COPENHAGEN — Noma is scheduled to reopen on August 5, 2026, under the leadership of new executive head chef Pablo Soto. The restaurant will operate without co-founder René Redzepi in day-to-day roles following allegations of workplace abuse and a temporary closure.

Soto has worked at Noma for nearly a decade and assumes command as the establishment returns to its Copenhagen location. He stated that the core identity of the business remains intact despite the structural changes. "It’s the same Noma. We are simply back home – that is what is different," Soto said.

The reopening follows a period of significant disruption for the restaurant, which closed its Copenhagen location in January 2026 ahead of a pop-up in Los Angeles. Soto acknowledged the difficulties the organization faced during this interval. "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," he said.

Redzepi stepped down from his role at Noma in March 2026. He is no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of the restaurant. This leadership change occurred after an investigation in March 2026 detailing allegations of abuse at Noma.

Former employees accused René Redzepi of creating abusive working conditions, including punching, screaming, and public shaming, between 2009 and 2017. One former employee described working at Noma as feeling like "going to war." Redzepi apologized for his past behavior in a video posted to Instagram.

"Although I don’t recognise all details in these stories, I can see enough of my past behaviour reflected in them to understand that my actions were harmful to people who worked with me. To those who have suffered under my leadership, my bad judgment or my anger, I am deeply sorry and I have worked to change, Redzepi said."

In addition to stepping down from Noma, Redzepi resigned from his nonprofit, MAD. Despite his departure from daily management, Soto indicated that the founder maintains a connection to the business. That doesn’t mean he is banished from his company. We actually want his input," Soto said."

Noma had previously planned to convert its Copenhagen restaurant into a food laboratory before the allegations emerged. The restaurant now employs approximately 100 staff members. Annika de Las Heras serves as the chief executive, while Mette Brink Søberg is the head of research and development.

Søberg expressed confidence in the team's accumulated knowledge as they prepare for the next phase. "I feel that now we’ve done this for so many years, we’ve really become experts in all the flavors, the techniques, the concepts. I think we’re ready to take one step further," she said.

The kitchen will implement a monthly changing menu replacing its previous three-season model. This operational shift accompanies a renewed focus on internal culture. Soto noted that the recent challenges necessitated a different approach to management.

"We’ve gone through a period of crisis. This means we need to be much more attentive to each individual," he said.

He emphasized that staff welfare is now a central priority for the organization. "This is nothing new but is definitely something that is a priority, that people can continue their lives and continue to be at work," he said. Noma conducted an internal audit regarding staff wellbeing as part of these efforts.

The restaurant also started fully paying interns in 2022. These measures aim to address the concerns raised during the investigation. Noma was founded in 2003 and has been ranked as the world’s best restaurant five times.

The establishment does not currently hold any Michelin stars. Noma was awarded three Michelin stars in 2021. However, Noma stated in May 2026 that it would not be included in that year's Michelin Guide because it did not meet the requirement of being open long enough.

Despite the loss of status and the controversy, demand for the reopened restaurant remains high. Noma is almost fully booked for the first three months of its reopening. The price for the tasting menu at Noma is 4,500 Danish krone per person. The wine pairing costs an additional 2,000 Danish krone.

The reopening of Noma marks a significant transition for one of the most recognized restaurants in the world, occurring 23 years after its founding in 2003. The event follows a public reckoning with workplace culture that led to the departure of its most visible figure, René Redzepi, from daily operations. The restaurant's ability to attract reservations indicates continued consumer interest despite the loss of its Michelin stars and the negative publicity surrounding the abuse allegations.

The structural changes, including the appointment of Pablo Soto as executive head chef and the implementation of a monthly menu, represent a departure from the previous operational model. Management has stated that Redzepi retains creative influence, raising questions about how the restaurant will balance its historical identity with new leadership protocols. The exclusion from the 2026 Michelin Guide due to closure duration adds pressure on the team to re-establish its standing in the culinary industry.

Why It Matters

The reopening tests whether a globally renowned institution can maintain its status after losing its founder to abuse allegations and Michelin stars. With Redzepi removed from daily operations but retaining creative influence, the shift prioritizes staff welfare through paid internships and internal audits while attempting to satisfy continued high demand. This transition sets a precedent for how elite hospitality organizations address past misconduct while navigating the loss of industry accolades.