The Top U.S. Cities for Michelin-Starred Restaurants

The Michelin Star is the preeminent award in the restaurant world, an indicator to everyone, from diners to critics to industry peers, that a particular establishment is one of the most prestigious restaurants in the world. What began more than a century ago as a small guide for travelers has evolved into one of the most highly respected rating systems globally. Stars are awarded annually.

But Michelin doesn't have a guide for every city in the U.S. As of 2023, there are seven Michelin locations across the country, although Michelin is always searching for new establishments to add and your city could one day make the cut.

Here are the top US cities for Michelin-Starred restaurants and how these stars are awarded.

What Is A Michelin Star?

Throughout the culinary world, there are plenty of food critics that chefs and restaurant owners would like the attention of. Although to many chefs, their profession is an art form and they don’t cook simply to gain the attention of any critics, a positive review in a well-known publication can go a long way. Out of all the awards in the restaurant industry, the highest honor for a restaurant or chef is a Michelin Star.

The Michelin Star Guide was started in France by the Michelin Tire Company. It was originally a guide for travelers that included information such as maps and how to change a tire. The first guide was created in 1900. It wasn't until 1920 that a new guide was launched and sold for around 8 US dollars.

This new and improved Michelin Guide included hotels and restaurants. Once the restaurant portion became increasingly popular, Michelin recruited a team of inspectors to review restaurants for the guide. Thus, the Michelin Star was born. By 1936, restaurants could receive up to 3 stars and there were criteria for each score. 

Michelin Stars are awarded to the highest quality restaurants that meet the Michelin Star standards. Restaurants are evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Quality of ingredients and products
• Harmony of flavors
• Mastery of techniques
• Chef’s personality
• Consistency of the food and restaurant after multiple visits

There are some aspects of a restaurant that are not considered as part of the rating. For example, a restaurant’s decor or service does not contribute to whether or not the restaurant is awarded a Michelin Star. 

Who Decides Which Restaurants Make the Cut?

Which restaurants get chosen is decided by a team of Michelin Inspectors. The people who evaluate restaurants are full-time employees and all have previous experience in the restaurant or hospitality industry.

These inspectors remain anonymous to keep the competition fair and work together to decide on the best restaurants.

When Are Michelin Stars Awarded?

If a restaurant in one of the cities or states with a Michelin Star Guide doesn’t get chosen, there’s always next year. The Michelin Stars are annual awards and every year, new restaurants are sought out to add to the list. They also reassess the restaurants that previously received a star to ensure they still meet the criteria.

Even though many restaurants across the country may be worthy of receiving this prestigious rating, there are currently only Michelin Star Guides in seven different US cities or states.

The Meaning Behind Michelin Stars

When restaurants are awarded a Michelin Star, they can receive 1, 2, or 3 stars depending on the quality of the restaurant. Here’s a closer look at what each star means:

• 1 Star
  If a restaurant is awarded 1 Michelin Star, this means that the ingredients and food at the restaurant are of the highest standard.
• 2 Stars
  When a restaurant receives 2 Michelin Stars, that means the personality and expertise of the chef are evident through the food.
• 3 Stars
  3 Michelin Stars is the highest award. When Michelin awards a restaurant 3 stars, it means they have an excellent chef who’s likely one of the best in the industry.

US Cities With Michelin Star Restaurants

Across the United States, there are numerous restaurants with delicious food and amazing chefs. Even though many restaurants may be worthy of a Michelin Star, there are currently only seven different U.S. guides.

Colorado Michelin Guide

Colorado‘s Michelin Guide was announced on September 12, 2023. The Colorado Michelin Guide focuses on Aspen, Snowmass Village, Boulder, Denver, Vail, and Beaver Creek Resort.

Some notable entries from Colorado's guide include:

• Beckon
  Located in Denver's trendy RiNo district, Beckon is an 18-seat restaurant that features a quarterly rotating tasting menu.
• Frasca Food and Wine
  Adds Boulder's food scene to the Michelin Guide for Colorado. Frasca Food and Wine is Italian but focuses on the specific region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
• Bosq
  Is a contemporary restaurant from Aspen. The highlight is that it focuses on local items that have been foraged or farmed from local farms in the Rocky Mountains.
  

