Michelin is the most recognised standard of excellence in the restaurant industry today. The brand started way back in 1889 in the small French town of Clermont-Ferrand when brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin founded their now-famous tyre company. The idea was to give people something to do on the roads, to stop off at the best places to eat, and fast-forward to 1926 and the Michelin Star was born. Today, it’s one of the most coveted awards for the dining industry, influencing not only road trips, but culinary travels as a whole. Today, there are a total of 3,364 Michelin stars spread across the world, giving a great excuse to embark on some gastronomic globetrotting, and in 2022, the guide was launched into Dubai with the debut Dubai Michelin Guide. While the country with the most Michelin-starred restaurants is France, the leading city is thousands of miles away. These are the cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants.
Cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants 2023
1 – Tokyo, Japan – home to 263 Michelin-starred establishments
Japan’s energetic capital is known for its cuisine: ramen, sushi, bento boxes, but cementing itself even as the world’s culinary capital, Tokyo was awarded 263 Michelin Stars across 200 restaurants in the 2023 guide. There were 12 three-star restaurants on the list, notably kaiseki restaurant Kanda, modern French Quintessence and Joël Robuchon. Tokyo’s two-star restaurants now include chef Daniel Calvert’s Sézanne, up from one star in 2022, and chef Hidetoshi Nakamura’s Myojaku, a newcomer to the list.
2. Paris, France – home to 199 Michelin-starred establishments
It comes as no surprise that the French capital is home to an outstanding number of Michelin-starred restaurants, a total of 199, to be precise. 10 of Paris’ restaurants were awarded three stars, including Plénitude at the beautiful new Cheval Blanc Paris, Japanese Restaurant Kei by chef Kei Kobayashi and Parisian institution Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen set in the Jardins des Champs-Élysées. 17 restaurants were awarded two stars, and 92 were given one star, making Paris one of the top destinations for a Michelin-starred culinary break.
3. Kyoto, Japan- home to 108 Michelin-starred establishments (including ryokans)
Showing just how serious Japan is about its food, and how world-beating its culinary industry is, the city of Osaka hits the list as the third city with the most Michelin stars in the world. The city has 108 Michelin-starred establishments (192 Michelin stars), including eight with three stars, 21 restaurants and one ryokan with one star: Kanamean Nishitomiya. Three-starred restaurants predominantly focus on Japanese cuisine, and must-visits are Isshisoden Nakamura, founded over 180 years ago, Hyotei on the grounds of the zen Nanzenji Temple and modern and playful Gion Sasaki.
4. Osaka, Japan – home to 98 Michelin-starred establishments
Japan clearly takes the top spot for travellers looking for a culinary break, with its three most famous and visited cities all featuring in the list of cities that have the most Michelin-starred restaurants. As Japan’s second-largest city, Osaka is known for its diverse and effervescent culinary scene, home to 98 Michelin-starred establishments and 192 Michelin stars. Amongst others, Ryō-shō was newly awarded Two Michelin Stars, housed in a Sukiya-style building marrying western ingredients with Japanese dishes, alongside VELROSIER, a modern designer restaurant fusing Chinese and French flavours and techniques (think foie gras-filled monaka wafer cakes).
5. New York City (USA) – home to 76 Michelin-starred establishments
New York City’s dining scene is one of the most innovative and exciting in the world. Thanks to its melting pot population, its restaurant scene brings the cuisines of the world to the US, and its Michelin guide is a true reflection of this. The city has 73 Michelin-starred restaurants totalling 100 stars – including two new restaurants that were elevated to two-star status: Italian fine dining Al Coro and tasting menu Saga in the financial district. Upscale American Eleven Madison Park held onto its three stars, alongside French Japanese Chef’s Table, French seafood eatery Le Bernardin and the US’ most expensive restaurant, sushi spot Masa.
Dubai Michelin Guide 2023: Dubai’s ‘Best Restaurants’ Announced
