Copenhagen’s famed Noma restaurant to reopen without founder Redzepi at helm

Denmark’s iconic Noma restaurant is preparing to reopen on August 5, marking a significant shift as it will operate without its celebrated founder, chef René Redzepi, and its prestigious three Michelin stars. This new chapter comes after Redzepi announced in March that he would be stepping away from leading the Copenhagen institution, following numerous allegations of abuse and assault, many dating back over a decade.

In a notable decision, Noma has stated it will not be included in the upcoming Michelin Guide for 2026. The restaurant cited that it would not meet the guide's requirements for being open long enough in the specified year. This follows a period of closure and a high-profile pop-up in Los Angeles earlier in the year. The absence of its Michelin stars, which it held for years, signifies a departure from its previous acclaimed status.

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It’s been crazy tough. There’s been a lot of media attention and questions about what we’re doing, but we’re still here standing.

During its 23 years under Redzepi's leadership, Noma garnered numerous international accolades, including topping the World's 50 Best Restaurants List five times for its pioneering "New Nordic" cuisine. However, Redzepi's public downfall intensified following an article in The New York Times detailing former employees' accounts of verbal and physical abuse. Redzepi, 48, later issued an apology and announced his intention to step back.

Noma is now embarking on a "new chapter" with longtime chefs Pablo Soto and others taking the helm. The restaurant plans to introduce a menu that will change monthly, emphasizing seasonality. "It’s been crazy tough," said new executive head chef Pablo Soto, acknowledging the media attention but affirming the restaurant's resilience. Redzepi, now in a creative director role, expressed excitement about "fresh energy" entering the establishment.

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fresh energy