We waited a long time to visit Upstairs by Tom Shepherd and it was definitely worth the wait. From start to finish, it just got better. I can definitely see why Tom is a rising star on the television. But for all the fine dining,...it felt very relaxed. Our waitress ( if we can still say that?) Jade was very friendly and knowledgeable. Kam, the Sommelier was fantastic, and both enhanced the experience.More

We so looked forward to dining at Upstairs in Lichfield and we certainly were not disappointed. The snacks were delicious and every one of the 7 courses was a culinary delight. After seeing Tom on the Great British Menu over the years, we felt really...lucky to be able to sample his food - we especially looked forward to the desert ‘ No ordinary schoolboy’, it was fabulous. There were 4 in our party and we all decided if we had to pick a favourite course, which was difficult, it was the ‘Transition’ Thai green curry - it was heavenly, could have eaten a huge bowlful. Service was impeccable and all the staff very knowledgeable. Can’t wait to book again when the next slots open.More

Ok so yes it’s expensive BUT as the old adage goes - you get what you pay for ! I’m going to say this visit was for a special occasion, it wasn’t we treated ourselves and wanted to try the restaurant and experience. We reserved...a table later in the year (September) as this was the earliest we could reserve and registered on the waiting list for cancellations hence our visit in June. From the minute you enter the restaurant you are treated as royalty with full on attention and guidance from all the staff, from questions re food to wine and at each course we were advised about the meal and ingredients. To make it extra special we did the wine pairing and again we were told why and what we were drinking. This definitely made the experience more special. The restaurant was full but it’s not cramped so you don’t feel overcrowded and it had no negative effect on the attention from the staff. We were in there a few hours and we were not made to feel we need to leave we ate and drank at our own pace. There are two experiences one seated in the restaurant and one at the bar to the kitchen. Our experience was in the restaurant at a traditional restaurant table. I will definitely return and would definitely recommend a visit the food is sensational.More

One of the best meals we have ever had. From start to finish the food, service, wine and ambience was amazing. Every dish makes you think it’s the best thing you have eaten so far & it’s keeps delivering. So inventive and as we were...at kitchen table we were able to see it all being prepared in such a calm professional way. Accommodated gluten free seamlessly - makes such a difference when it’s catered for and the food is almost exactly the same as everyone else’s. Also accommodated a dessert preference too with no fuss. Wish we could eat here more often - will have to wait for the next reservations to be released. If you can get in do it, you won’t regret it!More

Four of us treated ourselves to the tasting menu and wine flight over lunch. We booked months ago (as you have to) and it was well worth waiting for. We were welcomed by very friendly staff and seated, to our surprise, at the Kitchen Table....The chefs were happy to engage with us in conversation about the food as they worked and presented the dishes to us with enthusiasm. It was great to see Tom leading a happy team. The food was outstanding: difficult to pick a favourite but the scallop was great! A special mention for Cam the sommelier - some great wine and sake pairings served with knowledge and skill. We can’t wait to go back!More

Great experience but I guess we had high expectations and wasn’t as amazing as we’d hoped. Fabulously presented and lovely restaurant. Food was great and wonderful experience but we did feel it started amazingly but went down hill towards the the middle to end of...our visit. Many of the dishes were extremely salty, soooo much truffle used on the vegetarian courses that it became a bit much. Never been anywhere where the water glasses are constantly filled to the top and flat water put onto sparkling. We felt we were “over served” so were often interrupted during conversations or a 5 minute requested break between courses was on couple of mins etc… Overall it’s a well worth going restaurant but hoping the high standards don’t slip. Our friends who came with us have been previously and they felt things weren’t as spot on as previous visits.More

