Following the success of the Max Cekot Kitchen restaurant last year in winning Latvia's first-ever Michelin star, it is now joined by restaurant JOHN Chef's Hall (sic), which Michelin's gourmets said was "for delicious and contemporary cooking that masterfully uses local ingredients and perfectly reflect the changing of the seasons".
Michelin guide inspectors have had another tough year touring Latvia and eating in its best restaurants to compile a new 2025 guide.
In total, 31 restaurants will be included in the 2025 guide. As well as two that have received one Michelin star, three won the 'Bib Gourmand' award for quality cooking, and one won the 'Green Star' for its sustainable approach.
Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin Guide International director, said: "We are pleased to welcome six new restaurants in the guide's selection. Each of them is worthy of attention, but this year we want to highlight in particular the restaurant JOHN Chef's Hall.
"It joins the guide by receiving one Michelin star for delicious and contemporary cooking that masterfully uses local ingredients and perfectly reflect the changing of the seasons. Special mention also to BABO restaurant as also worth visiting - a relatively new restaurant with its authentic Georgian cuisine and wines bring something completely different to the culinary environment of Latvia."
Restaurant JOHN Chef's Hall in Rīga is described as "a small place with four tables and ten places that are located next to the one already included in the MICHELIN guide last year for JOHN restaurant in A22 Hotel. Guests can enjoy the view from the restaurant room to the kitchen, offering the opportunity to watch how dishes are prepared under the guidance of excellent chefs reflecting local flavors and seasons. The cooking process is modern and sometimes playful, but the taste of the food is impeccable, because all the ingredients are available used with equal respect and understanding. The chefs themselves serve and present food ingredients, recommending a selection of suitable wines."
According to the Michelin inspectors they especially liked the salted pike with cucumber, dill emulsion and rhubarb.
Five new restaurants have been added to the main selection: B7, BABO, LOWINE, Seasons and Stage 22.
The Bib Gourmand winners are they same as last year: Milda, Shōyu and Snatch. The Green Star award is retained by the Pavāru māja restaurant in Līgatne.
