MICHELIN Stars unveiled in Helsinki

29.05.2024 - 13:02 / traveldailynews.com / Theodore Koumelis

The MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries 2024 awarded two new stars to Finnish restaurants, elevating Helsinki’s culinary prestige and highlighting sustainable gastronomy with a Green Star award.

Finnish restaurants were awarded two new stars at the MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries Ceremony 2024, held in Helsinki. This brings the total amount of Finnish star restaurants to nine, out of which six are in the capital. Additionally, one restaurant in Helsinki was recognised with a Green Star and two with the Bib Gourmand award. In line with the City of Helsinki’s catering policy, the MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries served, for the first time in its history, no red meat at the prize ceremony.

On Monday night, top chefs from all over the Nordic region gathered in Helsinki to participate in the MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries Ceremony, where this year’s prestigious MICHELIN Stars were awarded.

The event saw the announcement of not just the renowned MICHELIN Stars, but also the MICHELIN Green Stars, which recognise pioneers in the field of sustainable gastronomy. A range of Special Awards celebrating outstanding industry professionals was also presented.

Finnish restaurants were awarded two new stars. In Helsinki, The ROOM by Kozeen Shiwan, which the guide describes as “unique and theatrical”, gained its first star only five months after opening. At the restaurant, the chef and owner Kozeen Shiwan tells his life story through a creative menu. Elsewhere in Finland, Tapio in Ruka, which brings high-level dining to the popular ski resort, with an emphasis on natural flavours and exceptional ingredients, also got its first star.

Restaurant Nokka was awarded the Green Star, bringing Helsinki’s total score to four – an important recognition for the sustainable profile of the city’s restaurant scene. According to the guide, the team at Nokka is “doing a great job of explaining the origins of the local, seasonal produce.”

A total of 85 star restaurants are included in The MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries 2024. In addition to them, 36 restaurants have the MICHELIN Green Star. Finland now has a total of nine star restaurants, out of which six are located in Helsinki. Restaurant Palace has two stars, while Finnjävel Salonki, Demo, Grön, Olo and The ROOM by Kozeen Shiwan have one each.

Two new Helsinki restaurants – 305 and plein – also received the Bib Gourmand award, highlighting restaurants offering great quality, great value cooking. Restaurant 305 was lauded for its “rustic, unfussy cooking”, and according to the guide, “the experienced chef’s skill shines through in the cleverly composed dishes that incorporate some international elements ranging from dashi to ravioli.” Regarding restaurant plein, the guide was impressed