Currently, there are 1,670 restaurants in Europe that have been awarded one Michelin star, and surprisingly we found it’s actually possible to secure a reservation on the very same day at many of these restaurants. However, when it comes to the 349 two and three starred establishments, found in just 16 European countries, these can require a bit more planning, with some waiting times exceeding three months. 

After extensive research and hundreds of phone calls, we are now able to reveal which of Europe’s finest restaurants currently have the shortest waiting times for a reservation and which have the longest.  

UK & Ireland

There’s a fantastic variety of Michelin starred restaurants in the UK and Ireland and this is where we start our guide. According to the new Michelin Guide 2020, there’s 187 in total, and of the 28 establishments that have climbed to elusive two or three star status, 12 can be found in London, where you can eat anything from Mexican to Middle Eastern, and Polish to Peruvian. 

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Austria

The Austrian fine dining scene blends a mix of cuisines from central Europe, including the Alps, Hungary, Northern Italy and even Croatia and Bavaria. Vienna gains a lot of attention for its gastronomy delights, but the seven multi-starred Michelin restaurants are actually found in Wien and Salzburg and, luckily for spontaneous foodies, they all have a relatively short waiting time.  

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Denmark

Denmark’s capital is brimming with exceptional dining options, boasting six restaurants with two or more Michelin stars (with the longest waiting time only around three weeks). Menus boast Nordic influenced dishes as well as internationally inspired creations, and native produce plays a centre stage role, from locally grown vegetables to fresh catches of herring and mackerel.  

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France

France has more multi-starred Michelin restaurants than any other European country – 113 to be exact, and with it, a real variety of waiting times. The 3* René et Maxime Meilleur has a 2-3 month waiting time, but you can find plenty of other 3* culinary delights with just a few days waiting time to book a table, especially outside of the capital. Most multi-Michelin starred Paris restaurants will only have you waiting a week or so to sample their award-winning fare.

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The Following Restaurants Are Closed Until December 2019:

The Following Restaurants Are Closed Until Spring 2020:

Germany

With just shy of 50 multi-starred Michelin restaurants (and more than 250 single-star establishments), Germany is an incredible gastronomic destination. The regional spread of multi-star eateries certainly encourages foodie travellers to explore everything the country has to offer, from Hamburg’s The Table Kevin Fehling in the north, to Sulzberg’s Hirshchen in the south.     

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The Following Restaurants Are Closed Until Spring 2020:

Greece

Greece has four Michelin starred restaurants, three one-star, and the two-star - Spondi in Athens. It opened in 1996 and was the first restaurant in Greece to be awarded two stars. It offers incredible seasonally inspired Mediterranean dishes in a vaulted stone dining room and court-yard setting.  

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Hungary

Hungary has five one-star restaurants and one multi-starred establishment – the Onyx in Budapest – which currently boasts two stars. Wine pairing menus are available, as well as a sommelier who can guide your wine choice if you don’t wish to go for pairing options. 

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Italy

As a well-established foodie destination, it’s no surprise that Italy boasts an impressive 365 Michelin star restaurants, of which 49 are either two or three star. Apart from a few exceptions (such as La Pergola and St. Hubertus), the general waiting time for these prestigious establishments tends to fall just under a week.

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The Following Restaurants Are Closed Until Spring 2020:

Luxembourg

Luxembourg has 10 restaurants awarded Michelin stars (quite a dense amount considering the population of the country is just half a million people.) Eight are single star, and two have a two-star rating. Mosconi offers exquisite Italian dishes, crafted by Head Chef Illario Mosconi; whilst the objective of Cyril Molard at Ma Langue Sourit is to deliver a “festival of balanced flavours…without unnecessary frills”. 

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Netherlands

23 restaurants in the Netherlands have been awarded either two or three stars, and whilst a good number can be found in Amsterdam, there is a good regional scattering in other locations. The waiting times for establishments in the Netherlands typically come in at under a week – however the Michelin starred restaurant that has THE longest waiting time in Europe also comes from the Netherlands in the shape of De Librije, which requires at least six months’ notice. 

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Norway

Norway is home to a single three-star Michelin restaurant and seven one-star eateries. Maaemo in Oslo offers a wonderful Scandinavian take on dining, with a seasonal Norwegian menu, wine pairings and a minimalist setting. 

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Portugal

Portugal has six two-starred Michelin restaurants (no three stars as yet), which between them serve up an excellent variety of fine Portuguese dining. Alma has the longest waiting time in the country, with guests needing to allow 1-2 months before they can sample Henrique Sa Pessoa’s highly acclaimed dishes, which take cuisine inspiration from his travels in Asia and his life in Lisbon.

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Spain

Over 200 restaurants make up Spain’s Michelin scene with 36 taking the two- and three-star ratings. The world class dining establishments typically have a waiting time of under a week, with the major exception being El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, whose current next available reservation is in April 2020 (nearly six months away from date of publication). 

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The Following Restaurants Are Closed Until Spring 2020:

Sweden

There are six multi-starred Michelin restaurants in Sweden (and a further 16 single star establishments) with the majority of the high rated restaurants being located in the nation’s capital Stockholm. Their availability is pretty good for spur-of-the-moment bookings, with around half having bookings available in four days or less.   

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The Following Restaurant Is Fully Boooked & Closes In December:

Switzerland

Switzerland enjoys an impressive 124 Michelin starred restaurants, with 23 being honoured with two or more stars. Furthermore, practically all of the multi-starred establishments have a reservation booking time of a week or less - aside from Ecco St. Moritz and After Seven - you’ll need to allow yourself a month or two in order to get a booking there. .   

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Every effort has been made to ensure all 2&3 Michelin starred restaurants in Europe have been included in this guide, but if we’ve missed one off, please do let us know and we’ll include it as quickly as we can.