Top foody pubs bag Michelin stars

Three top pubs have been recognised for their culinary excellence by gaining Michelin stars in this year's edition of the influential guide.

London's Harwood Arms, in Fulham, has become the first pub in the capital to achieve a Michelin star.

Meanwhile, the Royal Oak, in Bray-on-Thames, jointly owned by Sir Michael Parkinson and his son Nick, also bagged a star - meaning the town now has seven Michelin stars in total.

Derek Bulmer, editor of the Michelin Guide, said: "It's a traditional local pub, not a gastropub, but Dominic Chapman the chef has transformed the food. He cooks really delicious, tasty British food."

The Pipe & Glass Inn, in South Dalton, East Yorkshire, also picked up a star.

Pubs also featured heavily on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list which recognises good food at moderate prices. However Gordon Ramsay's London gastropub, the Narrow, lost its Michelin Bib Gourmad status.

Another pub the the Black Swan, in Oldstead, North Yorkshire, picked up a rising star award.

Bulmer added: "Last year was clearly a difficult year for hotels and restaurants but those establishments who reacted by being more flexible and creative appear to be riding the storm. Value for money has also been an important factor and we have awarded 28 new Bib Gourmand awards - 'good food at moderate prices' - which reflects this."

The 2010 guide recommends more than 1,900 hotels and guesthouses and 2,000 restaurants and pubs, all anonymously inspected by Michelin's team of full-time inspectors. It is available to buy from February 1 for £9.99.