Upstairs By Tom Shepherd in Lichfield

Having seen Tom Shepherd on Great British Menu, we were determined to visit his restaurant. The staff were very attentive and friendly and wait times were short, but you felt under no pressure to hurry. We had the the taster menu and all courses were excellent, particularly the canapes, which I could have sat and ate all night. We didn't have the wine flight, as 2 of us don't drink white wine and 1 doesn't drink red. The ambience was just right and Lichfield is easy to reach from Derby. His Desperate Dan Cow pie was not on the menu this time, but Tom told us, as he posed for photos, that it will be going on soon. Quite a wait to get a booking, but we will be going again.

I am not sure anything I say in a review could knock any more of the shine from this superb experience. Even suffering with the worst of man flu - I was determined I was not going to miss this. We were lucky to get a cancellation from the waiting list , and so 'only' had to wait 7 months to savour the exquisite dishes created by Tom Shepherd. Who since his appearance on the Great British Menu has become one of the most sought after chefs in the UK. Every dish on the tasting menu tonight was so well thought out - like they painted their own picture in the corner of the Upstairs menu universe. The food tells a story, the service is exceptional and the fact that Tom still leads the pass, checking each and every dish, tells you all you need to know about how critical detail is. I cannot praise this restaurant highly enough. A Michelin star well deserved in my opinion.

Visited with my wife last Saturday evening. We booked this over a year ago so we have been looking forward to this for a while and had high expectations! However they were exceeded in every way. Potentially the best food I've ever eaten in my entire life - The service was outstanding from the minute we walked in until the minute we left. Great to see Tom Shepherd working hard at the pass as well! We will definitely be back.

After booking in early 2024 and a 15 month wait we arrived to Upstairs by Tom for our much anticipated meal with our friends. Literally it’s a door on the pedestrianised street and you go upstairs to find a modern and stylish restaurant. We had a very friendly welcome from the staff and after taking our coats we were shown to our table. Luckily we were sat just in front of the kitchen pass so we could watch the chefs working away. All aspects of the tasting menu definitely lived up to expectations. A couple of us had dietary restrictions and these were catered for without any fuss with slight variations made to the original dish. Unfortunately Tom wasn’t at the restaurant that evening but his deputy was and he made a point of coming out to our table to discuss the dishes and check the variations were ok. So we started with the snacks which in effect are canapés - Scottish salmon tartare, pecorino sable, polenta fritter and beetroot crustade. All very delicious but the crustade was just amazing. We then had bread which was so light and moreish and came with ordinary and marmite butter. Now we were a bit sceptical about the marmite butter as not all of us like it however it was surprisingly delicious. Next on to the starter…..a beautiful Orkney scallop. This was followed by guinea fowl and mushrooms, then the main course of which there were 2 to choose from: Cornish cod & octopus or fallow deer and blackberry. It was all very delicious 😋 Then came the transition - a dish both savoury and sweet. Titled Thai green curry we were unsure what to expect tbh….. but wow, what a surprise - sweet sticky rice with fine diced mango and a green Thai curry whipped topping which had flavours of lemon grass and puffed wild rice on top, in a word stunning! Then dessert, again a choice of 2 - carmelia chocolate or garguette strawberries plus the option to try Toms Great British Menu winning banana dessert. My word, it was all fabulous and we were all very full by the end of the meal. The wine pairing was fantastic and each wine complimented the dish it came with. The service was impeccable and the wine sommelier very knowledgeable. In fact it was just an amazing evening all round and although expensive it was so well worth it. So good in fact that we have already booked again for next January.

We waited over a year for this evening and it was definitely worth it! The service was impressive, from the moment we entered to the moment we left. Flo and Ky, in particular, we're an absolute delight and made our experience so much more fun! They're a credit to the team! The food itself was exceptional and every dish (as part of the contemporary tasting menu) was packed full of flavour and exquisitely put together! It was great to try new ingredients and flavours. We opted to try Tom's infamous 'No Ordinary Schoolboy' dessert too, that he created for the Great British Menu, inspired by the Bananaman cartoon. It was as fun and delicious as we'd expected it to be! The dining area was relaxed yet classy, and it was lovely to be able to see Tom and his staff at work in the open plan kitchen. We were hosted beautifully with no pressure for us to leave. We'd highly recommend you try this restaurant, we will definitely be back again.

We came here for a special occasion meal and were absolutely blown away. Everything was fantastic — the staff, the decor and atmosphere, the food… what an unforgettable experience. Thank you! We can’t wait to come back.

Hard to know how to describe our experience other than to say it was out of this world and exceptional My wife and I had not had a fine dining experience before, not to this standard anyway, so other than what we've seen on television we didnt know quite what to expect. What we did receive was just the most wonderful service - HUGE thanks to Ronnie for his charm and knowledge and care taken explaining our courses - and the food is out of this world. The flavours are just mind blowing, presentation an artform in itself We opted for the wine flight to enhance the experience, and it's something we would do again and recommend if you're able. To finish off an amazing evening we were fortunate enough to speak to the man Tom Shepherd himself. Nothing was too much bother for him, he happily chatted with us about his work, the staff who work alongside him, his work ethics, produce used, and despite being very busy didnt hurry his answers. Highly recommend.

