Michelin presented the new edition of The MICHELIN Guide Germany during a ceremony held in Hamburg. Once again, German gastronomy is demonstrating remarkable growth, despite times of economic hardship. With culinary diversity and undiminished standards, the 2024 restaurant selection really makes you want to go out to dine. There are some impressive figures: of the 340 restaurants awarded MICHELIN Stars, one is distinguished with Three Stars, three are new entries in the Two Star category and 32 restaurants are awarded One Star.
“It’s thanks to its tenacity, inventiveness, and tireless energy that gastronomy throughout the country as a whole demonstrates a consistently high level,” commented Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guides. “Alongside the tremendous quality standards, you can clearly see a constantly increasing awareness by restaurant owners for the need to guide their establishments in a sustainable direction. In many establishments, the focus is placed on regionality, seasonality and respect for produce. This commitment is deservedly recognized in The MICHELIN Guide with the Green Star.”
One restaurant joins the Three Star Olympus: ES:SENZ Restaurant
Edip Sigl – chef of ES:SENZ Restaurant in the upper Bavarian town of Grassau – and his team have made truly outstanding progress. Awarded Two MICHELIN Stars the year before last, the elegant restaurant in the luxury Das Achental hotel has now risen to the very pinnacle of international gastronomy. With creative cuisine which is both full of contrast and harmoniously implemented, Edip sparked genuine enthusiasm among the Inspectors: “An entirely wonderful achievement. The top tier produce and very personal style of Mr. Sigl stand out here!”. The level of cuisine is equaled by the extremely professional, attentive and well-oiled service – including expert wine recommendations – and a modern, elegant atmosphere.
50 Two MICHELIN Star Restaurants – including three new additions
With a total of 50 restaurants, the Two Star list has retained its remarkably high standing in comparison to the previous year. Three new restaurants are awarded Two Stars in the 2024 selection.
Among these, KOMU in Munich occupies a special position, as the beautiful city centre restaurant entered the Two Star list just a short time after first being added to the Guide. Behind this exceptional achievement is owner and chef, Christoph Kunz (of Alois in Munich fame), who delights here with his modern menus.
The team from PUR in Berchtesgaden have also succeeded in receiving two Stars. With its fantastic tasting menu full of delicious harmonies, chef Ulrich Heimann, of the chic and elegant restaurant in a wonderful panoramic location at the Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden, was awarded a second Star.
The third in the group of new Two Star restaurants is SEO Küchenhandwerk in Langenargen. In the small, beautifully designed restaurant in the Seevital Hotel on Lake Constance, head chef Roland Pieber and sous chef Kathrin Stöcklöcker show off their creative flair in an 8 course surprise menu.
32 new One MICHELIN Star restaurants unveiled
Of the 280 One Star restaurants in the 2024 selection, The MICHELIN Guide has 32 new additions. Examples to highlight are the Restaurant Residenz Heinz Winkler in Aschau im Chiemgau. Here, a new kitchen team has brought a genuine classic of the German gastronomic scene back onto the list of MICHELIN Star restaurants – under the leadership of two well-known chefs: Stefan Barnhusen and Daniel Pape. No less interesting is Le Moissonnier Bistro in Cologne: after closing Le Moissonnier, the tried-and-tested team of Liliane and Vincent Moissonnier and head chef Eric Menchon have now entered straight onto the One Star list with their new upmarket bistro concept. Another “old friend”, and now newly awarded One Star eatery, is the Schwingshackl ESSKULTUR. After moving from Bad Tölz to Bernried, Erich and Katharina Schwingshackl continue to prepare their sophisticated and classic cuisine here. A newcomer to the Guide, the Jacobi in Freiburg im Breisgau was also instantly awarded One MICHELIN Star. The special feature here, alongside the high level and inventiveness of the cuisine, is the strictly regional focus, which earned the restaurant a MICHELIN Green Star. Also worth a mention is St. Andreas restaurant in Aue-Bad Schlema, Saxony, run by two brothers, which was also awarded One Star when it entered The MICHELIN Guide. Tipken’s by Nils Henkel in the Severin’s Resort & Spa Hotel in Keitum on the island of Sylt was awarded a new MICHELIN Star for its cuisine rich in vegetables – inspired by its namesake, Nils Henkel.
Ten new MICHELIN Green Stars awarded for sustainable gastronomy
This year’s selection boasts a total of 77 Green Stars, of which ten are new additions. Since the introduction of the MICHELIN Green Star at the 2020 MICHELIN Guide Germany, increasing numbers of restaurant owners have recognised their responsibility towards the environment and nature, and have committed to conserving resources and treating food respectfully in their establishments. Their various initiatives include the use of seasonal, regional and local (often organic) products, as well as meat from animals raised in their natural environments; nose-to-tail butchery; reducing food miles; eliminating waste, etc. All of this contributes to future-focused gastronomy, which is hugely popular among diners. The MICHELIN Inspectors emphasise that the sustainable focus of these restaurants in no way contradicts the culinary standards or enjoyment.
Three Special Awards recognising exceptional professionals
Three Special Awards were presented by The MICHELIN Guide this year: Chef Mentor, Sommelier and Young Chef.
The Chef Mentor Award went to Sven Elverfeld of the long-time Three Star restaurant Aqua in Wolfsburg. Since 2000, he has shared his valuable experience with a great number of chefs, passed on a wealth of know-how, and consequently gifted a great service to up-and-coming young gastronomic talent. This award is presented in partnership with the Swiss watchmaker Blancpain.
The Sommelier Award was presented to Stéphane Gass of the legendary Three Star restaurant Schwarzwaldstube in Baiersbronn. With his solid knowledge of wines, the Alsatian native – head sommelier at Finkbeiner’s since 1991 – is the guarantor of the appropriate accompaniment to the mix of classic and modern dishes from Torsten Michel's kitchen team. The Sommelier award is presented in partnership with the French champagne house Perrier-Jouët.
The Young Chef Award was given to Cédric Staudenmayer, an extremely successful young chef who runs Cédric in Weinstadt. When only in his mid-twenties, he was awarded One Star for his regionally and seasonally influenced modern cuisine.
15 Restaurants newly awarded a Bib Gourmand
Two weeks ago, The MICHELIN Guide awarded 15 new restaurants a Bib Gourmand. This coveted distinction is presented to restaurants offering particularly good value for money. The MICHELIN Guide Germany now boasts 199 restaurants bearing the Bib Gourmand label. These eateries enjoy a great reputation among restaurant guide readers, as they offer dishes at reasonable prices while not compromising on the quality of the cuisine and the products used.
The 2024 MICHELIN Guide for Germany at a glance
· 10 restaurants with Three MICHELIN Stars (including 1 new)· 50 restaurants with Two MICHELIN Stars (including 3 new)
· 280 restaurants with One MICHELIN Star (including 32 new)
· 77 restaurants with a MICHELIN Green Star (including 10 new)
· 199 Bib Gourmand restaurants (including 15 new)
The complete list of MICHELIN Star establishments can be found HERE and on the App, available free of charge on iOS and Android.
Illustration Image © Christopher Busch/ES:SENZ
