Lichfield restaurant makes top 20 in prestigious national guide

The Boat Inn is the highest placed entry in Staffordshire to feature in the Estrella 2021 Top 50 Gastropub Guide which highlights some of the outstanding establishments around the country.

The Boat Inn was commended for “its thoughtful and intelligent approach to cooking, and delicious, simple food on the plate”.

The recognition comes after The Boat Inn was again awarded a 2021 Michelin Guide ‘Plate’ and remains the only AA 3* Rosette establishment in the county.

Also, in recent weeks owner Liam Dillon has appeared on the BBC television show The Great British Menu.

Liam, who has delivered meals to teachers at his Alma Mater King Edward VI School in Lichfield during lockdown, said he has devoted a lot of time to developing a brand-new menu and also to The Boat Inn’s new décor ready for its re-opening on Monday May 17.

“Within 20 minutes of the Prime Minister’s announcement, allowing indoor dining we were full for the first two weeks and the phones keep ringing which is great news,” he said.

“We have also invested in a new outdoor undercover space for customers, if they wish, to chill and relax before sitting down to their meal.

“For me, this award shows that even though this last year the whole hospitality industry was open one minute, closed the next, we have shown a consistent high quality of food and service.

“I can’t wait to open the doors again. Everyone is counting down the days until we can welcome people both inside and now out.”