Regular standard michelin star restaurant, but not a great location!

First time here, we had been gifted a voucher and used it for a lunch tasting menu here. It took us ages to get a table - 18 months but well worth the wait! Staff are incredibly attentive and friendly. Menu is varied and excellent produce. I am a vegetarian and my menu was just as exciting as the meat version and I also appreciated that it was slightly cheaper! It was my birthday too and I was given a birthday card which was a nice touch. Cocktails are also stunning. All in all we had an absolutely beautiful meal thank you.

Quite possibly the best meal we have ever had and we've had Michelin tasting menus a few times across Europe. Add that the staff and venue itself it is the best value we've ever had.

Great Place, food amazing, wines fantastic and staff second to none, one the best meals we have ever had, a must visit restaurant

In a pretty unassuming town, is this wonderful restaurant. I went because he was on the telly, after waiting a year for a table. At the last minute, we had to move our reservation because of a daughter’s theatre show and the team were kind and helped that happen. It was our first experience of this team and the actual experience of being in the restaurant followed that. The staff are young, friendly, chatty (but not too much) and genuinely seem involved in helping you have the best time. The staff are everywhere and nowhere in the best possible way. It’s a beautiful room and it’s cool to be able to see the many chefs hard at work. The menu was excellent. Everything made sense and was delicious. We went for a shared wine flight and the sommelier was cool - she was really into it. The place has this balance of intimate yet family sort of feel. On the edge of formal and casual. It was also full. It’s great to experience such quality of experience and see young people getting into it with great service and a commitment to excellence. Thank you for a lovely evening. The banana was great and not the best dish! So much to enjoy.

My second visit but my friends’ first. Service first rate, food absolutely delicious. My friends and I would certainly recommend. A truly deserved second year of Michelin star. Well done Tom and team 👏xx

Wow - what an afternoon! Such a privilege to observe the amazing teamwork and incredible culinary skills from the kitchen table. Every member of staff was attentive, warm and friendly with the great Tom Shepherd equally hands on at every stage. Everything, and we mean EVERYTHING, on the tasting menu was simply out of this world - a real treat for the tastebuds! Definitely worth the 14 month wait - can't recommend highly enough! Thank you so much to Tom and the team for an unbelieveable gastronomic experience!

Superb experience from start to finish A visit at the beginning of the month for a pre birthday lunch, for four of us. We were delighted to be sat at the kitchen table so we could watch the brigade in action and overwhelmingly impressed by the manner in which they all went about their work. Everything calm and organised, and each dish beautifully presented and described. All dished were very nicely balance with particular highlights for me being the pecorino sable snack, the yeast extract butter (!), the fallow deer and the Thai green curry 'transition'. Although there is no soft drink pairing on the drinks list they were more than happy to put one together for me (short straw, driving!) and sneak in an extra taster of the lovely Chinese dessert wine for me. At the end Tom was generous to give us some time to chat and get some photos. Highly recommended.

Our third time here and certainly didn't disappoint. We chose the chefs table this time and it just added to the whole experience, watching what goes into the food on your plate and seeing the team work in harmony. I think it takes this experience to fully understand what you are paying for. Too many superb dishes to call out as a favourite. The service was impeccable, everyone was just so welcoming and friendly without giving it a "snooty" feel, the staff are very down to earth which I think reflects on the boss Tom Shepherd as that has always seemed to be his philosophy.

Superb experience from start to finish A visit at the beginning of the month for a pre birthday lunch, for four of us. We were delighted to be sat at the kitchen table so we could watch the brigade in action and overwhelmingly impressed by the manner in which they all went about their work. Everything calm and organised, and each dish beautifully presented and described. All dished were very nicely balance with particular highlights for me being the pecorino sable snack, the yeast extract butter (!), the fallow deer and the Thai green curry 'transition'. Although there is no soft drink pairing on the drinks list they were more than happy to put one together for me (short straw, driving!) and sneak in an extra taster of the lovely Chinese dessert wine for me. At the end Tom was generous to give us some time to chat and get some photos. Highly recommended.

I took my husband for his birthday and I have to say we were very disappointed. We eat out a lot In some very lovely places. But sadly, this wasn’t one of them. Both of us ended up with food poisoning and on reporting this to the restaurant we were told I’ll let the staff know that was the last we’ve heard no apology. Sadly, the staff were a bit robotic it all felt very uncomfortable.

What an absolutely awesome gastronomic experience. The wines to accompany each course were perfect. The food divine. Tom Shepherd was a very friendly chef and took time to have a brief chat. His staff were brilliant.

