Rise, steadfastness, and culinary diversity in the Ruhr metropolis
Essen, June 24, 2026. A Michelin star is the most prestigious award a restaurant can receive in Europe. It stands for the highest culinary art, exceptional product quality, and cuisine that clearly stands out from the crowd. For many chefs, the star is a lifelong goal – and at the same time a promise to guests that must be fulfilled anew every day.
New Michelin Stars 2026 in Essen
The Rüttenscheid restaurant „Teko by Lange Rodriguez“ has been newly awarded. It has received a Michelin star for the first time – a milestone for head chef Hans Lange Rodriguez. The native Bolivian took over the restaurant Rotisserie Du Sommelier at Wegenerstraße 3 about three years ago and has consistently developed it in the direction of fine dining. His culinary art between South America and Germany has many fans. Online reviewers are exceedingly enthusiastic, describing the cuisine as, among other things: „A culinary experience with goosebump moments.“ It's no wonder, then, that the Maître formulated the goal of aiming for a star – now he and his team have deservedly earned it. At Teko by Lange Rodriguez, guests have the choice between two different menus: seven courses for around 155 euros and the five-course menu for about 110 euros – vegetarian options are also available upon request.
Hannappel – Steadfastness with Ambition
The traditional „Hannappel“ in Horst, under head chef Tobias Weyers, has once again defended its star, and for the fourth time at that. The team had even aimed for, and perhaps hoped for, a second star. However, Michelin usually observes candidates for promotion for a long time, so the Hannappel team can continue to hope that the future may bring the desired second star. Alongside the à la carte restaurant, an affordable bistro concept is to be created, aiming to appeal to guests with an accessible price point. A complete menu at star level costs 158 Euros (wine pairing optional for 84 Euros), and the five-course menu costs 148 Euros (wine pairing optional for 64 Euros). In July and August 2026, a summer menu with four courses, including wine pairing, will entice guests for 125 Euros per person. A great opportunity to get to know the imaginative cuisine.
Kettner's Kamota – Austria Differently
Long ago „Kettner’s Kamota“ in the Old Town Essen-Werden established. Chef Jürgen Kettner had already received a Michelin star four years ago for his avant-garde Austrian cuisine. Some say there are Japanese influences – in any case, the cuisine attracts guests from near and far. The highly praised blend of different influences has also convinced the Michelin inspectors this year, allowing the restaurant, managed by Wiebke Meier, to defend its star.
Chefs & Butchers Living Room: Chef's Studio
With only around 18 seats, it is Chef's Atelier in the Löwental the second Michelin-starred restaurant in the former Abbey Town. Decorated with a Michelin star for the first time in 2025, the team around chef Alexander Hoppe can look forward to another star this year. Market-fresh French cuisine is served in a personal atmosphere. Those who love culinary delights should [incomplete sentence/missing text].Restaurants visit – or better yet, both at once.
Michelin Star - Honor and Challenge at the Same Time
The awarding of Michelin stars also has another side. Some restaurants have deliberately rejected or returned them in the past. The reasons are manifold and lie, on the one hand, in the high pressure of expectations, as a star can attract guests from all over Germany, and with them comes the expectation of perfection. On the other hand, top-level cuisine entails a financial burden. Fine dining means high staff costs, expensive products, a perfect ambiance, and elaborate processes. Some establishments consciously want to be less complicated, more regional, or suitable for everyday life – without tablecloths and polished glasses. This ambivalence makes the award so special: it is therefore both an honor and a challenge. Therefore, Baldeneysee.ruhr would like to champion all restaurateurs who feel committed to this challenge day after day.
Enjoyment away from the stars – food and drink around the Ruhr and Ruhr Valley
Beyond star-rated gastronomy, the city also boasts a vibrant culinary scene. Around the Baldeneysee and along the Ruhr valley, numerous restaurants can be found that do without awards – and often quite deliberately so. Whether modern brasseries, ambitious country house kitchens, Mediterranean concepts, or excursion restaurants with a lake view: The region offers exceptional variety, making dining and the Ruhr region one of the most exciting culinary destinations in the country. Here, where multiculturalism grew alongside industrial culture, the focus is less on perfection than on atmosphere, hospitality, and honest enjoyment – this, along with the warm, direct nature of the Ruhr area, creates the unique and special appeal of the region.
Conclusion
Essen showcases impressively in 2026 how diverse top cuisine can be: from ambitious newcomers to established gourmet destinations to creative concepts that consciously break new ground. The stars are an important part of this landscape – but by no means the only one.
The mix of excellent restaurants and strong culinary addresses around Baldeneysee and the Ruhr Valley makes Essen a city that truly lives up to its name.
