Pignut & The Hare restaurant named in Michelin Guide

Pignut & The Hare at Scawton owned by Tom and Laurissa Heywood, was included in the last Michelin Guide release before the official 2026 awards ceremony takes place next month.

The prestigious food experts explained: “The Michelin Guide Inspectors are always on the road, assessing existing restaurants as well as uncovering new ones worthy of recommendation.

“While Stars and Bib Gourmands are only revealed at the annual Michelin Guide Ceremony, the Inspectors add restaurants to the selection year round.

“These latest additions are released on a monthly basis and are highlighted by a ‘New’ symbol’.”

Take a look at all the newest additions added to the Michelin Guide this month via its website.

What does the Michelin Guide say about Pignut & The Hare?

Its Michelin Guide profile reveals: “The team from Pignut in Helmsley moved a few miles down the road to take over The Hare, a long-standing pub which they’ve smartly refurbished with a Nordic-esque touch while retaining its rustic character.

“The ambitious tasting menu employs a range of creative techniques resulting in attractive, hyper-local dishes – beginning with the ‘wastage’ broth using leftover vegetables and ending with stand-out desserts such as a signature combination of mushroom, coffee and caramel.

“Bedrooms are available if you’d rather stay the night than drive back down the narrow lanes after dinner.”

Pignut & The Hare near Helmsley is no stranger to being ranked among the UK’s best, as it recently celebrated a top rating in The Good Food Guide (it was given a “very good” overall rating), just six months after opening.

It was praised by the dining experts for being a “dazzling culinary adventure in a remote Yorkshire inn”.

Prior to this achievement, in September last year, the new restaurant was awarded a handful of AA rosettes such as AA Five Star Restaurant and Rooms Gold Award, alongside a reconfirmation of its three AA Rosettes and AA Breakfast Award.

This North Yorkshire restaurant near Hemsley only opened last year (Image: Tripadvisor)

On its website, it shares: “At Pignut & The Hare we want to combine the historical ambience of the Hare Inn Scawton and the innovation of Pignuts food, while offering an experience that honours the past while embracing the future, where our food philosophy is more than a set of principles – it’s a love letter to the land, sea, and seasons that shape our region.

“In our dedication to the power of local, each dish is a narrative created by the hands of local farmers and suppliers.”

It continues: “Our commitment to pushing culinary boundaries is evident in our innovative food and wine pairings. Here, we go beyond convention, inviting you to taste the unexpected as natural, biodynamic wines complement dishes celebrating the diverse flavors of our region.

“But Pignut is more than a restaurant; it’s a space where experiences are made, and community is fostered. Join us in celebrating the art of connection, where every meal is an opportunity to create and evoke memories and build relationships.”

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Meanwhile, over on Tripadvisor, the restaurant already has an impressive 5/5 rating based on 161 reviews.

A recent customer commented: “Completely agree with the most recent reviews. Superb, imaginative and unique food: hospitality executed perfectly; and I hope they get the [Michelin] star they unquestionably deserve in February.

“We stayed and the room was excellent too (as was the magnificent breakfast). Will be returning soon.”

Someone else posted: “Pignut and the hare is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants my wife and I have been to in all our lives. We have been lucky enough to eat at lots of Michelin starred restaurants across the country and this is the equal to all of them.

“We had the nine course half tasting menu which was incredible value and the quality of the food, the ingredients, the ethos of sourcing locally as well as the impeccable service and decor made this an unforgettable experience.

“I had the wine flight with the tasting menu and the wines were all so unique and it was great to see a number of English options, including sparkling wine.

“We also stayed the night in one of the beautifully appointed rooms and everything about the visit which included a stunning breakfast in the morning was faultless. If you are thinking of a night away and a meal to treat yourself with and you are in striking distance of this restaurant then we urge you to go.”

Will you be booking a table at Pignut & The Hare anytime soon? Let us know if you have dined here already, in the comments below.