We all felt so “at home” in Upstairs. Not at all ostentatious the staff made us feel so welcome. The food was just astounding. My own favourite the bread and the “no ordinary schoolboy” banana desert. Will return as soon as possible.

What a truly fantastic experience dining at Upstairs. The food, wine, service and atmosphere were beyond excellent, no words justify how incredibly superb it all was. The sommelier in particular was wonderful with her knowledge and presentation of each wine on the pairing. Even met the big man himself who was quite charming. I highly recommend Upstairs.

I have been to Upstairs twice now and all I can say its what an awesome evening on both occasions. The food is out of this world as you would expect but what made our evenings was the staff. They are very welcoming and make you feel relaxed. Superb experience from start to finish. If you can get a table go you will not regret it.

Our first visit and won't be our last. A wondrous experience, fantastic food and exceptional attention to detail. Thank you all of you!

Incredible food and fantastic service

Absolutely amazing birthday meal, cannot fault the food or service. The staff were very attentive and prompt. Cannot wait to go back.

Absolutely 5 star food and service. Couldn’t fault anything. Really enjoyed our experience. If I was forced to choose a favourite course it would be the scallop, my husbands was the Falliw Deer but I enjoyed every last morsel and if I couldve licked the plate I would have!! Special mention to our waitress, can’t remember her name sorry, she had blonde hair x

Ronnie answered my phone enquiry today. I struggled to find relevant information on the website. He politely explained my request and convinced me even more to book a table. It will be my first visit to your restaurant, but according to other people's reviews, it's gonna be flawless. I can't wait 😋🍴

Excellent food with an excellent service and atmosphere really nice

“I had an amazing dining experience at Upstairs by Tom Shepherd! From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure everything was perfect. The food was absolutely delicious – each dish was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. I especially loved Orkney scallop with satay sauce, which was cooked to perfection. The menu offers a great variety, and there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or a special night out, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommend!”

My husband and myself attended Upstairs last night. From the moment we entered to the moment we left the attention to detail and the professionalism of all the staff was exceptional. Tom and his back house staff were knowledgable and polite, the presentation and taste of the exquisitely presented food was beyond our expectations. We have eaten at Michelin Star restaurants before but this was a different level. The food was exceptional and as individual staff presented the food they did it in a knowledgable way and answered questions with confidence. It was so hard to pick a course we liked the best, the transition course was thought provoking, and the deer as a new course is highly recommended. The front house staff were attentive and polite. All had a smile on their face, they worked seamlessly and cohesively. Rachel expertly recommended a fabulous wine for our meal and Olivia was attentive and accommodating with the biggest smile that lit up the whole room. They both respected the intimacy of our experience but happily entered into conversation sharing their experience of working at Upstairs. Tom graciously accepted our thanks on leaving as we gave our thanks to all the Upstairs family. Hopefully we put a smile on their faces as much as they did on ours. Thank you all for a wonderful experience I’m positive I could taste the love and devotion to your craft in every mouthful.

After waiting in excess of nine months for this experience it was nothing short of disappointing. This was entirely due to a service team that was nothing short of diabolical. Having eaten in excess of 70 Michelin starred restaurants I absolutely feel in a position to state just how awful it was. Staff were so inattentive and without even basic knowledge. The best excuse I heard during the evening was due to just having had a two week break! I thought every customers experience was supposed to be identical. Apparently not! Not only was our basic order wine order not correctly followed we had to persistently ask for these to be refilled. It also meant I had no wine to have with the richest fish course on the menu. Having ordered beef for main we requested red wine for this. I did afford a slight smile as Rachel the sommelier was stood at the table when the food arrived and no wine in sight. Really was not surprising. I made it clear that it was not an acceptable level of service. So I was very surprised to find a service charge still on my bill. The manager had apparently already left the restaurant so they made the decision themselves to add it! I then endured the most painful experience i have ever had in any restaurant, let alone a Michelin one. I was ranted at by a staff member relentlessly about how having removed three glasses of wine off my bill (which I never ordered!) that I was being unreasonable. Flore (not sure of job title though she gave the impression she owned the place) was entirely disrespectable, aggressive and left me with such a bitter taste in my mouth I could not leave the restaurant fast enough. A total shame. The kitchen staff served up such a high quality menu that was ruined by the front of house.

We travelled here from different far locations and were delayed , a call to the restaurant was met by kindness and concern-,we luckily made it albeit 20 mins late , but it was all kindness and calm when we arrived! It’s stunning, a welcoming dining room, superb team front of house and the kitchen , the food though …. It’s just delicious… the wine pairings were inspired, we had the best time!

It was a pleasurable experience getting lunch the other day, the staff treated us with smile and we were served quick. Highly recommend.

