Michelin stars can drastically impact the popularity and success of a business and are awarded to those restaurants that demonstrate exceptional quality, mastery of technique, and consistency in their offerings.

Known as the Michelin Guide, this rating system divides restaurants into three ratings:

1. One Star: One star indicates high-quality cooking to customers.
2. Two Stars: Two stars indicate excellent cooking, signaling a restaurant is worth a detour.
3. Three Stars: Three stars indicate exceptional cuisine, making three-star restaurants worth a longer journey to experience. 

In this article, we take you through the U.S. cities that stand out for their impressive number of Michelin-starred restaurants, highlighting the regions where culinary artistry and innovation converge to make them top destinations for foodies around the globe.

Which States Have the Most Michelin-Rated Restaurants?

Before diving into the culinary world of Michelin-starred restaurants, let’s first take a look at which U.S. states contain the most highly-rated establishments. By total number of Michelin Star restaurants, the top five states in the U.S. are as follows:

1. California: 68 total Michelin Star restaurants (49 one-stars, 13 two-stars, and 6 three-stars)
2. New York: 61 total Michelin Star restaurants (43 one-stars, 13 two-stars, and 5 three-stars)
3. Illinois: 17 total Michelin Star restaurants (14 one-stars, 2 two-stars, and 1 three-star)
4. Washington DC: 18 total Michelin Star restaurants (15 one-stars, 2 two-stars, and 1 one-star)
5. Florida: 19 total Michelin Star restaurants (18 one-stars, 1 two-star)

Michelin Star Restaurants in Chicago

Chicago’s culinary scene is filled with tradition and innovation, reflecting its rich cultural diversity and historical roots. Known for its deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, the city offers far more than these iconic staples and is a hub for culinary creativity in the Midwest.

The Windy City’s culinary scene is characterized by a blend of classic American comfort food and avant-garde cuisine. This duality is perhaps best exemplified by its Michelin-starred restaurants, which include a wide variety of renowned establishments that redefine and reinvent the fine dining experience.

Additionally, the city’s embrace of farm-to-table principles and seasonal ingredients has fostered a culture of sustainability and quality, evident in many of its top dining spots.

Here’s a sampling of the Michelin Star restaurants in Chicago:

• One-Star: Kasama is a Filipino bakery and restaurant founded by chefs Genie Kwon and Timothy Flores. It is located in the East Ukrainian Village neighborhood. 
• Two-Stars: Oriole is a contemporary American restaurant located in Chicago’s West Loop and owned by executive chef Noah Sandoval. 
• Three-Stars: Smyth is a rustic-chic restaurant serving New American cuisine. Inspired by the farmlands of Virginia, Smyth features an informal atmosphere and open kitchen. 

Michelin Star Restaurants in NYC

New York City is a vibrant and ever-evolving mosaic of culinary delights that reflects the city’s status as a global cultural capital. Renowned for its diversity and innovation, New York offers a vast range of dining experiences, from world-famous fine dining establishments to beloved neighborhood eateries.

The city’s Michelin-starred restaurants are a testament to its culinary excellence, with iconic names like Eleven Madison Park, Per Se, and Le Bernardin consistently ranking among the best in the world. These high-end venues are celebrated for their sophisticated menus, impeccable service, and artistic presentation, drawing food enthusiasts from around the globe.

Beyond the haute cuisine, New York’s diverse neighborhoods each contribute their unique flavors to the city’s culinary landscape. Areas like Chinatown, Little Italy, and Harlem offer authentic ethnic cuisines that reflect the city’s rich immigrant history. From dim sum and pasta to soul food, these neighborhoods provide a culinary tour of the world within a single city.

Street food is another cornerstone of New York’s food culture, with food trucks and carts offering everything from classic New York hot dogs and pretzels to innovative dishes that cater to adventurous palates. The city’s numerous food markets, such as Chelsea Market and Smorgasburg, further highlight its culinary diversity, featuring local artisans and international vendors.

Check out the following three Michelin-starred restaurants in NYC:

• One-Star: Hirohisa is a fine dining establishment featuring Japanese cuisine and drinks. This restaurant is led by Chef Hayashi and resides in the SoHo neighborhood. 
• Two-Stars: Aska offers a dining experience that combines the cuisines of modern America with those of Sweden. This restaurant was opened in 2012 by chef Fredrik Berselius. 
• Three-Stars: Le Bernardin first began in Paris in 1972 before being brought to NYC in 1994. This restaurant centers around seafood and only serves fish. 

Michelin Star Restaurants in San Francisco 

San Francisco is renowned for its diverse range of ingredients, often locally sourced from California growers. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and fertile agricultural regions, the city benefits from a year-round bounty of seafood, produce, and artisan goods that shape its distinctive food culture.

At the heart of San Francisco’s gastronomic excellence are its Michelin-starred restaurants. These dining venues are celebrated for their creative approaches to cuisine, offering diners unforgettable, multi-course tasting menus that highlight the best of contemporary culinary techniques and flavors.

San Francisco’s neighborhoods each contribute to the city’s rich culinary tapestry. The Mission District is famed for its vibrant Latin American eateries, offering everything from traditional taquerias to upscale Mexican cuisine. In contrast, Chinatown, one of the oldest and most iconic in the United States, is a bustling enclave of dim sum parlors, noodle houses, and specialty grocery stores.

