The first MICHELIN Guide to Latvia has been launched
The inaugural MICHELIN Guide Latvia 2024 was launched. It features 26 restaurants spread across the country – 19 situated within Riga and 7 located outside of the capital – and includes one restaurant honoured with One MICHELIN Star, three restaurants awarded a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, and one restaurant highlighted with a MICHELIN Green Star for sustainability.
MICHELIN Stars are awarded to restaurants offering outstanding cooking, taking into account five universal criteria:
- The quality of the ingredients
- The mastery of culinary techniques
- The harmony of flavours
- The personality of the chef as expressed in the dishes
- Consistency across the entire menu and over time
Max Cekot Kitchen is the first restaurant in Latvia to receive One MICHELIN Star.
Three of Riga’s restaurants receive a Bib Gourmand – The MICHELIN Guide’s distinction for good quality, good value cooking.
- Milda
- Shōyu
- Snatch
The first Latvian restaurant to be awarded a MICHELIN Green Star is Pavāru māja, which sits within a former maternity hospital on the edge of Līgatne village.
The MICHELIN Special Awards are given to outstanding individuals who, thanks to their infinite passion and considerable skills, can make a restaurant experience unforgettable.
This year's winners are:
Service Award – Māris Jansons and his team at Kest in Cēsis, who impressed The MICHELIN Guide Inspectors with their natural warmth and enthusiasm.
Sommelier Award – Ivo Orlovs at TAURO in Riga, for his knowledgeable and personable approach. As guests enter the room, the floor-to-ceiling glass-enclosed cellar promises wine will play a key role in their meal, and Ivo’s passionate approach really brings it to life.
Young Chef Award – Nils Ģēvele at Ferma in Riga, for his wonderful show of skill, passion and maturity in his role as Head Chef. He keenly sources top quality produce, and his cooking shows great respect for these ingredients, allowing him to create dishes that belie their visual simplicity by exhibiting great depth of flavour and texture.
The full selection of the Latvia MICHELIN Guide is available free of charge on the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The restaurant selection is completed by the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection, which highlights the most unique and exciting places to stay in Latvia and throughout the world.