Upstairs by Tom Shepherd is a must-visit for anyone seeking a unique fine dining experience. The restaurant’s tasting menu is consistently praised for its creativity, combining bold flavors with elegant presentation. Chef Tom Shepherd’s meticulous attention to detail shines through in every dish, with standout items like the scallops and the famous banana dessert leaving a lasting impression. The service is warm, attentive, and knowledgeable, creating a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. With its Michelin-star recognition, it’s clear that Upstairs delivers on both quality and innovation, making it a top culinary destination in the Midlands.

Amazing experience and friendly service well worth the hour drive. Would rate 10 stars if possible, cannot wait for our next visit

The food was not only delicious but beautifully presented, making every dish a visual delight

I was very impressed with the service and the meal was amazing

Great service, nice atmosphere and good food

Lovely restaurant with a fantastic atmosphere.

We booked in January 2024 and the first available spot was in December. Would r normally book a restaurant 1 year I. Advance but had heard so many good things about this one, and , they were all true. We’ll worth the wait and he look Ed make our annual London Trip. The food was absolutely amazing, the Hertfordshire Beef was cooked perfectly and just melted in the mouth , served vice was second to none as you would expect in such a well managed establishment

We waited just over a year for a table and it was the best meal that we've both ever eaten. Staff are amazing and the food is incredible.

Can honestly say that this is one of our best dining experiences. We had a 12 month wait and it was so worth it. From start to finish the food and service was excellent. Fish courses were exceptional. A personal favourite was the bass. Every single staff member went out of their way to be welcoming and accommodating. Absolutely a must visit and we will be making a booking for next year. You don’t often find this quality of food and fine service. Highly recommended.

Well I was very excited as this was my first Michelin meal. It certainly didn't disappoint. Amazing thank you Tom and the team ☺️

Awesome taster course with great explanation by enthusiastic staff. Wine prices seem on the high side

An incredible experience at Upstairs, so worth the wait to get a table and just as fabulous as we’d been told by friends. The food, service and value for money all excellent. The atmosphere really topped the whole experience off. A friendly and knowledgable team. Can’t wait to return !

What a truly wonderful dining experience. The food was exceptional as were all the staff front of house. We were so well looked after and the presentation of the food and the wines was exceptional. The atmosphere in the restaurant was warm and welcoming and incredibly relaxed. I would highly recommend this beautiful restaurant for a dining experience out of this world

The food is as excellent as you would expect but for us what separates this restaurant from the rest is every single member of staff who spoke to us, from front of house to those that came through out of the kitchen, were so professional and friendly.

Fantastic, everything was great, food was just amazing, sea Bass was my personal favourite, every course was just perfect. Staff were friendly and attentive but not pushy, excellent day would highly recommend and will certainly return. Thank you.

Ate here for my birthday and could not fault the food or the staff. Every dish was perfect and explained in detail. The extra touches were really personal, like a birthday card and some gifts to take home. I would definitely return, and the star is well deserved.

A truly remarkable experience and worth the 11 month wait! The staff are truly amazing and down to earth. They are so knowledgeable and passionate about the food and wine. The service was second to none! From all the front of house staff to the chefs who looked after us couldn't fault. Even the communication from Charlotte prior to attending was faultless. Now the food it's genius and a piece art. Especially the Orkney scallop, transition (thai green curry) what a dish! polenta fritter, beetroot crustade, and both desserts. These were all my favourite dishes. Tom truly has created some magical dishes and clearly on top of his game. Some of the best dishes I've ever tasted. Thank you once again for a unforgettable evening.

Absolutely amazing experience, and well worth the 12 month wait!! The food and service were both impeccable, and my husband enjoyed a really interesting and delicious “discovery” wine flight. The vibe was super polished whilst being totally unpretentious, which we really enjoyed. I went when pregnant and the team were super accommodating about my dietary requirements and even gave us a little “upstairs” teddy for the baby! We will certainly be booking for 2026!

The food at Upstairs By Tom Shepherd is on another level. Just stunning, clever and delicious. All staff are a credit to the restaurant and Tom is a really down to earth guy who interacts with his diners much more than any other Michelin Chef's restaurant we have visited. Always a pleasure to visit this restaurant and sets the bar very high.

Unreal experience!! From the moment we walked in until the moment we left, every member of staff has excelled..especially the gent who looked after us all evening, I forget the name, apologies, but his wife’s expecting so I’m sure you’ll know who we mean..😉 The food was as expected from previous reviews, fantastic, I won’t say much as to spoil the surprise but all the dishes were exceptional! A big shout out to Rachel who was our sommelier for the evening, a lovely person with knowledge to suit, the wine pairing is a must by the way!! Thanks for making my birthday one to remember.. Darrell Wigan

I am very lucky to have dined in some lovely places but this has become one of my favourites. The Kitchen Table experience is amazing and Tom being there with his team seeing how they all work together was fab! Food was simply amazing with delicious cocktails and wine flight to match. Will be booking to go back asap.

Simply amazing from start to finish. The staff are passionate about what they do and this shines through. Thoroughly enjoyed our second visit. You have to get in quickly when booking as demand is so high, and rightly so based on the quality of what you get. 100% recommend this place.