Here are three Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco:

• One-Star: Sons & Daughters offers a fine dining menu inspired by Nordic cuisine and traditional cooking techniques. Guests pay a flat fee for a tasting menu at this restaurant. 
• Two-Stars: Saison SF utilizes open-heath cooking techniques to delight guests. First opened as a pop-up in 2009, Saison SF is now a full-scale fine dining establishment.  
• Three-Stars: Atelier Crenn was created by chef and owner Dominique Crenn, the first female chef in the U.S. to receive the Michelin three-star honor. 

Michelin Star Restaurants in Greater Los Angeles

Los Angeles boasts an iconic culinary scene that mirrors its diverse cultural landscape and the city’s creative spirit. As a sprawling metropolis, LA offers an eclectic mix of dining experiences, from high-end restaurants to trendy food trucks, reflecting the city’s fusion of tradition and modernity.

The city is home to several Michelin-starred establishments, where chefs push the boundaries of culinary creativity. These restaurants are celebrated for their meticulously crafted tasting menus that showcase a blend of global influences and local ingredients.

LA’s multicultural fabric is woven into its food offerings. Neighborhoods like Koreatown, Little Tokyo, and Thai Town provide authentic and immersive dining experiences, offering everything from Korean BBQ and sushi to spicy Thai street food. The Mexican culinary scene, integral to the city’s identity, ranges from beloved taco stands to upscale interpretations of traditional dishes.

The city’s food trucks and pop-up restaurants add a dynamic and accessible dimension to its food culture, often acting as incubators for future brick-and-mortar establishments. Overall, Los Angeles’ culinary scene offers an ever-evolving array of flavors and experiences that make it a premier food destination.

Consider visiting the following Michelin-starred restaurants in LA: 

• One-Star: Hana re is a sushi restaurant located near Costa Mesa. This restaurant follows the theme of a chef’s table but is reimagined as a sushi bar. 
• Two-Stars: n/naka offers seasonal ingredients from both California and Japan's land and sea and reimagines the Japanese culinary art form kaiseki through a California lens.
• Two-Stars: Providence, located on Melrose Avenue, is known for its high standard of modern American seafood cuisine.

Michelin Star Restaurants in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. has flourished into a vivid and sophisticated landscape, showcasing the city’s rich history, diverse population, and famed cultural influences. Known primarily for its political significance, the nation’s capital has also emerged as a top culinary destination, attracting guests from all over the world.

At the forefront of D.C.’s gastronomic renaissance are its Michelin-starred restaurants, many of which are renowned for their exceptional cuisine, innovative culinary techniques, and impeccable service.

Like the other cities mentioned, D.C.’s diverse neighborhoods contribute to its rich culinary culture. In areas like Adams Morgan, diners can enjoy a fusion of international flavors, from Ethiopian to Latin American cuisine. The historic U Street Corridor is home to a variety of soul food and Southern-inspired eateries, celebrating the city’s African American heritage.

Here’s a sampling of the Michelin-starred restaurants in Washington D.C.: 

• One-Star: The Dabney offers guests a tasting menu with additional wine pairing available. Mid-Atlantic culinary practices inspire the cuisine at The Dabney.
• Two-Stars: Pineapple and Pearls is a fine-dining establishment in downtown D.C. This restaurant features American cuisine and a four-course menu. 
• Three-Stars: The Inn at Little Washington is the first and currently only Michelin three-star restaurant within the city. This establishment combines fine dining with luxury accommodations.

Michelin Star Restaurants in Miami

Miami’s culinary scene is defined by the city’s diverse cultural mosaic and coastal setting. Renowned for its rich blend of Latin American, Caribbean, and international influences, the city’s dining landscape offers a unique fusion of flavors and styles that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Miami’s neighborhoods each offer distinct culinary delights. Little Havana, for instance, is the heart of Cuban culture in the city, where one can savor authentic Cuban sandwiches, cafecitos, and ropa vieja. In contrast, the Wynwood district is known for its trendy eateries and craft breweries.

The city’s coastal location ensures an abundance of fresh seafood, prominently featured in dishes at many of Miami’s waterfront restaurants. The local emphasis on farm-to-table dining is evident in the numerous farmers’ markets and farm-to-fork eateries, which prioritize sustainable and locally sourced ingredients.

Miami’s culinary scene is a testament to its cultural diversity and creative spirit, offering a rich array of flavors and experiences that make it a premier destination for food enthusiasts.

Here are three Michelin-starred restaurants in Miami: 

• One-Star: Cote Korean Steakhouse is, as the name suggests, a steakhouse focused on the cooking techniques of Korean fine dining. 
• Two-Stars: L’Atelier de Joel Rubochon features a modern French menu with many iconic cultural dishes and seasonal menu changes. 
• Three-Stars: Tam Tam is a Vietnamese restaurant modeled after the “quán nhậu,” a type of Vietnamese drinking place. Tam Tam centers itself around good company and feasting. 

TL;DR: Finding a Michelin-Star Restaurant in Your City

If you are looking for a Michelin-starred fine-dining experience in your city, look no further than the Michelin Guide. Here, you can find restaurants at all three rating levels within your city, including all the newly minted members of the Michelin 2024 guides.