394 starred restaurants in Italy, 307 in Spain, 526 in Tokyo alone. The year 2026 marks a turning point for the Michelin Guide: new destinations are making their debut, bold chefs are earning the ultimate accolade, and the French ceremony will be held for the first time in Monaco on March 16. Here are the freshly starred tables you need to book now, before word of mouth turns these hidden gems into endless waiting lists.
1. The Historic Ceremony of March 16, 2026 in Monaco
Monaco hosts the Michelin Guide France for the first time
The Michelin Guide France & Monaco 2026 will unveil its selection from the Grimaldi Forum, in the Principality that holds the world record for the highest concentration of starred restaurants: one three-star, three two-star, and four one-star establishments within just 2 km². The event will bring together all distinguished chefs, gastronomy professionals, and journalists from around the world.
Four names are already circulating among the favorites for 2026: Tessa Ponzo (Irwin), Coline Doussin (Bellefeuille), Baptiste Vial (Le Corot), and David Boudinet (Maison Rostang). While awaiting the verdict on March 16, the selections already published for Italy, Spain, Japan, and Turkey offer immediate booking opportunities.
- Ceremony broadcast live on the Michelin Guide’s social media channels
- Book within 48 hours of the announcement for newly starred French restaurants
- Aim for Tuesday/Wednesday lunch slots to maximize your chances
- 30 new restaurants added to the France selection in February 2026 alone
2. Paris — Maison Ruggieri at the Palais-Royal
When haute cuisine becomes poetry
Opened in January 2026 in the heart of the Palais-Royal, Maison Ruggieri is one of the most anticipated openings of the year. Chef Martino Ruggieri, trained under Joel Robuchon and Yannick Alleno, presents a radically artistic vision: the menu reads like a collection of poems with enigmatic titles — « Blanche, » « The Sea Does Not Console » — that herald dishes with daring combinations.
Sea urchin and foie gras, lard and almond, sweetbreads and dulse: this is a cuisine of character with deep sauces, driven by a creativity that breaks free from convention. The poems accompanying each dish are written by Mariella Ruggieri, translating taste sensations into words. A very serious contender for a star on March 16.
- Tasting menu in 5 to 8 courses, wine or tea pairings available
- Intimate setting in the historic arcades of the Palais-Royal
- Book at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance
- Arrive through the gardens at dusk for the full immersive experience
3. Piedmont, Italy — La Rei Natura, new three-star restaurant
Michelangelo Mammoliti: nature elevated among the vines
In the heart of the Langhe wine hills, Michelangelo Mammoliti earned the supreme distinction in the Michelin Guide Italy 2026, bringing the total number of Italian three-star restaurants to 15. His dishes tell stories that showcase local ingredients and his travels around the world. Most of his vegetables come from biodynamic gardens and greenhouses.
The Langhe remains an under-the-radar region compared to Tuscany, with an exceptional concentration of starred restaurants in a UNESCO-listed landscape. The restaurant offers several tasting menus, including a nature-focused « blind tasting. » With 394 starred restaurants in total, Italy confirms its status as a gastronomic giant in 2026.
- Combine with the Alba White Truffle Fair (October-November)
- Full hotel + dinner package from 450 EUR/night at the estate
- Visit a Barolo producer in Serralunga d’Alba the next day
- Choose Wednesday/Thursday to avoid weekend crowds
4. Spain — Andalusia and the Pyrenees shine bright
30 new entries, from flamenco country to Pyrenean peaks
With 30 new entries, the Michelin Guide Spain & Andorra 2026 now features 307 starred restaurants. Andalusia makes a strong statement: five of its eight provinces earned new stars — Mare in Cadiz, ReComiendo in Cordoba, Farala in Granada, Palodu in Malaga, and Ochando in Seville. Prices are significantly more affordable than the Basque coast or Barcelona.
