Top 10 Countries With the Most Michelin 3-Star Restaurants
France, Japan, and Italy dominate the Michelin Guide's highest rating, with Tokyo alone holding more three-star restaurants than most entire countries.
Updated July 18, 202610 ranked3 sources
Quick answer: 1. France, 2. Japan, 3. Italy, 4. Germany, 5. Spain, 6. United States, 7. China (Macau), 8. Switzerland, 9. Hong Kong (China), 10. United Kingdom.
The Michelin Guide's three-star rating is the most coveted distinction in fine dining, reserved for restaurants deemed worthy of a special journey. As of 2026, fewer than 150 restaurants worldwide hold three Michelin stars from the current guide editions, and the majority are in just a handful of countries.
This list ranks the countries and territories with the most Michelin three-star restaurants, reflecting both the Guide's historical coverage areas and the globalization of fine dining in recent decades. The list includes all Michelin-rated territories: France, Japan, and Italy lead, while the United States, Spain, Germany, and China's special administrative regions have built substantial collections of three-star establishments.
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Number of Michelin 3-star restaurants
Number of Michelin 3-star restaurants
France
29 restaurants
Japan
22 restaurants
Italy
13 restaurants
Germany
9 restaurants
Spain
8 restaurants
United States
8 restaurants
China (Macau)
6 restaurants
Switzerland
5 restaurants
Hong Kong (China)
5 restaurants
United Kingdom
5 restaurants
The ranking
1
France
The birthplace of the Michelin Guide still holds the most three-star restaurants of any country. Paris alone accounts for roughly a third of France's total, with top-tier restaurants like Guy Savoy, Le Cinq, and Arpège. The French provinces add another significant share, including iconic establishments like Pic in Valence and Mirazur in Menton.
michelinRegion: France (mainland + Monaco)threeStarCities: Paris, Valence, Menton, StrasbourgnotableRestaurants: Guy Savoy, Le Cinq, Arpège, Pic
2
Japan
Japan is the only non-European country with a three-star restaurant count in the low 20s, driven by Tokyo's extraordinary dining scene — the city alone has more Michelin three-star restaurants than most countries. Kyoto and Osaka also contribute multiple three-star establishments, spanning traditional kaiseki, sushi, and modern French-Japanese fusion.
michelinRegion: Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka)threeStarCities: Tokyo, Kyoto, OsakanotableRestaurants: Sushi Yoshitake, Kanda, Kohaku
3
Italy
Italy's three-star restaurant tally is concentrated in the north (Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto) with notable entries in the south and on the islands. The country's culinary traditions — including innovative modern Italian at Osteria Francescana in Modena and Da Vittorio in Bergamo — continue to earn the highest honors from Michelin inspectors.
Germany's fine-dining scene has grown significantly, with three-star restaurants concentrated in the western and southern states. The Black Forest region alone hosts several of the country's most acclaimed venues. German three-star restaurants often specialize in a refined take on regional cuisine, complemented by extensive wine cellars.
Spain's three-star restaurants include some of the world's most acclaimed dining destinations, led by El Celler de Can Roca (Girona) and Martín Berasategui (San Sebastián). The country's culinary innovation, particularly in the Basque Country and Catalonia, has earned recognition far beyond its small number of three-star establishments.
michelinRegion: Spain (Michelin Guide España)threeStarCities: Girona, San Sebastián, Barcelona, LermanotableRestaurants: El Celler de Can Roca, DiverXO, Martín Berasategui
6
United States
The United States has several Michelin Guide-covered regions (New York, Chicago, California, Washington DC, and Florida), each with its own three-star selections. New York and the San Francisco Bay Area dominate, with Le Bernardin, Per Se, Atelier Crenn, and The French Laundry among the most recognized three-star restaurants in the country.
michelinRegion: New York, California, Chicago, Washington DCthreeStarCities: New York, San Francisco, Yountville, ChicagonotableRestaurants: Le Bernardin, Per Se, The French Laundry, Alinea
7
China (Macau)
Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China, has accumulated a remarkable three-star restaurant count driven by its luxury hotel and casino resorts. Many of its three-star establishments are located within world-class hotels on the Cotai Strip, offering both Cantonese fine dining and high-end French cuisine.
michelinRegion: Michelin Guide Hong Kong & MacauthreeStarCities: MacaunotableRestaurants: Robuchon au Dôme, The Eight, Jade Dragon
8
Switzerland
Switzerland's three-star restaurant tally reflects the country's deep tradition of high-end hospitality. The restaurants are concentrated in the French-speaking region around Lake Geneva and Crissier, with some in the German-speaking areas near Zurich. Swiss three-star restaurants are known for combining French technique with Alpine ingredients.
