News & Views 2 minutes 13 September 2021

The MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries 2021 Is Out!

New MICHELIN Distinctions Include 2 Three Star, 1 Two Star, 9 One Star, 7 Bib Gourmand and 9 Green Star Restaurants – Plus 4 Special Awards Are Announced

The MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries 2021 covering Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden was unveiled today, 13 September, at a televised launch event at the Stavanger Concert Hall in Norway. It’s the first year the Guide has been published in a digital format only – you can view the listings here on the website or on the free MICHELIN Guide iOS and Android apps.

noma, Copenhagen
noma, Copenhagen

Two Restaurants Awarded Three Michelin Stars
Maaemo in Oslo, Norway, re-joins the Guide in its new location. Chef-owner Esben Holmboe Bang offers a surprise menu of expertly crafted, memorable dishes with sublime textures and flavours. Maaemo is also awarded a Michelin Green Star for its sustainability credentials.

René Redzepi’s urban oasis, noma, in Copenhagen, Denmark, is promoted from Two to Three Michelin Stars. It has a strong connection to nature and its holistic approach sees unusual seasonal ingredients showcased in creative and complex dishes.

One Restaurant Awarded Two Michelin Stars
Atmospheric cellar restaurant Kong Hans Kælder in Copenhagen, Denmark is promoted from One to Two Michelin Stars. The luxurious ingredients and rich flavours are rooted in French cuisine, but chef Mark Lundgaard also stamps his own imaginative mark on these accomplished modern dishes.

Nine Restaurants Awarded One Michelin Star
In Finland, there is a Star for Finnjävel Salonki in Helsinki (New to the Guide)

In Sweden there are Stars for:
Aira in Stockholm (New to the Guide)
Project in Gothenburg (Promoted from a Bib Gourmand)
ÄNG in Tvååker (New to the Guide – and also awarded a Michelin Green Star)
Hotell Borgholm (Promoted) on the island of Öland

Denmark has four new Michelin Stars:
The Samuel in Copenhagen (New to the Guide and run by the same owner as the now-closed former Star Clou)
Substans in Aarhus (New to the Guide – relocated)
LYST in Vejle (New to the Guide)
Syttende in Sønderborg (New to the Guide)

Babette, Stockholm
Babette, Stockholm

Seven Restaurants Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand
There are seven new Bib Gourmands awarded for good quality, good value cooking – six to restaurants which are new additions to this year’s Guide.

In Sweden, Babette in Stockholm (Promotion) and Mineral in Malmö.
In Denmark, anx in Aarhus and Møntergade, Silberbauers Bistro and Norrlyst in Copenhagen.
In Norway, FAGN-Bistro in Trondheim.

Green Star (transparent).png

Nine Restaurants Awarded a Michelin Green Star
Nine restaurants were recognised with a Michelin Green Star for their sustainable credentials. This brings the total number of Green Star restaurants in the Guide to 34.

Finland – Grön, Helsinki
Norway – Maaemo, Oslo
Sweden – ÄNG, Tvååker
Denmark – Ark, Brace and Tèrra in Copenhagen; Domestic in Aarhus; Henne Kirkeby Kro in Henne; and LYST in Vejle

Four Special Awards Presented
The launch ceremony also saw four special awards presented:

René Redzepi, Chef-Owner of noma, in Copenhagen, Denmark, received the MICHELIN Chef Mentor Award in recognition of the huge influence he has had on the many chefs who have passed through his world-famous kitchen.

Christoffer Sørensen, Head Chef of Stud!o, The Standard, in Copenhagen was awarded the MICHELIN Young Chef Award, sponsored by Danske Bank. The maturity of Chef Sørensen’s refined, elaborate cooking really impressed the Michelin inspectors.

Henrik Dahl Jahnsen, Wine Director and Head Sommelier of Speilsalen, set within the Britannia Hotel in Trondheim, Norway received the MICHELIN Sommelier Award, sponsored by Barbera d’Asti, for his very skilful, modern approach to wine pairing.

Finally, the MICHELIN Welcome and Service Award, sponsored by the city of Stavanger, went to the team at Finnjävel Salonki, in Helsinki, Finland. The team at this restaurant are not only attentive and professional but they are also charming and personable – taking their roles seriously while adding a touch of humour to proceedings.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides said, “The quality of the cooking in this part of the world continues to thrill and amaze us, and the creativity and innovation of these new MICHELIN Stars make them some of the most exciting we have seen.

Over the past year, it has also been great to witness the Nordic residents supporting their local restaurants during this unusually tough period and we thank them for helping maintain a dynamic restaurant scene.”

Commenting on the Green Stars, Poullennec continued “This is a region that really is ahead of the game when it comes to sustainability; a collection of countries that embrace working hand-in-hand with nature and set an example for the rest of the world.”

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