Star-worthy meals: The Michelin Guide is coming to Boston

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Boston can boast of another achievement as it has made its historic arrival into the new Michelin Guide Northeast Cities edition. The Hub will be joining other preexisting cities in this edition of the guide, Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C. Philadelphia is another new edition this year.

The Michelin Guide is a prestigious guide that observes the evolution of culinary destinations around the world. The guide’s selection process is determined by completely anonymous and independent inspectors.

It remains as a reliable companion for any traveler seeking a great meal. The guide was first published in France at the turn of the twentieth century to encourage tire sales by giving practical advice to French motorists.

Michelin’s inspectors still use the same criteria and manner of selection that were used by inspectors in the very beginning, now applied in destinations around the world. The Michelin Guide’s anonymous inspectors are already in the field, making dining reservations and looking for the best culinary gems throughout Greater Boston.

The upcoming restaurant selection will follow Michelin’s historical methodology, which is based on five universal criteria, to ensure each destination’s selection equity: quality products, the harmony of flavors, the mastery of cooking techniques, the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine and consistency between each visit and throughout the menu. Each restaurant is inspected several times a year.

Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said that he and his team are thrilled for Boston and Philadelphia to join the Michelin Guide Northeast Cities as both are premier destinations for gourmets to experience a rich diversity of cuisine and culinary history.

“The local passion, talent and camaraderie in both Boston and Philadelphia is evident in their restaurant communities and the anonymous inspectors look forward to spotlighting their unique experiences across both cities,” he said.

Thanks to a partnership between Meet Boston and the Cambridge Office of Tourism, they were able to connect with the Michelin Guide to highlight the vibrant culinary scene in Boston and Cambridge. Cities must pay to have the Michelin Guide in their city, which is why Boston has previously not had any Michelin rated restaurants.

This news follows Meet Boston’s own culinary initiative that launched in 2024, a multi-channel promotional campaign highlighting the city’s talented chefs and diverse restaurants.

These efforts made the arrival of the Michelin Guide in Boston possible. Coupled with the city’s well-known dining scene, along with the Cambridge Office for Tourism’s eagerness to help showcase Cambridge’s culinary excellence, the guide is positioned to shine a spotlight on the region as a vital culinary destination.

The Michelin Guide will only be working with Meet Boston on marketing and promotional activities, decisions about which restaurants are awarded Michelin recognition are made solely by the Michelin team.

President and CEO of Meet Boston Martha J. Sheridan said that the Boston restaurant scene has reached new heights, which she said is a fact validated by the Michelin Guide’s entrance into the city’s market.

“Long known for distinguished and unparalleled farm-to-table and sea-to-table cuisine, Boston now boasts an expanded portfolio of epicurean excellence, underpinned by our great diversity of offerings and contributions from a global diaspora of culinary creators,” she said. “We have achieved this distinction in partnership with our amazing friends across the river in Cambridge. We invite all to see and try for themselves how Greater Boston’s contemporary culinary culture has evolved.” 

Candice Beaulieu, interim executive director for the Cambridge Office for Tourism, said that she views this partnership with the Michelin Guide and Meet Boston as a potential “huge win” for the city of Cambridge.

“Cities around the world are eager to be recognized by the Michelin Guide as vibrant and trip-worthy culinary destinations,” she said. “We already know that Cambridge is home to extraordinarily talented chefs and culinary teams, and now the rest of the world will discover it too.”

Learn more about the Michelin Guide at guide.michelin.com.