Michelin-star dining during lockdown: what are your options?

In March 2020, the Michelin Guide for Germany was released via a Facebook live feed as the live gala in Hamburg fell victim to the coronavirus. With 37 new one-, two- or three-star restaurants and 23 new Bib Gourmand establishments the MICHELIN Guide Germany 2020 once again demonstrated its great culinary diversity. As every year, Berlin had several contenders in line reaching for the stars – new restaurants like prism, Cordo, Cell and The NOName, looking to score their very first star, but also existing star-establishments like Einsunternull and Pauly Saal, which changed their concepts and head chefs during the year in hopes to retain their star status. When news was released, we saw Rutz receiving 3 stars. CODA Dessert Dining got a 2^nd star this year, while Cordo and prism got their first stars.

Even though since then many starred restaurants in Berlin have gone through major changes trying to adjust to pandemic – for example, Rutz only offers gift certificates and limited care packages, Cell is out of business, CODA, Pauly Saal and most others are closed until further notice, while Horváth is going through renovation till end of March - that doesn’t mean that you should put a pause on your gourmet experience. There are still some delicious options.

Prism offers a 4-course menu (delivered Wednesday to Sunday 17:00-20:00) of chicken soup made with chestnuts and truffles, a king crab, an ox tail with khubeza, and manjari chocolate for dessert. Einsunternull has two menu options, classic (fish or meat) and vegetarian, for delivery within Berlin between 12:00-17:00 - these are three-course care packages of handpicked delicacies that only need to be re-heated.

Cookies Cream delivers through Germany, and its head chef Stephan Hentschel prepares a 4-course menu for “stay-at-home” meals. Place your order Tuesday-Saturday until 12.30 and get your dinner at your door between 17-19:30. Always vocally local and only seasonal, Nobelhart & Schmutzig serves classic comfy German food – just handpick what you’d like for dinner by 18:00 the day before, and they will deliver between 17:00-20:00. You can choose between a full meal or various delicacies (small meals, oils, spreads).

Full list of Germany’s Michelin-starred restaurants can be found here. Bon Appetit!