Restaurants

Fifty Two at Rudding Park Wins Harrogate’s First Michelin Star

Harrogate has entered the Michelin spotlight after Fifty Two at Rudding Park secured a Michelin Star at the 2026 Great Britain & Ireland awards ceremony hosted by the Michelin Guide in Dublin.

The award marks a historic first for Harrogate, making Fifty Two the town’s only Michelin Star restaurant and firmly positioning the North Yorkshire spa destination on the UK fine dining map.

Where Is Fifty Two?

Opened in May 2024, the restaurant is housed in five repurposed shipping containers, creating an intimate and immersive dining space centred around an open kitchen. Guests sit at semi-communal tables facing the chefs, making the experience interactive and theatrical.

Why Is It Called Fifty Two?

The name reflects the restaurant’s defining feature: 52 raised beds in its dedicated kitchen garden.

Led by Head Kitchen Gardener Emma Pugh, the garden produces more than 500 varieties of fruit, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. A glasshouse and on-site beehives support year-round growing, with ingredients harvested, fermented and preserved for use throughout the seasons.

This garden-to-plate philosophy is at the core of the Michelin-recognised concept.

The Michelin Star Tasting Menu

Head Chef Adam Degg, previously a contestant on Great British Menu, leads the kitchen with a focus on hyper-seasonal British produce.

The restaurant serves a curated 10-course surprise tasting menu that evolves daily based on what is ready in the garden. Preservation techniques such as curing and fermenting ensure minimal waste and maximum flavour.

One of the most talked-about elements is “Dessert Island Discs,” where diners choose a favourite song to accompany the arrival of dessert — adding personality and theatre to the final course.

A Landmark Moment for Harrogate Dining

The Michelin Star represents a major milestone for Harrogate restaurants and the wider Yorkshire food scene. It is the first time a restaurant in Harrogate has received the prestigious accolade.

The 2026 ceremony also saw Restaurant JÖRO in Sheffield earn its first star, underlining Yorkshire’s growing reputation for innovative fine dining.

For visitors searching for Michelin Star restaurants in Harrogate, fine dining at Rudding Park, or a tasting menu experience in North Yorkshire, Fifty Two now stands at the top of the list—combining sustainability, creativity, and garden-led gastronomy in a setting unlike anywhere else in the region.