The benchmark for culinary excellence in the international restaurant world, Michelin stars rate restaurants on ingredient quality, harmony of flavours, the mastery of culinary techniques, how the chef’s personality shines through their cuisine and – crucially – consistency across the entire menu and over time.
One star means very good, two excellent worth a detour, three exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.
The most notable new Michelin Star in Sussex has gone to Maré by Rafael Cagali on Church Road in Hove.
Despite the impressive culinary talent to be found in the city in the past couple of decades, Brighton and Hove hasn’t had a Star restaurant for close to 50 years when Le Francais in Paston Place, Kemp Town, closed.
Maré by Rafael Cagali is a culinary venture from celebrated chef Rafael Cagali and his partner Charlie Lee that opened in late summer 2025.
Rafael’s protégé – Ewan Waller – leads the kitchen as head chef.
The menu offering reflects Cagali’s Brazilian-Italian heritage and world-class training, served in a warm, inviting space alongside an extensive wine and cocktail list.
In West Sussex, chef Martin Carabott has retained the Star that The Dining Room restaurant at Gravetye Manor in West Hoathly has held since 2015.
Prior to joining Gravetye, Martin gained a wealth of experience in numerous Michelin starred restaurants in London and New York and won the Roux Scholarship in 2018 at the age of 29.
“It is a huge honour to have been invited to attend the Michelin Star ceremony and to receive the news in person that we have retained Gravetye’s Michelin Star,” said Martin.
“For many years Gravetye Manor hotel and restaurant has enjoyed a wonderful reputation for providing exceptional Michelin Star quality and I am proud to be continuing this legacy.
“It is a privilege to have immediate access to fresh produce grown just steps away from the restaurant in our walled kitchen garden, led by our esteemed head gardener, Tom Coward, and the producers, farmers and suppliers on our doorstep in West Sussex.”
Another notable addition to this year’s Michelin Guide UK and Ireland is Knepp Wilding Kitchen on the Knepp Estate in West Sussex, who have been awarded a Michelin Green Star for sustainability and responsible practices.
Knepp Estate is a globally recognised pioneering rewilding project where free-roaming animals, restored habitats and natural processes have reintroduced rich biodiversity to the county’s countryside.
The estate’s restaurant – led by chef Alex Dome and chef director Ned Burrell – is focused on unfussy seasonal ingredient-led menus utilising produce from their own market garden and wild range of meats.
The Michelin Guide began over a century ago when the famous tyre company published a handbook for motorists in France, listing places to eat, sleep, and refuel.
The initial idea of encouraging people to drive was just as much about wearing their car tyres out as it was about hospitality, but it has now grown to be the most respected restaurant guide in the world.
It includes Star awards for exceptional cooking, Bib Gourmands and Plates for good value food, green stars for sustainability and responsible practices and special awards for individual chefs, sommeliers, and service.
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