Let's start by saying there is around 9/12 months wait to book a table - this sets the scene perfectly as to how good this restaurant really is. You are met by attentive, enthusiastic staff who really do seem to love working in the restaurant and things go exactly like this. The food is clever, amazing, interesting etc etc. Many other reviews highlight particular items/courses, but we simply felt it was a total once in a lifetime culinary experience. I think Michelin restaurants are as much about the experience as the actual food. We are fortunate to have eaten in numerous Michelin restaurants and Upstairs is simple amongst the very best.

The food was excellent with a smile on everyone who worked in upstairs. Really shows the business is run the right way. Each dish was delivered with complete explanation and meaning. The pictures attached include the scallop dish that is to truly behold.

We were delighted to get a cancellation after years of trying to visit Upstairs. I was especially lucky that it coincided with my birthday. It was such a treat and the best Thursday night out ever. The food was incredible and the service was perfect, as other reviewers have said below. We were welcomed like old friends. We will definitely return, leave the car at home and do the wine pairing next time. Love that such a special place is on our doorstep (we live in Sutton Coldfield).

I planned my entire trip to Staffordshire around this lucky last-minute booking after a spot had opened up (it was originally fully booked for a whole year!). The restaurant was my first stop of the trip and what a great start it was! The first course was four bite-sized starters. Each was its own absolute explosion of flavour, which alone is worth coming all the way to this restaurant for. Next was the parker roll. This was solid, but a bit boring and was served almost lukewarm. The cultured butter was nothing out of the ordinary, but the marmite butter provided a nice lingering savoury finish. Then came the Orkney scallop. Here, they played on asian flavours by using a peanut satay sauce. However, I felt that its flavours didn't really blend together with the scallops as it felt like I was eating two separate ingredients. I was also slightly let down as my request to not include fresh coriander leaves was not heard here. This was not a major issue as it was easy to pick out the garnish. The scallops had a lovely texture - firm but almost melt in your mouth. Next, the cornish cod. Again, texture of the fish was great. However, the sauce was a tad too salty for me to fully enjoy. For mains, I chose their wild brill. This was a miss. Although the aromas were wonderful, in particular with the smoky lobster, the flavours started to become dull after already having had two other heavy white fish and cream dishes. If I could start this experience over again, I would have chosen the beef instead. For pre-dessert, I had "thai green chilli". This was a really fun palette cleansing pre-dessert which caught me by surprise as I was hit with a wild assortment of flavours on my first bite. I enjoyed tasting through this trying to identify what on earth it was I just had. Still though, a bit disappointing that they did not leave out the coriander, as I had requested! Finally, I had their 'no ordinary schoolboy'. It looks like a banana but is instead a white chocolate shell painted to look like a banana. Hidden inside was banana mousse but with a 'surprise'. All remaining parts of the banana were used to create the banana ice cream and banana cake on the side, making this dish zero-waste. I loved the concept and the surprise was such a wonderful touch. This dish had such a lasting impression on me that I kept smiling and thinking about it long after I had arrived home. Overall, dining at Upstairs had been a good experience. It started very well and ended amazingly with their fun and inventive desserts. I only wish that I could say the same about their mains! The portion sizes were generous as I was basically full by the end of the main course. The service team were knowledgeable, energetic, and worked phenomenally well to ensure my stay was as comfortable as possible. Although I was a bit disappointed by my request on the coriander not being met, they were able to take care of all my other requests with no fuss at all.

We dined this Saturday as a 4 and sat at the chefs counter and we all highly recommend this option! This was not just a spectacular meal this was a fantastic experience and we will be returning. Michael Blades led the kitchen impeccably and the team were so knowledgeable and invested in our experience. One of our group is not a steak eater and didn’t like the fish main, but the kitchen wanted to create something different to just the veggie option and it was a fantastic Quail dish! The only downside to sitting in the kitchen is that there is no denying the amount of butter it takes to make food taste great. Upstairs is worth the hype - get on that wait list now! Our 9 month wait was more than worth it.

Our favourite restaurant in the whole world.

Superb doesnt get close! Wonderful food and an open kitchen producing great meals quietly without the shouting and banging that is common elsewhere. Just great- the only downside is that its popularity makes our next visit some away

We booked the kitchen table - and it was so worth it. We were made to feel right at home from the outset. Personally, you can’t beat watching the team in action and watching how everything comes together. It wasn’t awkward at all, everyone was welcoming and we got to hear some great stories at the end. The service all night was exemplary, the food was incredible, and this will live in our memories for a long time. My favourite course was the scallops - best scallops I’ve ever had. My partners was the Thai Green Transition. To be fair, it was hard picking a favourite course, it’s been a long time since I struggled to pick a favourite. If you’ve not been and you’re put off by the waitlist, get your name down else you’ll regret it!