Hong Kong's Michelin three-star collection is dominated by Cantonese fine-dining institutions and international-star chef outposts. Its position as a global culinary hub has made it one of the most competitive dining cities in the world, with multiple three-star restaurants operating within walking distance of each other in Central district.
michelinRegion: Michelin Guide Hong Kong & MacauthreeStarCities: Hong KongnotableRestaurants: 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Lung King Heen, T'ang Court
10
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom's three-star selection is almost entirely concentrated in London, with The Fat Duck in Bray (Berkshire) as the standout outside the capital. The UK has seen Michelin expand its coverage to include guides for Scotland and Ireland, though the three-star designation remains rare outside London.
michelinRegion: Michelin Guide Great Britain & IrelandthreeStarCities: London, Bray, MarlownotableRestaurants: Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, The Fat Duck, Core by Clare Smyth
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Full comparison
#
Name
michelinRegion
threeStarCities
notableRestaurants
1
France
France (mainland + Monaco)
Paris, Valence, Menton, Strasbourg
Guy Savoy, Le Cinq, Arpège, Pic
2
Japan
Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka)
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
Sushi Yoshitake, Kanda, Kohaku
3
Italy
Italy (Michelin Guide Italia)
Modena, Bergamo, Alba, Florence
Osteria Francescana, Da Vittorio, Piazza Duomo
4
Germany
Germany (Michelin Guide Deutschland)
Baiersbronn, Wolfsburg, Berlin
Schwarzwaldstube, Aqua, Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer
5
Spain
Spain (Michelin Guide España)
Girona, San Sebastián, Barcelona, Lerma
El Celler de Can Roca, DiverXO, Martín Berasategui
8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Lung King Heen, T'ang Court
10
United Kingdom
Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland
London, Bray, Marlow
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, The Fat Duck, Core by Clare Smyth
How we ranked this
Countries and territories are ranked by the total number of restaurants with three Michelin stars in the most current edition of the Michelin Guide (2025-2026 cycle). The count includes only restaurants that hold three Michelin stars in their current Michelin Guide entry; restaurants that have closed, been downgraded, or are listed in older editions are not counted. For countries where the Michelin Guide covers multiple regional editions (e.g., the US guides for New York, Chicago, California, and Washington DC), the total is the combined count across all current editions. Michelin's coverage is not uniform worldwide — some major cities like London, Paris, and Tokyo receive full dedicated guides, while other countries have only recently been added (e.g., the Michelin Guide Dubai). The ranking therefore reflects both culinary achievement and the scope of Michelin's current coverage.
FAQ
Which country has the most Michelin three-star restaurants?
France has the most three-star Michelin restaurants in the world, with 29 establishments holding the highest rating. Paris and the French provinces are roughly evenly split, with iconic restaurants like Guy Savoy, Le Cinq, and Mirazur holding three stars.
What does a Michelin three-star rating mean?
Michelin defines three stars as "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey." It is the highest rating the Michelin Guide awards and is given to fewer than 150 restaurants worldwide. Inspectors evaluate five criteria: quality of ingredients, mastery of technique, personality of the chef, value for money, and consistency.
How often does Michelin update its star ratings?
Michelin publishes updated guides annually for most regions, typically between November and May depending on the country. Restaurants can gain or lose stars in each edition. The Michelin Guide has also introduced a year-round digital update system in some regions that can add new entries between annual editions.
Why doesn't China (mainland) have more three-star restaurants?
The Michelin Guide has limited coverage in mainland China compared with its long-established coverage of Europe, Japan, and the United States. Michelin publishes guides for Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, and Chengdu, but none of these cities had a three-star restaurant in the most recent editions. The Michelin Guide's expansion into mainland China is ongoing and the selection is evolving.