One of the best parts of traveling is experiencing the local food, and Europe is a treasure trove of delicious treats waiting to be discovered. For those who want to enjoy a luxurious experience, a visit to a Michelin-starred restaurant can be the highlight of any trip. But which country is the best?
The independent cruise agency Iglu Cruise has revealed the best restaurants on the continent. Using Tripadvisor data, the team studied all 92 three-star Michelin restaurants in Europe and calculated which had the most “excellent” reviews, or five out of five stars.
What is a Michelin star?
According to Michelin’s description, the Michelin star is awarded to restaurants whose cooking is excellent, taking into account five different criteria: quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of techniques, personality of the chef expressed through the food and consistency. both in the entire menu and over time.
The categories of Michelin stars are as follows:
- 1 star – Quality cooking, worth a stop
- 2 stars – Excellent cooking, worth the detour
- 3 stars – Exceptional cuisine that is worth a special trip
Only 92 restaurants in Europe have received the highest recognition, three Michelin stars. The following 10 have the highest percentage of excellent reviews.
| Restaurant | Location | Number of reviews | Number of five-star “excellent” reviews | Percentage of five-star “excellent” reviews |
| Frantzé | Stockholm, Sweden | 208 | 196 | 94.2 |
| Marine | L’Herbaudière, France | 668 | 615 | 92.1 |
| Desk Kevin Fehling | Hamburg, Germany | 251 | 230 | 90.4 |
| Waldhotel Sonnora | Dreis, Germany | 254 | 227 | 89.4 |
| Restaurant Marcon | Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid, France | 1,180 | 1.053 | 89.2 |
| La Vague d’Or | Saint Tropez, France | 474 | 422 | 89 |
| El Celler de Can Roca | Girona, Spain | 3,249 | 2,889 | 88.9 |
| Restaurant Schanz | Piesport, Germany | 268 | 238 | 88.8 |
| Core by Clare Smyth | London, Great Britain | 1.031 | 915 | 88.7 |
| Martín Berasategui Restaurant | Lasarte-Oria, Spain | 1,972 | 1,741 | 88.3 |
Collected Igloo cruise
In first place, with an excellent 94.2%, is Frantzén, located in Stockholm, Sweden. Opened in 2008, the restaurant received its first Michelin star in 2009. The second Michelin star was awarded a year later in 2010, and Frantzén’s third Michelin star in 2018. The restaurant is currently the only restaurant in Sweden with three.
In second place is La Marine in L’Herbaudière, France with an excellent rating of 92.1%. Out of 668 Tripadvisor reviews, 615 guests gave the restaurant five stars. La Marine is famous for serving local, seasonal seafood and dishes served with local small-scale fishermen, which are available depending on the season.
Table Kevin Fehling in Hamburg, Germany is in third place with an excellent rating of 90.4%. The restaurant was awarded its third Michelin star in 2016 and offers its customers a tasting menu designed by Chef Kevin Fehling. The menu is inspired by cuisines from different parts of the world, flavors from Asia, South America and Europe.
Next is the Waldhotel Sonnora in Dreis, Germany, which scored 89.4%. The restaurant was awarded its third Michelin star in 1999. There are currently 10 restaurants in Germany that have been awarded three Michelin stars.
Restaurant Marcon in Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid, France has received an excellent rating of 89.2%. The restaurant changes its menu weekly and prioritizes the environment and ecosystem of Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid by minimizing the generation of waste. The last French restaurant on the list is La Vague d’Or in Saint-Tropez, France, which has an excellent rating of 89%, with 422 out of 474 reviews giving the restaurant five stars.
El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain has an excellent rating of 88.9%, with 2,889 of 3,249 Tripadvisor reviews rated five stars. The restaurant was opened in 1986 by brothers Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca and serves traditional Catalan cuisine.
With an excellent score of 88.8%, Restaurant Schanz in Piesport, Germany is the next three-star Michelin restaurant on the list. It is a sophisticated family-run restaurant serving high-quality French cuisine and tasting menus.
The only British restaurant in the top ten is London-based Core by Clare Smyth, with an excellent score of 88.7%. 915 of 1,031 reviews gave the restaurant five out of five stars on Tripadvisor. Every meal in the restaurant celebrates British ingredients and seeks out the best seasonal produce from sustainable farmers.
Finally, Restaurante Martín Berasategui in Lasarte-Oria, Spain, makes it into the top ten three-star Michelin restaurants with the best reviews. The restaurant was awarded the first Michelin star in 1993, the second in 1996 and the third in 2002.
The Iglu Cruise team also revealed which European countries have the most restaurants with three Michelin stars.
| I | Number of restaurants with three Michelin stars |
| France | 30 |
| Spain | 15 |
| Italy | 13 |
| Germany | 10 |
| Great Britain | 9 |
| Switzerland | 4 |
| Denmark | 3 |
| Belgium | 2 |
| Norway | 2 |
| Netherlands | 1 |
| Austria | 1 |
| Slovenia | 1 |
| Swedish | 1 |
France tops the list with 30, more than double the number of second-placed Spain. . There are 13 in Italy, 10 in Germany and nine in Great Britain.
Could a food cruise be for you?
With so many amazing restaurants in Europe, a cruise is a great way to taste your way around Europe. Visiting many amazing destinations, you can be sure to find plenty of delicious places to eat both on and off the ship.
Many cruise lines have a special focus on cuisine, and some of the best food in the world is now said to be found at sea, making mealtimes one of the most memorable parts of your cruise vacation. Some cruise lines have even partnered with Michelin-starred chefs to create beautiful, custom-made menus that evoke food culture.
Cruise Lines and World Class Dining
Disney Cruise Line – Enchanted
Prepared by three-Michelin-star chef Arnaud Lallement (of L’Assiette Champenoise, near Reims, France), Enchanté is a gourmet menu created with superior seasonal ingredients sourced from around the world and produce at the peak of seasonal ripening. The result is an enticing collection of international dishes, all masterfully presented alongside a top-notch wine list and first-class service.
Royal Caribbean – Chef’s Table
Chef’s Table is an exclusive and high-end dining experience on Royal Caribbean. Guests can enjoy five exquisite courses ranging from scallop carpaccio with yuzu vinaigrette to grilled filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes. All are expertly paired with the perfect wine to highlight every flavor on the menu.
Virgin Voyages – Test Kitchen
Inspired by Escoffier’s Ma Cuisine, The Test Kitchen is a chef-driven tasting menu presented as an ingredient list, a truly unique experience on board a cruise ship. Cooking techniques, presentation and flavors are explored through a carefully crafted menu offering six Michelin-style courses.
Princess Cruises – Rudi’s Catch
Rudi Sodamin is one of the chefs working with the sea today, and he has created a seafood restaurant to celebrate our connection to the sea. Guests can enjoy up to a seven-course menu that includes lobster, calamari, shrimp, mussels, salmon and more.
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