The hidden gem not to miss: Casa Ruben, in the Aragonese Pyrenees in Tella. This restaurant with just three tables, nestled in a vaulted building from 1593, on the doorstep of a national park, embodies the 2026 trend: traditional family-style cooking reimagined with a modern touch. In Barcelona, five new two-star restaurants confirm the Catalan dynamism, including Enigma and Mont Bar.
- Road trip Cordoba – Granada – Malaga: 3 new stars in 4 days
- Casa Ruben (Tella): book weeks in advance (only 3 tables)
- Barcelona: 5 new two-star restaurants including Aleia and Ramon Freixa Atelier
- Avoid inland Andalusia in summer (40 degrees C+)
5. Tokyo — Myojaku, new three-star champion of « water cuisine »
Hidetoshi Nakamura: a trace of memory in water
Tokyo remains the most starred city in the world with 526 restaurants in the 2026 selection, including 12 three-star establishments. The headline promotion: Myojaku, elevated from two to three stars. Chef Hidetoshi Nakamura embodies a radical philosophy — he speaks of leaving a « trace of memory in water, » using underwater spring water in his seasonings to achieve the spirit of sabi.
Among other notable promotions, Nishiazabu Sushi Shin, Hakuun, and Ensui have been elevated to two stars. In a touching moment, the Mentor Chef Award honors Kenjiro Kanemoto, the fifth-generation owner of the eel restaurant Nodaiwa, who at 97 is the oldest active chef recognized by the Michelin Guide in the world.
- Book Myojaku at least 2 months in advance via Pocket Concierge or Tableall
- 14 new one-star restaurants including EWIG (Austro-Japanese) and KHAO (Thai-Japanese)
- Matsutake season (October-November) for a peak culinary experience
- On a budget? Tokyo’s one-star restaurants start at 80 EUR for lunch
6. Cappadocia, Turkey — First star in cave-dwelling country
Revithia: ancestral recipes beneath the fairy chimneys
The big surprise of the Michelin Guide Turkey 2026 selection: 18 new establishments make their debut in Cappadocia, a region where tradition, hospitality, and terroir deeply impressed the inspectors. Revithia, located on the UNESCO site of Kayakapi in Urgup, earns the very first star in the region.
The menu revives nearly forgotten recipes: lamb cooked in milk, fermented grains, tarhana soup, with local condiments as a unifying thread. Turkish prices remain very affordable — a starred meal for the price of a single dish at a Parisian bistro. And Cappadocia offers far more than hot air balloons: secret valleys, pottery workshops, and exceptional cave hotels.
- Stay in a cave hotel in Urgup or Goreme for total immersion
- Book 2 hot air balloon mornings (weather cancellations are common)
- Save dinner at Revithia for the 2nd evening (in case of schedule changes)
- Ask locals about testi kebab to complete the experience
7. Bangkok — Bo.lan, Thai heritage and Green Star
Heritage Thai cuisine in a traditional house
The Thailand selection 2026 features 10 new starred restaurants, confirming Bangkok as Asia’s capital of accessible gastronomy. Bo.lan, housed in a traditional home on Sukhumvit 53, is among the new entries. The restaurant champions an agricultural and heritage-driven Thailand: ancient recipes, rare produce from small-scale farmers, and samrap (sharing) service.
It is the antithesis of « Instagram fusion »: here, fermented flavors, wild herbs, and techniques passed down through generations are celebrated. The « borderless dining » trend carried by other newly starred restaurants like etcha (Chatrium Grand Bangkok) shows that Bangkok now masterfully blends Thai traditions with European techniques.
- Book via direct email or through your hotel concierge
- Cool season (Nov–Feb): ideal for walking and exploring the markets
- Bangkok offers exceptional value: starred dining from just 40 EUR
- Specify your spice and offal preferences when booking
8. Philippines — Helm, two stars in a historic first guide
Josh Boutwood: British and Filipino heritage fused
Major event of 2026: the Michelin Guide debuts in the Philippines with 108 selected establishments in Manila and Cebu. Helm, led by chef Josh Boutwood, earns two stars right out of the gate — a very rare honor for a launch edition. His cuisine expresses a half-British, half-Filipino heritage, infused with Spanish influences.
