Michelin Announces 2012 Stars For Germany

All kinds of new stars for Germany in this year's edition of the Michelin Guide: La Vie in Osnabrück became the country's ninth three-star restaurant, and ten restaurants received a second star for the first time. New two-star restaurants include Berlin's Lorenz Adlon and Reinstoff, Schwingshackl Esskultur in Bernried, Kastell in Wernberg-Ko?blitz, Rosin in Dorsten and Cologne's La Vision. Germany now boasts 32 two-star restaurants.

Germany has so many stars, in fact, that it now has the second highest number of three-starred restaurants in Europe, behind France (with 25). Better step it up, Spain — they've got six now that elBulli is closed, but their guide for 2012 hasn't been released yet. Here's the press release:

MICHELIN guide Germany 2012

Major changes with 1 new three-star restaurant and 10 new two-star restaurants

With one new restaurant awarded a third star and ten new two-star restaurants in the MICHELIN guide Germany 2012, the country’s gourmet dining scene has been enhanced. Never before have the independent inspectors of the German guide rewarded so many restaurants with a second star as in the new edition to be released on November 11. As a result, the German guide now lists 32 two-star restaurants in all. In addition, “La Vie” in Osnabru?ck was awarded its third star, bringing to nine the number of restaurants in Germany that have obtained the guide’s highest ranking and confirming the high levels seen in previous years. As a result, Germany now ranks second behind France among the European countries with the most three-star restaurants.

The guide also includes another record as the number of Bib Gourmand restaurants now totals 431, an increase of 45 over the 2010 guide. The Bib Gourmand label is awarded to restaurants that offer a high-quality, three-course meal for €35.00 or less.

6,384 hotels and restaurants selected across all price categories

In all, the 1,440-page MICHELIN guide Germany 2012 includes 2,157 restaurants and 4,227 hotels across all comfort and price categories. The 249 restaurants awarded one or more stars reflect the major changes that have taken place in the German gourmet dining scene and the high level of its cuisine.

Among the new two-star restaurants are “Lorenz Adlon” and “Reinstoff” in Berlin, “Schwingshackl Esskultur” in Bernried, “Kastell” in Wernberg-Ko?blitz in Bavaria, and “Rosin” in Dorsten and “”La Vision in Cologne in North Rhine-Westphalia. As in the 2011 edition, Northern Germany continued to gain momentum, with the Michelin inspectors awarding a second-star to four new restaurants in the region: “Haerlin” and “Jacobs Restaurant” in Hamburg, “Buddenbrooks” in Lu?beck and “La Mer” in List on the island of Sylt.

The Rising Star category of restaurants in line for a second star includes “Tim Raue” and “Margaux” in Berlin, “Le “ in Saarbru?cken, the “Gourmet Restaurant at Wald- und Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe” in O?hringen and “Zum Hirschen – Avui” in Fellbach near Stuttgart.

The number of one-star restaurants increased from 205 to 208, with 23 awarded their first star by the Michelin inspectors. The guide also features four Rising Star restaurants in line for their first Michelin star.

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