Björn Frantzén

Out of only 145 restaurants worldwide to earn the coveted three Michelin stars, Björn Frantzén is behind not one, but two— a rare feat that cements his place among the culinary elite

CHEF AND FOUNDER OF:

Frantzén***, Stockholm (2008–present)

The Flying Elk, Stockholm (2013–2019)

Corner Club, Stockholm (2013–2019)

Gaston, Stockholm (2013–2019)

Bobergs Matsal, Stockholm (2015–2024)

Nordiska Kantinen, Stockholm (2015–2024)

Botanique, Stockholm (2015–2020)

Frantzén’s Kitchen, Hong Kong (2016–2022)

The Flying Elk, Hong Kong (2018–2019)

Zén***, Singapore (2018–present)

Brasserie Astoria, Stockholm (2021–present)

Villa Frantzén, Bangkok (2022–present)

Studio Frantzén, London (2022–present)

Brasserie Astoria, Singapore (2023–present)

Studio Frantzén, Dubai (2024–present)

FZN, Dubai (2024–present)

Brasserie Astoria, Marbella (2025–present)

SELECTED ACCOLADES

Three Michelin Stars – Frantzén

Three Michelin Stars – Zén

Gulddraken & Gästdraken Awards (2013) – Frantzén

Restaurant of the Year by The White Guide (2018) – Frantzén

Best Chef Award, Top 100 (2019)

Ranked #1 (2020) in Europe on OAD Top 100 – Frantzén

Ranked #6 (2021) on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list – Frantzén

Ranked #2 (2021) on Asia’s OAD Top 150 – Zén

Kockarnas Kock by Svenska Gastronomipriset (2021)

Kockarnas Krog by Svenska Gastronomipriset, Awarded 6 times – Frantzén

Ranked #1 (2023) on La Liste – Frantzén

Restaurant & Bar Design Awards 2023, “In Another Space” – Studio Frantzén London

Restaurant of the Year (2024) by Falstaff Nordic Restaurant Guide, with a perfect score of 100/100 – Frantzén

Ranked #21 and awarded Best Hospitality (2024) in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants – Zén

Gault&Millau 2025 Breakthrough Restaurant of the Year & International Brand of the Year – FZN

From steak to Stars

The life of Björn Frantzén

Chef Björn Frantzén has transitioned Frantzén Group from the drawing table to Guide Michelin in just a few years. Born in 1977, his culinary interest began with a single, unforgettable steak—one that would unknowingly shape his future. Today, he holds six Michelin stars across two three-star restaurants.

1989

The Steak Frites that
sparked a dream

At 12 years old Björn had Steak Frites at a restaurant in Stockholm – a moment that would change everything. The perfect steak, homemade béarnaise, crispy fries, and fresh tomato salad were unlike anything he’d ever tasted before. That meal inspired him to become a chef so that he could make that dish every day.

1996

Football ambitions interrupted,
a new path begins

Björn had put all his energy into football, working his way up as a teenager to debut for AIK’s first team. At 19, he was forced to abandon his football dreams due to a congenital heart condition. This setback led to a career change, and he began as an intern at Edsbacka Krog, a one-star restaurant at the time.

1999

Years abroad

Björn moves abroad to refine his skills at renowned establishments such as Chez Nico at 90 Park Lane (helmed by Nico Ladenis, UK, 3 Michelin stars), Restaurant Lettonie (led by Martin Blunos, UK, 2 Michelin stars), Restaurant Pied à Terre (under Tom Aikens, UK, 2 Michelin stars), and Restaurant L’Arpège (in Paris, with Alain Passard, 3 Michelin stars).

2008

Björn opens his first restaurant
– two stars in two years

Björn opens his first restaurant, Frantzén Lindeberg, together with Daniel Lindeberg. The restaurant quickly earned its first star within the first year, and in the second year, it was awarded two stars, making it one of only four restaurants in the entire Nordic region to hold two stars.

2017

Frantzén opens doors at new location

On August 30, 2017, Frantzén opens its doors in new premises in Norrmalm, offering not only larger space but also the opportunity to cook ingredients over an open fire.

2018

Frantzén awarded 3 Michelin stars, and Zén opens

In the first year after reopening in new and larger premises, Frantzén receives three stars in the Michelin Guide, making it the first—and still the only—restaurant in Sweden to achieve this recognition. That same year, Restaurant Zén opened in Singapore.

2021

Zén awarded 3 Michelin Stars

Zén in Singapore receives three stars in Guide Michelin, marking Björn Frantzén’s second three-star achievement. With Frantzén and Zén combined, he now holds a total of six Michelin stars.

2024

FZN opens in Dubai

FZN, the sibling restaurant to the three-Michelin-starred Frantzén in Stockholm and Zén in Singapore, officially opens its doors in Dubai at Atlantis The Palm. This marks Björn Frantzén’s first fine dining establishment in the Middle East.