5 U.S. Cities With the Most Michelin-Starred Restaurants

In 1889, Eduard and Andre Michelin began making the rubber tires that would later become a household name. In 1900, the French brothers began publishing a pocket-sized guide for motorists, with maps and recommendations, including restaurants and hotels. Today, Michelin is the second-largest tire company in the world, and its guide is the internationally recognized standard of high-quality cuisine. In the U.S., there are more than 18,000 eateries recommended by Michelin across the country, with more than 3,500 earning a star rating. The guide assigns a one-, two-, or (rarely) three-star rating for restaurants it deems worthy. Here are the top five cities in the country for enjoying Michelin-lauded cuisine — along with exciting news for what U.S. cities will be appearing in the Michelin Guide next.

5. Chicago, Illinois

Fans of Hulu’s The Bear know that Chicago has no shortage of great eateries. The city boasts 19 Michelin-starred restaurants, including the contemporary cuisine at Alinea and Smyth, both rated three stars. And while, sadly, there’s not a classic Italian beef joint among the recommendations — we pledge allegiance to Roma’s — you will find several pizza places and two superb Mexican offerings from Chef Rick Bayless on the list of 111 Michelin-recommended restaurants in the Windy City. 

4. Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital boasts 111 Michelin-recommended restaurants, 25 of which are rated one or two stars by the guide. While none of them has achieved the coveted three stars, two D.C. eateries have earned two stars — Chef José Andrés’ wildly inventive Minibar and the ambitious Japanese-influenced tasting menu at Ryan Ratino’s Jônt. For slurpable ramen that doesn’t require a senator’s salary, head up the stairs (not down!) to the Michelin-recommended Toki Underground. 

3. Los Angeles, California

In 2025, Los Angeles got its first three-starred restaurants in the Michelin Guide, which join 25 other starred eateries. Hollywood’s seafood-centric Providence was upgraded from two stars to three, and the multicourse extravaganza at the recently reopened Somni, influenced by Spain’s iconic El Bulli restaurant, debuted on the list with three stars. For those who’d rather not spend $500 for a tasting menu, there are 143 other Michelin-recommended restaurants to try in L.A., too — the steak picado tacos at Guisado’s are less than five bucks.

2. San Francisco, California

The City by the Bay is no stranger to great food, and it has 157 Michelin-recommended restaurants to prove it, including 30 that boast a star rating. Only three Bay Area restaurants earn three stars, but the Asian fusion at Benu, the French pescatarian at Atelier Crenn, and the contemporary California cuisine at Quince will not disappoint. Less fancy but no less delicious are the Michelin-recommended Ethiopian offerings at Barcote in Oakland and the Burmese home cooking at Oakland’s Teni East Kitchen.

1. New York, New York

The Big Apple is the big winner when it comes to Michelin-rated eateries, boasting 72 starred restaurants and 363 other Michelin recommendations in the city and surrounding area. Only five New York City restaurants have earned Michelin’s highest three-star distinction. 

The oldest is Le Bernardin, Chef Eric Ripert’s salute to French seafood, which opened in 1986. Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame) followed with Per Se, where diners can choose from two tasting menus, one of which is vegetarian. Vegan restaurant Eleven Madison Park, Japanese eatery Masa, and contemporary Korean favorite Jungsik round out the fab five. 

But the list isn’t all fancy — the venerable Katz’s Delicatessen, Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen, and the diner fare at J.G. Melon also make the guide as recommended restaurants (albeit without star ratings).

What’s Next?

Looking for lauded cuisine a little closer to home? Foodies, rejoice: Michelin has been on a serious North American expansion lately, with new guides debuting in 2025 in Québec, Boston, Philadelphia, and the American South — the latter of which will go beyond major urban centers and cover cuisine in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as recommendations from the preexisting Atlanta guide. Other recent additions include expanded Colorado and Florida state guides, along with a Toronto city guide.