Following the launch of the Michelin Guide Nordic Countries 2020 at a special event at the Olavshallen Concert Hall in Trondheim, Norway, on Monday 17th February, Michelin is delighted to announce this year’s Bib Gourmand awards.
Named after Bibendum – the Michelin Man – our Bib Gourmand distinction highlights restaurants offering ‘good quality, good value cooking’ and is a hit with our readers. Four restaurants have been newly honoured in the 2020 edition of the Nordic Countries Guide.
Allegrine, Stockholm, Sweden
A new addition to the 2020 guide, stylish Allegrine provides an oasis of calm just off the busy Sveavägen thoroughfare. An attractive front terrace makes the most of its courtyard location and the spacious dining room has chic brasserie styling and a surprisingly intimate feel.
When it comes to the menu, there’s plenty of flexibility, with a choice of dish sizes from small plates to full-sized portions. These have a distinct French base, with rich favours to the fore, but also display Scandinavian overtones. The subtle contrasts in texture and flavour show that an experienced hand is at work here.
Speceriet, Stockholm, Sweden
The younger sister of Two-Starred Gastrologik is a laid-back place. It sits in a residential neighbourhood and has a simple, minimalistic feel – and the presence of three long, communal tables allows diners to sit shoulder-to-shoulder and share their experience.
A ‘dish of the day’ is offered at lunchtime, followed by a dessert, while dinner sees a concise à la carte menu which changes according to the latest seasonal produce available. Dishes are well-crafted and classics are reinterpreted in a contemporary style.
Barabba, Copenhagen, Denmark
Another addition to the guide this year is Barabba, which breaks the mould in Copenhagen, with its late night opening, loud music and unfinished shabby-chic styling – including some specially commissioned mint green Murano chandeliers.
It’s run by two young Italians and, in the large part, the cooking is true to their Italian roots. Choose the ‘Traditional’ menu for the most authentic flavours or try the ‘Attitude’ menu for some well-judged, non-conformist modern twists such as Seaweed Tiramisu!
Nolla, Helsinki, Finland
Also an addition for 2020 is this incredibly friendly, buzzy neighbourhood restaurant with arched floor-to-ceiling windows. Dishes are stripped-back and have with an original edge, and while local ingredients are kept to the fore, flavours give a nod to one of the owners’ Spanish roots.
Its name means ‘zero’ and their ethos here is all about zero-waste. They don’t accept packaging from their suppliers; their uniforms are made from discarded bed linen; they have their own on-site microbrewery; and they even own a composter (the restaurant’s leftovers are turned into fertiliser and then returned to the vegetable supplier).
