Mutra, a North Miami kosher restaurant, has been awarded one Michelin Star in the Michelin Guide Florida 2026, making it the first fully kosher U.S. restaurant to receive a Michelin star and signaling a milestone for kosher fine dining in Florida.
311 Omakase in Boston’s South End earned the city’s first Michelin star, officially awarded to chef Wei Chen and co-owner Carrie Ko in a ceremony that highlighted their evolving 18-course menu and the couple’s nearly 12-year partnership; Chen trained under Masa Takayama in New York, and Ko hopes the recognition signals more Michelin stars for Boston after 26 local restaurants were recognized in 2025.
Somni, a West Hollywood restaurant led by chef Aitor Zabala, earned its third Michelin star, making it one of only 16 in the U.S., despite pandemic setbacks and high prices. The restaurant maintains a strict reservation system, refusing to bend for high-profile guests like Jeff Bezos, emphasizing fairness and exclusivity. Zabala highlights the challenges of running a fine dining establishment today, including rising costs and limited seating, but remains passionate about creating memorable culinary experiences.
Chicago's Cariño, a new restaurant in Uptown led by chef Norman Fenton, has earned its first Michelin star, praised for its bold and creative tasting menu. Meanwhile, four other Chicago restaurants lost their Michelin stars, including Moody Tongue, which dropped from two stars to one. Alinea and Smyth retained their three-star status, while Daisies in Logan Square received a Michelin Green Star for its sustainable practices.
Space Perspective's partnership with a two-Michelin Star restaurant to offer a meal on board its Spaceship Neptune, carried by a balloon-propelled capsule, has sparked excitement about luxury space travel. However, the capsule only reaches the edge of space, not actual space, despite claims of a Michelin-starred meal in space. While the experience offers stunning views and luxury amenities, it falls short of true space travel, highlighting the ongoing debate about where space begins and the distinction between space tourism and actual space exploration.
Mark Zuckerberg visited a Japanese McDonald's during his tour of Asia and was so impressed with the meal that he joked it should have a Michelin star. He is also scheduled to visit South Korea and India, with business meetings and personal activities planned in each location. Additionally, Zuckerberg has been pursuing various hobbies, including cattle farming, jiu-jitsu, and MMA training.
Chef Charlie Mitchell, New York City's first Black chef to earn a Michelin Star, shares his delicious stuffed chicken recipe for the holidays. The recipe includes brined chicken crowns filled with a mixture of tempered butter, toasted brioche, garlic, lemon zest, salt, parsley, and chives. After piping the mixture into the chicken breasts, they are baked and then rested before serving with potato puree, chicken au jus or gravy, and fresh herbs.
Paradisaea, a local restaurant in La Jolla, has been recognized by the Michelin Guide and added to its list of California restaurants. It is the only San Diego County entry in this round of selections and is now eligible for the prestigious Michelin Star or Michelin Bib Gourmand honors.
San Francisco seafood restaurant, Aphotic, located in the SoMa neighborhood, has been awarded a Michelin star for its rarefied pescatarian tasting menu that is described as offering a unique and personality-filled dining experience.
Husband-and-wife chef team David Fisher and Serena Chow Fisher have abruptly quit Marlena, the Michelin-starred restaurant they have been running for the past three years. The couple cited a conflict with the owner over differing visions of hospitality and integrity as the reason for their departure. It is uncertain if Marlena will continue operating without them. The Fishers and Ryan Cole are already working on a new restaurant, 7 Adams, which will take over the former Gardenia's space.
Season 2 of "The Bear" follows chefs Carmy and Syd as they attempt to transform a run-down Chicago restaurant into a destination-worthy fine dining experience. The challenges of the city's bureaucracy and staffing shortages, as well as their differing priorities for the restaurant's success, add to the pressure of opening in just three months. The show explores the mental strain of top chefs and the rarity of happiness even with success, while paying homage to the history of the restaurant industry in Chicago.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted leaving Sushi Bar Montecito, a Michelin-star restaurant in Santa Barbara, California. The couple enjoyed a date night after Harry flew back to California from his father's coronation in the UK to celebrate their son Archie's fourth birthday. The restaurant offers an intimate dining experience with just one mini counter seating ten people. The omakase menu costs $165 per person, and diners must pay a $25 deposit to secure a booking. Meghan wore a brown long-sleeved dress, while Harry opted for a casual outfit of white jeans and a black T-shirt.
Three Tampa restaurants, Koya, Rocca, and Lilac, have been awarded one Michelin Star each, making them the first in the city to receive the prestigious recognition. The award is seen as a significant achievement for the Tampa culinary scene, which has been growing in taste and presentation. The Michelin Guide is viewed as a chance to retain culinary talents in Tampa and welcome more people, especially international travelers, to the city. Florida now has 18 Michelin-recommended restaurants, four Bib Gourmand recipients, and three Michelin-starred restaurants.