SMØR Bistro
MICHELIN RECOGNITION
SMØR Bistro is proud to be listed in the MICHELIN Guide and to hold the Bib Gourmand distinction. The award reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality cuisine, honest pricing, and a consistently strong guest experience.
A Bib Gourmand Restaurant in Riga
The MICHELIN Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants that provide exceptional food at great value. For guests searching for high-level dining in Riga, SMØR Bistro stands out as a destination where refined cooking and fair pricing align.
According to the MICHELIN inspectors, SMØR distinguished itself through:
• Modern Nordic-French cuisine rooted in local produce
• A daily-changing menu shaped by fresh market ingredients
• Balanced dishes inspired by French classics and Scandinavian culinary clarity
• A warm, contemporary interior that supports an elevated yet accessible experience
• Excellent value across both à la carte and daily specials
The MICHELIN Guide describes SMØR Bistro as a place where classic French recipes meet international influence, especially Danish style, emphasizing that the restaurant delivers high-quality cooking at prices that remain approachable for a wide audience.
For guests researching best restaurants in Riga, where to eat in Riga, or affordable fine dining in Latvia, SMØR Bistro represents one of the top recommendations in the city.
According to the MICHELIN inspectors, SMØR distinguished itself through:
• Modern Nordic-French cuisine rooted in local produce
• A daily-changing menu shaped by fresh market ingredients
• Balanced dishes inspired by French classics and Scandinavian culinary clarity
• A warm, contemporary interior that supports an elevated yet accessible experience
• Excellent value across both à la carte and daily specials
The MICHELIN Guide describes SMØR Bistro as a place where classic French recipes meet international influence, especially Danish style, emphasizing that the restaurant delivers high-quality cooking at prices that remain approachable for a wide audience.
For guests researching best restaurants in Riga, where to eat in Riga, or affordable fine dining in Latvia, SMØR Bistro represents one of the top recommendations in the city.
The Philosophy of SMØR Bistro
SMØR Bistro is built on a clear, disciplined approach:
seasonality, Scandinavian precision, French culinary technique, and genuine hospitality.
The name “SMØR” (Danish for “butter”) reflects this identity. Our cuisine combines Nordic freshness with French depth. Each morning, Chef Kaspars Barsukovs personally visits Riga Central Market to source the freshest ingredients of the day. These products shape the daily specials, allowing the restaurant to remain dynamic, relevant, and tightly connected to the seasonal rhythm of Latvia.
This process results in a menu that evolves constantly while maintaining stability in quality — a key factor in meeting MICHELIN’s expectations for consistency.
Guests can experience both:
• Daytime Nordic-inspired dishes such as smørrebrød and seasonal Scandinavian plates
• Evening French brasserie classics executed with precision — pâté, seafood, slow-cooked meats, and signature sauces built on traditional techniques
This combination has positioned SMØR Bistro as a recognized destination for Nordic-French cuisine in Riga.
seasonality, Scandinavian precision, French culinary technique, and genuine hospitality.
The name “SMØR” (Danish for “butter”) reflects this identity. Our cuisine combines Nordic freshness with French depth. Each morning, Chef Kaspars Barsukovs personally visits Riga Central Market to source the freshest ingredients of the day. These products shape the daily specials, allowing the restaurant to remain dynamic, relevant, and tightly connected to the seasonal rhythm of Latvia.
This process results in a menu that evolves constantly while maintaining stability in quality — a key factor in meeting MICHELIN’s expectations for consistency.
Guests can experience both:
• Daytime Nordic-inspired dishes such as smørrebrød and seasonal Scandinavian plates
• Evening French brasserie classics executed with precision — pâté, seafood, slow-cooked meats, and signature sauces built on traditional techniques
This combination has positioned SMØR Bistro as a recognized destination for Nordic-French cuisine in Riga.
Chef Kaspars Barsukovs — Opening of the Year Award
At the MICHELIN Guide ceremony, Chef and owner Kaspars Barsukovs received the “Opening of the Year” award, honoring SMØR Bistro as one of the strongest new additions to the Baltic dining landscape.
Barsukovs’ background includes years of experience in Scandinavian kitchens, where he developed his signature style:
clean flavors, disciplined technique, and respect for ingredients.
MICHELIN inspectors valued the chef’s ability to merge Nordic minimalism with the richness of French culinary tradition, presenting dishes that are thoughtful, local, and structured without unnecessary complexity.
For visitors searching for top chefs in Riga or new restaurants recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, the recognition of Barsukovs reinforces SMØR’s position as an essential culinary destination.
Barsukovs’ background includes years of experience in Scandinavian kitchens, where he developed his signature style:
clean flavors, disciplined technique, and respect for ingredients.
MICHELIN inspectors valued the chef’s ability to merge Nordic minimalism with the richness of French culinary tradition, presenting dishes that are thoughtful, local, and structured without unnecessary complexity.
For visitors searching for top chefs in Riga or new restaurants recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, the recognition of Barsukovs reinforces SMØR’s position as an essential culinary destination.
A Dining Experience Built on Quality and Integrity
The Bib Gourmand is not simply an award — it is a validation of SMØR’s operating principles:
• Transparency in ingredients
• Commitment to honest pricing
• Respect for seasonality
• Continuous menu evolution
• Consistency in execution
• Warm, attentive hospitality
Whether for lunch, dinner, business meetings, or special occasions, the restaurant provides a modern, clearly defined experience that aligns with what the MICHELIN Guide expects from top establishments in Latvia.
• Commitment to honest pricing
• Respect for seasonality
• Continuous menu evolution
• Consistency in execution
• Warm, attentive hospitality
Whether for lunch, dinner, business meetings, or special occasions, the restaurant provides a modern, clearly defined experience that aligns with what the MICHELIN Guide expects from top establishments in Latvia.
Our Commitment Going Forward
SMØR Bistro will continue to evolve while staying loyal to its foundation. We will uphold the standards that earned our Bib Gourmand recognition and keep building on what defines us:
high-quality Nordic-French cuisine, a local product mindset, and an accessible fine-dining experience in central Riga.
For locals and international visitors searching for trusted restaurant recommendations in Riga, SMØR Bistro remains a reliable choice acknowledged by one of the most respected global culinary guides.
high-quality Nordic-French cuisine, a local product mindset, and an accessible fine-dining experience in central Riga.
For locals and international visitors searching for trusted restaurant recommendations in Riga, SMØR Bistro remains a reliable choice acknowledged by one of the most respected global culinary guides.
SMØR team inaguration
SOURCES
- Michelin Guide – SMØR Bistro https://guide.michelin.com/en/latvia/riga/restaurant/smor-bistro
- Michelin Guide Baltic Launch (Bib Gourmand overview, inspector comments) https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/the-michelin-guide-latvia-riga-2026-winners-michelin-guide-ceremony
- Latvian Public Media (LSM) – Michelin Guide Latvia announcement https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/22.10.2025-prestizo-michelin-zvaigzni-saglabajusi-john-chefs-hall-un-max-cekot-kitchen.a619346/
- Baltic News Network – Michelin Guide Baltics coverage https://bnn.lv/latvijas-gastronomijas-triumfs-michelin-guide-2026-ieklauti-34-restorani-65080
- IR Magazine Latvia – profile on SMØR and Chef Barsukovs https://ir.lv/personiba/atverts-pavasari-un-jau-michelin-apbalvots-bistro-smor.220318
- RESTAURANT RANKING – Latvia: Two new Bib restaurants https://www.restaurant-ranking.com/news-magazine/details/15148-two-new-bib-gourmand-restaurants-in-latvia/