Czech Restaurant Wins Two Michelin Stars – First in the Country
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Papilio Restaurant Earns Czech Republic’s First Two-Michelin-Star Rating
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What Happened: A Historic Achievement for Czech Cuisine
The Czech republic has made culinary history wiht Restaurant Papilio, located in Vysoké Újezd in Berounska, becoming the first restaurant in the country to be awarded two Michelin stars. Headed by chef Jan Knedla, Papilio’s success marks a significant milestone for Czech gastronomy, elevating its profile on the international stage.
The declaration was made on Thursday evening in Mariánské Lázně during the ceremonial presentation of the new Michelin guide for the Czech Republic. This achievement is particularly noteworthy as Michelin rarely awards two stars directly,typically reserving that distinction for restaurants demonstrating truly exceptional and consistent quality.
Chef Knedla expressed his disbelief and gratitude, stating, “It’s something astounding for me. It’s something you dream about all your life, and now that it’s here, I can’t believe it. It’s like I’ve been in a dream. we work with the best team. The people I’ve chosen and who work with me are the best in the industry. A chef is only as good as his own team and the people who make it with you.”
The meaning of Two Michelin Stars
Michelin stars are a globally recognized benchmark of culinary excellence. One star signifies “a very good restaurant in its category,” two stars denote “excellent cooking,worth a detour,” and three stars represent “exceptional cuisine,worth a special journey.” Achieving two stars places Papilio among the elite dining establishments in Europe.
The awarding of two stars to a restaurant outside of Prague is especially significant. Ana Roš of Slovenia’s Hiša Franko is a recent example of a chef achieving similar success, eventually earning a third star. This sets a potential trajectory for Chef Knedla and his team.
Other Czech Restaurants Recognized by the Michelin Guide
Along with Papilio’s two-star achievement, eight other Czech restaurants received one Michelin star. Five of these are located in Prague, and three are in other regions of the country.
Prague Restaurants with One Michelin Star
- Field (Radek Kašpárek)
- La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise (Oldřich Sahajdák)
- Levitate (Christian Chu)
- Štangl (Martin Štangl)