Oh wow, what a 60th birthday surprise that was. The place is fantastic, the service impeccable and the food is incredible. We had the £65 taster menus( I had the extra £40 wine paring too) . Every course was fantastic and so many flavours and...textures. The first round was stunning and it included a Swedish(I think) ultra thin, crispy pastry one bite piece that had beautiful beef tartre and a cream/ sauce within it. I could of eaten 20 of them! My beautiful wife sat opposite me and through each course we watched and heard each other 'Woo-ing , Mmmm-ing' and smiling continuously. The pairing of the wine was incredible (as was the ultra knowledgeable sommelier) this made the whole meal experience for me. I had an experience I've never had before at any restaurant ( I've travelled the world and eaten at some prestigious restaurants too) . Our final course was the '72% Araguani Chocolate' paired with the 'Alcyone 2015' desert wine. I had already had two spoonfuls of the sweet when my wife reminded me to try the wine with it....oh my god! The combination of the chocolate and the wine was mind blowing...so much so that I felt tears starting. In my 60yrs of a full life , I have never had this emotion over food in any way , shape or form! The finalvthree or four mouthfuls were beyond words (for me anyway) . Thinking about it afterwards I'm sure it was a combination of the two things which evoked a selection of lifelong memories (good ones) all in that course. I'm not one of these pretentious people who rant and waffle about stuff. I just had to share my experience with folks out there. I told the sommelier about it and it made her well up too. I told the man himself and he was as expected, pleased about it . Fantastic knowledgeable staff working in complete harmony. What a set up they have there. A worthy Star holder if ever Ive seen one. UTVMore

Wow. Just wow. What an absolutely incredible experience! From the minute we walked through to door to the minute we left, everything was perfection. The food is spectacular - each mouthful orgasmic. The work that has gone into creating such a stunning menu is obvious....Personal favourites were the snacks, the spring chicken, fallow deer pt. 1, transition and, of course, No Ordinary Schoolboy. Two of our party had the wine pairing, which they said was absolutely spot on in every way. The other two of us shared a couple of bottles of Italian Sauvignon Blanc which was also delicious and worked well with the whole menu. The staff were all amazing - knowledgeable, informative, super friendly and beyond attentive. Special mention goes to Jade who looked after us so well that we wanted to bring her home with us! The restaurant itself is a fabulous setting. Contemporary and intimate. Whilst it’s not massive, tables were comfortably spaced and it was possible to feel you were the only ones there. Every little detail has been thought of. A lady on another table placed her Mulberry handbag on the floor, and was immediately given a little still for it to sit on - Jade said no bag deserves to be on the floor! Absolutely wonderful! This is definitely the best dining experience we’ve ever had and it’s an absolute bonus that it’s in Lichfield, the city I’m from. Such a special place. We can’t wait to go back!!More

Really nice place, the staff are lovely, food was interesting and each course (8 I think) was really nice, and a good selection of wines. Definitely worth a visit

We've been fortunate enough to have visited a number of Michelin starred restaurants, so we were delighted when Upstairs received that accolade as it is a lot closer to us. We booked months in advance (always a good sign) and it was so worth the...wait. The food was bold, interesting and delicious. The presentation was as you'd expect from a Michelin star restaurant as was the service. My wife had the drinks pairing and this too was great. Not just wine pairing as we'd experienced elsewhere, but a brilliantly thought through pairing menu which included Sake, wine and even a cocktail. Overall then an amazing evening and the biggest compliment we could pay Tom and the team is that every single course wouldn't have been out of place at The Waterside Inn.More

Without doubt the best restaurant I have ever been to!!!!!!! From the moment we arrived we were made to feel very welcome. They even presented my brother-in-law with a handwritten birthday card on arrival. Such a nice touch! Flo and the team were very attentive...without being overbearing and were all very knowledgeable about each course. We were lucky enough to be sat right next to the pass and even my husband commented on how calm the kitchen seemed compared to other restaurants. I thoroughly enjoyed every single course of the sharing menu, but the stand out dish for me was the "Transition - Thai Green Curry". Oh my days it was incredible 😍 And the encouraging wink one of the chefs gave me when I cleaned the leftover sauce from my plate with my finger made me chuckle!!! My only criticism is not being able to book a table before the end of 2024 😭 So, if you are lucky enough to have a reservation, you are in for a very special treat.More

Amazing Evening once again at Upstairs ! Celebrating our daughters Birthday! Menu top class and service to match ! The Scallops were the highlight for us all - the additional cheese course a must to share and of course No ordinary school boy desert to...finish ! Then a Yuzu Limocello for the road - OMG ! Keep it up Tom and the TeamMore