Polish restaurants featured. Michelin star experts had no doubts

In 2023, Michelin inspectors visited Poland for the first time after a break of several years. Then, restaurants from Warsaw, Krakow and Poznań were checked. This year, premises from the Pomeranian Voivodeship were also included in the participation.

Warsaw. The restaurant received a Michelin star for the second time

Andrea Camastra can boast of quite an achievement. The owner of the capital’s NUTA restaurant has just received his second Michelin star. Until now, no other restaurant in our country has received such an honor in such a short time. The success is even greater because, for example, in France, the famous “red guide” deprived as many as 31 establishments of one or more stars.

– I cook primarily for our guests. When I see their facial expressions during dinner: delight, ecstasy, and sometimes emotion or shock, this is the best reward for me. However, a Michelin star, the most important distinction in the culinary industry, confirms a high level, so it is also my goal – emphasized Andrea Camastra.

The NUTA restaurant was established almost three years ago. The menu is dominated by dishes with Polish origins. – I think that the beauty of Polish cuisine is rediscovered at NUTA. I want to convince even the biggest skeptics. I give traditional Polish dishes such as cold soup, dumplings and cucumber soup a different form and combine them with Italian and Asian accents, but in such a way that the flavors that my guests remember from their childhood play the main role – explained the chef.

Michelin stars in Poland 2024

Three other restaurants were also awarded Michelin stars: the ARCO by Paco Pérez restaurant from Gdańsk, the Rozbrat 20 restaurant from Warsaw and the Giewont restaurant in Kościelisko near Zakopane. Additionally, for the first time a Polish restaurant received a green Michelin star. This year it is Elixir from Gdańsk. The green star is awarded to food service leaders in sustainable practices.

– It was with great joy and satisfaction that I received the news that Pomerania, together with Gdańsk, is another – the fourth – Polish region that has received a positive opinion from the inspectors of the famous Michelin Guide and thus joined the elite group of the world’s best culinary destinations. So far, 49 Polish restaurants from Warsaw, Krakow and Poznań have been distinguished. Today, the list of restaurants numbers almost 80 – emphasized Rafał Szmytke, President of the Polish Tourist Organization.

Michelin stars. Where did the popular distinction come from?

The tradition of Michelin stars was created by the brothers André and Edouard Michelin. In 1900, they published the first edition of the guide to France, which was created for drivers and was intended to help them find accommodation and places to eat well while traveling. It was only in 1926 that Michelin stars were introduced to promote unique and refined restaurants representing the highest quality.

Years later, the “Michelin Guide” has become the most famous distinction in the world of gastronomy, and a place in it means prestige, recognition and guarantees success. After all, the iconic Michelin Red Guide is the Bible of all foodies.

One star is awarded to a restaurant that is “very good and noteworthy in its category.” Two stars mean that the place is “worth visiting for the quality of food and service”, and three stars are given to places that are “worth a special trip”.