The 2023 MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for Switzerland took place today, hosted for the second time at the renowned EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne. The headline is that Swiss gastronomy continues to soar, with a total of 138 Starred establishments in the selection, including 5 new Two Star restaurants. Sustainability also remains a central focus of the country's dining scene, with 9 new Green Stars awarded for environmentally-conscious cooking.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guides, commented:
“Once again, Switzerland’s gastronomic scene shows its adaptability in difficult economic times. The number of Starred restaurants in The MICHELIN Guide remains at a consistently high level, with a total of 138 restaurants being awarded One, Two or Three Stars in Switzerland this year – including many interesting new openings and impressive new Two Star level establishments.
"What particularly struck our Inspectors during their travels was the ever-growing – and absolutely justified – confidence of Swiss chefs regarding their regional produce. From Appenzell lamb to Lostallo salmon, there are countless small-scale, passionate suppliers scattered throughout the country. Ingredients are increasingly produced, planted or farmed locally by the restaurants themselves, indicating a strong will on the part of Swiss gastronomy to set sustainability standards, while ensuring enjoyment at the highest level. To this end, 33 establishments in Switzerland were awarded the Michelin Green Star for their sustainable efforts, nine of which are new additions."
4 Three Michelin Star Restaurants Retain Their Award
The gourmet restaurant Memories, in the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz (SG), made it to the culinary top table last year under the stewardship of Sven Wassmer, and this year retained its Three Michelin Star status. The following restaurants have also kept up their exceptionally high standards, and have done for several years: Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl in Basel (BS), with Peter Knogl as Head Chef; Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville in Crissier (VD), where Franck Giovannini runs the kitchen; and Schloss Schauenstein in Fürstenau (GR), with Andreas Caminada and Marcel Skibba as chefs.
5 New Two Michelin Star Restaurants
Among the 26 restaurants awarded Two Michelin Stars this year, there are five that are newly awarded this distinction. Particularly noteworthy among the new additions is The Japanese Restaurant, located in a valley at The Chedi Andermatt hotel. Since spring, twins Dominik Sato and Fabio Toffolon have been at the helm in the kitchen as a dual leadership team, and their mix of Japanese and European influences has earned them their second Michelin Star. The pair also took the reins at the hotel's second restaurant, The Japanese by The Chedi at Gütsch, which retained its One Michelin Star this year. As a further honour, the two chefs in their early thirties also received the Young Chef Award, sponsored by Blancpain, for their wonderful and inspiring work.
Four other restaurants were also newly awarded Two Michelin Stars. The Mammertsberg in Freidorf (TG) is headed up by chef Silvio Germann, who has been directly awarded Two Stars thanks to his outstanding cooking, characterised by precision and original ideas. At L'Atelier Robuchon in Geneva (GE) – housed in the basement of the luxury hotel The Woodward – Executive Chef Olivier Jean has earned a second Star for the Geneva branch of Joël Robuchon's ten Atelier restaurants, with his cuisine inspired by regional and seasonal ingredients.
La Table du Lausanne Palace in Lausanne (VD) also rose from One to Two Stars. Franck Prelux is responsible for this and has been demonstrating his skills in this restaurant at Lausanne Palace and Spa with his very produce-oriented, classically based cuisine. La Table du Valrose in Rougemont (VD) is the final restaurant to have made the significant leap to Two Michelin Stars. Chef Benoît Carcenat has succeeded in reaching this level in just one year with his modern, French-influenced menu.
19 Restaurants Newly Awarded One Michelin Star
A total of 19 restaurants have been newly awarded One Michelin Star, bringing the overall number of One Star restaurants to 108. Spread throughout the country, these establishments reflect the diversity of Swiss gastronomy. Among these are two restaurants run by Dietmar Sawyere at the Gasthaus zum Kreuz hotel in Dallenwil (NW). At Stübli, the chef convinces with cuisine focused on Alpine produce, and at evening-only restaurant Bijou with a surprise menu combining Swiss and Asian influences.
Equally interesting is the new restaurant by Stefan Wiesner, who wowed the Michelin Inspectors with his unique natural cuisine at Wiesner Mysterion – Zauber in Romoos (LU), winning the restaurant a Star at the first attempt. In the same building, he offers a local, seasonal menu in his second restaurant, Wiesner Mysterion – Werkstatt-Kost. This operation was awarded a Bib Gourmand for its great value cooking. Both restaurants were also awarded the Michelin Green Star for their consistently sustainable philosophy and initiatives.
