At the end of 2025, the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) signed a new cooperation agreement with the international gastronomy guide MICHELIN Guide on Latvia's participation in the program for the next three years, from 2026 to 2028.
The aim of the cooperation is to strengthen Latvia's international recognition and competitiveness by developing gastronomic tourism as a high added-value sector, while motivating the sector to invest in quality, service and innovation in the field of gastronomy.
"Participation in the MICHELIN guide brings measurable returns to Latvia's economy, and the tourism industry values this initiative as a significant contribution to shaping Latvia's tourism image. International practice shows that gastronomic tourism is becoming an increasingly important segment, and guests who travel for high-quality cuisine tend to stay longer and spend more, so we will continue our cooperation with MICHELIN," said LIAA representative Vita Balode-Andrews, adding that negotiations will continue on the joint inclusion of the Baltic countries in the MICHELIN guide in order to more effectively address foreign guests as a unified Baltic market.
The new agreement with the MICHELIN Guide will ensure continuity of cooperation and allow work to continue on the international recognition of Latvian gastronomy, as well as motivate restaurants to maintain consistently high quality standards and competitiveness in the Baltic and Northern European region. In accordance with the agreement, MICHELIN Guide will also provide publicity for Latvia and other marketing activities through its communication channels over a three-year period.
Participation in the MICHELIN Guide will cost Latvia 380,000 euros per year, and the applicant was selected as a result of a negotiation procedure.
The MICHELIN Guide selection for Latvia currently includes 34 restaurants (including 27 in Riga and 7 outside the capital).
There are two restaurants in Latvia that have been awarded a MICHELIN star:
JOHN Chef’s Hall (Riga) and Max Cekot Kitchen (Riga).
Five Latvian restaurants have been awarded the Bib Gourmand nomination:
Milda (Riga); Shōyu (Riga); Snatch (Riga); SMØR Bistro (Riga); H.E. Vanadziņš (Cēsis)
One restaurant received a MICHELIN Green Star (for sustainability in restaurant operations):
Pavāru māja (Līgatne)
The MICHELIN Guide Latvia 2026 selection includes the following restaurants:
3 Chefs, 36.Line, Akustika, B7, BABO, Barents, Barents Cocktail & Seafood Bar, Chef’s Corner, COD, Entresol, Ferma, Kest, Le Dome, LOWINE, Māsa, MO, Neiburgs, Riviera, Seasons, Stage 22, Tails, TAURO, The Catch, Whitehouse, ZOLTNERS, JOHN.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)