In 2024, after 14 years working alongside culinary titan Tom Kerridge, 2023 Great British Menu winner Nick Beardshaw finally stepped into his own spotlight.
Beardshaw’s first solo restaurant, Starling, in the well-to-do Surrey town of Esher, took local community and critics by storm, winning a Michelin Star in its first year. It culminated Beardshaw's rare and rapid rise, except to those that know him well, his success was hardly a surprise.
Originally from Somerset, Beardshaw’s food is rooted in generosity, flavour, and an inclusive spirit. His focus isn’t just on precision or polish, but about creating a space where ‘everyone is welcome at the table’, a philosophy that runs through everything from his ingredient choices to the warm atmosphere you feel as you step through the doors of Starling.
That generosity was also fostered during Beardshaw’s time working with Tom Kerridge - another chef famous for championing hearty, comforting British food. Nick put Kerridge’s Bar & Grill on the map as head chef, and before that he ran the kitchen at Kerridge’s hugely popular Michelin-starred gastropub The coach in Marlow.
Despite his rise in profile, Beardshaw remains grounded and focused on what matters most: honest cooking, real people, and shared meals. Serving up dishes that surprise, comfort, and delight in equal measure, we wanted to find out about the places that continue to inspire him.
From neighbourhood favourites to under-the-radar gems, these are the restaurants he returns to time and time again.
River Cafe, Hammersmith
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Nick says: ‘This is a special place for us, as we used to live a literal stone's throw from River Cafe. We celebrated our first daughter's first birthday there and continue to go back for significant family birthdays. It's legendary for a reason and has a magic you can't really find anywhere else. The food is simple, but uses amazing ingredients, with flavours that always work perfectly together. The prices reflect the quality of the ingredients, but for a special occasion, there's nowhere else like it.’
Where: Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, W6 9HA
Book now: River Cafe
Dorian, Notting Hill
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Nick says: ‘I love the vibe: the open kitchen, all the flames, the glamorous Notting Hill crowd, It's like a super cool, modern interpretation of a classic bistro. They’re also using some of the best ingredients in the UK.’
Where: Talbot Road, W11 2AT
Book now: Dorian
The Good Earth, Esher
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Nick says: ‘This place has been going for an impressive 44 years and does consistently excellent, authentic, comforting Chinese food. The staff are so warm and welcoming, particularly with our little toddler.’
Where: High Street, KT10 9RT
Book now: The Good Earth
Josephine Bouchon, Chelsea
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Nick says: ‘Another warm welcome here, with authentic, heartwarming, and delicious Lyonnaise cooking. This, combined with the charming maître d' and the classic French décor, makes you feel like you could be in Lyon. Great value for money too.’
Where: Fulham Road, SW10 9QH
Book now: Josephine Bouchon
The Devonshire, Soho
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Nick says: ‘There is such a buzzy, exciting energy in this place. Obviously, there's amazing Guinness downstairs in the pub, but then upstairs you've got this elegant restaurant, which delivers brilliant food without any fuss or faff. It's classic stuff executed really well, and the service is fantastic too. There's a great selection of steaks, and the milk bread is amazing.’
Where: Denman Street, W1D 7HW
Book now: The Devonshire
Want to read more about the best female chefs in the UK? Browse interviews with the likes of Helene Darroze, Abby Lee and Ruth Hansom. And if Nick's suggestions have you craving some good old fashioned pub grub, check out our list of the best gastropubs in London.