A new year means another release of the Michelin guide and another round-up of where the countries stand. You can find a summary of the results below, with the total number of starred restaurants for each area in brackets.
The Michelin guide – first published in 1900 by Andre and Eduardo Michelin as a directory for French motorists – is well known for containing a list of all the big name restaurants around the world. Although it did not originally feature restaurants, by 1922 it was added, and the popularity led to hiring several inspectors. By 1936, the guide had the three star system it uses today, with published definitions of the criteria for the one star, two star and three star rankings.
Britain received its first guide in 1931, but it wouldn't be judged by the three star system until its next guide in 1974, where Britain was awarded a total of 25 stars. Other countries in Europe were included in the Michelin guide throughout the years, but it was only in 2006 when it was expanded to New York. The guide now has the likes of Tokyo, Hong Kong and Macao, and has become one of the most respected culinary guides. For the 27th edition, the guide features Seoul, the capital of South Korea. A three star rating in the Michelin guide is a rare and well-respected honour.
The Round-up.
United Kingdom
No new three stars (3)
Two new two stars (23)
15 new one stars (143)
Full list here
Interesting fact: Bonhams and Portland Restaurant both recieved one star status within nine months of opening in the UK's 2016 guide.
Main cities of Europe
Five new three stars (18)
15 new two stars (89)
48 new one stars (414)
Interesting fact: Michael Ellis, International director for the Michelin guides, said that in the last ten years, the number of restaurants offering quality food has "grown tremendously".
Netherlands
No new three stars (2)
One new two star (20)
Seven new one stars (85)
Interesting fact: No stars were taken off of Netherlands this year!
France
Two new three stars (26)
Ten new two stars (82)
42 new one stars (492)
Interesting fact: France has the most one star restaurants.
New York
No new three stars (6)
One new two stars (10)
Ten new one star restaurants (60)
Interesting fact: The Modern at the MoMA, which was promoted to a two star restaurant, had a change in executive chef earlier in the year. The chef who left now has his own one star restaurant.
Chicago
No new three stars (2)
One new two stars (3)
Two new one stars (17)
Interesting fact: Chicago lost three starred restaurants this year, meaning they gained as many as they lost.
San Francisco, Bay area, Wine country
One new three stars (5)
Two new two stars (7)
15 new one stars (39)
Interesting fact: Manressa's bump to the three star club makes it the third restaurant to have that ranking in San Francisco.
Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara)
No new three stars (12)
Eight new two stars (48)
11 new one stars (145)
Interesting fact: 15 restaurants in Nara were awarded a Bib Gourmand. This is the first time the award has appeared in the Nara selection.
Hong kong/Macau
One new three stars (6)
Two new two stars (14)
Six new one stars (40)
Interesting fact: a new section in the guide this year highlights the best street food in each area.
Denmark, Copenhagen, Norway and Sweden
Two new three stars (2)
One new two stars (6)
Eight new one stars (48)
Interesting fact: The reach around these areas has expanded outside of its main cities this year, meaning more potential newcomers!
Italy
No new three stars (8)
Two new two stars (38)
20 new one stars (288)
Interesting fact: 26 new restaurants have earned their first star, but 24 have lost their star.
Germany
One new three stars (10)
Four new two stars (39)
26 new one stars (241)
Interesting fact: this is the 50th year the guide has awarded stars to Germany.
Spain and Portugal
No new three stars (8)
Two new two stars (23)
15 new one stars (162)
Interesting fact: the highest number of newcomers came from Catalonia and Andalusia.
Belgium and Luxembourg
No new three stars (3)
Three new two stars (20)
Ten new one stars (117)
Interesting fact: Belgium and Luxembourg are now tied with the Netherlands in their amount of two star restaurants.
Switzerland
One new three star (3)
No new two stars (18)
13 new one stars (95)
Interesting fact: 14 restaurants have unfortunately lost their star this year.
Tokyo
One new three star (13)
Three new two stars (51)
17 new one stars (153)
Interesting fact: Tsuta, a ramen restaurant, gained their first star this year, marking the first time a ramen restaurant has gained a star.
