Both of the new two-star restaurants are Japanese restaurants in Mayfair - Araki and Umu.

Rebecca Burr, editor of the Michelin Guide, said: “It is a great compliment to London that when Sushi Master Mitsuhiro Araki closed his Three Star counter restaurant in Tokyo it was because he wanted to come to the UK to challenge himself in a different culture.

Umu is a very different style of Japanese restaurant – chef Yoshinori Ishii has steadily been improving the food and he has taken it to a whole new level.”

The new one star restaurants in London include Lyle’s, Bonhams, Portland and the Dining Room at the Goring, and in Leeds, The Man Behind The Curtain also receives a star.

Burr added: “The next generation of chefs are really coming through to give the established chefs a run for their money. They all have their own individual style and their ability – coupled with their confidence – looks set to lead them on to great things.”

John’s House near Loughborough - where chef John Duffin cooks at the family farm where he grew up - also receives a star. In Scotland, The Cellar in Anstruther receives a star, as do Eipic and OX in Belfast, the Greenhouse in Dublin and Loam in Galway.

The Bib Gourmand, which recognises establishments offering good food at affordable prices (the limit being £28 for three coutse, €40 in Ireland), has been awarded to 25 restaurants.

Among them are the White Swan in Fence, Oli’s Thai in Oxford, Tom Kerridge’s pub The Coach in Marlow and Nuno Mendes’ Taberna do Mercado in Spitalfields.

Burr added: “Stars and Bib Gourmands are annual awards. Each year we seek out new candidates and reassess our existing award restaurants. Consistency is a key part of our selection process and it is important for our readers that the standard of cooking is maintained.”

Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant The Fat Duck will be absent for the 2016 edition, as following his temporary move to Australia, it didn’t open in time for assessment. Gordon Ramsay’s Maze site in Mayfair lost its Michelin-star for this edition.