A Michelin-star restaurant has launched Britain's only bottled water menu - with bottles costing up to £20.

Joseph Rawlins, 32, decided to introduce the epicurean menu after wanting to try something new with his Marton-based French fine dining restaurant, La Popote.

The co-owner and head chef worked alongside one of only five British water sommeliers Doran Binder, 52, to put it together.

Joe said: "The restaurant scene has changed a lot over the years we have been getting fewer big tables more groups of twos and fours.

"That means at least one person there will mostly likely be driving and not be drinking as such.

"To try and keep up with the market we wanted to offer something a bit different.

"Everything has been positive, it is a bit of fun, and we are looking forward to seeing where it goes."

Head chef Joseph Rawlins and water sommelier Doran Binder (Credit: SWNS)

Doran first pitched the idea of a bottled water menu to Joe in June 2023 when he invited them for a water tasting.

Doran, from Wildboarclough, has spent the last seven months selecting the perfect bottles after Joe gave him the thumbs up in January this year.

Joe said: "He had pitched the idea to us and we had a laugh about it as we were unsure what he meant by it at first.

"He then invited us down for a water tasting and that's when we realised that water isn't just water and explained he thinks there is an exciting new market.

"We have noticed in the last 18 months a lot of people don't drink as much and are looking for an alternative to alcohol."

The menu features seven bottles handpicked by Doran (Credit: SWNS)

There are seven bottles to choose from with four still selections - which includes tap water - and four sparkling.

The hand-picked selection comes from across Europe including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Iceland, and the UK.

Prices start at £5 for Doran's own Crag Spring Water all the way up to £19 for Portuguese sparkling water The Palace of Vidago and they will be served in wine glasses.

Doran handpicked these options from hundreds of bottles to create the perfect menu.

"I had been working on a water menu for the last three or four years trying to get a restaurant to pick it up but it has been really difficult," he said.

"People thought it was a joke and a gimmick but it was exciting when La Popote took me on.

"What I have done is put together a quality range of interesting water.

"It is a selection showing off the different TDS water has to offer.

"They all have different tastes, mouth feels, and offer a different perspective on dining at a restaurant."

Joseph and his partner Gaëlle Radigon took over the restaurant in 2019 (Credit: SWNS)

Doran continued: "It will elevate the dining experience for non-drinkers like myself and millions of others who aren't interested in a wine menu.

"Being able to chose a water with a story, something special and unique that you couldn't just get from a shop is elevating that experience.

"The water will be served in a wine glass, water will be put on a stage, and showed respect.

"I could have put hundreds on the menu all for different reasons. 

"It was really hard to narrow it down and I feel bad about leaving some out.

"The menu will hopefully grow and expand."

La Popote's water menu will be fully launched on Friday, August 22.