Germany now boasts 300 Michelin restaurants

The 2018 Michelin Guide for Germany was released in Potsdam on Tuesday, revealing eight new locations distinguished with the coveted honor. 

The restaurant Atelier is the 11th to be recognized in Germany with Michelin's highest rating, three stars. The restaurant, housed in the Munich Hotel Bayerischer Hof, is run by 35-year-old chef Jan Hartwig. "You can't expect anything like this," he said. "I'm completely happy."

The number of two-star establishments rose to 39, thanks to four new additions, and 250 eateries now detain one star.

For the first time, two purely vegetarian restaurants have obtained a star: Cookies Cream in Berlin and Seven Swans in Frankfurt.

Read more: The world's best restaurant

Beyond bratwurst and beer

The 2017 edition of the guide featured 292 starred restaurants in Germany. Among this year's 300 prized establishments, one of the addresses is actually a freebie, as it's technically not even located in the country: a hard-to-reach one-star restaurant located in the Austrian Alps.

Although Germany's cuisine is no longer restricted to beer and bratwurst, the country is still far behind other fine-dining meccas. France — the birthplace of the famous Michelin Guide — counts 600 Michelin-rated restaurants, while Japan boasts more than 30 three-starred establishments. 

Read more: French chef Alleno earns sixth Michelin star as haute cuisine gets 'uncomplicated'

Still, Michael Ellis, international director of the famed restaurant ranker, said that when compared internationally, "Germany has become a top location for high-class cuisine."

Known as the "bible for gourmands," the first Michelin Guide was published in 1900. Germany obtained its first Michelin star in 1966.

eg/cmk (with dpa)