THE FOODIES OVER at Michelin give out their stars sparingly and this year was no different with no Irish restaurant receiving the much-coveted accolade.

The 2012 version of the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland goes on sale tomorrow, marking the first time it has ever been published before Christmas.

Although no new stars were given out in Ireland, Box Tree in Stepaside was marked as a “Bib Gourmand” – where there is good food at a moderate price. It was the only Irish restaurant new to the category. It joins the likes of the Pig’s Ear on Nassau Street, Dublin, O’Dowds of Galway and Fishy Fishy Café in Kinsale, Co. Cork.

The cut-throat Michelin judges are slow to give out stars – but they are quick to take them away. A total of eight establishments lost stars in England, Scotland and Wales in this year’s guide. However, Ireland’s six previously-honoured restaurants kept their stars.

Here are the six restaurants where you can still dine “under the stars”: