Cities with Most Michelin Stars
If you’re a foodie at heart, it only makes sense that you would plan your travels around cities with some of the most exquisite restaurants in the world. One way to organize your trip? By looking at which cities have the highest number of total Michelin stars.
A leading voice in the world of fine dining, Michelin bestows its coveted stars upon a select few establishments with the most outstanding cuisine, service and ambiance in the world. Ratings range from one star (high-quality cuisine that's worth a stop) to three stars (exceptional cuisine worth a special trip).
Find out which cities around the world currently boast the most Michelin stars. No. 1 on the list, with more than twice as many stars as its nearest competitor, should be on the bucket list of any traveler with a passion for haute cuisine.
15. Berlin
Restaurant Tim Raue strives to be unique. Pictured here: red beets with caviar and chives cream.Though you won’t find any three-star restaurants while visiting this historic German city, you’ll still find plenty of top-notch cuisine to sample during your stay: There are a total of 26 Michelin stars in Berlin.
Michelin’s anonymous reviewers enjoyed their time at Restaurant Tim Raue, one of six two-star restaurants (though one of them, Reinstoff, will close later this year). The restaurant has adopted the hummingbird as its mascot because it reflects “creativity, uniqueness and freedom,” according to the restaurant’s website.
Here, you’ll find Asian-inspired dishes that bring together Chinese, Thai and Japanese influences. Tasting menus range from $160 to $230, depending on the selection, and include dishes like wasabi langoustine, miso duck liver and Wagyu beef chili.
Total stars: 26
One star: 14
Two stars: 6
Three stars: 0
14. Macau
The 8 Restaurant elevates dim sum to creative new heights. Pictured here: puff pastry purses stuffed with river shrimp.Across the South China Sea from Hong Kong you’ll find Macau, which is often referred to as the “Las Vegas of China.” Be that as it may, Macau also has some incredible restaurants, with a total of 27 Michelin stars.
Located inside the Grand Lisboa Hotel is The 8 Restaurant, one of the city’s two three-star venues. (The city's other three-star restaurant, Rubuchon au Dome, is also found within the luxurious Grand Lisboa.)
The 8 provides an intimate setting for tasting Cantonese cuisine, including more than 40 kinds of dim sum at lunch and dinner entrees ranging from stir-fried lobster to roasted pork belly with shredded jellyfish. While you’re dining, you’ll have a chance to relax in the luxuriant dining room, decorated by famed Hong Kong designer Alan Chan. His design approach centers on the number eight, which represents wealth, and the goldfish, which represents energy.
Total stars: 27
One star: 11
Two stars: 5
Three stars: 2
13. Brussels
Sea Grill's artful approach to seafood has earned it two Michelin stars. Pictured here: Crispy langoustine.Though Michelin hasn’t awarded the prestigious third star to any Brussels restaurants this year, that doesn’t mean you should sleep on Belgium’s capital city, which has earned a total of 30 Michelin stars.
One of Brussels’ five two-star restaurants is Sea Grill, an upscale seafood establishment with warm and elegant decor. On the menu, which ranges from $88 to $240 depending on your selection, you’ll find smoked sea urchin, oyster maki and langoustine.
Also earning two Michelin stars is Bon-Bon, located in a beautiful house in a tree-lined residential neighborhood on the southeast edge of the city. The walls of Bon-Bon are tastefully covered with pieces created by artist Jean-Francois D’Or, with innovative menus ranging from $88 to $280.
“I dream up my recipes by bringing ideas together and drawing on the vicissitudes of life, playing with all the permutations and turning them upside down,” Bon-Bon chef Christophe Hardiquest has said.
Total stars: 30
One star: 20
Two stars: 5
Three stars: 0
12. Seoul
Jungsik is named after the pioneering chef who founded it. Pictured here: soy-caramel ice cream with sesame cream and soy sauce fermented for 18 months.Perhaps unsurprisingly, Korean cuisine is what Seoul does best — nearly all of the top-rated restaurants in this city offer traditional or contemporary Korean fare. Visitors, not to mention the roughly 10 million people who live in South Korea’s capital, have more than a dozen fine dining options to choose from, with restaurants in Seoul earning a collective 32 Michelin stars.
