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The Michelin Guide, an international benchmark for restaurants, is coming to Arizona for the first time. Michelin’s stars, awarded by its anonymous inspectors, are a coveted signifier of the quality of a restaurant and the skill of its chefs.
Restaurants in Arizona will be part of a regional Southwestern guide that includes Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. The guide is anticipated to be announced at a yet-to-be-scheduled ceremony in 2026, according to an announcement by Michelin on Monday.
“A milestone we have been talking about for years is finally here,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego shared in a post on Facebook. “Phoenix will now be a Michelin-rated restaurant community! Our amazing chefs will get a little more of the recognition they deserve.”
Michelin published its first North American Guide in New York in 2005. Since then, guides have expanded to 14 other regions on the continent. Arizona and the Southwest are areas Michelin has been eyeing.
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“Our anonymous inspectors have been eager to expand further into the Southwest and share their discoveries with the world,” Gwendal Poullennec, international director of The Michelin Guide, said in the announcement. “We are excited to showcase the distinct cuisine styles that are representative of the cultures throughout the Southwest, which blends a rich mix of traditions and culinary talent.”
What is the Michelin Guide?
The guide dates back to the turn of the 20th century. Michelin, a French tire company, published recommendations for motorists. It was a marketing move for the tire business that provided practical advice for early road-trippers. In the 125 years since its launch, the guide has grown to an international juggernaut of restaurant recommendations.
To determine which restaurants to include in the guide, anonymous inspectors fan out, dining multiple times at each eatery. Inspectors score restaurants across five criteria, per Michelin:
- Quality products
- Harmony of flavors
- Mastery of cooking techniques
- The reflection of the chef’s voice and personality in the cuisine
- Consistency between visits
Restaurants included in the guide may be awarded from one to three stars.
“There is no secret recipe for a Michelin Star — we’re just looking for exceptional cooking, whether it’s innovative or traditional, a tasting menu or à la carte, an artful presentation or something more rustic,” Michelin explains about its star ratings.
One star recognizes “restaurants that use top-quality ingredients and prepare dishes with distinct flavors to a consistently high standard.”
Two-starred restaurants, meanwhile, are places where “the team’s personalities and talents shine through in expertly crafted dishes, with food that is both refined and inspired.”
A three-star award is the highest honor from Michelin. These are places that “tend to have chefs at the peak of their profession, where the cooking elevates the craft to an art form, with some dishes destined to become classics,” according to Michelin.
Other Michelin nods include Bib Gourmand, “a special distinction for restaurants that serve high-quality food at great value,” per Michelin, and “green star” restaurants noted for their sustainability efforts.
