Most chefs and restaurant owners dream of being awarded a MICHELIN Star. It’s an extraordinarily rare honour – one that can define careers and cement legacies.
Just over three years ago, the world-renowned MICHELIN Guide unveiled its first-ever Toronto edition. Since then, MICHELIN continues to update its Toronto Guide annually, featuring and acclaiming only the best of the best.
In this blog, we’ll look at how many MICHELIN-star restaurants can be found in Toronto, and what culinary professionals should know about this renowned publication.
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Why is the MICHELIN Guide So Famous?
Today, the MICHELIN Guide is nothing less than an institution. However, this prestige is a far cry from its humble roots.
The first MICHELIN Guides were published by MICHELIN Tires (yes, that MICHELIN Tires) as a simple pamphlet to help road-trippers find places to eat and rest while out on the road.
One of the most polarizing aspects of the MICHELIN Guide is the sheer secrecy. Unlike other high-profile food critics, MICHELIN’s writers (called “inspectors”) are famously anonymous. They travel around the world testing hundreds of culinary and hospitality experiences each year – all without blowing their cover.
Another unique aspect of MICHELIN Guides is that they aren’t limited to ultra-luxurious, high-end dining. In fact, MICHELIN’s Guide features pretty much every type of eatery, ranging from high-tech vending machines to casual takeaway counters, local dives, and of course, five-star restaurants.
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A Look at the MICHELIN Guide Rating System
Everyone knows about the Stars, but there are actually three different degrees of recognition within the MICHELIN Guide. In reality, most of the restaurants featured in Toronto’s MICHELIN Guide don’t actually have one or more Stars. Instead, you’ll find them under the Bib Gourmand or Selected Restaurants category.
Let’s break it down.
MICHELIN Stars
In the culinary world, MICHELIN Stars are reserved for the best of the best. Restaurants are awarded one to three Stars, with a three-star rating being the highest honour. Nevertheless, even a single Star is an extraordinary achievement.
However, MICHELIN Stars aren’t permanent. A restaurant can actually lose or gain its Stars based on changes to quality and how inspectors feel on return visits.
Restaurants with one MICHELIN Star in Toronto include: Alo, Edulis, and Quetzal
MICHELIN Star Criteria
Now, the million-dollar question: what do MICHELIN inspectors look for? For an institution so esteemed, MICHELIN’s criteria for restaurants are surprisingly quite simple. They judge chefs and restaurants based on five main points:
- Use of Quality Products
- Mastery of Flavour and Cooking Techniques
- Personality of the Chef in the Cuisine
- Value for Money
- Consistency of Food
The Bib Gourmand
The next type of designation you’ll find in the MICHELIN Guide is the Bib Gourmand. While not as famous as the coveted MICHELIN Stars, being awarded a Bib Gourmand can do wonders for a restaurant’s reputation (and revenue).
According to MICHELIN, the Bib Gourmand is all about value. More specifically, Bib Gourmand restaurants are where diners can expect to find a high-quality three-course meal for a reasonable price.
MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurants in Toronto include: The Ace, Grey Gardens, and Sunnys Chinese
Selected Restaurants
Finally, at the bottom of the MICHELIN rating pyramid is Selected Restaurants. These are basic recommendations from MICHELIN that don’t necessarily follow a specific criterion or reasoning.
MICHELIN Selected Restaurants in Toronto include: Bar Goa, Canoe, and PAI
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How Many Michelin-starred Restaurants are in Toronto?
Of the hundreds of restaurants in Toronto, only the cream of the crop make it into the MICHELIN Guide. As of 2025:
- 14 restaurants in Toronto have one MICHELIN Star
- 23 have been awarded a Bib Gourmand in the MICHELIN Guide
- 56 have been named Selected Restaurants in the MICHELIN Guide
How Can I Get My Restaurant in the MICHELIN Guide?
Almost every chef or restaurateur dreams of getting a MICHELIN Star, or at the very least, being featured in the Guide. However, only a select few are eventually able to accomplish this.
If you want to chase your dreams of being in the Toronto MICHELIN Guide, the best thing you can do is consistently serve up delicious, high-quality food at a great value. Even if a MICHELIN inspector never comes for a visit, you’ll at the very least build a loyal base of happy customers.
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