Cities with the most Michelin-starred restaurants: Paris, Tokyo & others

When it comes to world-class dining, a select group of cities stands out for their popular Michelin-starred restaurants. From the timeless elegance of Paris to the culinary innovation of Tokyo, these global gastronomic capitals attract food lovers seeking the ultimate fine dining experiences. Whether you’re craving classic French cuisine, inventive Japanese dishes, or cutting-edge fusion, these cities offer a rich tapestry of flavors — recognized by the prestigious Michelin Guide. In this article, we will explore the cities with the most Michelin stars and highlight what makes their culinary scenes truly exceptional.

When you hear someone say that a restaurant has a Michelin star, it basically means the restaurant is among the best places to dine in the world. These stars are awarded through the Michelin Guide, first published by the French tyre company Michelin in the early 1900s to encourage travel. Over time, the guide evolved into a benchmark for fine dining.

Michelin inspectors visit restaurants anonymously and evaluate various aspects, including the quality of ingredients, the chef’s skill, the ambiance, and the overall dining experience. Based on these evaluations, restaurants can receive one, two, or three stars. The guide is updated annually.

Travel + Leisure recently did a study to find out which cities around the world have the most Michelin-starred restaurants.

1. Tokyo, Japan (169 restaurants)

Tokyo is regarded as the food capital of the world, boasting more Michelin stars than any other city. The variety of dining options is endless, ranging from intimate sushi counters to elegant French-inspired fine dining. Notable restaurants include PRISMA, which has only eight seats and is famous for its Italian dishes, as well as Quintessence and L’Effervescence, known for their innovative tasting menus.

2. Paris, France (134 restaurants)

Paris is the birthplace of fine dining and is famous for its exquisite French cuisine, including sauces, pastries, and seasonal produce, all served with elegance and style. Among the many Michelin-starred restaurants in the city, Plénitude stands out for its luxurious offerings and stunning views of the River Seine from its location on the first floor of the Cheval Blanc Paris. Other iconic restaurants include Le Cinq, Benoit, Aldehyde, Baffo, Hestia, and Guy Savoy.

3. Kyoto, Japan (93 restaurants)

Kyoto is renowned for kaiseki, a traditional multi-course meal that celebrates seasonal ingredients. Unlike Tokyo, which features a wide range of international cuisines, most Michelin-starred restaurants in Kyoto focus on traditional Japanese dishes. Tozentei, Funaokayama Shimizu, Nakamura, and Hyotei are among the city’s most popular Michelin-starred restaurants.

4. London, United Kingdom (83 restaurants)

London is celebrated for its diverse culinary scene, offering everything from classic British dishes to modern fusion and refined French dining. Michelin-starred restaurants like CORE by Clare Smyth emphasise British ingredients, while Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Hélène Darroze at The Connaught showcase French cuisine. Other notable fine dining options include The Ledbury, Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library), The Ritz Restaurant, and Humble Chicken.

5. Osaka, Japan (79 restaurants)

Beyond its famous street food, Osaka has gained recognition for its fine dining as well. Hajime, a three-Michelin-star restaurant, is famous for its unique “chikyu” dish, which features a vegetable plate made from over 60 seasonal ingredients to represent the Earth. The city is also home to Milpa, the first restaurant in Japan to earn a Michelin star for Mexican cuisine. Other acclaimed restaurants include Tenboshi, Sushi Enishi, La Kanro, and Sennarizushi.