Origin of Michelin Stars

Michelin stars are a symbol of gastronomic excellence, widely recognized in the culinary world. They are part of the Michelin Guide, a publication created by the Michelin tire company, founded by brothers André and Édouard Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, France. 

Initial Context (Late 19th Century)

Michelin Foundation

Em 1889, brothers André and Édouard Michelin founded the Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin, a tire manufacturing company in France. At the time, there were fewer than 3.000 cars in the country, and the automobile industry was still in its infancy.

Purpose of the Guide

To encourage the use of automobiles (and consequently increase the demand for tires), the brothers decided to create a guide that would help drivers on their journeys. The Michelin Guide was launched in 1900 as a free publication, offering practical information such as maps, instructions for changing tires, places to refuel, hotels and restaurants. 

The idea was simple: encourage car travel, which would directly benefit the tire business.

Evolution of the Michelin Guide

Early Years

Initially, the guide was a utilitarian resource, focusing on practical information for drivers. It included hotel and restaurant recommendations, but without a formal rating system.
Up to 1920, the guide was distributed free of charge. But André realized that “a man only respects what he pays for”: from then on, the guide cost 7 francs, removed advertisements and gained more focus on quality places, especially hotels and restaurants.

Introduction of Stars

Em 1926, the Michelin Guide began to highlight high-quality restaurants with a single star, indicating establishments that offered an outstanding dining experience. This was the first time that the guide began to focus on culinary quality in addition to travel information.

Star Hierarchy

Em 1931, the system was expanded to include a hierarchy of zero to three stars, with clearer criteria. In 1936, the criteria for awarding stars were formally published, establishing:

A star: A very good restaurant in its category, worth visiting.
Two stars: Excellent cuisine, worth going out of your way to visit.
Three stars: Exceptional cuisine, justifying a special trip to the restaurant.

Anonymous Inspectors

Michelin began employing anonymous inspectors, often with culinary training, to evaluate restaurants. These inspectors visit the establishments as regular customers, ensuring impartial reviews. The practice of anonymity continues to this day, keeping the process a mystery.

Rating criteria

Michelin stars are awarded based on five universal criteria, which are applied globally:

🔸 Quality of ingredients: Use of fresh, high-quality products.

🔸 Mastery of culinary techniques: Skill and precision in preparing dishes.

🔸 Harmony of flavors: Balance and combination of flavors in dishes.

🔸 Chef's personality: The expression of the chef's creativity and identity in cooking.

🔸 Consistency: Maintaining a high standard on every visit and over time.

Stars are awarded solely on the basis of the quality of the food, without considering the service, ambiance or decor of the restaurant, although these aspects are recorded by inspectors for other categories in the guide (such as the Bib Gourmand or special mentions).

Guide Growth

Throughout the 20th century, the Michelin Guide expanded its coverage beyond France, reaching other European countries such as Italy, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, and later destinations in the Americas and Asia, such as New York (2006) and Tokyo (2008). The guide currently covers more than 30 countries and evaluates more than 40.000 establishments.

Global Impact

Michelin stars have become a global standard of culinary excellence. Receiving a star is a milestone for chefs and restaurants, often transforming the reputation and clientele of an establishment. However, the pressure to maintain stars can also be intense, with reports of the mental health impact of the demand for consistency and perfection.

Other Michelin Guide Distinctions

In addition to stars, the Michelin Guide introduced other classifications:

🔹 Bib Gourmand: Recognizes restaurants that offer high-quality food at affordable prices.

🔹 Michelin Green Star: Introduced more recently, it rewards restaurants with sustainable practices, such as using seasonal ingredients and managing waste.

🔹 Michelin key: From 2024, applied to exceptional hotels, complementing the gastronomic classification.

Impact and Controversies

Prestige and Pressure: Michelin stars are considered the highest recognition in the world of gastronomy, often compared to a culinary "Oscar." However, the pressure to maintain or earn stars can be overwhelming. A notable example is the case of French chef Sébastien Bras, who, in 2018, asked for his three-star restaurant Le Suquet to be removed from the guide due to the stress caused by the constant reviews.

Changes in Criteria

In recent years, the Michelin Guide has adapted its criteria to reflect changes in gastronomy, such as a greater emphasis on the quality of ingredients and less focus on formalities such as tablecloths or luxurious settings. More relaxed restaurants, such as Septime in Paris, have earned stars, demonstrating this evolution.

In Brazil

The Michelin Guide arrived in Brazil in 2015, evaluating restaurants in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In 2020, 14 Brazilian restaurants had stars (none with three stars), but activities were suspended due to the pandemic. In 2023, the guide resumed its coverage in Brazil, with support from local governments.

Brazil on the Michelin map

⭐⭐ Two Stars:

DOM (Sao Paulo) - Alex Atala and his Amazonian dishes are already legends.

Evvai & Tuju (Sao Paulo) – captivating signature cuisine.

Gold & Lasai (Rio de Janeiro) - vibrant and sensual carioca refinement.

⭐ One Star:

São Paulo

Restaurants: Huto, Jun Sakamoto, Kan Suke, Kinoshita, Maní, Picchi, Fame Osteria, Kazuo, Kuro, Murakami, Oizumi Sushi, Tangará Jean‑Georges.

