With two different events in Turku, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia, Michelin announced its restaurant guides in the Nordics.
107 restaurants from Denmark, 78 restaurants from Sweden, 50 from Norway, 34 from Estonia, 28 from Finland, and 7 from Iceland entered the Michelin Guide 2023. Stars have been awarded to 40 restaurants in Denmark, 20 in Norway, 19 in Sweden, 7 in Finland, 2 in Estonia and 1 in Iceland.
The announcement offered no major surprises. All four three-star restaurants retained their status. There are now a total of 14 two-star restaurants. Among them 3 new ones:
64 restaurants have been awarded with one star, including 14 new names. The new Michelin-starred restaurants seem to be united by the fact that the lion's share of them is located in small towns or far away from settlements in the countryside.
Also this year, similarly to the previous ones, the local food critics in the Nordic countries were dissatisfied with both the total number of restaurants recommended by Michelin and the small number of restaurants awarded stars. In previous years, the regional restaurant guide White Guide made up for this shortfall, but this year it is still active only in Estonia, recommending nearly 150 local eateries across the country. Therefore, a restaurant guide that would find all restaurants worth mentioning, or at least most of them, is currently missing in the Nordic region.
But it is certainly a correct observation by Michelin that more and more chefs are going to cook where the ingredients grow. Especially. in Nordic countries. Sustainability. Small footprint in nature as possible. Use of raw materials from nose to tail and from root to tip. Fresh herbs from the wild. These principles unite leading restaurants from southern Estonia to northern Norway.
Local food is served more and more with local drinks. Berry wines and cocktails made from the juices of the most incredible plants are a true Nordic specialty. A good restaurant is much more than just good cuisine. It is the harmony of flavors and atmosphere created by the teamwork of chef, sommelier and waiter. In the case of the latter, the milieu and location of the restaurant are also very important.
Does it sound like these restaurants should be similar to each other to the point of being replaced? Far from it! Here is a selection of new Michelin-recommended restaurants, each of which in its own country represents the above principles, but in its own way, all are as different as can be compared to each other. Happy Nordic exploration!
