The Boat, Lichfield

First time dining at The Boat in Lichfield and I was seriously impressed from start to finish. It was great to see the restaurant busy, especially after Liam and the team recently gained a Michelin star. Before dinner I had a walk around the grounds and gardens, and what they’re doing with the land, micro farm and livestock is really exciting. The meal started in the bar with a glass of Dom Pérignon and some brilliant snacks, including Smoked Cod’s Roe “Pillow”, Rosary Ash & Pickled Walnut and a stunning Fried Chicken & Oscietra Caviar. Once in the restaurant, the menu flowed beautifully. The bread was a real highlight: Beer Soaked Spelt Loaf with Chicken Butter, Liver Parfait and Garden Pickles. The Cornish Crab was excellent and paired with a standout Pinot Gris. The Hand Dived Orkney Scallop was a wow dish, and the Staffordshire Hogget with Wye Valley Asparagus was packed with flavour. What I really liked was that every dish made sense. Nothing felt fussy or overcomplicated. Liam’s food is clearly very skilled, but it’s flavour led, produce driven and genuinely enjoyable to eat. Liam and Mitch front of house deliver an exceptional experience. At £125 for the tasting menu, I think it’s very good value for the quality and number of courses. Highly recommended. I’d 100% go back.

Celebration for the senses that is truly hard to put into words! Our first visit to a Michelin-starred restaurant turned into a celebration for the senses that is truly hard to put into words—it simply must be experienced with your eyes and your mouth! We opted for the tasting menu, which was an absolute explosion of colors, aromas, and exquisite flavors. Both the presentation of the dishes and the service were top-tier. We were incredibly lucky to be seated right in front of the kitchen team. Watching the entire culinary process unfold before our eyes was a genuine pleasure! We will definitely be back—it is an absolute must

A long-overdue return to The Boat and wow... Liam Dillon and his team have taken things to a whole new level! From a beloved roadside pub to a fully made-over, Michelin-starred culinary destination. It’s a tough table to book right now, and it’s easy to see why. ​From the second you walk in, the hospitality is flawless. We kicked off with snacks in the bar before bagging the best seats in the house: the Chef’s Table right in front of the open kitchen. ​Every dish on the 3-course lunch was a masterclass: The Bread: Beer-soaked spelt loaf, chicken butter, and liver parfait. Next. Level. Starters: Flawless Orkney Scallops with Tom Kha Gai, and a rich Truffled Cheese Brûlée. Mains: Perfectly cooked Gigha Halibut with Sauce Charcuterie, and a stunning Rolled Guinea Fowl. Desserts: A refreshing Amalfi Lemon Parfait and local Lichfield Strawberries with toasted hay mousse. ​To top it off, we got a tour of their incredible micro-farm! 🌱 Liam’s team has grown, and every single member is an absolute credit to him. Passion, precision, and zero pretension. ​If you can snag a reservation, GO. 🥂

Went for lunch with my wife on Saturday. We had 2 tasting menus with both wine flights and an extra scallop course. Food and wine were excellent and well matched, service was great staff were friendly and engaging. All in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Wanted to give 5 stars they deserved it but problem with the bill to the tune of £150 for 2 additions (which was resolved with no problems I might add) meant I couldn't give them the perfect score. We will be back and looking forward to giving the 5 star then.

We came here for lunch and had the chef’s table. We were greeted and shown to a table in the lounge for drinks and snacks, followed by a hand written card for our anniversary. There is a great selection of drinks both alcoholic and non. My wife is currently pregnant and they were happy to adapt the menu to suit. The food was outstanding, beautifully presented and all the staff were lovely. Would 100% recommend and return. A bonus that the Amex dining credit can also be used here!