The latest Michelin Restaurant Guide for 2024 was a bumper year for Switzerland, with six eateries granted stars for the first time. Two Swiss restaurants were given the extra honour of a second star, while the four three-star contenders maintained their standards in the eyes of the world’s premiere food guide.
For 2024, 136 restaurants in Switzerland now have at least one Michelin star, six more than last year. 107 establishments have one star, 25 have two stars and four have maintained three stars - the highest accolade issued by the guide.
Started in 1900, the Michelin Guide is an annual series of guidebooks published by the international company to help direct travellers and foodies to the best eateries around the world through its star system. Restaurants in the guide are reviewed anonymously by so-called "inspectors" so that their recommendations reflect the same experience that a regular customer would have.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Michelin Guide international director Gwendal Poullennec said, “The fine balance of tradition and modernity in Swiss restaurants is striking, while their focus on outstanding local, seasonal produce reflects a commitment to sustainability.” “The chefs in Switzerland clearly know how to translate great talent and top-level training into interesting concepts and delicious culinary compositions.”
This year, six new restaurants in Switzerland were given their first Michelin stars. These are the modern Italian restaurant ORSINI in the recently opened Mandarin Oriental Savoy hotel in Zurich, the purveyors of Spanish, South American and Asian delights at the Villa Sommerlust in Schaffhausen, the fusion meals at Arakel in Geneva, The Dining Room in Cham Canton Zug, F.P. Journe - Le Restaurant in Geneva, and the Maihöfli by UniQuisine in Lucerne.
What’s more, two restaurants saw their ratings rise by a star, making them well “worth a detour to” in the eyes of the Michelin Guide. The French-cuisine Collenade restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Lucerne and the elaborate fayre at The Counter in Zurich were given two Michelin Stars, bringing Switzerland’s total up to 25.
Three restaurants were also given Michelin Green Stars for the first time - awarded to eateries “committed to sustainable gastronomy.” This included Swiss vegetarian restaurant Roots in Basel, Osteria Del Centro in Comano, Ticino, and Silex in Zurich.
When it came to the best of the very best restaurants, while no new Swiss establishments were given three Michelin stars, none were taken away. Memories in the ski resort of Bad Ragaz, Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl in Basel, Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville in Crissier Canton Vaud and the Schloss Schauenstein in Fürstenau Canton Graubünden retained their status this year.
To see which other restaurants are featured in the 2024 Michelin Guide for Switzerland, check out the official website.