Top ingredients from the local area and the markets of Paris are crafted into something truly special under the chef’s experienced hand.

thecrownburchettsgreen.com

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View – Hidden under a creeper cloak and surrounded by mature grounds is L’Ortolan, set within a red-brick Georgian rectory. It’s a spacious, comfortable place and was one of the first restaurants to have a chef’s table, so if you’re in a party of four sitting in the heart of the kitchen, is always a good bet.

Choose between two tasting menus (with both vegetarian and vegan versions available) or opt for something from the concise à la carte (lunch only). Complex modern dishes let the true flavours of top quality ingredients shine through and offer interesting contrasts in textures and temperatures. You’ll find dishes with French influences, such as John Dory with snails and parsley, sitting alongside those of a more British persuasion, like Yorkshire grouse with blackberry and walnut.

lortolan.com

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View – The Hinds Head is a quintessentially English inn that is never less than bustling and the characterful interior provides the perfect backdrop for the historic British dishes. Start with a cocktail in the Royal Lounge – surrounded by some unusual taxidermy – before heading for the characterful 15C restaurant with its wood-panelling, exposed timbers and open fires.

Sophisticated dishes celebrate time-honoured British recipes that have been carefully researched, but Heston Blumenthal’s creative influences are also evident, as the dishes have been restructured in a subtle modern style. The execution is precise, the combinations work beautifully, and different textures and temperatures play their part. Don’t miss the Quaking Pudding, which changes flavour with the seasons. The friendly serving team have excellent knowledge of the different dishes.

hindsheadbray.com

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View – It’s set just down the road from its bigger sister, the Hand and Flowers, and its more relaxed and informal style offers a pleasing contrast; with its charming staff, tasty cooking and reasonable prices, this is a pub which will appeal to everyone.

The menu sets out its stall with headings of ‘Meat’, ‘No Meat’ and ‘Sweet’; the carefully prepared, unfussy pub dishes are starter-sized, so order a couple each and maybe a side to share and you’ll still have room for dessert. Choices might include duck liver parfait, cottage pie and The Coach profiteroles, and although dishes are simple to look at, they are bursting with punchy flavours. Same day bookings are now taken – and first-come-first-served breakfasts are available at the weekend.

www.thecoachmarlow.co.uk

• Crockers Henley – Henley
  • The second in the Crockers group, this is a real dining emporium, with two chef’s tables – one serving modern British and the other Asian fare – as well as an all-day grill. It’s housed in a 17C listed building in the heart of Henley, along with seven gloriously appointed bedrooms www.henley.crockersuk.com
• Bistro at The Boathouse – Henley
  • Take in delightful Thames views through the floor-to-ceiling windows or from the lovely decked terrace complete with heated pods. Unfussy dishes are skilfully prepared and see the likes of soft shell crab rubbing shoulders with steak and chips www.shaundickens.co.uk
• Bottle & Glass Inn – Binfield Heath
  • This pretty thatched pub sits in a lovely rural spot. The original part is the most characterful, while the restaurant is more up-to-date. Modern British cooking is refined but unfussy and has an appealing simplicity www.bottleandglassinn.com
• Orwells – Shiplake Row
  • This 18C building may look like a rural inn but inside it has a modern, formal feel. Creative cooking uses top quality produce and flavours are pronounced. It’s named after George Orwell, who spent his childhood in the area www.orwellsrestaurant.co.uk
• The French Horn – Sonning
  • A beautifully located, 200 year old coaching inn, set on a bank of the Thames fringed by weeping willows; on sunny days head for the splendid terrace. The formal dining room has delightful views over the river and gardens and offers a classical menu of dishes from yesteryear – a gueridon trolley adds to the theatre. Cosy bedrooms are also traditionally appointed www.thefrenchhorn.co.uk
• Hurley House – Hurley
  • There’s no denying that Hurley House is a stylish place. Smart furnishings sit amongst exposed bricks, beams and flagstones, and there’s a charming terrace and outdoor bar. Choose between traditional British or Japanese menus. Well-appointed bedrooms pay great attention to detail www.hurleyhouse.co.uk
• Sindhu – Marlow
  • This hotel restaurant is named after one of the longest rivers in the world and sits in a great spot beside a gushing weir. South Indian recipes are given a sophisticated modern makeover to create refined, subtly spiced dishes. Atul Kochhar is the consultant and cooks here twice a week www.sindhurestaurant.co.uk
• Beehive – White Waltham
  • A traditional English pub overlooking the cricket pitch, where you’ll find local drinkers in the bar and a comfy, light-filled dining room. Eye-catching daily dishes are full of flavour and exhibit a staunch sense of Britishness www.thebeehivewhitewaltham.com
• White Oak – Cookham
  • One could argue whether this is a contemporary pub or a pubby restaurant, as it’s set up quite formally, but what is in no doubt is the warmth of the welcome and the affection in which the place is held by its regulars. Cooking is hearty and full of flavour; the set menu is great value www.thewhiteoak.co.uk
• Olivier at The Red Lion – Britwell Salome
  • Grab one of just a few tables by the bar to enjoy snacks like breaded pigs’ trotters or head through to the dining room for carefully prepared classical French dishes like 12-hour Aga-cooked oxtail in pastry or Cornish fish with champagne sauce. Cooking is rich and delicious, from an experienced hand www.olivierattheredlionbritwellsalome.co.uk
• Roux at Skindles – Taplow
  • Alain Roux of the Waterside Inn owns this contemporary brasserie and cocktail bar in a pleasant riverside setting – part of a residential development that was formerly the Skindles Hotel. Arrive early for drinks on the terrace before enjoying classic French dishes cooked with confidence www.rouxatskindles.co.uk
• Crown – Bray
  • Charmingly restored 16C building; formerly two cottages and a bike shop! Drinkers mingle with diners, and dark columns, low beams and roaring fires create a cosy atmosphere. Carefully prepared British dishes are robust and flavoursome www.thecrownatbray.com
• Caldesi in Campagna – Bray
  • Passionate Montepulciano-born owner-cum-food-author Giancarlo Caldesi and his wife Katie run this chic, sophisticated restaurant. It comes with a cosy conservatory and a lovely covered terrace complete with a wood-fired oven. Flavoursome Italian dishes feature Tuscan and Sicilian specialities www.caldesi.com
• The Mash Inn – Radnage
  • Characterful 18C pub with flagged floors, exposed timbers, hand-crafted oak tables, and great country views from the terrace. Top quality local and garden ingredients lead the daily menu and the bespoke wood-fired chargrill is used to great effect. Bedrooms are modern and simply furnished www.themashinn.com
• Sir Charles Napier – Sprigg’s Alley
  • Enjoy an aperitif in the delightful garden or beside the log fire in this quirky restaurant, where animal sculptures peer out from every corner. British cooking is modern yet unfussy and the wine list is a labour of love www.sircharlesnapier.co.uk