Faroese restaurant Ræst loses bid for Michelin star

The Faroese restaurant Ræst in Tórshavn has failed in its latest attempt to secure a Michelin star, while rival Matstovan PAZ retained both of its stars, Faroese broadcaster KVF reports.

Ræst’s head chef, Sebastian Jiménez, acknowledged disappointment but remained determined. “Of course I’m somewhat heartbroken,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t understand why things don’t go as you hoped. A Michelin star demands precision, hard work, and something truly special—and we have that at Ræst.”

Jiménez emphasized the restaurant’s commitment to its unique approach. “We’re in one of the world’s most beautiful and distinctive places, so we’re working toward a star. But we’re also working hard for ourselves, for this place,” he said. Despite the setback, he described the team as “ready and hopeful for the next challenge.”

Matstovan PAZ, led by chef Poul Andrias Ziska, remains the Faroe Islands’ only Michelin-starred restaurant. It successfully defended both stars awarded last year, a feat Ræst has yet to achieve after multiple attempts.