Which Country Has Most Michelin Star Restaurants?

When it comes to fine dining, the Michelin star rating system is one of the most prestigious in the world. It is a mark of excellence that has been awarded to only the best restaurants since the 1920s and is now seen as a global benchmark for culinary achievement.

The Michelin ratings are determined by anonymous inspectors who visit and review each restaurant anonymously, judging them on five criteria: quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, personality of the chef in their cuisine, value for money and consistency.

The USA and France are often seen as the two countries that dominate when it comes to Michelin star restaurants but there are many other countries with high concentrations too. Japan has a huge number of restaurants with Michelin stars – 191 at time of writing – while Italy has an impressive tally of 125.

Other countries with significant numbers include Germany (97), Spain (87), Switzerland (49) and Belgium (41).

In terms of cities, Tokyo is streets ahead with an incredible 226 starred restaurants – more than double its nearest rival Paris which stands at 104. The highest number in Europe is held by London which currently has 67 starred eateries.

Conclusion

It’s clear from these figures that Japan has the most Michelin star restaurants with an impressive 191 eateries holding a prestigious star rating. Tokyo alone holds over double the amount of its nearest rival Paris, making it the standout city for fine dining in 2020.