Upstairs by Tom Shepherd
Lichfield, United Kingdom
⭐1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
Located in the centre of Lichfield above his father's jewellery shop, this clever conversion provides a warm, relaxing space to show off the eponymous chef’s talents. It’s a deservedly popular place, offering short and long tasting menus that feature impressive dishes where flavour is to the fore and every ingredient has a purpose. Desserts are a highlight and could include the likes of 72% Araguani chocolate with crème fraîche, pecan, caramel and sherry. The attentive, enthusiastic staff genuinely love their restaurant – and you will too.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
Unique Location Above a Jewellery Shop
Upstairs by Tom Shepherd is uniquely situated above the chef's father's jewellery shop in Lichfield, creating an intimate and warm dining environment with a brown and grey palette and a 36-cover dining room, including a kitchen table for up to four guests directly in the kitchen.Single Seven-Course Tasting Menu with a Special Transition Course
The restaurant offers a focused, flavour-led seven-course tasting menu in the evening, with a shorter four-course option at lunch. A standout unconventional element is the "transition course," a Thai Green Curry served after the main course but before dessert, designed to transition diners into the dessert phase, showcasing creative menu structuring.Philosophy Emphasizing Family, Flavour, and Culture
Chef Tom Shepherd highlights the restaurant’s philosophy centered on family, flavourful food, and culture, reflecting a deeply personal and culturally rich approach to contemporary British fine dining that goes beyond typical Michelin-starred experiences.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at Upstairs by Tom Shepherd in Lichfield, a Michelin-starred restaurant, include:
72% Araguani chocolate: Used in desserts, paired with crème fraîche, pecan, caramel, and sherry to create rich, flavorful sweet dishes that highlight the quality and depth of the chocolate.
Seasonal British produce: The menu is produce-driven and inspired by the seasons and local area, emphasizing fresh, high-quality British ingredients that change throughout the year to showcase the best flavors available.
Red cabbage: Featured in a visually stunning and flavorful Red Cabbage Gazpacho starter, demonstrating creative use of vegetables in modern British cuisine.
Homemade bread and butter: Tom Shepherd makes his own bread, which is highly praised and served with house-made butter, underscoring the restaurant’s commitment to craftsmanship and detail in even the simplest elements of the meal.
These ingredients reflect the restaurant’s focus on seasonal, local, and high-quality components, crafted with skill to deliver balanced and memorable dishes.
Menu & Pricing
Current Offerings & Prices
Tasting Menus
- Short Tasting Menu: £85
- Long Tasting Menu: £125
Desserts
- 72% Araguani chocolate with crème fraîche, pecan, caramel and sherry: Not specified