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How Many 3 Star Michelin Restaurants in the World?

Last Updated on January 20, 2023 by Lauren Beck

The Michelin Guide is a highly respected guidebook that rates restaurants around the world on a star system, with three stars being the highest rating. Restaurants with three Michelin stars are considered the best of the best and are typically run by some of the world’s most talented and renowned chefs. Here’s a look at how many 3-star Michelin restaurants there are in the world, as well as some other information about this elite group of restaurants.

How Many 3 Star Michelin Restaurants in the World?

As of 2021, there are currently 137 restaurants with 3 Michelin stars in the world. However, the number of 3-starred restaurants can change annually based on the Michelin guide’s evaluation and rating system.

Top 10 Michelin 3-Star Restaurants in the US:

  1. Eleven Madison Park, New York City: This restaurant is located in the heart of New York City and is known for its contemporary American cuisine. The menu changes seasonally and the restaurant also offers a multi-course tasting menu.
  2. Per Se, New York City: This restaurant is located on the fourth floor of the Time Warner Center and is known for its French-inspired cuisine. The restaurant also offers a nine-course tasting menu, which includes dishes like oysters and pearls and coffee and doughnuts.
  3. Masa, New York City: This restaurant is located in the Time Warner Center and is known for its sushi and Japanese cuisine. The restaurant offers a multi-course omakase menu, which features a variety of sushi and sashimi dishes.
  4. The French Laundry, Yountville, California: This restaurant is located in the Napa Valley and is known for its French-inspired cuisine. The restaurant offers a nine-course tasting menu, which includes dishes like truffled macaroni and cheese and milk-fed lamb.
  5. Atelier Crenn, San Francisco: This restaurant is located in San Francisco and is known for its contemporary French cuisine. The restaurant offers a multi-course tasting menu, which includes dishes like sea urchin and black truffle.
  6. Benu, San Francisco: This restaurant is located in San Francisco and is known for its contemporary Asian cuisine. The restaurant offers a multi-course tasting menu, which includes dishes like foie gras and caviar.
  7. Manresa, Los Gatos, California: This restaurant is located in Los Gatos, California and is known for its contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant offers a variety of tasting menus, which include dishes like grilled abalone and red abalone with black garlic.
  8. Quince, San Francisco: This restaurant is located in San Francisco and is known for its contemporary Italian cuisine. The restaurant offers a multi-course tasting menu, which features dishes like hand-made pasta and fresh seafood.
  9. Alinea, Chicago: This restaurant is located in Chicago and is known for its contemporary American cuisine with an emphasis on experimentation and presentation. The restaurant offers a multi-course tasting menu, which features dishes like Black Truffle Explosion and Edible Balloon.
  10. Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, New York City: This restaurant is located in New York City and is known for its contemporary American cuisine with a focus on seafood. The restaurant offers a multi-course tasting menu, which includes dishes like lobster and uni.

These restaurants are considered the best of the best in the culinary world, with exceptional food, service, and overall dining experience. They are run by some of the world’s most talented chefs, who use the freshest ingredients and innovative techniques to create truly memorable dining experiences.

Countries with the Most Michelin 3 Star Restaurants:

  • France: With 33 restaurants with 3 Michelin stars, France has the most three-starred restaurants in the world.
  • Japan: With 19 restaurants with 3 Michelin stars, Japan is the second country with the most three-starred restaurants.
  • Italy: With 16 restaurants with 3 Michelin stars, Italy is the third country with the most three-starred restaurants.

Is There a 4 Star Michelin?

No, the highest rating in the Michelin guide is 3 stars.

How Hard Is It to Get 3 Michelin Stars?

restaurant with michelin tag

Getting three Michelin stars is incredibly difficult and is considered the ultimate accolade in the culinary world. Restaurants are judged on a number of factors, including the quality of the food, the chef’s skill, the restaurant’s ambiance, and the overall dining experience. Only a small number of restaurants worldwide achieve this prestigious rating each year, and it is often seen as a lifetime achievement award for a chef [1].

Who Has Held 3 Michelin Stars the Longest?

The current holder of the longest three Michelin-starred restaurant is Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée in Paris, which has held the accolade since 1997.

Who Is the Youngest 3 Michelin Star Chef?

The youngest chef to ever earn three Michelin stars is Magnus Nilsson, who was 32 years old when his restaurant, Fäviken, in Sweden earned its third star in 2015.

Conclusion

Michelin three-star restaurants are considered the crème de la crème in the culinary world. France, Japan, and Italy have the most three-starred restaurants. The Michelin guide does not go above three stars. Obtaining three Michelin stars is considered an incredible achievement, and only a small number of restaurants achieve this rating each year. Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée in Paris has held the accolade for the longest time, and Magnus Nilsson was the youngest chef to ever earn the three Michelin stars. Dining at a Michelin three-starred restaurant is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is sure to be a culinary journey to remember.

Reference:

  1. https://www.lightspeedhq.com/blog/michelin-star/#:~:text=To%20earn%20one%20Michelin%20star,%2C%20worth%20a%20special%20journey.%E2%80%9D
Lauren Beck
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