2014 to 2015 saw the biggest jump in bookings, some 50% up year on year. Bookatable has delivered 395,000 covers to Michelin star restaurants each year, through its online booking platform.

The news comes as Michelin reveals its new 2016 guide, with 15 one stars and two new stars awarded across the UK, including several in London, one in Loughborough and a number of new restaurants in Ireland and Scotland.

The new two star restaurants are both Japanese, Araki and Umi. Whilst London’s one star restaurants include Lyle’s, Bonhams, Portland and the Dining Room at the Goring.

The most popular MICHELIN star restaurants on the Bookatable platform have remained fairly consistent since 2012 with The Square unswervingly topping the list year after year. Hakkasan, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Sketch, London also appear regularly in the top five with Helene Darroze at The Connaught and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester the newest additions to the top ten. 

Delving deeper into the restaurant booking platform’s data insights, fine dining bookings have a longer lead time on Bookatable.co.uk than casual dining, with the most popular day to book being a Monday or a Tuesday with most people dining on Saturday night (24 per cent) – indicating Brits are making weekend plans already on a Monday.  The average spend per booking has also increased significantly. In 2013, the average spend per booking was £46.98 but in 2015, the average spend has gone up to £99.17.

Joe Steele, CEO of Bookatable, said: “It’s great to see such a healthy growth in fine dining bookings over the last few years. It clearly shows that MICHELIN star restaurants continue to appeal to diners and that Brits are potentially feeling they have a little more disposable income than in recent years.

“When a restaurant is awarded a star, it’s a huge accolade and promises to be a positive impact on that restaurant’s business so it is well worth all the hard work involved to get there.  We wish all the restaurants that are new to this year’s MICHELIN Guide, and those who continue to retain their stars, a prosperous year ahead.”