Louis Linster and mother Léa are overjoyed after winning the restaurant's coveted second star on Monday. / © RTL
Louis Linster secured a second Michelin star for Restaurant Léa Linster in Frisange, as Luxembourg's full list of 2025 Michelin winners was revealed, celebrating a new wave of culinary excellence across the country.
After months of speculation, Linster thus confirmed the hopes placed in him, securing a coveted second Michelin star for Restaurant Léa Linster in Frisange. Having taken over from his mother, the iconic Léa Linster, eight years ago, Louis maintained the restaurant’s original star – awarded in 1987 – and had openly declared he had been working for two years towards this second accolade.
On stage, he described the achievement as "a dream come true", while his mother, visibly emotional, said it was "the best gift" she could have received for her 70th birthday.
Linster stated that the second star represents a new phase in his career, as he sees the first star as a confirmation of his culinary skills, and the second as a new challenge to improve. Linster's success means Luxembourg now boasts two two-starred restaurants, the other being Cyril Molard's Ma Langue Sourit in Moutfort.
Molard expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, saying he was pleased to no longer be the only two-starred chef in Luxembourg and applauding the excellent work of the younger generation of chefs.
One slight disappointment came for Roberto Fani of Ristorante FANI in Roeser, who had also been hoping for a second star but was not upgraded this year. However, Fani remained positive, having earlier said he would continue operating "with a smile and the same motivation" regardless of the outcome.
Familiar faces
Other Luxembourg establishments also received major recognition. Grünewald Chef's Table in Dommeldange, led by Clovis Degrave, was awarded its first star, just a year and a half after opening. 35-year-old Degrave had been considered a strong contender and had often spoken about the long road to achieving a Michelin star, emphasising that it is built slowly through dedication and excellence. He praised it as the result of the hard work of the whole team.
In Lauterborn, Archibald De Prince – Table et Chambres was another standout, with chef Archibald De Prince, a former sous-chef of René Mathieu, earning his first star just six months after opening. Despite the youth of his establishment, the Michelin inspectors clearly recognised the quality on offer, with De Prince viewing this moment as a true turning point.
Meanwhile, acclaimed chef René Mathieu, previously of La Distillerie at Bourglinster Castle, regained both his Michelin star and his Michelin Green Star – awarded for sustainable gastronomy – for his new restaurant Fields, located at the Airfield Hotel at Findel. Mathieu's return was widely anticipated and confirmed his enduring status in Luxembourg's gastronomic landscape. Mathieu said he embraced the challenge, and regaining both stars stands as a strong endorsement of his work.
Starred restaurants
In total, Luxembourg now counts 11 starred restaurants: Léa Linster in Frisange and Ma Langue Sourit in Moutfort both have two stars, while the list of one-starred restaurants now includes Apdikt in Steinfort, Archibald De Prince in Lauterborn, FANI in Roeser, Fields in Findel, Guillou Campagne in Schouweiler, Grünewald Chef's Table in Dommeldange, La Villa de Camille et Julien in Luxembourg City, Mosconi in Luxembourg City, and Ryôdô in Luxembourg City.
Across Belgium and Luxembourg combined, the 2025 Michelin BeLux selection recommends 790 restaurants, including 151 with at least one star. Two new restaurants were awarded two stars, 13 establishments received their first star, and three were honoured for their commitment to eco-responsible gastronomy with the Michelin Green Star.
Notably, despite their new accolades, all the chefs stressed that they would not be raising their prices, reaffirming their commitment to making high-level gastronomy as accessible as possible.
