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13. June 2023, 4 min read

Northern stars: The Michelin Guide Nordic 2023 is out!

Author: Marie Elbo
Michelin Guide Nordic 2023
Photo: Joonas Oksanen, DinnerBooking

It was written in the stars that the list of Nordic restaurants included in the Michelin Guide would be a long one. A total of 42 restaurants have been added to the Michelin Guide Nordic 2023. Here are the highlights of restaurants in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden that made this year’s Michelin Guide Nordic!

The wait is finally over! Yesterday, the 12th of June, the Michelin Guide Nordic was revealed in Turku, Finland. Restaurants across the Nordic countries received the ultimate recognition they can get in the culinary world: the Michelin Star.

In addition to receiving the world-famous Michelin Star, restaurants can also secure a Michelin Green Star, a Bib Gourmand, and various other prestigious awards.. Tune in and read about the newcomers and the restaurants that made the list once again, and learn what the different stars and awards mean.

The Michelin stars and awards explained

The Michelin Guide include restaurants that have received stars or awards or simply serve great food. It can be difficult to navigate these different categories. Here’s a brief explanation of each category:

Restaurants qualify for inclusion in the guide if they receive a Michelin Star, Michelin Green Star, or Bib Gourmand.

When it comes to the prestigious Michelin Star, restaurants can earn one to three of them. The Michelin Group’s differentiation of the Michelin Stars is as follows:

Source: Michelin Guide

However, restaurants that don’t get a star can still be highlighted in one of the following two categories:  

The Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants that serve a well-prepared 3-course menu at reasonable prices.

The Michelin Green Star is awarded to restaurants that are leading the industry in sustainable practices.

Additionally, a restaurant can earn a recommendation in the Michelin Guide even without a Michelin Star, Bib Gourmand, or Michelin Green Star. These restaurants typically stand out for their exceptional meals and high-quality ingredients. Furthermore, a select few may even receive a special mention and an exclusive award.

Food from the Michelin Guide Nordic 2023 announcement gala
Photo: Joonas Oksanen, DinnerBooking

Highlights of the Michelin Guide Nordic 2023

Now for what you’re all here for! The highlights of the Michelin Guide Nordic 2023. Here are the restaurants that have been sprinkled with shiny stars and attractive awards.

1 Michelin Star

A total of 14 restaurants received 1 Michelin Star for the first time. Among the newcomers are ARO in Odense, Denmark, Villa Vest in Lønstrup, Denmark, À L’aise in Oslo, Norway, Moss in Grindavík, Iceland, VÅR in Porvoo, Finland and Signum in Mölnlycke, Sweden.

Plate from the Norwegian Michelin restaurant À L'aise in Oslo.
Photo: Restaurant À L’aise

Here are some of the restaurants that keep their 1 Michelin Star status:

2 Michelin Stars

Two new restaurants receive 2 Michelin Stars for the first time. The newcomers are AIRA in Stockholm, Sweden and Koan in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Here are some of the restaurants that keep their 2 Michelin Star status:

3 Michelin Stars

This year, there are no new restaurants added to the Michelin Guide Nordic. Here are the restaurants that maintain their 3 Michelin Star status:

Bib Gourmand 2023

A total of 7 new restaurants join the Bib Gourmand:

Bistro Lupa – Copenhagen, Denmark, Bona Fide – Helsinki, Finland, JH Matbar – Ystad, Sweden, juju – Copenhagen, Denmark, Mutantur – Malmö, Sweden, NOOK – Stockholm, Sweden
and Triton – Stockholm, Sweden.

Here are some of the restaurants that keep their Bib Gourmand status:

Michelin Green Star 2023

7 restaurants receives a Michelin Green Star for the first time:

Bistro Lupa – Copenhagen, Denmark, JORD – Linköping, Sweden, Kadeau Bornholm – Åkirkeby, Denmark, Kadeau Copenhagen, Denmark, K2 – Stavanger, Norway, NOVEL – Aarhus, Denmark and VÅR – Porvoo, Finland.

Here are some of the restaurants that keep their Michelin Green Star status:

Special awards 2023

The Michelin Welcome and Service Award went to Mia Kondrup from À L’aise in Oslo, Norway. Other than receiving this special award, the restaurant also got its very first Michelin Star. According to the Michelin Guide, inspectors praised Mia and her service team for their passion and enthusiasm, which created an outstanding holistic dining experience for guests.

Last year, restaurants in the Nordic countries also received an abundance of stars! Here are the highlights of the Michelin Star Guide Nordic 2022