Michelin three-star restaurants are the pinnacle of culinary achievement around the world. They represent the highest level of dining excellence, and their exclusive nature has made them some of the most sought-after dining experiences in the world. But just how many Michelin three-star restaurants are there in the world?
The answer to that question is surprisingly few. As of 2020, there are only 135 restaurants worldwide with a Michelin three-star rating.
Of those 135 restaurants, nearly half are located in France, with 38 in Paris alone. Other countries with multiple Michelin three-star restaurants include Japan (19), Italy (13), Spain (10), Germany (8), and the United States (7).
The criteria for achieving a Michelin three-star rating is incredibly stringent. A restaurant must have outstanding cuisine that is served consistently throughout multiple visits by anonymous inspectors from Michelin.
In addition, a restaurant must provide outstanding service and be an overall exceptional experience for guests. Even if a restaurant meets all these criteria, it may take years to reach this distinction as inspectors will monitor a restaurant over time to ensure its quality remains at an exceptionally high level before awarding it three stars.
As one might expect, eating at a Michelin three-star restaurant doesn’t come cheap. The average meal costs between $200-$400 USD per person and reservations can be extremely difficult to obtain due to the limited availability and high demand for tables at these exclusive establishments.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, there are only 135 restaurants worldwide with a prestigious Michelin three-star rating as of 2020 and they represent the highest level of culinary achievement available globally. Eating at one of these establishments can cost up to $400 per person and often requires booking months in advance due to their high demand and limited availability.