The dinky, beatific Channel Island of Jersey is a foodie destination on the up. So it might come as as surprise to learn that there’s only one restaurant on this pretty oceanic outpost – far closer to France than the UK – with a Michelin star.

That restaurant is St Helier’s Bohemia, an upscale Modern European joint that celebrates the best of Jersey’s produce while also making concessions to top-tier European ingredients and techniques (the current tasting menu features such dishes as local crab with jalapeño panna cotta, and a foie gras parfait with Madeira jelly and a shimeji and duck salad, for example).

Chefs have come and gone since Michelin first slung its trademark award over in 2004 – Bohemia has held onto a star ever since – but the kitchen is currently headed up by Callum Graham. An alumni of London’s The Lanesborough, Le Celadon in Paris and Auberge du Lion d’Or in Geneva – as well as quarter-finalist in the 2018 edition of MasterChef: The Professionals – Graham joined Bohemia as senior chef de partie in 2016, before taking over as head chef at the start of 2020.

His tenure has only seen the restaurant’s star rise – placing Bohemia at the centre of a quietly thrilling local food scene that runs the gamut from rustic modern bistros and luxe brasseries (Samphire) through beachside pizzas (Portelet Bay Café), glorified seafood sheds (the three Jersey Crab Shacks) and more.

Here, Graham gives us his insider tips for other exemplary eats in St Helier.

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Park House: “Park House has got to be my favourite Thai restaurant in Jersey – it is a complete hidden gem and is very intimate and small. Jacques leads up the front of house and is a great character, while Aranya does all the cooking. I would recommend the pork ribs, chicken noodle salad, Thai beef salad and the sweet and sour chicken – but to be honest the whole menu is delicious.”

A perfect pie at Upstairs at Anley Street / Image: Cleo Leather @cleoleathervisuals

Upstairs at Anley Street: “Upstairs is a small British bistro and the owners – Chris and Claire – have created a wonderful, homely feeling at the restaurant. They are fantastic hosts and Chris is clearly a chef who enjoys creating comforting and flavoursome dishes. It’s a sharing concept where you choose a couple of small plates to start, and then a shared main with some beautiful sides. A standout dish is the pie, which changes every month – it’s a real showstopper.”

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A sun-dappled afternoon at Vinifera

Vinifera: “Vinifera is a stylish coffee bar and wine shop located in the heart of town. It’s a fantastic spot to enjoy a great coffee or a catch up with friends over some stunning wines, delicatessen treats and charcuterie. With a selection of around 400 wines to choose from, make sure to ask wine expert and owner, Amar, for his expertise. He is a Certified Advanced Sommelier with a Michelin-starred background.”

Callum's go-to Szechuan wings at Awabi / Image: Holly Smith

Awabi: “It was a breath of fresh air when this modern pan-Asian restaurant burst onto the scene in 2021 – and still is, which is a true testament to Steven and his team. They have created a fun, relaxed vibe but with some seriously happy food. You can’t go wrong with the pork dumplings, but the mega dish is the Szechuan chicken wings – I had never experienced spicing like that before. I’d recommend starting with the mild ones then working up to hot.”

Roseville Bistro: “Located by the sea on the outskirts of town, Roseville Bistro is a fantastic family-run restaurant which has been around for over 50 years. Specialising in seafood cuisine, I would say a must-have is their surf and turf.”