The Boat

The Boat in Lichfield is a restaurant and micro‑farm led by chef‑owner Liam Dillon, presenting a seasonal, sustainable interpretation of modern British cooking. Since opening in 2017 the site evolved from a roadside pub into a renovated casual fine‑dining destination and sources directly from on‑site polytunnels, vegetable beds, hens, pigs, hives and aquaponics systems. The venue holds a Michelin star, multiple AA awards and a notable wine list. Situated on the Staffordshire canalside, the space blends a relaxed, renovated pub lineage with a contemporary casual fine‑dining vibe. The chef’s table sits in the heart of the kitchen so guests experience the buzz of service, and the venue feels intimate and refined with design updates driven by the owner and family. The cuisine follows a farm‑to‑table philosophy with refined yet honest dishes inspired by the land and local surroundings; menus change with the seasons and emphasise reducing food waste and sustainable sourcing using produce from the estate. Liam Dillon is the chef‑owner and trained at Marcus Wareing (The Berkeley), Five Fields, Story, Quay (Sydney), Noma (Copenhagen) and Eleven Madison Park (New York) before returning to his hometown to refine his approach. Specialities include tasting menus, in‑kitchen chef’s‑table experiences, a lunch tasting menu, Sunday lunch and a choice (à la carte) menu.