At Jungsik, one of Seoul’s two-star establishments, the kitchen is led by chef Jungsik Yim, who is widely credited with bringing contemporary Korean cooking to the country. Yim traveled the world to gain culinary experience, training at several top restaurants in New York and Spain before opening Jungsik in 2009. Michelin’s judges apparently really love Yim’s approach to cooking, as they’ve also awarded two Michelin stars to the New York version of his restaurant.
Total stars: 32
One star: 18
Two stars: 4
Three stars: 2
11. Barcelona
ABaC puts on an avant-garde spin on fine cuisine. Pictured here: squid prepared a la black rice with Padrón pepper seeds.If you’re planning a trip to Spain, you’ll want to venture into Barcelona for a few hours — or at least for dinner — so you can visit one of the many restaurants to earn Michelin stars (33 stars in total!).
At the top of the Barcelona food scene are Lasarte and ABaC. Lasarte earned its third Michelin star in 2017 under the thoughtful culinary leadership of chef Martin Bersategui. The restaurant, which was recently renovated, is located on Barcelona’s popular Paseo de Gracia. On the tasting menu, which starts at $275, you’ll find dishes like wagyu and glazed eel ravioli, squid tartare, and crayfish and ginger.
ABaC is even newer to the three-star club, having earned its third Michelin star in 2018. Chef Jordi Cruz is at the helm of this contemporary restaurant, which offers a traditional tasting menu for $210 and an avant-garde tasting menu for $245, depending on your preferences.
Total stars: 33
One star: 19
Two stars: 4
Three stars: 2
11. Chicago
Alinea has earned three Michelin stars for eight years...and counting. Pictured here: cultured charred onion cream, lemon pearls, toasted sunflower seed custard, sunflower leaf oil, sunflower petals and golden Osetra Caviar.The Windy City doesn’t mess around when it comes to food, earning an impressive 33 total Michelin stars, tying it with Barcelona for the 11th slot on the list.
When you’re done visiting The Bean and The Magnificent Mile, consider treating yourself to dinner at three-star restaurant Alinea, which has held that distinction for eight straight years. Best known for its helium-filled, green apple dessert balloon (complete with edible “string”), Alinea intrigues diners with its playful approach to food in the city’s popular Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Led by chef Grant Achatz, Alinea’s tasting menu is $185 and often includes a trip to the kitchen to see where the magic happens.
Total stars: 33
One star: 19
Two stars: 4
Three stars: 2
10. Shanghai
Ultraviolet aims for a multisensory experience with its boundary-pushing dishes. Pictured here: "Candle in The Wind," featuring fragrant lavender-honey-wax-sesame black cod.Shanghai is another Asian city with an incredible dining scene — the city is home to restaurants that have earned a collective 40 Michelin stars.
Chefs in Shanghai are particularly unafraid to take risks. Case in point: Paul Pairet and Greg Robinson at Ultraviolet, which earned its third Michelin star in 2018.
Ultraviolet is more than a restaurant – it’s a totally unique experience involving taste, sight, sound, smell and touch. There are just 10 seats at the restaurant, which features LED floor strips, lights, projectors, infrared cameras, a surround sound system, air blowers, laser speakers and other technologies.
Guests pay $600 to $900 for this extraordinary mash-up of fine dining and entertainment.
Total stars: 40
One star: 22
Two stars: 6
Three stars: 2
9. Singapore
At Odette, French far is prepped with love. Pictured here: a trio of Hokkaido uni, botan ebi and caviar.Though there are no three-star restaurants in Singapore this year, the city still has an impressive number of fine-dining restaurants, earning 44 Michelin stars in total.