You could easily walk past the door, we very nearly did despite a 10 month wait for the booking. Lichfield itself needs a shout-out. It's a charming town with plenty of great places to go. But, this is about Upstairs, by Tom Shepherd. We were welcomed warmly, taken to our pre-designated seat, ready to be taken on a culinary journey. We were celebrating a birthday and on the table, a handwritten sealed birthday card by Tom, a small but massive gesture that really started the whole experience brilliantly. The sommelier came and made enquiries about what we might like to drink, but we hadn't quite stopped gassing ourselves that Tom Shepherd was in the kitchen (yup, we were gawping and unashamedly too) The service was, as expected flawless, 1 of our party couldn't eat raw tuna so a separate printed menu was for them, the initial front of house team member knew this, established it casually and ensured they didn't get the tuna sashimi tostada rather they got a tomato equivalent. Which, visually, you wouldn't have known was anything different. They (the tostadas) came with a bounty of other "snacks," which included a pecorino sable, beetroot crustade (which was outrageously good), and polenta fritter. Personally, I was aphrensive about the goats cheese as it's like my cryptonite, but honestly, i could have that as a last meal and be happy about it. Following these morsels of delight came the roll....yep. a bread roll, but honestly, I know this sounds ludicrous, but it was honestly the lightest, tastiest roll ever. Served with a knob of cultured butter ( I'd no real idea what that was until I had it) and a disc of playful marmite mixed butter. I licked my plate (ok, not lick but scrapped every last trace with my finger). Already in my own personal heaven, we hadn't even started the "proper" stuff. Next, the Orkney scallop...the name says enough. The sauce that came with it i could swim in and drown happily. My wife commented, "Oh, you'd only want one." I disagree. I didn't want it to end. Then, the cornish cod...my. God.. I'm pretty sure I've hit my ceiling. Great portion, super flakey, the sauce with the little bubbles of roe...I'm just going to take a personal moment to re-live that... Next up, the beef (for me) you know it's going to be well cooked and presented so I don't need to talk about that. The flavours..well, that's another story altogether. The ale gel was sweet but worked so well, the heart cubes on the filet were mind blowing, little umami, chewy treats that I'd honestly have on everything, ever and the "cow pie" sauce. If i ever win the euro lottery, I'm getting a pool of it. Rich, luxurious, warming, seasoned to perfection. I'm actually drooling 24 hours later dreaming of it. Let's talk about the transition... A little bowl arrived and the aroma was that of a green Thai curry, the bottom layer was a rice pudding with coconut flavour, then a layer of super cold mango sorbet then topping this devine bowl or winning was a light creamy emulsion that was everything you expect from a green Thai curry and some roasted, puffed rice...on paper it doesn't appeal. But and I mean this with every fibre of my being. It's epic. I (quite unashamedly so) was super pleased my wife doesn't like cold rice pudding, so I happily scoffed 2! I even (selflessly) asked the others if they needed a hand alas I was rubeffed. At this point, we were all feeling pretty full, tetsatmet to the portion and quality, but we had already been asked which of the desserts we would like. The "no ordinary school boy" or the chocolate offering. There was only ever 1 choice for me, and that's the famous banana... I was not disappointed. A white chocolate shell housing a light mouse which was in itself visually spectacular accompanied by a sponge cake, ice cream all married so well. The banana, rum,caramel....sorry, had to wipe more drool away. To end what was a privilege and delight, Mr Shepherd came out and said hello, shook my hand (not washed it yet) and took time to ask us how we were. 100/10

Outstanding atmosphere, amazing food and a level of service and hospitality I’ve never experienced before. The best restaurant I’ve ever experienced

One of the most positive experiences I have ever had. The attention to detail was outstanding , could not fault the staff at all, very polite, knowledgeable and attentive. Now that just leaves the food, well what can I say except it was amazing. Thank you for a great night.

Fantastic but pricey. But you knew that anyway.. go on treat yourself

My wife and I visited Upstairs on a Friday night. We did not live locally and therefore stayed at the nearby Premier Inn (5 mins walk). When we arrived, we given a warm friendly greeting. The team at Upstairs were fantastic all evening. They clearly are very passionate and knowledgable about the food and wine they serve, but so in a relaxed and warm way. The snacks started with had amazing flavours. This quality was maintained throughout the meal with the scallops (in a satay style sauce) and beef being particular highlights. My wife had the famous banana desert and it did not disappoint. Thank you for a really great night and we look forward to coming back soon.

Disclaimer: This is just my personal opinion, and I’m not a food critic. I recently dined at Tom Shepherd's Upstairs and while I found the experience to be Michelin-worthy, there were a few elements that didn't quite live up to the high expectations. The appetizers were overly salty, which left me a bit apprehensive about the rest of the meal. However, once the main dishes were served, the food quickly improved. I’ve been fortunate enough to eat at many Michelin-starred restaurants, and while the dishes at Tom Shepherd's Upstairs were up there in terms with some of the best, I did feel that the meal lacked some of the creativity and innovation with flavors that I’ve seen elsewhere. That being said, the highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the desserts. It wasn’t until they came out that I was truly impressed and taken aback. My favorite dish of the night was the Thai green curry, which was a well-executed, flavorful dish that stood out from the rest of the meal. Overall, it’s a fine dining experience, but there’s room for more inventive touches in flavour to elevate it further.