Atlanta Michelin Guide

The newest Michelin Guide as of October 2023. Restaurants were announced on October 24, with five picking up one star. If you're looking to try some of the restaurants on Michelin's list, you can try getting reservations at Atlas, Bacchanalia, Hayakawa, Lazy Betty, or Mujo.

They'll likely all be very busy. Another option is to try the restaurants awarded a Bib Gourmand designation in the city.

California Michelin Guide

Some noteworthy restaurants on California's Michelin Guide include:

• Addison
  Addison is a contemporary restaurant in San Diego with 3 Michelin Stars. Led by Chef William Bradley, this restaurant combines international inspiration with the local, contemporary feel of California cuisine.
• The French Laundry
  The French Laundry is a 3 Michelin Star restaurant in Yountville, California with exceptional French cuisine. Chef Keller brings a signature flavor to every unique dish.
• Benu
  Benu is a 3 Michelin Star restaurant in San Francisco. This oasis in the middle of a busy city serves delectable Asian cuisine with techniques perfected by Chef Corey Lee.

Chicago Michelin Guide

One of the most famous foodie cities in America got Michelin's attention. Here are some standouts we recommend:

• Alinea
  Alinea is a modern restaurant in Chicago and is the only Chicago restaurant with 3 Michelin Stars. Dining at Alinea is more of an experience than just a meal, with Executive Chef Douglas Alley leading the way.
• Oriole
  Oriole is a contemporary American restaurant in Chicago with 2 Michelin Stars. After a substantial renovation, this restaurant resurfaced even better than ever under the guidance of Chef Noah Sandoval. 
• Smyth
  Smyth is a modern restaurant in Chicago with 2 Michelin Stars. With a team led by Chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, they serve praise-worthy entrees that are impressive even without the addition of luxury ingredients.

New York City Michelin Guide

Arguably America's most famous city, nobody should be surprised that New York City made the cut. Here are some great Michelin restaurants to try in the Big Apple:

• Eleven Madison Park
  Eleven Madison Park is a contemporary New York City restaurant with 3 Michelin Stars. With a focus on unique, custom-made cuisine, they offer a plant-based menu that’s sure to impress anyone fortunate enough to dine at Eleven Madison Park.
• Per Se
  Per Se is a contemporary French restaurant in New York City with 3 Michelin Stars. This extraordinary restaurant has two menus, one of which is vegetarian.
• Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare
  Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare is a contemporary restaurant in New York City with 3 Michelin Stars. They only offer about 13 small dishes, but Chef César Ramirez’s spectacular creations are more than enough.

Washington DC Michelin Guide

America's capital is certainly not short on great restaurants. Here are some that we, and Michelin, recommend:

• Pineapple and Pearls
  Pineapple and Pearls is a contemporary restaurant in Washington D.C. This restaurant is as unique as its name, with the guidance of Chef Aaron Silverman and a style inspired by the former Studio 54 nightclub.
• Minibar
  Minibar is a contemporary restaurant in Washington DC with 2 Michelin Stars. This hidden gem has a passionate team and unique whimsy-inspired creations.
• Fiola
  Fiola is a contemporary Italian restaurant in Washington D.C. with a retro feel. It combines both classic and modern elements with a unique setup and cuisine.

Florida Michelin Guide

Another one of the most popular travel destinations in the United States, Florida has some incredible restaurants. Three that you should try are:

• L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami
  L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami is a contemporary French restaurant in Miami, Florida. This restaurant has 2 Michelin Stars and offers a range of elegant dishes.
• Koya
  Koya is a Japanese American restaurant in Tampa, Florida with 1 Michelin Star. The unique setup of this restaurant is only one small part of what makes it a prestigious choice.
• The Surf Club Restaurant
  The Surf Club Restaurant is a 1 Michelin Star restaurant in Surfside, Florida. This restaurant has the décor and style of a private getaway while offering elegant and sensational meals.

Are There Michelin Worthy Restaurants in Other States?

The Michelin Star is the kind of award that any restaurant or chef would love to have, but for many, it’s not currently possible. After all, there are only Michelin Star Guides for seven different locations in the United States so far. The addition of Colorado and Atlanta opens up a world of possibilities for chefs and restaurant owners in those areas.

Even though the Michelin Guide only awards stars in certain locations, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t worthy restaurants in other cities and states. In fact, many luxury restaurants meet the criteria, and these restaurants may become a part of the Michelin Guide when Michelin adds more locations in the future.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Zsu Badak/Shutterstock.com.