Michelin stars are a hallmark of excellence in the culinary world. Since 1926, the Michelin Guide has been awarding restaurants up to three stars for their exceptional food and service.
The coveted three-star rating is a sign of fine dining at its finest. But exactly how many three-star restaurants are there in the world?
There are currently 135 three Michelin star restaurants spread across 24 countries. France holds the highest number of restaurants with a total of 59, followed by Japan with 11, and Italy with 10.
Other countries with multiple three-star restaurants include Germany, Spain, United States, China, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Belgium. These countries are home to some of the most famous and acclaimed chefs in the world such as Joël Robuchon and Alain Ducasse.
The list of three-star chefs is constantly changing due to rising culinary trends and changes in ownership or management at certain establishments. In 2020 alone there were four new additions to the list — two in France and two in Japan — bringing the total number up to 135 from 131 in 2019. The newly added establishments include La Dame de Pic by Anne-Sophie Pic in Paris; Ronin by Hiroyasu Kawate in Tokyo; Asador Etxebarri by Victor Arguinzoniz near Bilbao; and La Marine by Yannick Alléno on Île de Ré Island near La Rochelle.
The pursuit of Michelin stars is a long process that can take years for some chefs to achieve. It requires dedication, passion and an unwavering commitment to creating innovative dishes that will stand out amongst all other eateries in their respective cities or regions. In order to even be considered for a Michelin star rating, chefs must be nominated by anonymous inspectors who visit their restaurants incognito several times throughout the year before making any decisions about awards or ratings changes.
Conclusion:
At present there are 135 3 Michelin Star Chefs spread across 24 countries around the world – with France having the highest number at 59, followed by Japan with 11 and Italy with 10.