On October 24, the best restaurants in Latvia included in the 2025 Michelin Guide, and those receiving Michelin stars will be announced.
The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) is the Michelin Guide's cooperation partner. "Our collaboration with the prestigious Michelin brand has significantly enhanced foreign gourmets' interest in Latvia and highlighted our country's rich nature, culture, and history. Now, we will see whether our restaurants can maintain their positions and if new ones will join the 26 previously named," said Raivis Bremsmits, Director General of LIAA.
Last year, 26 restaurants were included in the guide: 19 in Riga and seven outside the city. The list features one one-star restaurant, three Bib Gourmand restaurants, and 22 other recommended, one of which holds a Green Star.
Max Cekot Kitchen is the first restaurant in Latvia to be awarded a Michelin star. "The Michelin Star is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious honors for a restaurant. It has significantly boosted Max Cekot Kitchen's visibility and brought in new customers, establishing the restaurant as a highly talked-about gourmet destination. It has also been a crucial springboard for our growth — we've expanded, doubled the size of our team, significantly increased the number of guests, and reinforced our confidence in our direction and the high quality of our work. The prestigious Michelin recognition we received last year has also greatly influenced us to improve continuously. The number of guests grew rapidly in the first few months, especially among local visitors who discovered us thanks to the Michelin star. Some came to see if we truly deserved the star, while others were proud to share their experience with friends," says Maksims Cekots, chef of Latvia's first Michelin-starred restaurant.
In 2024, three Riga restaurants - Milda, Shōyu, and Snatch - were awarded the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand accolade for quality and craftsmanship. Pavāru māja is the first Latvian restaurant to be awarded the Michelin Green Star, which recognises restaurants that are industry leaders in sustainable gastronomy practices.
The Michelin Guide 2024 also includes 36.Line, 3 Chefs, Akustika, Aqua Luna, Barents, Barents Cocktail & Seafood Bar, Chef's Corner, COD, Entresol, Ferma, H. E. Vanadziņš, JOHN, Kest, Le Dome, MO, Neiburgs, Riviera, Tails, TAURO, Whitehouse, ZOLTNERS.
The prestigious Michelin stars are awarded to restaurants that offer exceptional food, based on five universal criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavors, the mastery of technique, the personality of the chef as expressed through the cuisine, and, just as importantly, consistency across the menu and over time. Stars are awarded for one year, after which the jury revisits the restaurant. In some cases, restaurants may also lose their stars. One Michelin star is awarded for "high-quality cooking worth a stop," two for "excellent cooking that justifies a detour," and three for "exceptional cuisine that deserves a special trip."
This year, the International Guide inspectors also thoroughly studied Latvia's gastronomic offerings and visited not only the capital, Riga, but several other places in Latvia.
The complete list of Latvia’s top restaurants is available for free on the Michelin Guide website and app. In addition to the restaurant selection, the Michelin Guide also features a curated hotel selection, showcasing the most unique and spectacular places to stay in Riga and worldwide.
The award ceremony will take place on 24 October at the House of the Black Heads in Riga.