How many Michelin Star restaurants are there in the world? Top 10 countries ranked

More than 30 million Michelin Guides have been sold globally. The guide itself is now over 100 years old, and for many restaurateurs and customers, represents the pinnacle of dining. Perhaps you plan on ticking a few off your bucket list on your next trip?

Restaurants exceptional enough to land one, two, or three Michelin Stars, are flocked to by avid foodies all over the world. The restaurants themselves are scattered across the globe, in major cities and more unusual locations, including on a Norwegian Fjord, in a Sicilian cave, and on a vintage Spanish train carriage.

But just how many Michelin Star restaurants are there? Here, we count them up, highlight which cities have the most Michelin Star restaurants, and cover some of the lesser-know rankings that can help you decide where your next meal might be.

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What’s the total number of Michelin Star restaurants around the world?

There are 3,783 Michelin Star restaurants in the world.¹

Restaurants can be awarded one, two, or three Michelin Stars, with three stars reserved for the best of the best.

There are 3101 restaurants with one Michelin Star, 525 restaurants with two Michelin Stars, and 157 restaurants with three Michelin Stars in the world.¹

These restaurants are scattered across major cities, rural and coastal spots, and remote locations.

Based on the numbers, visiting a restaurant with one star is probably going to be easier – you have plenty to choose from! With fewer three star restaurants globally, you may find it harder to get a reservation (or visit the location).

Many popular restaurants release reservations in batches, and you may need to book months in advance. You can search for Michelin Star restaurants in a specific area using the website’s restaurant search function.

The criteria for one, two, and three Michelin Stars is as follows:²

• One star: A one star restaurant will have dishes with distinct flavour, use top quality ingredients, and deliver to a consistently high standard
• Two stars: A two star restaurant will have expertly crafted dishes where the teams’ personalities shine through, and the food is ‘refined’ and ‘inspired’
• Three stars: This is the top rating, and while it’s awarded to restaurants (not chefs), in many cases the chefs will be at their peak, and the food elevated to art-level, with classic dishes in the making

Michelin Star restaurants are reassessed, with stars added and removed over time, depending on the quality of cooking, service, and other factors. Restaurants that may once have had a Michelin Star may no longer have one, or may climb the ranks to two or three stars. Those running Michelin Star restaurants need to keep standards high to maintain their status.

Alongside starred restaurants, there are also Bib Gourmand and Selected Restaurants in the Michelin guide. Bib Gourmand restaurants offer great cooking at great value, the perfect option for travellers who want delicious food on a smaller budget.

And Selected Restaurants are spots recognised by the Michelin guide, but not yet reaching Bib Gourmand or Star status. At a Selected Restaurant, you’ll get a quality meal, with good ingredients cooked well.²

Which country has the most Michelin Stars?

Unsurprisingly, France has the most Michelin Stars of all the countries, with 641 restaurants in total.⁴

The Michelin guide was invented in France, around 1900, as a small guide for travellers given for free by the Michelin brothers. When the Michelin guide was rereleased in 1920 (for seven francs per copy), it included, for the first time, a list of hotels in Paris and restaurants in a range of categories.

There are 530 one star restaurants, 80 two star restaurants, and 31 three star restaurants to choose from in France. You’ll find them spread across Paris, Lyon, Nice, and smaller cities and towns.

Following France is the United Arab Emirates, with 469 Michelin Star restaurants, and Italy with 376.

Top 10 countries by Michelin Stars

Here are the top countries ranked by the number of Michelin Star restaurants:⁴

Popular cities with Michelin Star restaurants

Whether you’re planning a trip entirely around foodie experiences, or keeping tabs on places with Michelin Star restaurants for your next visit, major cities usually have a range of options for varying budgets.

In New York city, you’ll find 70 restaurants with Michelin Stars, across a breadth of cuisines and styles. Take Muku, an intimate Japanese restaurant with just 10 counter seats for customers. The menu uses five cooking techniques; raw, grilled, steamed, simmered, and fried. Seasonal ingredients are a highlight of the menu, too.

For an entirely different experience, Frevo is an art gallery and tasting menu restaurant nestled in Greenwich village. With an entrance that leads you to believe the restaurant is a gallery, Frevo frequently flies under the radar but the contemporary French menu is not to be missed.

Alternatively, Copenhagen is home to 20 Michelin Star restaurants. If you’re feeling bold, The Alchemist offers a multi-sensory dining experience set across multiple rooms, with music, art, and food delivered over the course of six hours. Tickets are released for the upcoming months, and sell out speedily.

Copenhagen is also home to Koan, an elegant restaurant combining Korean and Nordic flavours. Located by the river, service at Koan is tightly choreographed, and the menu is creative and innovative.

Use Wise next time you’re Michelin Star-struck

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So whether you’re settling the bill in Muku or booking tickets for The Alchemist, you can be sure you’re getting your money’s worth.

Your Wise card converts to the right currency wherever you’re spending, and you never have to worry about exchange rate markups that add to your restaurant bill. All that’s left to do is make your next reservation.

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Sources used in this article:

1. Michelin Guide - Starred restaurants
2. Michelin Guide- What is a Michelin Star?
3. Michelin Guide - What does it mean to be a Michelin recommended restaurant?
4. World population review - Michelin star restaurants by country 2025

Sources last checked 11 Dec 2025