This week, the 2021 Nordic Michelin stars were announced at an event in Stavanger, Norway. Denmark received a total of 36 stars for 26 restaurant. A big news for this year’s revelation was that iconic Nordic restaurant noma was awarded a third star.
Combined Danish restaurants received one more star than last year, despite three of the Michelin restaurants closing in the meantime.
New Michelin star restaurants
The crown jewel of Danish gastronomy, noma, was awarded an additional Michelin star. This brings them into the exclusive category of three star restaurants together with Geranium. noma first opened back in 2003, has been awarded Best Restaurant four times and opened in a new location in the Copenhagen neighborhood Refshaleøen 2018.
Also in Copenhagen, Kong Hans Kælder joins the group of Danish restaurants holding two stars. The restaurant was the first to be awarded a star in 1983, and has thus waited 38 years for the second one.
Located north of Copenhagen in the town of Hellerup, The Samuel, received its first Michelin star. The restaurant is run by Jonathan Berntsen, previously Clou, and named after his son. The restaurant first opened in November last year.
In Aarhus, restaurant SUBSTANS received its first star after moving to a new location on top of Pakhusene. The restaurant previously held a star, but lost it in the 2020 guide after closing and moving the new location.
South from there, LYST has also received its first star. The restaurant is run by Daniel McBurnie, and it is located in the iconic Olafur Eliason building Fjordenhus on the Vejle harbor.
On the south Denmark island of Als, the Restaurant Syttende, similarly received its first star. Run by Jesper Koch, the restaurant is located on the top floor of the Alsik Hotel overlooking Sønderborg town.
Michelin’s “Green Stars” sustainability awards
The Danish Green Michelin Stars were awarded to Térra, Ark, Brace, Domestic, Henne Kirkeby Kro and LYST. Danish restaurants thereby received six of the nine Green Stars revealed for 2021.
Christoffer Sørensen wins Michelin Young Chef Award
The Michelin Young Chef Award was given to the Danish chef Christoffer Sørensen from Stud!o in Copenhagen. Sørensen joined the harbor front restaurant Stud!o earlier this year and has previously worked nine years at Dragsholm Castle.
René Redzepi awarded the Mentor Chef Award
The renowned head of noma joined the hosts on stage for the chef and explained how important it has been for him to gain the right tools for fueling the team and helping them forward. “That is one of the most enjoyable things in my career”, he said.
Across Copenhagen, noma alumni have gone on to open their own renowned restaurants. Learn more about the noma legacy here.
Photo courtesy of Visit Denmark