Czech gastronomy reached a milestone this week when Restaurant Papilio in Vysoké Újezd near Beroun became the first dining spot in the country to earn two Michelin stars.

The recognition arrived as the Michelin Guide released its new Czech edition — the first to assess restaurants beyond Prague.

The expansion of Michelin’s focus reshaped the national culinary map. Inspectors awarded 9 starred restaurants across the country, while another 18 venues received Bib Gourmand, the guide’s mark for quality food at reasonable prices.

Four restaurants were also honored with Green Stars for sustainability, along with several individual awards for service and young talent.

Until now, Michelin had concentrated on Prague, where La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise and Field have long held one star each — and both retained their status.

The restaurants Entrée in Olomouc, Vila in Zlín, Essens in Hlohovec in the Břeclav region and the Prague restaurants Levitate, Štangl, Pole, and Casa De Carli each received one star.

But the spotlight largely shifted outside the capital for the first time.

The biggest attention fell on Papilio, now holding two stars, led by chef Jan Knedla, who previously worked in acclaimed Michelin kitchens worldwide, including the three-star Amber in Hong Kong. Inspectors praised its precision and creative interpretation of local produce.

Moravia Joins the Map

New accolades also arrived in Moravia. Restaurant Essens in Hlohovec, housed in a border chateau and run by chef Otto Vašák, received one star for its balance and meticulous craftsmanship. Additional stars went to Entrée in Olomouc (chef Přemek Forejt) and La Villa in Zlín, where chef Július Löffler leads the kitchen.

The Controversial Path to a Nationwide Guide

Bringing Michelin to the entire Czech Republic required government funding — a topic that sparked lively debate. Since 2022, the guide has charged countries a participation fee, amounting to roughly CZK 10 million per year for local evaluations.

LATEST JOBS IN PRAGUE

After criticism and lobbying from leading chefs, the state tourism agency CzechTourism signed a three-year agreement worth CZK 32.5 million to support the guide’s presence. The aim, officials said, is to promote Czech cuisine internationally and attract visitors seeking high-end dining.
CzechTourism director František Reismüller said the guide’s arrival would bring “greater global attention to Czech culinary quality and innovation.”

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