The 2026 Michelin Guide includes 34 Latvian restaurants, including three new ones, and the restaurants "John Chef's Hall" and "Max Cekot Kitchen" retained one star each, representatives of the Michelin guide reported to the LETA agency.
Of all the restaurants included in the latest guide, 27 are located in Riga and seven in other regions of Latvia.
The "Bib Gourmand" awards, which are given to restaurants offering excellent food at affordable prices, retained last year's winners "Snatch," "Shōyu," and "Milda," to which "SMØR Bistro" and "H.E. Vanadziņš" have joined.
It was previously reported that in October last year, 31 Latvian restaurants were included in the Michelin guide, including the quality star awarded to "John Chef's Hall," while "Max Cekot Kitchen" retained its star.
The green Michelin star, or award for sustainability, was retained by the restaurant "Pavāru māja."
Prestigious Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants that offer quality food according to five universal criteria: quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, technical mastery, the chef's individuality expressed in their cuisine, and, importantly, consistency in the menu.
Stars are awarded for one year, after which the jury reviews the restaurant again. Sometimes restaurants lose their stars, noted the Latvian Investment and Development Agency.
One Michelin star is awarded to restaurants for "high-quality cooking worth a stop," two for "excellent cooking that is worth a detour," and three for "exceptional cuisine deserving a special journey."
