The luxury seafood restaurant Rocksalt has been snubbed by Michelin Guide, losing its place on the coveted list of celebrated dining spots.

Unveiled earlier this week, the Great Britain and Ireland 2023 edition of the guide offered recommendations for 1,143 restaurants, with 206 of those boasting a Michelin-star and 26 based in Kent.

But Rocksalt, the seafront restaurant at Folkestone Harbour, failed to make the cut despite having featured in previous renditions of the list - with no clear answer yet as to why.

Michelin wouldn't comment on why the restaurant had been left out but confirmed the decision, leaving no trace of the eatery on its website with all references to the business deleted.

Earlier this month, business owner of Rocksalt Josh De Haan told KentOnline when discussing the cost-of-living crisis and the Michelin Guide that he felt the "consistency and quality" of the food protected the firm.

"Accolades such as listings in the Michelin Guide are great for adding to the overall picture of the business and getting the name out there, but it is consistency and quality that protect the business," said the 48-year-old.

Places on the Michelin Guide are offered out depending on the meeting of certain criteria, which include approach to service and and decor of restaurants as well as the quality of food.

A spokesman for the Michelin Guide said: "Rocksalt in Folkestone is no longer part of the Selection 2023 of the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland.

"I should point out that our visits are carried out anonymously. We do not introduce ourselves, we always pay our bill, and we will contact the restaurant directly if we require additional information.

"As we make our guides exclusively for the benefit of our readers, we do not give feedback or advice, nor do we disclose our reasons for not including an establishment.

"All decisions are reviewed annually.

"The Michelin guides offer our readers the very best of a broad range of establishments, which are constantly pushing the standards and quality of the food and overall experience for our readers, higher each year."

Founded by Mr De Haan and celebrity chef Mark Sargeant, Rocksalt has long been associated with fine dining and has received various accolades for its approach to dining.

In December last year, it was deemed to be one of the best with a view in the country by The Times and still holds two AA Rosettes as well being listed as on the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice list in 2022.

It also had to apply for an extension in June 2019 after winning plaudits for the menu on offer.

The popular restaurants à la carte menu includes Folkestone-caught ray wing for £25.50 and baked plaice on the bone for £28.50.

And when reporter Jack Dyson visited the eatery in July 2021, he gave the food five stars and praised the menu as being "brimming with enticing options".

But in October 2021, Mark Sargeant unceremoniously left the group after experiencing "unresolvable differences" with his business partner.

At the time, he said: "I would like to let you all know and with a heavy heart, that due to unresolvable differences of opinion between my business partner and I we both feel that it’s time to go our separate ways."

The Rocksalt Group has been contacted for comment.