On 5 November, an awards ceremony will take place at the Palladium concert venue in Riga, where the latest selection of Latvian restaurants featured in the MICHELIN Guide will be announced and the teams behind the selected restaurants will be honoured. The event is organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), highlighting the achievements of Latvia’s culinary scene and its role in attracting international visitors.
LIAA is the MICHELIN Guide’s cooperation partner in Latvia. The partnership, which will continue until 2028, includes Latvia’s participation in the Guide and promotion through its international communication channels. This helps Latvian restaurants reach travellers who consider a destination’s culinary offerings when choosing where to travel.
“Latvia can also be discovered through its flavours. Our chefs are ambassadors for Latvia — through the dishes they create, local ingredients and traditions reveal our culture and each chef’s individual style. MICHELIN recognition brings Latvian restaurants to the attention of travellers who are willing to visit another country for an exceptional dining experience. A restaurant reservation can become the starting point for a wider journey across Latvia — including overnight stays, visits to local producers and cultural experiences. In this way, the success of Latvia’s culinary scene strengthens the country’s image and generates revenue for a broader range of businesses,” emphasises Ieva Jāgere, Director of LIAA.
Latvia’s first MICHELIN Guide selection was announced in November 2023 and featured 26 restaurants. The 2026 Guide selection, published last year, recommended 34 restaurants — 27 in Riga and seven elsewhere in Latvia.
In that selection, one MICHELIN Star was awarded to each of the restaurants JOHN Chef’s Hall and Max Cekot Kitchen. Five restaurants — Milda, Shōyu, Snatch, SMØR Bistro and H.E. Vanadziņš — received the Bib Gourmand distinction, recognising good quality food at a reasonable price. Pavāru māja in Līgatne was awarded a MICHELIN Green Star for its sustainable approach to restaurant operations.
MICHELIN inspectors assess restaurants through independent and anonymous visits, applying five criteria: the quality of ingredients, harmony of flavours, mastery of cooking techniques, the personality of the chef expressed through the cuisine, and consistency of quality across the menu and over time. The restaurant selection is reviewed annually.
Travellers can combine restaurant visits with experiences involving local producers, cultural attractions and natural landmarks, discovering lesser-known destinations across Latvia’s regions. Cooperation between restaurants and Latvian farmers and food producers also creates additional market opportunities for local products.
The restaurant awards ceremony will bring together chefs, restaurant teams, tourism and hospitality professionals, cooperation partners and media representatives.
