The best chefs in the world are only awarded 3 Michelin stars if their restaurant is worth travelling to. I mean, really worth travelling to. While the 2-star rating is for food that merits a ‘detour’, the triple whammy signals the restaurant is worth a full-on holiday. And why not? We’re used to organising trips around historic sites or natural wonders, so it makes sense to put exquisite food at the top of the list for a change.
So here’s a selection of the top three star-spangled restaurants that Europe can offer. All have earned the 3-star accolade; all are easy to reach; and all are certainly worth the trip.
1. El Celler de Can Roca – Spain
It reads like a fairytale: three brothers, each specialising in the three strands of fine dining, and each conjuring intricate dishes from the riches of the earth. What’s more, the brothers strike out every August to far-flung foodie destinations, discovering new flavours before heading back to their innovation lab and pushing their discoveries to the limits.
This sense of adventure has led to El Celler de Can Roca being named the best restaurant in the world, not once but twice. It’s clearly a restaurant worth flying for, and thankfully it’s just a short hop-skip-and-a-jump from Girona airport to the town itself.
2. Steirereck – Austria
In the heart of Vienna, you find a tree-filled park draped across the banks of the river Wein. In the heart of the park, you find a glass cube, its sharp angles concealing a refined, elegant interior… This is the home of Steirereck, a family-owned restaurant regularly ranked as one of the finest in the world.
Mirroring the feel of that glass cube set among trees, Steirereck’s fame stems from its blend of tradition and innovation. Yes, there’s Wiener Schnitzel, but there’s also the Head Chef’s signature dish of char cooked in beeswax and served with pollen. To top it off, a Shuttle Direct transfer from Vienna Airport to the city centre takes no time at all.
3. Geranium – Denmark
These days, Copenhagen is as celebrated for boundary-busting restaurants as it is for mermaids, bicycles and canals. And while the most famous eatery may be René Redzepi’s Noma, it’s actually Geranium that boasts the coveted 3-star crown (Noma ‘only’ has two).
Perched on the top floor of Copenhagen’s football stadium, Geranium’s vision is clear-cut: food is inextricably linked to the land. As a result, Danish seafood, herbs and vegetables take centre stage, summoning the taste and colour of the Scandinavian countryside. Shuttle Direct has a range of airport transfers in Copenhagen, making it easy for you to experience this deliciously thoughtful cuisine.
Of course, top-quality meals are an essential on any holiday. But as the world’s attention turns to sustainable, contemporary and thought-provoking cuisine, then why not take that foodie focus to the next level? Good food is worth taking seriously.
