In the heart of Buckinghamshire, along a picturesque road in Marlow, stands a 17th-century building that at first glance looks like a classic English country pub: whitewashed walls, dark exposed beams and a welcoming atmosphere where the warmth of wood and good food can be felt immediately. But as you step inside The Hand and Flowers, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary pub.
Who says that experiencing great Michelin-starred cuisine necessarily requires a hushed dining room, silver cutlery to be handled with reverence and impeccably pressed white tablecloths? In Marlow, a picturesque town in Buckinghamshire, England, a pub has been serving up fine dining for almost twenty years, proving that true excellence can also be remarkably democratic and indulgent.
It is called The Hand and Flowers, and it is the kingdom of Tom Kerridge and his wife, Beth Cullen-Kerridge. Opened in 2005, the restaurant achieved a pioneering feat: taking the warm, authentic and laid-back spirit of the classic British pub and bringing it to the highest levels of the culinary world, eventually becoming in 2011 the first pub in the world to be awarded two Michelin Stars.
The luxury of informality (and a signature menu for under £50)
The real magic of The Hand and Flowers lies in a perfect contrast: a no-snobbery atmosphere paired with meticulous precision in the kitchen. Here, the welcome is as relaxed as it gets: take a seat at the wooden bar beneath the room’s exposed beams, order a fresh craft beer to enjoy while you wait, and soak up the warmth of genuine conviviality.
But the real surprise comes when you take a look at the menu, especially on weekdays. Among the restaurant’s various options, one particularly accessible offering stands out for a two-Michelin-starred restaurant:
- Set Menu (Monday–Friday lunch and early dinner from 6:00–6:45 pm, Monday–Thursday): 2 courses for £39.50 (approximately €47) or 3 courses for £45.00 (approximately €53). An exceptionally rare price to find at a dining destination of this calibre!
For those who want to explore the full experience at other times of the week, there are several options:
- Classic Menu: 3 courses for £85.00 (approximately €101), available Monday to Friday for both lunch and dinner.
- House Menu: 4 courses for £195.00 (approximately €231), available Monday to Saturday.
- Saturday and Sunday Lunch Menu: 2 courses for £95.00 (approximately €112) or 3 courses for £110.00 (approximately €130).
The cuisine: great classics taken to the next level
What do you eat at Tom Kerridge’s? The king of British pubs does not rely on cerebral culinary alchemy, but on elevating the comfort food of the British Isles. Straightforward, robust dishes built around exceptional ingredients and prepared with impeccable technique.
Among the creations that have now become cult favourites are the omelette filled with smoked pork belly and cheese, the iconic pork head dishes, and the famous filet o’ beef served with triple-cooked chips fried in duck fat (an extraordinary combination of crispness and tenderness).
The enthusiasm of the critics is echoed by the Michelin Guide itself, which describes the restaurant in its official listing as follows:
"This flagship from Tom Kerridge, the king of British pub dining, delivers exactly what you would expect: classic dishes executed with such skill and precision that they reach rarely seen heights. The ingredients are first-rate, the presentation is impeccable, and bold, natural flavours shine through, resulting in memorable dishes such as an outstanding banana soufflé. The weekday lunch and early dinner menu offers excellent value for money; the dining room, with its exposed beams, is full of character; and the friendly staff keep the atmosphere light and convivial."
A 360-degree experience in Marlow
The culinary journey at The Hand and Flowers does not end with dessert or coffee. To offer a truly immersive experience, the property also features charming cottages and boutique rooms nestled in the village of Marlow. Refurbished with a blend of rustic elegance and contemporary style, they come equipped with every modern comfort, allowing guests to extend their stay and wake up to an unforgettable Michelin-starred breakfast.
Tom Kerridge has charted a revolutionary course: he has shown that great cuisine does not need polished, formal surroundings to move people, giving new dignity to pub culture without ever compromising on the quality of the food.
