Three Aarhus restaurants were given Michelin stars Thursday as the first ever Michelin Nordic Cities guide was presented in Stockholm. 

 

The Aarhus restaurants Frederikshøj, Gastromé and Restaurant Substans were all granted one star from the venerable French guide. 

 

“We have some of Denmark’s best chefs in Aarhus, who really deserve the recognition. It will have a huge impact on tourism that the city’s gastronomic level has now been given the stamp of approval from the ultimate food bible – especially in the run-up to 2017, when Aarhus is the European Capital of Culture and many potential international guests will turn their attention to the city,” Peer Kristensen, the head of the tourist organization Visit Aarhus, said in a statement. 

 

Of course, Copenhagen – which has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the Nordics – wasn’t left out. 

 

Noma, which for four of the past five years has laid claim to the title of the world’s best restaurant, was once again granted two stars, as were Geranium and a|o|c. Twelve Copenhagen restaurants were given one Michelin star. 

 

An additional twelve restaurants in Copenhagen and two in Aarhus were given Michelin’s ‘Bib Gourmand’ distinction, which goes to restaurants that offer “exceptionally good food at moderate prices”. 

 

The new Michelin Nordic Cities guide marks the first time that the famed guide has included cities from outside of the Nordic capitals. Next door in Sweden, three restaurants in Malmö where given a Michelin star, including Bloom in the Park. The restaurant's head chef, Titti Qvarnström, spoke to The Local Sweden about being the first female chef to claim a Michelin.