Eight restaurants earn one star and 25 receive the Bib Gourmand distinction. According to the Guide, Filipino cuisine is « on the verge of a global breakthrough. » Prices are unbeatable: a starred meal here costs the same as a single dish in France. The Bib Gourmand restaurants in Cebu transform sinigang, sisig, and adobo into gastronomic experiences for under 20 EUR.
- Best Michelin value for money in the world (starred dining from 25 EUR)
- Combine Manila (fine dining) and Cebu (Bib Gourmand + beaches)
- Dry season (Dec–Feb): avoid June–October (typhoons)
- Don’t miss the starred street food: sisig, sinigang, adobo
9. Belgrade — The Balkans’ gastronomic hidden gem
Langouste and Fleur de Sel: Serbia’s first stars
The Michelin Guide Belgrade 2026 now features 25 establishments, including five new entries. Langouste, in the heart of the city with views of the Sava River, earned one star: chef Marko Djeric elevates local produce sourced from his own biodynamic garden. Sixty kilometers from the capital, Fleur de Sel in Novi Slankamen, run by Nikola Stojakovic (trained in France), offers a menu with transalpine flavors.
Belgrade is the most underrated gastronomic destination in Europe in 2026: unbeatable prices (a starred meal for the price of a single dish in Paris), a creative scene in full bloom, and zero mass gastronomy tourism. Low-cost flights from Paris make a gourmet weekend perfectly accessible.
- Dinner at Langouste with views of the Sava River
- Day trip to Novi Slankamen (60 km) for Fleur de Sel
- Among the lowest prices in Europe for this level of cuisine
- Suvenir restaurant boat on the Sava for a unique experience
10. The major Michelin culinary trends of 2026
Fire, fermentation, and back to the countryside
Michelin inspectors have identified three major trends in 2026. The return to fire: from embers to binchotan, chefs around the world are once again embracing fire-driven cooking. Fermentation as a language: vegetables, fish, and meats are marinated or fermented — sometimes with koji — for flavors of unprecedented depth. Finally, the resurgence of the French countryside: the Guide is exploring the most remote corners of France to uncover forgotten gems.
The Green Star is growing in importance: Feld in Chicago simultaneously earned a star and a Green Star for its plant-forward cuisine. Geographic expansion continues with the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Cappadocia. Table service is also making a comeback, while counter formats and shorter tasting menus are gaining ground over the lengthy rituals of traditional haute cuisine.
- Trend #1: fire cooking (embers, binchotan, wood-fired oven)
- Trend #2: fermentation (koji, miso, lacto-fermented vegetables)
- Trend #3: rural terroir over capital cities
- Green Star: sustainability at the heart of new distinctions
Summary: where to dine at starred restaurants based on your budget
| Destination | Budget / meal | Accommodation / night | Stars 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇭 Philippines (Manila / Cebu) | 25–80 EUR | 50–200 EUR | 1 x 2-star, 8 x 1-star |
| 🇹🇷 Cappadocia (Revithia) | 30–80 EUR | 100–300 EUR | 1 x 1-star (first ever) |
| 🇷🇸 Belgrade (Langouste) | 40–80 EUR | 60–150 EUR | 2 x 1-star |
| 🇪🇸 Andalusia (5 provinces) | 60–150 EUR | 80–250 EUR | 5 x 1-star (new) |
| 🇹🇭 Bangkok (Bo.lan) | 40–180 EUR | 80–300 EUR | 10 new 1-star |
| 🇫🇷 Paris (Maison Ruggieri) | 180–280 EUR | 150–500 EUR | Pending 03/16 |
| 🇮🇹 Piedmont (La Rei Natura) | 200–350 EUR | 150–450 EUR | 1 x 3-star (new) |
| 🇯🇵 Tokyo (Myojaku) | 300–600 EUR | 100–500 EUR | 1 x 3-star (promoted) |
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 Michelin Guide
When will the new Michelin stars for France 2026 be announced?
