Harden's says
Tom Shepherd, most recently seen at Adam’s in Birmingham, opened the much-anticipated first restaurant under his own name in October 2021, above his father’s Lichfield jewellery shop.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Magnificent cooking” from Tom Shepherd justifies the bet made by his father four years ago when he commissioned the “smart” conversion of the first-floor space above his jewellery shop in the centre of town to accommodate a new 28-cover dining room with open kitchen to showcase his son’s cooking. Awards – including a position in the Harden’s Best UK Top 100 2025 – have followed for this “friendly, warm and unpretentious” venue, where you eat from a seven-course tasting menu of high ambition. Its ratings dipped a little in this year’s annual diners’ poll however, as a result of feedback which – though relentlessly positive – included more caveats than previously (“very good, but the very long waiting list made expectations hard to meet…”; “as popular as ever, but it all felt a little frenetic and prices seem to have risen steadily…”).
Summary
“Smart, flawless cooking with personality” (“the skill in elevating the ingredients is something I hadn’t experienced in a long time”) means it’s “hard to get a reservation” at this 28-cover space, which Tom Shepherd opened above his father’s jewellery shop three years ago. “Casual and relaxed, but with a genuine buzz about the place” – all reports are full of enthusiasm (“having made our reservation about nine months in advance, we were eagerly anticipating our first visit here, and the whole experience was well worth the wait!”). “Throughout the various courses the food is of a consistently high standard: the canapés are outstanding and everything that follows offers wonderful flavour combinations as well as being beautifully presented”. “Service is warm and knowledgeable, from people who clearly love what they do”. “We’ve already booked our next visit, which unfortunately is not for another 12 months!”
Summary
“Getting a booking is no mean feat” at Tom Shepherd’s “absolutely brilliant” operation – a “bright and crisp” 28-cover space “above his father’s jewellery shop” which in two short years has established itself as one of the Midlands’ most celebrated culinary destinations. “If you do, you will be rewarded with exciting and original cooking” with dishes that are “thoughtful in their concept, prepared meticulously and served beautifully”. BREAKING NEWS – In September 2023, Tom announced a second, more informal venture in the city (‘we’re going to open up with the mindset of small plates, drinks orientated, and the small plates will develop so you can almost have your own tasting menu’).
Summary
“Already outstanding”, this 2021 debut from a well-qualified chef hit the ground running, nabbing rave reviews within months of opening. The accolades are “thoroughly deserved” – “food and service are brilliantly executed” and there’s a “nice relaxed vibe” in the 28-cover restaurant with a chef’s table and roof terrace. Previously head chef at Adam’s in Birmingham and development chef for Sat Bains, Tom Shepherd opened quite literally upstairs from his father’s jewellery shop.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Upstairs by Tom Shepherd?
25 Bore Street, Lichfield, WS13 6NA
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
25 Bore Street, Lichfield, WS13 6NA
Opening hours
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