First Look: La Pepa

Following their latest assignments in the Greek capital, we asked our inspectors to highlight the original, flavoursome dishes that will live long in their memory. The list below is a selection that showcases the best of Athenian cuisine in 2022.

The chef of Michelin-starred restaurant CTC served up his vision of Greek haute cuisine at a dinner organised by the MICHELIN Guide in Paris.   

The Ultimate Guide for food and hotels lovers.

Blessed with long summers and a year-round sunny climate, Athens is a city where people spend a lot of time outdoors, including on terraces and rooftop havens. Fine dining restaurants are also in on the act, and many boast outdoor spaces, whether a shady garden, an intimate patio or a rooftop area with a view of the Acropolis, Mount Lycabettus or even the sea.

The MICHELIN Guide Croatia 2022 was released last June. This destination, which seduces international travelers with its dreamy littoral, the impressive richness of its territory and its crystal-like sea, still charms the MICHELIN Guide’s inspectors with its gastronomy, packed with freshness and flavors.

Its strong relationship with its natural surroundings, its locally inspired cuisine and the importance of sustainability in the kitchen are behind the decision of the Michelin Guide and illycaffè to showcase La Bicicleta as a restaurant with a strong commitment to its environmental impact. A place where you can enjoy your surroundings knowing that care and respect for the environment are paramount.

A large, romantic chalet built of pale timber, picturesquely reflected in a lake dotted with water lilies. A handful of log cabins strung along the water's edge, against the backdrop of an enchanted forest. A short distance from the Italian border, south of the town of Nova Gorica, this place is bound to make visitors feel rejuvenated : welcome to Pikol Lake Village, the domain of the Gašparin family.

Whether you prefer the hilly tranquility of the Buda side, or the big city bustle of the Pest side of Budapest, one can lunch or dine in an elegant venue worthy of international standards. Bistronomy restaurant Felix, has a kitchen headed by a French chef, on the Buda side. Spago, a newcomer initiated by famous Austrian-American chef Wolfgang Puck, is located at the other end of the Elisabeth Bridge, on the Pest side of the city. Both share great respect for the classic French technique, paired with a love of Hungarian ingredients and international ambitions.

Wine has a special place in Slovenian culture. For proof of this, you need look no further than St Martin's Day, an annual folk festival that celebrates the arrival of new wines on 11 November, when wine fever gives rise to festivities in vineyards across the country, from the Mediterranean to the Hungarian border. Around this date, most restaurants are fully booked and serve specific menus, in which wine plays the starring role. This is just one example of the close ties between gastronomy and viticulture in a country that has a very strong food-loving culture.

Situated between the Mediterranean, the Alps and the Balkans, Slovenia captivates visitors not only with the variety of its landscapes but also the charm of its villages set in well-preserved natural surroundings. Some of them are home to exceptional hotels that are keen to offer their guests top-notch restaurants. Traditional or more contemporary, here are two experiences that are not to be missed.

Thanks to his multiple television appearances, Jenő Rácz had already acquired a great popularity in Hungary. Now the young chef is the head of Rumour, a theatrical restaurant where an elevencourse menu showcases the colors and flavors of his Hungarian roots, mixed with influences from his travelling years in Europe and Asia.

Jaleo's Daniel Lugo shares his insight into how to make this classic Spanish dish.

The MICHELIN Guide takes you on a trip to Hungary to discover the treasures of this country, its chefs, its products and its producers. Following the launch of the MICHELIN Guide Budapest in september 2021, we take a closer look at Borkonyha Winekitchen, run by owner-Chef Ákos Sárközi.