My favourite restaurants: Shaun Rankin

It’s hard to imagine Shaun Rankin outside the world of fine dining. His culinary career started at just 16, when he left home in North Yorkshire to gain experience in the capital, landing a brief but pivotal role at five-star The Mayfair Hotel. It was the start of an enduring love for the world of fine dining. The chef would go on to hone his craft at some of the UK's top restaurants, including opening a string of his own lauded Michelin-starred ventures.

In 1994, Rankin moved to Jersey's Longueville Manor, spending eight years there before being asked to head up the opening of Bohemia in St Helier, where he earned his first Michelin star in 2005. In 2013, he opened his own restaurant Ormer in Jersey and, just four months after opening, received a Michelin star (the second in his career), as well as three AA rosettes. 

Jersey’s landscape and produce served as a great source of inspiration for the chef, and he later brought that same seasonal, produce-led philosophy to London with Ormer Mayfair at Flemings Mayfair. Shaun has since returned to his Yorkshire roots, where he is now chef patron of Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall, set within the historic Grade II* listed estate. The restaurant earned a Michelin star in 2021, drawing on hyper-seasonal produce both from the surrounding area and the estate's own kitchen garden to inspire his menus. It has also earned a well-deserved spot on SquareMeal's UK's Top 100 Restaurants of 2026.

Alongside his dedication to innovation and seasonality, Shaun is also passionate about supporting new talent in the industry. In September 2022, he joined Springboard as a FutureChef champion helping to mentor, support and guide young participants through the competitive programme. Naturally, all of that keeps the chef very busy, but we managed to snag a second of his time to quiz him on where he likes to eat out of hours. Discover Shaun Rankin's favourite UK restaurants, spanning London, Jersey and his Yorkshire home.

Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill, Mayfair

Shaun says: 'Richard Corrigan is a good friend, and Bentley’s is one of those London restaurants I always enjoy going back to. It’s been there since 1916 and has so much history and character, but for me the best thing is still just sitting at the bar, people-watching and starting the evening with some oysters. I’ll usually go for the Royal Bay oysters from Jersey with Irish sourdough and a glass of Champagne. They say eating them is like kissing the sea, and I completely agree.'
Where: 11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG
Book now: Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill

The Ritz, Mayfair

Shaun says: 'The Ritz will always be a special place for me because it was part of my early training in London. I came down from the North as a teenager and suddenly found myself working in these incredible grand hotels, which completely opened my eyes to hospitality. I remember being fascinated by the service, the sense of occasion and the theatre of it all. It was a brilliant training ground and had a huge influence on the kind of chef and restaurateur I wanted to become. I’ve loved seeing the continued success of John Williams and the restaurant, not least being ranked joint second in the UK at this year’s National Restaurant Awards, alongside Osip in Somerset.'
Where: 150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR
Book now: The Ritz

The Star Inn at Harome, Harome

Shaun says: 'A visit to The Star Inn at Harome is always a treat. Andrew Pern is a good friend and has a brilliant instinct for flavour combinations. His signature black pudding and foie gras is a dish I always come back to. It’s rich, buttery and just works every time. Between the cooking and the hospitality, it’s one of those places that really sums up what’s special about eating in Yorkshire.'
Where: High Street, Harome, YO62 5JE
Book now: The Star Inn at Harome

Trinity, Clapham

Shaun says: 'I’ve always had a lot of respect for what Adam Byatt has built at Trinity. It’s a restaurant that really understands seasonality and lets great ingredients do the talking, which is something I naturally connect with. There’s a real confidence and consistency to the cooking, but it never feels overworked or fussy. His honey soufflé with beeswax ice cream is a must-try and has become a real classic. Adam is celebrating 20 years of the restaurant this year, which says a lot in itself. It’s just very good food, cooked properly, and somewhere I always enjoy eating.'
Where: 4 The Polygon, SW4 0JG
Book now: Trinity

Row on 5, Mayfair

Shaun says: 'This is the newest of my favourites, having only opened on Savile Row at the end of 2024. Spencer is a brilliant chef, and to go from opening the doors to two Michelin stars in just over a year is an incredible achievement. The cooking is precise and confident, but still really focused on the ingredients, which I love. Definitely one for a special occasion, but don’t leave it too long. It’s a very exciting restaurant and Spencer and the team are doing something really special there.'
Where: 5 Savile Row, W1S 3PB
Book now: Row on 5

Have a penchant for fine dining? Explore London's fanciest restaurants if you're looking to treat yourself in the capital. Or, if you love a tasting menu but not the cost, we've rounded up London's cheapest Michelin star restaurants to make eating at your dream restaurant a reality.