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The Michelin Star Guide began in France during the early 20th century. The first Michelin Star restaurant was in France. When the guide first came out in France, it only awarded restaurants one star, no matter what their restaurant profit and loss statement looked like.
This defined the restaurant as a “fine dining establishment.” In 1931, the guide introduced the three-star rating system we see existing today. As of 2022, there are about 2,817 Michelin Star restaurants in the world. That may sound like a large number.
But in a world of 195 countries and a population of nearly eight billion people, the reality is that Michelin Star restaurants are rare. Of that total, There are 2,290 restaurants with a single Michelin star, 414 restaurants with two stars, and 113 restaurants with three stars. The cost to open a bar or restaurant does get a bit higher when a place aims for any star count.
So, what countries have the most Michelin Star restaurants? If you’ve ever wondered about the answer to how many Michelin Star restaurants in the US or how many Michelin Star restaurants in the world, we’ve got you covered:
- France (628)
- Japan (577)
- Italy (374)
- Germany (307)
- United States (192)
If you’re a food and travel fanatic, consider visiting any of these countries and their Michelin Star restaurants. It’s certain to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience-even when it comes to Valentine’s day promotion ideas for restaurants. You may even find an exceptional liquor bottle display.
If you’re searching for, for example, “Michelin Star restaurants near me” in these countries, you’re sure to find something delicious and impressive.
While the United States ranks number five for the most Michelin Stars, it’s still a mecca for memorable meals and dining experiences. With that, we’ve narrowed down a selection of the top 25 Michelin Star restaurants in the US.
What Is a Michelin Star Restaurant?
A Michelin Star restaurant is any eatery that has one, two, or three Michelin Stars to its name. But what is a Michelin Star really all about? If your restaurant earns one, two, or three Michelin Stars, you’ve hit the gold mine of restaurant marketing.
Customers from all over the world will be visiting to try your menu types and popular cocktails. Whether you offer an astounding appetizer list or a delicious dessert menu, you can expect a high ROI to support your restaurant expenses.
Some Michelin Star restaurants have a prix fixe menu where you can eat between eight and 10 courses. Others may have a sommelier (see: how to pronounce sommelier) to offer delicious wine cheese pairings, wine pairing with salmon, turkey wine pairing, or a general wine food pairing.
Michelin Star restaurants are famous for their cuisine, creativity, and customer service. You may ask yourself, “How does a restaurant get a Michelin Star?” All types of chefs dream of being one of the few Michelin Star chefs in the world. But the task at hand takes more than having an excellent executive chef and bar staff. When it comes to your bar staff, having a Michelin Star will certainly be a point of pride on their bartender cover letter.
Restaurants that have a Michelin star or are striving towards one have to be alert 24/7. From inventory tracking (see: inventory control and what is inventory?) to restaurant cleaning supplies, businesses must keep their restaurant operations consistent to earn a star.
All things considered, a Michelin Star is one of the most sought-after rewards in the restaurant industry. It’s the ultimate culinary achievement, usually strived for by the current head chef and owner.
Top 25 Michelin Star Restaurants in the US
Classic American foods include hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, and everything barbecue. However, the US has so much more to offer when it comes to restaurant dining. US Michelin Star restaurants showcase the creativity of food craft across the country.
With nearly 200 Michelin Star restaurants nationwide, the US delivers on culinary excellence with inspiration from all over the world. Whether you’re craving sushi, pasta, or tacos, the US has it all.
How do you choose from 200 incredible restaurants? We’re here to make that selection easier. We’ve chosen five Michelin Star restaurants spanning five major cities in the US: New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.
First, let’s quickly define the difference between one, two and three Michelin Stars according to the Michelin Guide:
One star: High-quality cooking, worth a stop!
Two stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour!
Three stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey!
