Michelin Guide Now a Part of Philly, Culinary Community

Philadelphia's culinary community is celebrating the announcement that the City of Brotherly Love is now a part of the Michelin Guide's cadre of locales in the United States.

The announcement that Philly would be welcomed into the Michelin Guide family is good news for the city, whose dining scene was ranked among the top 10 in the United States by Food & Wine in 2025.

Drexel University research chef and educator Jonathan Deutsch noted for Metro Philadelphia that research shows how Michelin's presence can increase tourism, which would give a boost to Philadelphia's restaurant industry revenue. 

But Deutsch also has concerns. "I also worry the Michelin scrutiny could make chefs more focused on delivering a consistent experience than continuing along the innovative trajectory that attracts Michelin in the first place," he said. "It's possible the high-stakes lure of a Michelin star, which awards consistent excellence, could lead Philly's most vibrant and creative chefs and restaurateurs to pull back on the risks that led to the city's culinary excellence in the first place."

Philadelphia boasts a wealth of culinary star power, as evidenced by its Michelin recognition. An article in The Philadelphia Inquirer identified 19 restaurants that could serve as possible “star contenders.” Taken together, these culinary establishments have garnered 78 James Beard awards or nominations. The highly regarded James Beard Awards are akin to the Oscars of the food industry.

Deutsch said that Philly's Michelin contenders could be restaurants such as Friday Saturday Sunday, Ogawa, Provenance, Royal Sushi and Izakaya, Vernick Fish, Vetri Cucina, and Zahav. But he also believes the city's culinary community has plenty of talent waiting in the wings, including Jacob Trinh's Vietnamese-infused seafood tasting menu at Little Fish in Queen Village, Kurt Evans' gumbo lo mein at Black Dragon Takeout in West Philly, and the West African XO sauce at Honeysuckle, owned by Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate, on North Broad Street.

"I hope the Michelin inspectors will venture far beyond the obvious candidates to experience more of what Philadelphia has to offer," he concluded.