Michelin Stars 2026: Four Scottish restaurants awarded Michelin Bib Gourmands ahead of 2026 ceremony
The Bib Gourmands have been revealed ahead of the 2026 Michelin Guide for the UK and Ireland.
Ahead of the 2026 Michelin Guide 2026 announcement of new stars at a ceremony in Dublin, the new Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants have been announced, and four are in Scotland.
What is the Michelin Bib Gourmand?
Named after Bibendum – the Michelin Man – the Bib Gourmand distinction highlights restaurants which offer ‘good quality, good value cooking’.
The Bib Gourmand distinction is The Michelin Guide’s way of recognising restaurants that offer good food at a great price.
While all Bib Gourmands are unique in style and approach, they share the same spirit of generosity and a commitment to quality cooking.
This year, no less than 37 restaurants have been newly awarded a Bib Gourmand, showing the wealth of restaurants around the UK and Ireland that are committed to offering affordable, high-quality cooking. Of this 37, four are in Scotland.
This year’s new Bib Gourmand restaurants are: Mara in Aberdeen; Angeethi by Sagar Massey in Cardonald; Sebb’s in Glasgow and The Clarence in Glasgow.
The award for Sebb’s, located in Glasgow city centre, builds on a strong first year for the Miller Street venue, which was added to the Michelin Guide just five months after opening.
Of Sebb’s the Michelin inspectors said: “The latest venture from Scoop Restaurant Group – who already have Bib Gourmands for Ox and Finch, Margo and Ka Pao – Sebb’s is a subterranean restaurant and bar where inspiration comes from across the globe and the flavours are all the more invigorating as a result.
“Sebb’s is also the kind of place where the drinks are as enticing as the food, with a stand-out cocktail selection.”
Jonathan Macdonald, managing director of Scoop Restaurants is delighted by the recognition of this team effort.
He said: “From day one, Sebb’s has been a team effort. Everyone involved has poured an enormous amount into getting it right from how the space feels, to how the food and drinks come together on a busy night.
“To see that work resonate beyond Glasgow, and to reach this point just a year after opening, means a great deal to all of us.”
Head chef Danny Carruthers added: “Sebb’s has always been about cooking with instinct and confidence and trusting the team to put their own stamp on it.
“We’ve built the menu by cooking food we believe in and refining it week by week, service by service. That approach only works when everyone is fully invested, and I’m really proud of what the kitchen team has created together.”
Sebb’s is part of Scoop Restaurant Group, which now holds four Michelin Bib Gourmands across its venues, with Ox and Finch, Margo, Ka Pao and Sebb’s all recognised by the Guide.
Writing about Mara, the inspectors said: “A true gem of the Aberdeen dining scene, Mara offers a sumptuous taste of Italy.
“Alongside a 100% Italian wine list (there’s a bottle shop here too), the menu features the likes of parmesan gnocchi with black garlic and truffle, smoked aubergine pizzette, and of course the signature ‘Mara-ncini’ with a beautiful golden crust and moreish cheesy filling.”
While they had this to say about Angeethi by Sagar Massey, which was mentioned in the Guide last year. “This well-run Indian operation from the titular chef is a resolutely simple place, but with food that will have you coming back time and again.
“Situated a little outside Glasgow, the dining room is pared-back and the focus is on the classic dishes from across the Indian regions, that deliver all the expected flavours with great skill, using quality ingredients.
“An angeethi is a type of grill traditionally used in rural Indian households, and now it lends its name to this charmingly run restaurant. It’s a simple-looking place where the focus is on the joyously flavoursome food and the warm, caring service.
“Massey’s menu sticks to traditional, regional Indian dishes which are both well-spiced and generous, such as the ‘Old Delhi Murgh Makhani’, a fabulous version of the classic butter chicken. Ensure you leave some room for dessert, as the ‘Rabdi Faluda’ provides a beautiful balance of flavours.”
The Clarence, which is on the site of Shucks in Hyndland in Glasgow’s west end, was praised for its “boldly flavoured dishes”. The inspectors wrote: “Glasgow’s second new Bib Gourmand for 2026 is this bar and brasserie from the team behind Cail Bruich.
“The boldly flavoured dishes spotlight prime Scottish produce – be it monkfish tail, tuna loin or Barnsley chop – and much of it is cooked over fire. There’s generosity in the portions and the pricing, especially if you go for one of the set menus.”
These new Bib Gourmands join the 11 other restaurants in Scotland with the accolade. These are: Margo in Glasgow, Skua in Edinburgh, Ka Pao in Glasgow, GaGa in Glasgow, Noto in Edinburgh, Ardfern in Edinburgh, The Bonnie Badger in Gullane, Ox and Finch in Glasgow, The Scran & Scallie in Edinburgh, tipo in Edinburgh and The Fish Shop in Ballater.
As well as stars, green stars (awarded for sustainability) and Bib Gourmands, the Guide also has general recommendations -places the inspectors have visited and enjoyed enough for a mention.
The announcement of new stars for the UK and Ireland will take place in Dublin on 9 February. You can follow along with all the news on The Scotsman.com and on social media as we’ll be live from the ceremony.
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