Michelin Star Restaurants NYC
Le Bernardin
- Rating: Three stars
- Location: Midtown
- Cuisine: French, Seafood
Per Se
- Rating: Three stars
- Location: Columbus Circle
- Cuisine: French
Masa
- Rating: Three stars
- Location: Columbus Circle
- Cuisine: Japanese, sushi
Jeju Noodle Bar
- Rating: One star
- Location: Greenwich Village
- Cuisine: Korean
Crown Shy
- Rating: One Star
- Location: Manhattan Financial District
- Cuisine: American
Michelin Star Restaurants Chicago
Alinea
- Rating: Three stars
- Location: Lincoln Park
- Cuisine: Contemporary American (specializes in food gastronomy)
Moody Tongue
- Rating: Two stars
- Location: South Loop
- Cuisine: Contemporary American
Sepia
- Rating: One star
- Location: West Loop
- Cuisine: American
Topolobampo
- Rating: One star
- Location: River North
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ever:
- Rating: Two stars
- Location: West Loop
- Cuisine: Seafood and meat
Michelin Star Restaurants San Francisco
Angler SF
- Rating: One star
- Location: Financial District
- Cuisine: Seafood
The Shota
- Rating: One star
- Location: Financial District
- Cuisine: Japanese, sushi
Mourad
- Rating: One star
- Location: SoMa
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Benu
- Rating: Three stars
- Location: SoMa
- Cuisine: Asian
Campton Place
- Rating: Two stars
- Location: Belden Place
- Cuisine: Indian
Michelin Star Restaurants Los Angeles
Hayato
- Rating: Two stars
- Location: ROW DTLA
- Cuisine: Japanese
Le Comptoir
- Rating: One Star
- Location: Wilshire Center
- Cuisine: French
Osteria Mozza
- Rating: One Star
- Location: Hancock Park
- Cuisine: Italian
Q Sushi
- Rating: One star
- Location: DTLA
- Cuisine: Japanese
Orsa & Winston
- Rating: One Star
- Location: DTLA
- Cuisine: Asian
Michelin Star Restaurants DC
The Inn at Little Washington
- Rating: Three stars
- Location: Washington
- Cuisine: American
Tail Up Goat
- Rating: One star
- Location: Lanier Heights
- Cuisine: Contemporary
The Dabney
- Rating: One star
- Location: Near Logan Circle
- Cuisine: American
Métier
- Rating: One star
- Location: Mt. Vernon Square
- Cuisine: Modern French
Sushi Taro
- Rating: One star
- Location: Near Dupont Circle
- Cuisine: Japanese
If you love traveling and want some of the best food the US has to offer, these top restaurants are prime choices for you! Traveling to countries like France and Japan is a dream. But you can enjoy fabulous French and Japanese cuisine (and everything in between) in the United States.
It’s safe to say that at any Michelin Star restaurant, you can expect the kitchen to go beyond the makings of a standardized recipe. These top-ranking restaurants combine creativity and cuisine to create a customer experience you won’t want to miss.
From the bar layout to the restaurant customer service, these places offer an experience above just a meal. You'll even hear some interesting restaurant lingo between the staff and managers.
Don’t even think about doing the dine and dash! Most Michelin Star restaurants are quite expensive and if you’re caught without paying, you can face serious consequences.
"Key Takeaway: US Michelin Star restaurants showcase the creativity of food craft across the country."
Frequently Asked Questions About Michelin Star Restaurant
Michelin Star restaurants are some of the most prestigious in the world, and as such, come with a lot of questions. In this article, we'll answer all your frequently asked questions about Michelin Star restaurants.
How Many Michelin Star Restaurants Are There In the United States?
There are nearly 200 Michelin Star restaurants in the US. The Michelin Star-rating system didn’t come to the US until 2005. At that time, Michelin inspectors focused on reviewing restaurants in New York. Now, there are Michelin Star restaurants in many big cities across the country.
Which US Cities Have Michelin Star Restaurants?
Some US cities that have Michelin Star Restaurants include New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. New York has the most Michelin Star Restaurants with a total of 73. Globally, Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin Star restaurants.
What City Has the Most Michelin Star Restaurants?
Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin Star restaurants at a total of 212. It has 12 three-star restaurants, 42 two-star restaurants, and 158 one-star restaurants. Michelin launched a guide in Tokyo in 2007. Paris is the second city with the most Michelin Star restaurants with a total of 113.
Is There a 7 Star Michelin?
Chef Yoshihiro Murata is the only chef in the world to have been awarded seven Michelin stars. He is the owner and head chef of restaurant Kikunoi in Kyoto, Japan, which has held three Michelin stars since.
Are Michelin Stars Awarded to All Types of Cuisine?
Michelin Stars are awarded to restaurants of various cuisines, including fine and casual dining. The focus is on the quality of the food rather than the type of cuisine.
How Often Are Michelin Stars Awarded or Reassessed?
Michelin Guide inspections are conducted regularly, and stars can be awarded or reassessed annually. However, the specific schedule varies by region.
Are Michelin Stars Only Awarded to Expensive Restaurants?
Michelin Stars are awarded based on the quality of the food, not the price. While some Michelin-starred restaurants may be fine dining and expensive, others are more casual or offer affordable options.
Top 25 Michelin Star Restaurants: The Brightest Stars In the Restaurant World
These Michelin Star restaurants all have many similarities amongst them. From great food to an organized kitchen to an exceptional customer experience, they’re built for success. They use restaurant tech to support their business, and restaurant data analytics to stay ahead of the curve.
If you’re a restaurant owner and you’re looking to get your first Michelin star, you can look to these restaurants as examples. You can use customer data and reviews to see how you’re doing. Consumer data can help as well. Working to make your restaurant the best for customers will help you advance your business.