One of Singapore’s two-star establishments is Odette, an intimate venue located in Singapore’s National Gallery in what used to be the registration room of the Supreme Court. This modern French restaurant is named after chef Julien Royer’s grandmother, who taught him how to cook as a child. Royer has integrated other sweet, meaningful touches throughout the dining experience.
“I remember the long, slow simmering of the red currant jam (Odette) would make, adding vanilla and juniper berries — this perfumed the entire house,” he told Post Magazine. “I’ve kept this memory in my heart for many years, and so it’s a small gift we give to diners when they come to Odette — a jar of red currant jam, to show them where I’m coming from.”
Total stars: 44
One star: 34
Two stars: 5
Three stars: 0
8. San Francisco
The San Francisco area is home to seven three-star restaurants, including Saison. Pictured here: abalone sourced from nearby Monterey Bay, paired with a sauce of its livers and capers.When it comes to cities with amazing food, history and outdoor recreation options, San Francisco is pretty hard to beat. In fact, there are a total of 75 Michelin stars at restaurants across the San Francisco area — 31 more than Singapore, number 9 on the list.
There are an impressive seven restaurants with three Michelin stars here, the most of any U.S. city. One of those pedigreed spots is Saison, which diners say maintains an unpretentious attitude, despite its many accolades.
Chef Joshua Skenes does all of his cooking over an open food fire, sourcing the restaurant’s ingredients from many distinct microclimates. At Saison, you’ll also find an extensive wine cellar and dishes like uni toast and barbecued quail (you have to eat this one with your hands!).
Total stars: 75
One star: 40
Two stars: 7
Three stars: 7
7. London
London's best sushi can be found at The Araki. Pictured here: tuna sourced from Taragona, Spain.Gordon Ramsay remains the king of the London restaurant scene, along with chefs Alain Ducasse and Mitsuhiro Araki; all three have earned three Michelin stars for their respective restaurants. All told, London has 85 Michelin stars.
New to London’s three-star list this year is The Araki, a sushi venture that got its start in Tokyo. Chef Araki took a leap of faith and moved his then-three-star restaurant from Tokyo to London in 2014 because he said he wanted to challenge himself.
The move gives Londoners the opportunity to sample Araki’s sushi, which he makes himself according to the “sado,” or tea ceremony, concept of hospitality. The “omakase” tasting menu at The Araki is $350 per person. There are just two dinner seatings limited to nine diners each.
Total stars: 85
One star: 58
Two stars: 9
Three stars: 3
6. Hong Kong
Amber's decadent cuisine is matched by its opulent decor. Pictured here: an aesthetic take on wagyu beef.With a total of 86 Michelin stars, Hong Kong clearly stands out as one of the world’s best cities for fine dining. The city also has a number of restaurants on the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2018.
Among Hong Kong’s must-visit eateries is two-star restaurant Amber, led by chef Richard Ekkebus and pastry chef Michael Pretet. The contemporary French restaurant has a wine list featuring more than 1,100 labels and treats diners to dishes like Miyazaki wagyu beef strip loin with seaweed powder, dried red onion skin, red pearl onions and black currant in a shiraz reduction.
The nine-course dinner tasting menu is $270, with a four-course lunch tasting menu for “only” $170. One of the most memorable features of dining here is the restaurant's chandelier, featuring 4,320 bronze rods dangling from the ceiling.
Total stars: 86
One star: 46
Two stars: 11
Three stars: 6
5. New York City
Among a bevy of superb New York restaurants, Eleven Madison Park stands out. Pictured here: tomato with berries and basil.When you visit the city that never sleeps, you may find it difficult to choose between the various highly acclaimed restaurants. New York City is home to a total of 93 Michelin stars, including five three-star selections.
If you’re looking for a culinary experience that also highlights some of the city’s architectural history, consider visiting Eleven Madison Park, a three-star standout located in a 90-year-old, art deco skyscraper that overlooks Madison Square Park (as an added bonus, the restaurant was recently renovated from top to bottom).