The Michelin Guide France & Monaco 2026 ceremony will be held on March 16, 2026 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco — a historic first. The event will be broadcast live on the Michelin Guide’s social media channels. Selections for Italy, Spain, Japan, and Turkey have already been published.
How do I book at a restaurant that just received a star?
The announcement of a new star triggers an immediate surge of bookings. To maximize your chances: book within 48 hours of the announcement, aim for Tuesday or Wednesday lunch slots (less in demand), and use specialized concierge services for Japanese restaurants (Pocket Concierge, Tableall). For French restaurants, the Michelin Guide website often allows direct booking.
How much does a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant cost?
Prices vary significantly depending on the destination and star level. In France, expect 50 to 90 EUR for a one-star restaurant (lunch menu), 120 to 250 EUR for a two-star, and 250 to 500 EUR for a three-star. The Philippines and Belgrade offer the best value for money in the Michelin world, with starred experiences starting at 25 to 40 EUR. Bangkok and Cappadocia fall between 30 and 80 EUR per person.
Which emerging chefs should you watch in 2026?
In France, four names to watch for the March 16 ceremony: Tessa Ponzo (Irwin), Coline Doussin (Bellefeuille), Baptiste Vial (Le Corot), and David Boudinet (Maison Rostang). In Italy, 8 of the 22 newly starred chefs are under 35. In the Philippines, Josh Boutwood (Helm) made waves with two stars right from the start. In Tokyo, Hidetoshi Nakamura (Myojaku) has entered the three-star pantheon.
Is the Michelin Guide expanding to new regions in 2026?
Yes, the expansion is significant in 2026. The Philippines makes its debut with 108 establishments (Manila and Cebu). Turkish Cappadocia welcomes its first 18 selected establishments, including the region’s first star. Saudi Arabia has also made its inaugural entry with 51 restaurants in Riyadh and Jeddah. Additional ceremonies are scheduled for Dublin (February 9), Busan (March 5), and Rio de Janeiro (April 13, 2026).
What are the major Michelin culinary trends for 2026?
Three major trends emerge from the 2026 selections: the return to fire (embers, binchotan, wood-fired oven), fermentation as a culinary language (koji, miso, lacto-fermented vegetables), and the rise of the countryside over capital cities. The Green Star for sustainability is also growing in importance, and plant-based menus are reaching unprecedented levels of sophistication.
Are there affordable Michelin-starred restaurants?
Absolutely. The Bib Gourmand, created in 1997, recognizes restaurants offering exceptional cuisine at moderate prices. In France, the Guide listed over 500 Bib Gourmand restaurants in 2025. For budget-friendly starred dining, target the Philippines (from 25 EUR), Belgrade (from 40 EUR), or Bangkok (from 40 EUR). In France, lunch menus at one-star restaurants are often much more affordable than evening menus.
Sources
- Michelin Guide — France & Monaco 2026 Ceremony in Monaco
- Michelin Guide — New 3-Star Italy 2026
- Michelin Guide — Full Spain & Andorra 2026 Selection
- Michelin Guide — 18 New Starred Restaurants Tokyo 2026
- Michelin Guide — Turkey 2026 Selection
- Michelin Guide — Inaugural Philippines 2026 Selection
- Michelin Guide — Belgrade 2026
- Michelin Guide — Major Culinary Trends 2026
- Michelin Guide — 30 New Restaurants in France (February 2026)
- LeChef.com — Martino Ruggieri at the Palais-Royal
- Michelin — 10 New Starred Restaurants in Thailand 2026
- CNN — 16 Michelin-approved food destinations for 2026
- Monaco Life — Monaco to host the 2026 Michelin Ceremony
- Nouvelles Gastronomiques — France 2025 Awards
Research conducted on February 7, 2026. The France & Monaco 2026 stars will be announced on March 16, 2026. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Ready to book your gastronomic journey?
From the culinary poetry of the Palais-Royal to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, through the hills of Piedmont and the markets of Bangkok, 2026 is an exceptional year for traveling foodies. Plan your gastronomic itinerary now on Pixidia.
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