Rio de Janeiro

Restaurants: Cipriani, MEE, San Omakase Room, Oteque.

Top 10 Vegan Restaurants (or with vegan options) with Michelin Stars in the World (2025)

⭐⭐⭐ SingleThread (Healdsburg, USA)

Stars: 3
Kitchen: Contemporary Japanese with kaiseki influence
Description: Located in California, SingleThread combines local ingredients with Japanese techniques, served in a 10-course menu. The restaurant also boasts a biodynamic farm, reinforcing its sustainable approach.
It’s not entirely vegan, but it offers vegan options upon request, with adapted dishes that maintain the sophistication of the menu. The emphasis on farm-grown vegetables makes it easy to adapt plant-based dishes.

⭐⭐⭐ Alinea (Chicago, USA)

Stars: 3
Kitchen: Modern, experimental
Description: Led by chef Grant Achatz, Alinea is known for its molecular cuisine and theatrical presentations. It has maintained three stars since 2011 and offers immersive experiences such as multi-course tasting menus.
Not vegan, but offering customized vegan options, Alinea adapts its menus to plant-based diets, while maintaining creativity and quality.

⭐⭐⭐ Eleven Madison Park (New York, USA)

Stars: 3
Kitchen: Contemporary plant-based
Description: Under the helm of Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park made history by becoming the first three-Michelin-starred restaurant to adopt a 100% plant-based menu in 2021. It offers 9- to 10-course tasting menus with a focus on sustainability.
Completely vegan, it is widely celebrated as the only three-star vegan restaurant in the world.

⭐⭐⭐ Moor Hall (Lancashire, United Kingdom)

Stars: 3
Kitchen: Modern British
Description: Awarded three stars in 2025, Moor Hall, led by Mark Birchall, combines seasonal British ingredients with innovative techniques. Its own farm provides fresh produce.
It's not vegan, but it does offer vegan options on its tasting menus, with adaptations that highlight seasonal vegetables.

⭐⭐⭐ L'Enclume (Cartmel, United Kingdom)

Stars: 3
Kitchen: Contemporary British
Description: Chef Simon Rogan emphasizes Cumbrian ingredients, many grown on his farm. L'Enclume is known for its hyperlocal approach and creative menus.
It is not vegan, but offers vegan options upon request, with dishes that reflect the quality of local ingredients.

⭐⭐⭐ Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester (London, United Kingdom)

Stars: 3
Kitchen: Contemporary French
Description: Led by Alain Ducasse, this restaurant combines French sophistication with high-quality ingredients, offering a classic haute cuisine experience.
It is not vegan, but offers personalized vegan options, with adapted dishes that maintain Michelin standards.

⭐⭐ King's Joy (Beijing, China)

Stars: 2
Kitchen: Chinese vegetarian
Description: Located near the Lama Temple, King's Joy offers vegetarian dishes inspired by Chinese cuisine, with a focus on organic ingredients and artistic presentations.
It's not fully vegan, but it offers extensive vegan options, with many dishes naturally plant-based.

⭐ Joia (Milan, Italy)

Stars: 1
Kitchen: Vegetarian haute cuisine
Description: Founded by Pietro Leemann in 1989, Joia was the first vegetarian restaurant in Italy to receive a Michelin star (in 1996). Its dishes, such as the risotto “The Navel of the World,” are vegetable masterpieces.
It is not completely vegan, but most of the dishes can be adapted. It is a milestone in plant-based haute cuisine.

⭐ ONA (Origine Non Animale) (Arès, France)

Stars: 1
Kitchen: French vegan
Description: Led by chef Claire Vallée, ONA was the first 100% vegan restaurant in France to receive a Michelin star (2021). It uses organic and local ingredients, with seasonal dishes.
Completely vegan, with an innovative approach that reimagines French cuisine without ingredients of animal origin.

⭐ Plates (London, United Kingdom)

Stars: 1
Kitchen: Contemporary vegan
Description: Led by Kirk Haworth, Plates is the first vegan restaurant in the UK to be awarded a Michelin star (2025). It offers creative dishes with a focus on plant-based flavours.
Totally vegan, standing out for its modern and accessible approach to plant-based haute cuisine.

Curiosities

Business Origin

The Michelin Guide is a rare example of a marketing initiative that has become a cultural norm. The tire connection may surprise many, but it reflects the Michelin brothers’ innovative vision of linking mobility to the dining experience.

Mystery of the Inspectors

The inspectors' identities remain secret, and they undergo rigorous training in France to ensure consistency in their assessments.

France on Top

France remains the country with the most Michelin-starred restaurants, with more than 600 establishments recognized in 2023, followed by Japan, with more than 400.

Michelin stars emerged as a commercial strategy by brothers André and Édouard Michelin to promote automobile tourism in the early 20th century. What began as a free guide for drivers has evolved into one of the most respected food rating systems in the world, with a profound impact on the restaurant industry. Stars represent excellence, but they also bring pressure and expectations. Today, the Michelin Guide is a global reference, celebrating exceptional cuisine and inspiring culinary travel.