Owned by chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara, Eleven Madison Park is known for being extremely accessible — visitors are encouraged to sit at the bar for just a drink, or to enjoy a shortened version of the tasting menu for $175. In the main dining room, the tasting menu starts at $315.
Total stars: 93
One star: 56
Two stars: 11
Three stars: 5
4. Osaka
Hajime earned its third Michelin star this year. Pictured here: shellfish foam and vegetables.Another Japanese city high on the list of Michelin stars is Osaka, with 121 total stars.
One of Osaka’s stellar restaurants is Hajime, which earned its third Michelin star in 2018. Led by chef Hajime Yoneda and pastry chef Yuko Uchida, Hajime’s menu explores nature, earth and space, as well as philosophical questions about life’s true meaning.
Hajime has a standard tasting menu starting at $380, as well as a short tasting menu for $270 and a vegetable tasting menu for $305. One of the most popular dishes at Hajime is called “chikyu,” which means “planet earth.” The dish, meant to represent both the land and the sea, features a shellfish foam and more than 100 vegetables, herbs and grains.
Total stars: 121
One star: 75
Two stars: 17
Three stars: 4
3. Kyoto
Isshisoden Nakamura infuses its fare with a sense of history. Pictured here: sweetened grilled fish.If you’re planning a visit to Japan to sample some of its best cuisine, you’ll want to add Kyoto to your list of must-visit cities. Kyoto, with a population of roughly 1.4 million people, boasts 134 Michelin stars.
Isshisoden Nakamura, one of Kyoto’s eight three-star restaurants, is a sixth-generation establishment with roots dating back to 1827. Chef Motokazu Nakamura says he likes to put a contemporary spin on traditional Kyoto techniques and ingredients, “passed down from generation to generation.”
A standout dish at the restaurant is shiro-miso zoni, a Japanese rice dumpling soup with white miso. Dinner ranges from $180 to $270, with lunch prices starting at $135.
Total stars: 134
One star: 64
Two stars: 23
Three stars: 8
2. Paris
Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée is famous in a city known for its haute cuisine. Pictured here: French toast, roasted apricot and rosemary ice cream.Known for being one of the best food cities in the world, Paris struts its stuff with a total of 141 Michelin stars. Paris comes in close second to Tokyo with 10 three-star restaurants within its city limits, including the legendary Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée.
This restaurant has an opulent dining room, complete with a large Swarovski crystal chandelier, gorgeous oak tables, tasteful white leather chairs and grandiose white columns. The cuisine emphasizes fresh, natural ingredients like purple eggplant, early turnips, zucchini, squash and many types of seafood.
On the menu, you’ll find a la carte options starting at $88. Dishes range from Groix sandy soils sole with ground and sea tomatoes and summer rose oil to volcanic hill green lentils and caviar with flavored jelly.
Total stars: 141
One star: 79
Two stars: 16
Three stars: 10
1. Tokyo
Ryugin is one of an incredible number of Michelin-starred Tokyo restaurants. Pictured here: lightly torched anago.Tokyo reigns supreme when it comes to Michelin stars, blowing all other cities out of the water with an astonishing 314 total stars in 2018, 173 more than closest rival Paris. The capital of Japan has 12 restaurants with three Michelin stars (the most of any city in the world), plus dozens of other top-notch eateries to choose from.
One of the city’s best restaurants is three-starred Ryugin, which has been led by esteemed chef Seiji Yamamoto since 2003. The restaurant, which recently relocated to the 7th floor of a new development project, creates memorable dishes using seasonal produce, seafood and meats.
On the menu, you’ll find pheasant, wild duck, Japanese pigeon, wild boar, brown bear and a seasonal sashimi platter. Before you visit, be sure to take a peak at the restaurant’s website, as there are some strict rules regarding attire, cell phones, cameras and even perfume.
Total stars: 314
One star: 166
Two stars: 56
Three stars: 12