'It feels like the stars have aligned' - Popular Lichfield restaurant famed for self-sufficient approach to sourcing food receives industry award

The Boat, a restaurant and micro-farm led by chef Liam Dillon, has been awarded a Michelin star.

Located in Lichfield, The Boat has evolved over nine years into a dining destination shaped by its on-site micro-farm and close relationships with trusted local producers. 

The farm plays a central role in the restaurant’s menus, with beehives producing honey and supporting pollination, pigs reared both for their meat and to reduce food waste, free-range hens supplying eggs, and vegetable patches and polytunnels growing year-round crops, including more unusual varieties such as cicely and wasabi.

According to the Michelin Guide, The Boat has grown into a destination restaurant defined by the quality of its ingredients and the detailed, skilled approach taken by Dillon and his team. 

Michelin also highlighted the engaging service, with chefs describing dishes at the table.

Recent menus have showcased dishes such as smoked cod’s roe, trompette mushroom and truffle agnolotti, hand-dived Orkney scallop with confit leek and smoked dulse butter, and Staffordshire venison with smoked beetroot.

Liam Dillon spoke about the honour of the award and the work that had gone into making the restaurant as successful as it was.

He said: "It feels like the stars have aligned. We were overwhelmed to get the invite to the awards on the Boat’s 9th birthday. It’s still sinking in.

"The whole team has worked very hard to improve our offering, and the hard work has paid off. I’m so so proud of the team and to get a star in a city I grew up in is a mental feeling.”

Diners at The Boat can choose between a full tasting menu priced at £120 per person, with an optional wine pairing available at £60 per person, or a shorter tasting menu priced at £85 per person with a wine pairing option at £50 per person.

Tasting menus are served during evening service, while guests can also select from an à la carte offering available at lunch and on Sundays.

Following nine years of continual development, The Boat will undertake a short, planned renovation this spring. 

The restaurant will close for two weeks in April to allow the team to reimagine the space and introduce a series of considered updates to both the bar and dining room, supporting the next stage of the restaurant’s evolution.