Amazing evening from start to finish. The food was exceptional as was the wine pairing. Not only is Tom clearly a talented chef he’s also the perfect gentleman who took time out to chat to us at the end of a very busy service. His passion and attention to detail is mirrored by his team who were genuinely enthusiastic about all elements of the evening - and to the member of staff who stood and scrubbed the extractor fan at the end of the evening, well done, high standards are everything in that environment. Well worth a visit, would go again in a heartbeat.

We have been here twice and both visits were well worth the wait. Everything about the experience is amazing. The staff are so welcoming and knowledgeable about the dishes they are serving and give you an amazing insight into the whole dining experience. The food is the nicest food I have ever tasted. If I could give more stars I would. Already booked our next visit.

Meant to have special birthday here. Booked 9 months + in advance. Told 3 months before the date that an extraction fan was being fitted that particular night (a Weds) when the restaurant is closed 3 days in the week anyway. Find out that they actually hosted a private members dining club on that night instead. It was obviously too good an offer to turn down, but lying about it and being prepared to ruin several couple’s big events has turned me off Tom and the restaurant. It may be Michelin starred food but it is McDonalds quality in terms of ethics and customer loyalty. From now on I will save my custom for Adams where they treat customers properly, do not take their custom for granted, lie to them or behave arrogantly when the lies are challenged.

If you've been waiting to visit Upstairs for some time, be patient because when you do, I'm sure it won't disappoint. Today we visited for the first time and had the privilege of sitting at the "kitchen table" which proved to be an amazing experience. Tom served a few courses to us which was a real treat, and the buzz of the team, combined with the skills on show, and some outstanding service made it a lunch to remember. The food was simply amazing, not good or great, it was off the scale. The snacks were delightful, the scallop was so full of flavour, the sauce that the cod was swimming in was good enough to be a course on its own, I could go on... The "transition Thai Green Curry" was also one of the most unusual but delicious things I've ever tasted. And whilst we didn't partake of the wine pairing, we did take a few recommendations (especially loved the Chinese Ice Wine) which were all outstanding. We'll definitely be back as it's one of the best, if not "the best" restaurant we've been to for a long, long time...

The best food I’ve ever eaten. Tom and the team are fantastic at what they do. From start to finish the service was excellent. Every course is delicious with incredible flavours. Unlike some fine dining, you still leave the restaurant full having had decent sized portions. This is not only the best restaurant in Lichfield but the best restaurant in the region. If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Brilliant!

Amazing food and service. Can’t wait to return.

Absolutely fantastic meal and service. You felt like royalty

I have been very fortunate to eat here on a number of occasions. Tom and his team never fail to impress. The food is stunning. I don't know how they manage to get such amazing well balanced flavours on the plate. This has become one of my favourite Michelin restaurants and on my door step to boot. If you have not visited yet you must make the effort, you won't be disappointed. A massive thanks and well done to the team. Never fails to impress. Fantastic again. 😋

Outstanding experience. Everything at Upstairs feels confident and self-assured, despite being a relatively new restaurant. 'Transition' was our favourite course - every course was perfectly executed, but the menu really shines on the weirder and more inventive choices, like a Thai green curry pre-dessert. The discovery wine pairing is great, and the pairing with Transition was particularly inspired.

I went Upstairs last night. The experience is like going to a spa, where your every need, along with things you didn't even know you needed (handbag stools, for example), has been anticipated... Arriving to smiles, warm 'hellos' and efficient coat extraction, you are then guided to your alloted table, immediately feeling like you've been hugged, given a cosy pair of slippers and reclined in a lazy boy. You feel instantly at home, that just for that evening, you are part of the Tom Shepherd family. At each course, your senses are treated, tantalised... and sometimes tested. The wine pairings on the 'Discovery' flight, presented so well by 'Little Grapes', on this occasion, only add to an already wonderful culinary adventure. Timings were perfect. The facilities are immaculate. At the end of the sitting, you leave satiated, treated, enriched; you go downstairs.

What can I say? This place is amazing. The food is just superb. They are so good at what they do and are so creative. The stars of the show for me were the Cornish cod (the velouté is just beyond words), Thai green curry (it shouldn’t work but it does) and, of course, the famous No Ordinary Schoolboy. Everything had such strong flavours, it really was a great experience. Staff are superb too, our waiter was friendly and chatty. Great atmosphere, not stuffy or pretentious at all. Only downside is it is really hard to get a table. Can’t wait to go back

What an amazing experience; the staff, ambience, service and the food were exceptional. We waited 11 months to try Tom’s and we were not disappointed. One of the best Michelin Star restaurants we’ve been to.

