Pensacola, Florida, October 8, 2025
News Summary
In a significant move, the Michelin Guide will extend its coverage across all of Florida in 2026, which will greatly benefit restaurants in the Panhandle region. This expansion is expected to lift attention to culinary offerings in smaller cities and provide opportunities for innovation in the food sector. The guide, which currently recognizes over 30,000 establishments worldwide, evaluates restaurants based on various criteria, creating potential for elevating local dining experiences and attracting new culinary talent. The inclusion of the Panhandle in the Guide signals exciting possibilities for local chefs and restaurateurs.
Pensacola
Michelin Guide to expand statewide coverage in Florida, affecting Panhandle restaurants starting in 2026
Starting in 2026, the Michelin Guide will expand its coverage to include all of Florida, benefiting Panhandle-area restaurants. The expansion brings statewide attention to culinary operations beyond current metropolitan centers and is expected to create new opportunities for smaller cities, including those in the Florida Panhandle.
Key details
The Michelin Guide historically highlights chefs and restaurants for craftsmanship and a range of dining experiences. Currently, over 30,000 establishments are recognized in the Michelin Guide across more than 30 territories and three continents. The guide includes both starred and non-starred restaurants, offering recognition for distinctive offerings as well as the highly publicized Michelin stars.
Currently, Florida’s Michelin Guide includes 167 restaurants, with 27 receiving one Michelin star and two holding two stars—L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami and Sorekara in Orlando. No Florida restaurant has yet achieved three Michelin stars. Restaurants already listed in the Michelin Guide do not need to apply for a star; Michelin conducts regular re-assessments and annual awards that can add or remove stars.
What inspectors evaluate and how decisions are made
Michelin inspectors evaluate restaurants based on five areas: the quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of techniques, chef’s personality as expressed through cuisine, and consistency. Restaurant decor style and service are not considered during evaluations. Inspectors may visit restaurants individually or in groups, often returning multiple times to confirm consistency before discussing their experiences collectively and reaching final decisions.
Stars are awarded on an annual basis and can be lost, a process that has affected prominent chefs and restaurants. The Guide has both the power to elevate previously unnoticed locations to culinary destinations and the pressure to push high standards among chefs and teams.
Local implications in the Panhandle and Pensacola
The expansion is expected to shine a wider spotlight on Panhandle cities. Michelin-trained chefs and local professionals indicate that including smaller cities could encourage innovation, raise dining standards, and attract new culinary talent. Pensacola already features chefs with experience in Michelin-starred kitchens around the world, and local industry leaders anticipate that the Guide’s presence could foster a stronger food community and invite guests to try new concepts.
Restaurants and chefs in the region should note that the Michelin Guide encompasses a variety of dining experiences, including those without Michelin stars, promoting restaurants for their distinctive offerings. The presence of inspectors and potential inclusion in the statewide Guide will likely influence menu development, ingredient sourcing, and consistency practices in preparation for evaluation.
Historical context
The Michelin Guide was initially developed by Andre and Edouard Michelin in 1889 to encourage travel. It shifted into a restaurant ranking system in the 1920s, with the introduction of star ratings starting in 1926. The Guide’s long history ties travel and dining, with its star system becoming one of the most recognizable markers of culinary achievement worldwide.
Broader considerations
The statewide expansion should be understood as part of the Guide’s ongoing global operations. Inspectors prioritize food-focused criteria and confidentiality in their visits. For restaurants, the Guide’s recognition can bring greater external attention and commercial opportunity, and it also reinforces a system of standards that requires ongoing consistency and technical mastery.
FAQ
Q: What is the change?
A: Starting in 2026, the Michelin Guide will expand its coverage to include all of Florida, benefiting Panhandle-area restaurants.
Q: How many establishments does the Michelin Guide currently recognize?
A: Currently, over 30,000 establishments are recognized in the Michelin Guide across more than 30 territories and three continents.
Q: How many Florida restaurants are currently in the Michelin Guide?
A: Currently, Florida’s Michelin Guide includes 167 restaurants, with 27 receiving one Michelin star and two holding two stars—L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami and Sorekara in Orlando.
Q: Has any Florida restaurant achieved three Michelin stars?
A: No Florida restaurant has yet achieved three Michelin stars.
Q: What do Michelin inspectors evaluate?
A: Michelin inspectors evaluate restaurants based on five areas: the quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of techniques, chef’s personality as expressed through cuisine, and consistency.
Q: Are decor and service considered in evaluations?
A: Restaurant decor style and service are not considered during evaluations.
Q: Who developed the Michelin Guide and why?
A: The Michelin Guide was initially developed by Andre and Edouard Michelin in 1889 to encourage travel.
Q: Does the Guide include restaurants without stars?
A: The Michelin Guide encompasses a variety of dining experiences, including those without Michelin stars, promoting restaurants for their distinctive offerings.
Q: Are Michelin stars permanent?
A: Michelin stars are awarded annually and can be lost; major chefs like Gordon Ramsay have experienced this.
At-a-glance chart
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| State coverage | Starting in 2026, the Michelin Guide will expand its coverage to include all of Florida, benefiting Panhandle-area restaurants. |
| Florida restaurants listed | Currently, Florida’s Michelin Guide includes 167 restaurants, with 27 receiving one Michelin star and two holding two stars—L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami and Sorekara in Orlando. |
| Three-star restaurants in Florida | No Florida restaurant has yet achieved three Michelin stars. |
| Global recognition | Currently, over 30,000 establishments are recognized in the Michelin Guide across more than 30 territories and three continents. |
| Evaluation focus | Michelin inspectors evaluate restaurants based on five areas: the quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of techniques, chef’s personality as expressed through cuisine, and consistency. |
| Decor and service | Restaurant decor style and service are not considered during evaluations. |
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Additional Resources
- Pensacola News Journal: Michelin Guide set to expand into all of Florida
- Michelin Media: The Michelin Guide welcomes new cities in Florida expansion
- Visit Orlando: Orlando Michelin Restaurants
- Miami New Times: New Miami restaurant Itamae Ao wins Michelin star
- Michelin Guide: New Florida Cities Expansion
- Wikipedia: Michelin Guide
- Google Search: Michelin Guide Florida
- Google Scholar: Michelin Guide
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Michelin Guide
- Google News: Michelin Guide Florida
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