The restaurant ZOE in Bern (BE), run by operational duo Fabian Raffeiner (kitchen) and Mark Hayoz (service), also deserves a special mention. The restaurant’s modern and creative vegetarian cuisine was awarded One Michelin Star this year, in addition to receiving a Green Star for its sustainable concept.
The following restaurants were also newly awarded One Michelin Star:
• Birdy's by Achtien - The Nest, Brunnen (SZ)
• Osteria Enoteca Cuntitt, Castel San Pietro (TI)
• La Pinte des Mossettes, Cerniat (FR)
• Au 1465, Champex-Lac (VS)
• Gilles Varone, Chandolin-près-Savièse (VS)
• 1910 Gourmet by Hausers, Grindelwald (BE)
• Radius by Stefan Beer, Interlaken (BE)
• Osteria dell'Enoteca, Losone (TI)
• Colonnade, Luzern (LU)
• La Dispensa, Neuchâtel (NE)
• Hôtel de Ville, Ollon (VD)
• Cà d'Oro, Sankt Moritz (GR)
• Restaurant GERBER WYSS, Yverdon-les-Bains (VD)
• elmira, Zürich (ZH)
• Wöschi, Zürich (ZH)
9 New Michelin Green Stars Reflect Switzerland's Commitment To Sustainability
The Michelin Green Star, the sustainable gastronomy distinction launched in January 2020, highlights restaurants that stand out for their commitment to supporting the environment and its resources, and act as role models for others in the industry. This year's selection counts a total of 33 Michelin Green Stars, including nine new awards. The increasing importance of sustainable practices continues to be clear, and chefs employ a diverse range of initiatives in their future-oriented gastronomy. Measures include the use of local and seasonal produce, compliance with organic-ecological guidelines, species-appropriate animal husbandry and short transport routes, as well as energy saving, waste avoidance and recycling. Raising staff awareness and informing guests of these measures also help to form the Green Star experience.
The following restaurants were newly awarded a Michelin Green Star:
• ZOE, Bern (BE)
• Le Tapis Rouge, Brienz (BE)
• Gilles Varone, Chandolin-près-Savièse (VS)
• Radius by Stefan Beer, Interlaken (BE)
• Le Maguet, Les Evouettes (VS)
• Wiesner Mysterion - Zauber, Romoos (LU)
• Wiesner Mysterion – Werkstatt Kost, Romoos (LU)
• Magdalena, Schwyz (SZ)
• elmira, Zurich (ZH)
Four Talented Professionals Highlighted With Michelin Special Awards
This year, The MICHELIN Guide presented three awards for special achievement: Service, Young Chef and Sommelier. The Michelin Service Award, presented by Pernod Ricard, went to Sandra Marugg Suter from Michelin-Starred Schlüssel in Oberwil for her exceptionally warm and pleasantly personal service. The Michelin Young Chef Award, presented by Blancpain, went to twins Dominik Sato and Fabio Toffolon, who as a chef duo earned Two Michelin Stars at The Japanese Restaurant and retained One Star at The Japanese by The Chedi at Gütsch. Antoine Sicard, from Maison Wenger in Le Noirmont – which was again awarded Two MICHELIN Stars – was recognised for his wine expertise with the Michelin Sommelier Award, presented by Swiss Wine.
15 Restaurants Newly Awarded A Bib Gourmand
Presented last week, 15 restaurants newly received a Bib Gourmand – The MICHELIN Guide's distinction highlighting restaurants that stand out for their exceptional quality to price ratio. With these 15 new awards, 125 restaurants are now celebrated with this distinction, which is highly appreciated by users of the Guide seeking affordable establishments that don't compromise on quality.
The MICHELIN Guide Switzerland 2023 At A Glance
• 4 restaurants with Three Michelin Stars
• 26 restaurants with Two Michelin Stars (5 of which are new)
• 108 restaurants with One Michelin Star (19 of which are new)
• 33 restaurants with a Green Star (9 of which are new)
• 125 restaurants with a Bib Gourmand (15 of which are new)
• 558 restaurants recommended in total
The complete restaurant overview for Switzerland is available here.
In addition to the restaurant selection, The MICHELIN Guide also offers a carefully compiled hotel selection with unique accommodation in Switzerland and around the world. Each hotel in the Guide is selected for its exceptional style, service and character and can be booked directly via The MICHELIN Guide website and app.
Hero image: MICHELIN Guide Ceremony © Michelin
