The Czech Connection: plaques for Michelin starred restaurants come from Brno
Few diners realise that the coveted plaques displayed by Michelin-starred restaurants are manufactured in Brno. For the Michelin Guide, which has shaped global gastronomy for more than a century, these small signs are an essential symbol of excellence. A Czech company has now produced more than ten thousand of them for restaurants around the world.
A global culinary symbol with a quiet Czech footprint
The Michelin Guide, first published in 1900, has grown into the world’s most influential restaurant rating system, awarding one, two or three stars to establishments demonstrating outstanding culinary achievement. While the stars themselves are universally recognised, far fewer people know that the physical plaques restaurants display — those red, enamelled signs marking Michelin distinction — are made in the Czech Republic. The Brno-based manufacturer Smalt Brno has become an essential partner in the Guide’s visual identity, supplying the plaques to selected restaurants across continents.
How a Brno manufacturer came to supply Michelin worldwide
Smalt Brno began producing porcelain-enamel signage more than 30 years ago, and over time its craftsmanship caught the attention of partners seeking long-lasting outdoor markers. Michelin’s agency approached the company to test whether it could deliver the durability, brightness and precision required for its plaques. The Czech team developed a process where each plaque is enamelled, fired and finished to withstand decades of outdoor exposure, from heavy rain to intense sunlight. Once accepted, the cooperation evolved into a yearly cycle: Michelin places a fresh order annually as new restaurants earn stars and existing ones renew their signage.
Durability, authenticity and an ongoing partnership
Smalt Brno now produces more than ten thousand Michelin plaques, shipped to restaurants around the world. Each piece comes packaged with mounting hardware and instructions, and the manufacturer can reproduce additional items if restaurants request replacements. The company has noticed occasional counterfeits — often plastic or painted imitations — but only the Czech-made porcelain version is considered authentic and bears “Country of origin: Czech Republic.” Although Michelin examines suppliers every year, the Brno manufacturer says the required volume, the enamel quality and the consistency of delivery make its replacement unlikely. Both sides expect the cooperation to continue as the Guide expands into new cities and countries.
