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DAS Blog

Dante Alighieri Society Blog

What does it take to be a Michelin 3 Star Rated Restaurant and how many are there currently in Italy?

Sylvia Barnes500

To earn 3 Michelin Stars a restaurant must a restaurant must serve "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey", representing the absolute peak of the culinary profession according to the Michelin Guide.  Independent inspectors travel the world and anonymously judge the food served to them against the following criteria:

  • Quality of ingredients: Using top-tier, exceptionally fresh, and carefully sourced components.
  • Harmony of flavors: Balancing and combining tastes with precision.
  • Mastery of culinary techniques: Demonstrating flawless execution and technical skill.
  • The chef's personality: Expressing a unique culinary identity and voice through the food.
  • Consistency: Delivering the exact same elite standard across the entire menu, from visit to visit, and across all seasons.

There are currently 15 Michelin 3 Star Rated Restaurants in Italy.

  1. Villa Crespi – Orta San Giulio (Piedmont)
  2. Piazza Duomo – Alba (Piedmont)
  3. La Rei Natura by Michelangelo Mammoliti – Serralunga d'Alba (Piedmont)
  4. Enrico Bartolini al Mudec – Milan (Lombardy)
  5. Da Vittorio – Brusaporto (Lombardy)
  6. Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler – Brunico (Trentino-Alto Adige)
  7. Dal Pescatore Santini – Runate (Lombardy)
  8. Casa Perbellini 12 Apostoli – Verona (Veneto)
  9. Le Calandre – Rubano (Veneto)
  10. Osteria Francescana – Modena (Emilia-Romagna)***
  11. Enoteca Pinchiorri – Florence (Tuscany)
  12. Uliassi – Senigallia (Marche)
  13. La Pergola – Rome (Lazio)
  14. Reale – Castel di Sangro (Abruzzo)
  15. Quattro Passi – Nerano (Campania)

Italy's iconic Osteria Francescana in Modena has twice been voted the No. 1 restaurant in the world in both 2016 and 2018. If you want to eat at this restaurant you must book on line well in advance. Today they are taking reservations for April 2027. 

This led me to wonder how Italy ranks against other countries.  Believe it or not, the US has more Michelin 3 Star rated restaurants than Italy.

The ranking is as follows:

  • France – 31
  • Japan – 20
  • Spain – 16
  • United States – 16
  • Italy – 15
  • Germany – 12
  • United Kingdom – 10
  • Hong Kong – 7
  • Switzerland – 4
  • China (Mainland) – 3

As you plan your next trip to Italy, you might consider opening up your wallet and spending a small fortune on the meal of a lifetime.