The MICHELIN Guide Main Cities of Europe 2019 selection was just launched. Zagreb and Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Reykjavik, Iceland, are featured in the guide for the first time, and there are a number of newly-starred and promoted restaurants throughout the selection.
Amador in Vienna, Austria, under chef Juan Amador, has advanced from two stars in 2017 to three stars in this year's selection. This stylish cellar restaurant is located at the Hajszan winery and features cooking that is pared down yet multi-layered, creative, intense and full of contrasts.
Vienna also boasts a new one star restaurant: aend. It has been open for less than a year, which is a testament to the team’s ambition and drive. Dishes use only the best seasonal ingredients and are visually appealing with bold, punchy flavors.
"The Main Cities Guide covers 38 cities in 22 countries and recommends more than 1,900 restaurants," says Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the MICHELIN Guides. "We are delighted that the cities of Reykjavik in Iceland and Zagreb and Dubrovnik in Croatia have been added to this edition, providing even more choice for our readers throughout Europe."
Budapest has two new one star distinctions in this year’s guide: Stand and Babel. Stand is brought to us by two experienced chefs who have worked together for many years and their dishes are infused with their personality, but have their heart in the Hungarian classics. Babel is an elegant restaurant close to the riverfront, run with real pride. The chef, István Veres, is from Transylvania, and his childhood memories inform and inspire the menu.
Croatia is featured in the MICHELIN Guide Main Cities of Europe for the first time this year, gaining one star for trendy Noel in Zagreb, to go with its existing starred establishment, 360°, which is built into Dubrovnik’s historic town walls. Zagreb also gains two new Bib Gourmands: Agava and Tač. Draga di Lovrana, located in the old town of Lovran on the western coast of the Kvarner Bay, also receives a star this year. The kitchen is led by the talented young chef Deni Srdoč, who has a strong connection with the local terroir and gives a subtle Italian-French influence to his technique.
Two new Bib Gourmand distinctions have been added in Vienna: DiningRuhm and Gasthaus Seidl. The Bib Gourmand is the Michelin award for good quality, good value cooking. This award is very popular with readers of the Guide as it rewards well-made and inexpensive cuisine.
Reykjavik is the third new city to feature in the guide this year, and has been awarded one new Bib Gourmand for Skál!, which offers counter dining in Iceland's first ever food market.
In total, seven restaurants across Europe have been newly awarded two stars, bringing the total number in the guide to 92. Including the new three-star restaurant, this means Europe now boasts 23 restaurants with the top distinction.
Finally, 44 restaurants have also been newly awarded one star, bringing the total of one star restaurants to 382 in this year’s guide.
