What Surprised MICHELIN Inspectors This Month

Caviar as Condiment at L’Écrin, Tournus, France

Oscietra from Madagascar, fresh almonds and a tangy apricot coulis turn a classic luxury ingredient into a clever supporting act.

“After several decades in the business, it’s hard to surprise me — yet this dish transported me,” said one Inspector, recalling an exceptional dish at L’Écrin. It was a quenelle made with pristine-quality caviar sourced from a fish farm in Madagascar, which the chef had personally visited. The Inspector was delighted by the beautiful balance of “fruity notes and a briny touch.” It rested on a crisp rye tuile, paired with a delicate salad of just-blanched green beans.

“I found the choice to use caviar as a condiment both clever and absolutely spot-on.”

“A few almonds added a play on texture, and to elevate the whole dish with precision, a smooth, slightly tangy apricot coulis that harmonized perfectly with the elements of this dish. Finesse, style, character and indulgence — what more could you ask for?”

Risqué Bathroom Humor at Gatsby, Athens, Greece

A cheeky (literally) photo in the restroom catches diners off guard and cracks them up.

Located in Athens’ city center, Gatsby Athens prides itself on surprises. Step into the restroom and you’re greeted by a cheeky black-and-white photo of a shirtless man, caught mid-turn, hand on his own backside, gazing at you like you’re the one intruding. It’s playful, disarming and in line with the hotel’s spirit of irreverence. In a city layered with myth and marble, this modern boutique hotel offers a gentle wink.

Total Darkness and a Jump Scare at Espacio Montoro, Alicante, Spain

The tasting menu kicks off in pitch black — and the server is already in the booth with you.

At Espacio Montoro, the surprise comes early. “They take you into a completely dark booth for the first appetizer,” shared an Inspector. As if that wasn’t disorienting enough, there was another surprise waiting: “The waiter was already in there with me. When he suddenly spoke, I jumped. It was pitch black.”

Unable to see a thing, the Inspector had to rely entirely on imagination as the waiter described the dish. “I didn’t know whether to eat what was on top, underneath, in the middle — or whether I was supposed to just smell it.” A user manual might have been helpful, but that would have defeated the point: to challenge today’s visually driven diners, who are so accustomed to judging food by its Instagram appeal, encouraging them to tap into their other senses.

“I took it all in good humor — though I’ll admit, I was this close to putting the appetizer on his head.”

Step Competition at Citizen M, Rome, Italy

Guests are invited to outwalk each other in a surprise step-tracking challenge.

Rome is a city best explored on foot. Each street, each corner seems to hold historic monuments. At Citizen M in Rome, travelers are encouraged to track their steps and join a step-count challenge. Stroll the cobbled streets to the Colosseum, climb the Spanish Steps or lose yourself in the winding alleys of Trastevere — every step counts. It’s a fun way to gamify your experience of the Eternal City.

Romantic Legends at Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest, Hungary

Heart-shaped details nod to a rumored 19th-century love affair.

Step into the grand lobby of the Four Seasons Gresham Palace and you’ll find more than just gilded ceilings and stained glass. Look closely and you’ll notice a repeating motif: hearts, carved into archways and ironwork, tucked into unexpected corners. According to legend, the hearts were placed there by architect Zsigmond Quittner, who had fallen in love with a future tenant.

“Another story claims that the hearts were inspired by a passionate affair between Countess Irma Széchenyi and Thomas Gresham, the Englishman behind the palace’s construction,” recounts our Inspector. “Gresham is said to have given Széchenyi a heart-shaped pendant, which she requested be incorporated into the very fabric of the building.”

Insects on a Windscreen at Alchemist, Copenhagen, Denmark

A provocative, edible statement on the future of protein, served on a faux windshield with a rubber scraper.

Everything about this unique Copenhagen restaurant is designed to surprise — and to shock and provoke as well. Many of the dishes raise an eyebrow: beef tartare you lick from a replica of a human tongue; caviar served on a replica of the chef’s eyeball; lamb brains eaten straight from a replica human head. But for one Inspector, one dish in particular stood out: butterflies and other insects presented on a miniature windshield.

“A small ‘windscreen’ covered in butterflies and other (farmed) insects, stuck with a kind of umami jam, designed to be scraped off (rubber scraper provided) and eaten, butterfly wings and all. The point here is that the future of protein is insect-based.” And apparently, that future is very tasty, too.

Pizza Course at Sat Bains, Nottingham, UK

Fresh from the garden greenhouse, this pizza disrupts fine dining expectations in the best way.

“It was a lovely evening, with the garden looking exceptionally verdant,” said one Inspector upon arriving at Sat Bains in Nottingham. The location of this little oasis was the first surprise: an unglamorous spot near a busy thoroughfare. “But once you’re inside the restaurant and gardens, it’s a beautiful place.”

Diners begin with four or five dishes in the dining room before being led to the greenhouse, where the restaurant cultivates its microherbs. “The whole scene was very colorful and dramatic.” Then came another delightful surprise.

To the side of the greenhouse sits a pizza oven. The chefs use it to make pizza from ancient grains — the same grains used to brew the accompanying beer — topped with pesto made from garden-grown herbs and vegetables, and local cheese.

“The pizza isn’t very big, but it packs a flavor punch. This course breaks up the evening and is both familiar (because pizza is such a common and accessible dish) but also surprising (because Two-Star restaurants do not often serve pizza). But then again, why wouldn’t you, when it’s this delicious?”

Secret Theater Entrance at Grand Hotel Timeo, Taormina, Italy

A hidden staircase leads guests directly into Taormina’s ancient Greek theater.

With postcard views of Mount Etna, Grand Hotel Timeo was the first hotel built in Taormina. History buffs will love this surprise: a discreet staircase tucked away in the terrace that leads directly into the Greek Theater, a third-century B.C. amphitheater that still hosts operas and other musical performances under the stars. No crowds, no lines — just a secret path from your room to the ruins.

Choose Your Dessert Soundtrack at FIFTY TWO, Harrogate, UK

Guests pick the playlist before dessert in this playful “Dessert Island Discs” twist.

It’s not often that diners are asked to choose the music in a restaurant, but that’s exactly the surprise that awaited one Inspector at FIFTY TWO in Harrogate. Before the desserts are served, every guest is invited to pick a song to add to a shared playlist, which then plays during the dessert course.

The restaurant calls this playful ritual “Dessert Island Discs,” a clever twist on the classic British radio show Desert Island Discs, where celebrities select the songs they’d want if stranded on a desert island.

“This interactive twist brought an extra layer of fun — and made the already stunning desserts all the more enjoyable.”

Closer Than the Grandstands at W Abu Dhabi, UAE

Book the right room and you’re nearer to the Formula One track than some fans in the bleachers.

At the W Abu Dhabi on Yas Island, Formula One isn’t just a spectacle — it’s a high-octane experience right outside your window.

During race weekends, guests can book suites with 180 degrees of balcony space and sweeping views of the Yas Marina and Formula One track. You’ll be closer to the action than the fans in the grandstands — all while sipping champagne from the comfort of your private terrace.

Hero image: Pizza in the garden at Sat Bains, Nottingham, UK © Debora Szpilman