Exploring Michelin-Starred Excellence: A Guide to the 2025 Stars and the Green Star Award

In 2025, the Michelin Guide continues to uphold its prestigious tradition of recognizing the world’s finest dining establishments. The Michelin stars, a hallmark of culinary excellence, are awarded based on strict criteria that ensure only the most outstanding restaurants are celebrated. This year, we also spotlight the innovative Green Star Award, a distinction honoring restaurants leading the charge in sustainability and ethical gastronomy. Let’s take a closer look at the most remarkable Michelin-starred restaurants of 2025 and the criteria behind these coveted stars.

The 3-Star Restaurants of the Michelin Guide 2025

Earning three Michelin stars is the highest honor a restaurant can achieve, and these establishments offer “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.” In 2025, the Michelin Guide expanded its list to include several standout names that have raised the bar of culinary artistry. Among the latest additions to the 3-star list is L'Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley, renowned for its innovative approach to modern French-American fusion, and Gustav's Kitchen in Copenhagen, where sustainable, farm-to-table dining is elevated to an art form. These chefs and their teams not only provide stellar dishes but also demonstrate perfection in execution, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to culinary brilliance.

The 2-Star Restaurants of the Michelin Guide 2025

A two-star rating means a restaurant provides “excellent cooking, worth a detour,” and 2025 saw many new establishments joining the prestigious two-star club. Notable newcomers include Le Jardin de Provence in Nice, where the freshness of local ingredients shines in every dish, and Elena's in Lisbon, known for its creative use of traditional Portuguese flavors with a contemporary twist. These restaurants, alongside others, offer innovative menus that continue to push the boundaries of culinary creativity.

The 1-Star Restaurants of the Michelin Guide 2025

The Michelin Guide also awards one star to restaurants that deliver “a very good restaurant in its category.” In 2025, the Guide saw 85 new one-star restaurants, including Bistro Moderne in Paris and Ristorante Lido in Milan, both of which have garnered attention for their unique approaches to classic European dishes. These restaurants may not have reached the pinnacle of three stars yet, but they offer an exceptional dining experience worthy of recognition.

The Michelin Green Star of 2025: A Commitment to Sustainability

Introduced in 2020, the Michelin Green Star is an award that highlights restaurants excelling in sustainable and eco-friendly practices. The Green Star recognizes not just the quality of food, but the restaurant’s efforts to prioritize environmental responsibility. In 2025, a record 55 restaurants around the world received the Michelin Green Star for their commitment to sustainability. This includes The Green Table in Amsterdam, a restaurant that minimizes food waste by turning organic scraps into compost, and Ocean Harvest in Sydney, where dishes feature sustainably sourced, ocean-friendly ingredients. These restaurants are shaping the future of dining, proving that luxury and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.

What Criteria Does the Michelin Guide Use to Select Its Restaurants?

The Michelin Guide’s inspectors use five key criteria to award stars:

1. Quality of the ingredients – Only the finest ingredients make the cut for a Michelin-starred dish.

2. Personality of the cuisine – Innovation and creativity are at the heart of a Michelin-starred restaurant.

3. Mastery of flavors and cooking techniques – Precision in cooking is paramount.

4. Value for money – A Michelin star ensures a memorable dining experience that justifies its price.

5. Consistency – The restaurant must consistently maintain high standards across multiple visits and seasons.

The Path to a Michelin-Starred Career

The allure of working in a Michelin-starred restaurant is undeniable for many aspiring chefs. Whether you’re hoping to work in an established institution or dream of one day opening your own Michelin-recognized establishment, the journey requires dedication, skill, and passion. Placement International is here to support those who wish to take their culinary career to the next level by offering opportunities in the most prestigious hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide. In addition to placement services, they provide visa assistance and are more than happy to stand by your side to ensure that you get the most out of your trip and your work experience.

To know more about how Placement International can help you find a job in a luxury hotel or Michelin-starred restaurant in the USA, Europe, or the Middle East, simply create a profile on Placement International's website or send your CV to info@placement-int.com.