Michelin Guide 2021: Two Prague restaurants retain their coveted stars

Prague is well known as a paradise for great value food and drink. Now, the quality of the Czech capital’s high-end gastronomy scene has been reaffirmed in the latest Michelin Guide for the city; the world’s most well-known measure of restaurant quality.

Prague restaurants Field and La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise retained their one-star status in the new guide. The city didn’t gain any new Michelin stars, although a further five restaurants were deemed worthy of special recognition.

Two new additions were awarded Bib Gourmand status for “good quality, good value” cooking. Holešovice’s The Eatery won this recognition for its “easy-to-eat, seasonal Czech cuisine,” as did Dejvická 34 by Tomáš Černý, where the eponymous chef-owner serves up “top-quality imported ingredients in robust, flavor-packed Italian and Czech dishes.”

Three other Czech restaurants retained their Bib Gourmand: Na Kopci, Divinis and Eska. Four new restaurants were meanwhile added for inclusion in the guide this year: Výčep, serving classic Czech dishes, Taro, focusing on Asian cuisine, Bockem, with its contemporary take of Czech food, and QQ Asian Kitchen housed in the Mosaic Hotel.

“We are delighted to have found two more restaurants to add to our list of Bib Gourmand awards in Prague,” said Gwendal Poullennec, the International Director of the Michelin Guides. “These restaurants represent the great value for money which can be found in the city, whilst also offering high-quality cooking with fantastic flavors.”

Prague won its first Michelin star in 2008, awarded to the Allegro restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel and its chef Andrea Accordi. Allegro won a star three times, but has since ceased operating. The restaurant at Prague’s Alcron Hotel also held a star between 2012 and 2018. Along with the two current star-holders and British chef Gordon Ramsey’s short-lived restaurant at the Hilton Hotel, a total of five Prague restaurants have won a star to date.

“Prague offers something for everyone, with an increasingly varied selection of restaurants adding to its dynamic dining scene. Many of these restaurants can be found away from the city center: trendy contemporary spots which reflect modern Prague, whilst still paying respect to the country’s culinary traditions,” said Gwendal Poullennec about the local culinary scene.

A single Michelin star indicates a very good restaurant in its category; two stars suggests excellence; and three stars stands for truly exceptional cuisine worth a special trip. No Prague restaurant has ever received more than one star.

Although now considered the global benchmark for fine dining excellence, the Michelin Guide had humble beginnings as small guidebooks produced by the founders of the Michelin tire company to encourage more motorists to take to the road. The reputation of the guides grew throughout the 20th century due to their serious and discerning attitude towards food, bringing them the famous status they have today.