Absolutely fantastic…. Cannot find fault in any element….. from arrival and service to the quality of food and the wine pairing…. Would definitely recommend….well worth the wait thank you

5 stars is really not enough. Every aspect of our visit was amazing, stunning and nothing was too much trouble Customers are made to feel like Kings and Queens by staff who passionately cate about what they do. Backed up by an explosion of taste and flavour.

The food was the star of the show. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was great.

Without doubt first class food and service. Excellent

Excellent experience at Upstairs. We had the 7 course taster and wine flight, all delivered perfectly. This is a small intimate restaurant where you receive a lot of attention. The food was delicious and really makes you stop, think and appreciate the work that has gone into the preparation. I would definitely recommend taking the time to plan / book this experience into your schedule.

Upstairs by Tom Shepherd is an amazing dining experience. We dined there to celebrate our 30th Wedding anniversary and it did not disappoint. We chose the Snacks taster menu together with the wine pairing and can honestly say every mouthful was a delight for the taste buds. We chose the Snacks Taster menu which started with Parker House Roll, followed by Orkney Scallop, Cornish Cod, Herdwick Hogget, “Transition Thai Green Curry and finally “No Ordinary School Boy”. The wines chosen complimented each course perfectly and our Sommelier Victoria was very knowledgeable, explaining comprehensively how each would enhance the flavour of the food. All the staff were extremely professional and very attentive and nothing was too much trouble. Our compliments to the chef and the whole team at Upstairs.

Upstairs by Tom Shepherd is an amazing dining experience. We dined there to celebrate our 30th Wedding anniversary and it did not disappoint. We chose the Snacks taster menu together with the wine pairing and can honestly say every mouthful was a delight for the taste buds. The menu started with Parker House Roll followed by Orkney Scallop, Cornish Cod, Herdwick Hogget, “Transition” Thai Green Curry and finally “No Ordinary School Boy”. The wines chosen complimented each course perfectly and our Sommelier Victoria was very knowledgeable, explaining comprehensively how each would enhance the flavour of the food. All the staff were extremely professional and very attentive and nothing was too much trouble. Our compliments to the chef and the whole team at Upstairs.

Amazing ! Food was incredible , lovely atmosphere nice cosy little layout. From food to service was just impecable ! Would 100% recommend anyone weather your a foodie or not

It’s great to see a high quality restaurant in this area. The entrance is unassuming, but the interior is very stylish and comfortable. We were presented with a choice of two tasting menus, one shorter than the other, and we opted for the larger one. The gap between courses was spot on for me, and our party found all but the ‘transition’ course between savoury and sweet superb. Aspects I liked about this restaurant were the interior; the food; the fact they could provide an excellent kir royale, even though surprisingly it did not seem to be listed on the drinks menu; the way that wine and water bottles were kept at a serving station and efficiently topped up without the need for prompting. Aspects I felt detracted from the experience were somewhat formulaic ‘patter’ more suited to a chain pub than a fine dining restaurant - on the third time of being asked which my favourite course was and what my plans were for the afternoon I became a little irritated; and the white wine is served at the 8 degrees that seems to be the restaurant standard but is too warm for my personal taste, and let’s face it it will soon warm up for those that prefer it warmer. Price is fair for the quality on offer, but front of house pegs it at one star for the time being.

Our kids booked this in August last year as a 25th Wedding Anniversary treat for us. It was so worth the wait. Great vibe, good service and absolutely delicious food. Tasting menu is reasonably priced compared with London prices. My favourite course was the cod. However the banana dessert is dreamy. We had a relaxed delicious meal. We'll defo come back when next in this area.

We were taken as a treat and what a treat it was. Every mouthful to be savored. A really great experience, thanks to all staff involved front and back.

Just the most wonderful way the spend my birthday, thank you to the whole team 🙏

What a superb experience! I'm not going to go into too much detail,or post photos, as I think it would spoil what can only be described as a gastronomic delight for the taste buds,just go if you can.😊

Lovely atmosphere . staff professional and knowledgeable.

Outstanding food and service. Very relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended.

Fantastic gem of a restaurant. Every course is innovative. Service is impeccable and the overall experience is wonderful.

Absolutely amazing. Loved every course. It was so worth the wait. I would definitely recommend and I'm definitely going to try to rebook

Amazing food, delicious tasting menu and great service from knowledgeable and not patronising staff. If you can get a table you won't be disappointed.

Superb! You would walk past the entrance to this place a hundred times without noticing, as it is an understated door to the side of its plush, parent jewellery store. Upstairs, above the shop, is a beautifully decorated michelin-starred restaurant for which booking well in advance is a must. The food is first-class: innovative, tasty & gorgeously presented. The wine list is well-priced for the level of the restaurant. Service is understated, informative & like the rest of the set-up, unpretentious. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of our gastronomic year.