A Michelin-starred meal doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag, as diners are discovering at The Coach – officially the UK’s cheapest Michelin-star restaurant.
Located in the heart of Marlow, Buckinghamshire, The Coach is owned by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge and offers refined pub classics in a relaxed, informal setting, making it a top choice for fine dining on a budget.
Just a few years after opening in 2014, the restaurant was awarded its Michelin star in the 2018 Michelin Guide.
Yet, despite its prestigious status, The Coach has built up a reputation for affordability, attracting a steady stream of diners with lunch menus starting at £20 for two courses, or £25 for three.
The menu changes weekly, showcasing seasonal British produce with contemporary tweaks to familiar favourites.
Diners can tuck into starter dishes like heritage tomato and burrata salads, or rich mains like smoked haddock scotch egg, deep-fried cod with pease pudding, or braised lamb shoulder.
Small plates are also available for sharing, while a curated drinks list features local ales and premium wines.
Sarah Hayward, Head Chef at The Coach, has earned acclaim for use of bold flavours and quality, winning the Michelin Young Chef Award at the Great Britain and Ireland Michelin Awards in 2023.
The Coach, owned by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge, offers refined pub classics in a relaxed, informal setting
Located in the heart of Marlow, Buckinghamshire, The Coach is officially the UK’s cheapest Michelin star restaurant – with lunch menus starting at £20 for two courses
Having worked in kitchens since the age of 16, Sarah started with Tom Kerridge at The Hand & Flowers, before moving up through his group.
In an interview with Living 360 in2023, she said of her her workplace: ‘It’s such a special little place, and for a Michelin-starred restaurant, it’s very unintimidating.
‘A lot of places offer these big, fancy dining experiences, but The Coach isn’t daunting at all; we have Sky Sports on, we serve burgers and chips. It’s super-accessible.
‘We also have an open kitchen, so everyone can see the effect their work is having on people. The best feeling is when you’ve put a lot of love into it all, then you serve someone a plate of food and their eyes just light up.’
Despite successfully running a Michelin-starred restaurant at an affordable price point, Kerridge has faced his fair share of backlash over the years for his ‘rip-off’ ranges and menus launched elsewhere.
After unveiling his £59 ‘Beast Club’ meat board at his Chelsea and Marlow restaurants in January last year, critics expressed their astonishment.
Though the new offering, which included a rump steak, oxtail chili, onglet skewers, and a slow-cooked bone marrow, impressed a number of fans, some were left disappointed at the price.
Viewers took to the comment section to share their thoughts, with one sarcastically saying: ‘Bargain’.
The menu changes weekly, showcasing seasonal British produce with refined tweaks to traditional dishes
Pictured: Tom Kerridge’s tall burger, served at The Coach
A sneak peak at one of The Coach’s ever-rotating menus
A second added: ‘Who do you think has that kind of money these days? You’re mega out of touch!’
Later last year, in August, Harrods announced it was to end its partnerships with celebrity chefs, including Tom Kerridge and Gordon Ramsay, in a major shake-up.
The luxury department store, based in London, no longer serves food from a selection of outside vendors and has instead shifted to focusing on selling in-house produce.
The change means that Kerridge no longer sells his fish and chips with the controversial £37 price tag at the department store.
