How Many 1 Michelin Star Restaurants Are There in the World?

The Michelin Guide is the ultimate authority when it comes to the world’s best restaurants. For a restaurant to earn one or more Michelin stars is an honor that only the most elite chefs can achieve. But how many one-star Michelin restaurants are there in the world?

The number of one-star Michelin restaurants in the world changes from year to year, as new restaurants open and others close their doors. The 2020 edition of the guide lists almost 4,000 restaurants around the world that have been awarded a single star. These range from classic French bistros to trendy sushi bars and everything in between.

The highest concentration of one-star Michelin restaurants is found in France, with over 1,100 establishments earning a star, followed by Japan and Italy with over 600 each. Other countries with large numbers of one-star establishments include Germany (over 500), Spain (over 400), Switzerland (over 300), Belgium (over 200) and the United States (over 200).

The number of one-star Michelin restaurants may seem high, but it is dwarfed by the number of two- and three-star establishments. There are currently only about 130 three-star Michelin restaurants in the world – an exclusive club made up of culinary legends like Alain Ducasse, Thomas Keller, and Gordon Ramsay.

Conclusion

In total, there are approximately 4,000 one-star Michelin restaurants in the world spread across dozens of countries. While this may seem like a large number, it pales in comparison to two- and three-star establishments – there are only about 130 three-star Michelin restaurants worldwide.