How the Michelin Red Guide ranks the best restaurants in the world

March 24 2023

The world famous Michelin Red Guide is one of the most influential restaurant ratings of the moment. First published in 1900 as a guide for motorists, the Michelin guide is now dedicated to gourmet cuisine.

What do Michelin stars mean?

The Michelin rating consists of three levels, the achievement of each of which promises to receive one, two or three stars. According to the Guide, a restaurant with one star is a very good restaurant in its category, a restaurant with two stars is a restaurant with excellent cuisine, for the sake of a restaurant it makes sense to make a slight detour from the route. In the case when the restaurant is awarded the highest rating award - three stars - this means the chef’s exceptional work, and therefore it makes sense to take a separate trip to this institution.

How is a rating awarded?

Restaurants are rated by specially trained Michelin inspectors who visit restaurants anonymously and provide meticulous reports assessing the quality of the restaurant’s service, the attractiveness of its interiors and, of course, the cuisine. When shortlisting restaurants before their first visit, inspectors look at websites, blogs, and restaurant reviews in local magazines and newspapers. When an inspector first visits a restaurant, neither the restaurant owner nor the chef is aware of his visit. If the inspector liked the establishment, he will visit it again in a year, just as anonymously. If the second visit is also successful, the inspector may recommend awarding the establishment with one Michelin star.

What are the criteria for awarding Michelin stars?

The publishers of the Michelin Red Guide do not disclose information about the criteria and evaluation methodology used to award the rating. However, some key factors are known to influence their decision, namely:

product quality
Mastery of the chef in the field of taste and cooking techniques
“authorship” of the chef’s work
general impression of food