Image: AI-generated
Philadelphia’s food scene is about to get more global attention! The Michelin Red Guide is coming to the City of Brotherly Love, and inspectors have already been dispatched to explore the culinary landscape, dining anonymously and scouting exceptional local restaurants to award the famed Michelin star using the Guide’s historic evaluation criteria.
The possibility of Philly being included as part of the Michelin Guide has been talked about for years, and finally, it is a reality. This is considered a major milestone for the city’s culinary reputation, as it is the first time the city’s dining scene will be spotlighted.
International director of the Michelin Guide Gwendal Poullennec said, “We 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.”
Not only has Philadelphia been included, but it will also be hosting the 2025 Michelin Guide Northeast Cities Ceremony set to be held on November 18 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. On this day, everyone will finally find out which restaurants will earn those coveted awarded stars.
“Hosting the Northeast Cities Ceremony at the iconic Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts makes it all the more special, as we’ll see Philadelphia’s restaurants earn their first Michelin accolades right here in their own backyard,” Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, said in a news release.
The Michelin Star Rating System
The Michelin Guide is considered one of the most prestigious honors in the culinary world for a restaurant to be included in it. It is an acknowledgement of not only the chef’s skills, but also the quality of food and the exclusive culinary experience.
A Michelin star rating is one of the most prestigious honors a restaurant can receive. The stars are awarded based on five criteria:
- Quality of the ingredients used
- Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques
- Personality of the chef in the cuisine
- Harmony of flavors
- Consistency, both across the entire menu and between visits.
One star means a restaurant is very good and worth visiting; two indicates an excellent restaurant worth a detour, and three denotes an exceptional spot that is worth planning a special journey.
Image: Michelin Guide
Other Michelin awards include:
Green Star: An annual award that recognizes restaurants that not only cook up deliciousness, but do so in a sustainable way.
The Bib Gourmand: Recognizes restaurants that serve good food at moderate prices, ensuring diners get value for their money. The Bib Gourmand is named after Bibendum, the friendly Michelin Man and the official company mascot for the Michelin Group.
What Hosting the Michelin Guide Northeast Awards Means for Philly Restaurants
If you’ve ever stood in line for brunch in South Philly, or shared a plate of wings at your favorite Black-owned restaurant or food truck, you already know that Philly’s food scene hits different. From modern American and Southern to Afro-Caribbean and West African, the food is rich with flavor, history, and deeply rooted in community.
The arrival of the Michelin Guide is a game-changer that presents a big opportunity, which could also come with unintended consequences. What does this really mean for Philly restaurants, and especially for Black chefs and restaurant owners who have been powering the culinary landscape?
Increased Tourism and Exposure
When the Michelin Guide arrives in Philly, it would undoubtedly draw global attention to its culinary scene, which could translate to more tourism.
According to a 2023 study, “Towards a Sky Full of Michelin Stars,” destinations with Michelin stars tend to draw more international visitors than purely local ones. The study shows that Michelin-starred establishments are visited by tourists from outside the region, suggesting the Guide has the power to boost a destination’s reputation and competitive edge in the global dining sector.
Economic Boost
Increased tourist activity creates an economic ripple effect, ensuring that the revenue generated benefits not just restaurants, but also sectors like hotels, transport, and nightlife. From local suppliers to farmers, the global attention benefits the entire food ecosystem. When visitors arrive, they do not just dine; they stay in hotels, move around, and explore. This could mean more money for Black-owned businesses in hospitality, catering, and retail.
For instance, restaurants like Little Bear and Heirloom Market BBQ in Atlanta reported impressive revenue increases of 25% to 30% after receiving their Michelin recognition.
Opportunity for Black Culinary Voices
For generations, Black culinary innovators have shaped the soul of Philadelphia’s food scene, blending culture, flavors, and creativity. The Michelin Guide’s presence in Philadelphia offers a rare opportunity to elevate these voices, granting them visibility and allowing them to compete on a global scale.
More Pressure on Restaurants
While a Michelin star can lead to increased visibility and revenue, it can lead to increased customer expectations and operational pressures resulting from increased wages demanded to maintain high-level standards.
The “Michelin bump”, the surge in business that often follows a Michelin award, can be short-lived, with some restaurants struggling to meet the heightened expectations.
According to University College London (UCL) Assistant Professor Daniel Sands, Michelin restaurants face a higher risk of closing in the years following the award, often stemming from a mismatched perception of the Michelin rating from diners and the real-life experience.
The significant benefits of recognition come hand-in-hand with challenges. This underscores the need for restaurateurs to plan and be prepared for both the accolades and the pressures that accompany them.
Which Philly Restaurants Deserve the Michelin Star?
The anticipation is high for which restaurants will earn Philadelphia’s first-ever Michelin star or other prestigious honors like the Bib Gourmand or Green Star.
Photo: Facebook / Michelin Guide
Emmy and Murrow award-winning host and reporter hit the streets to find out which local restaurants Philadelphians think should make the cut, and they had interesting answers.
Some popular restaurants mentioned include high-end establishments Vernick, Kalaya, Royal Izakaya, Vetri Cucina, Vetri Cucina, Provenance, and Roxanne.
When @micmasterman hit up the Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park to ask the same question, they mentioned Palenque Restaurante, Perla, Morning Glory Diner, Lee’s Deli, and Kalaya.
One of the responses on Reddit read: “If anyone gets a star, it’s going to be Vernick, Zahav, FSS, Laurel, and/or Royal Izakaya. I think Provenance and Bastia also mirror my experience at starred restaurants, but might be too new.
“They also might give one to Jean George’s out of pure habit, even though I wouldn’t even place it in the top 10 on its food merits.”
The inclusion of Philadelphia in the prestigious Michelin Guide is a big deal. And now that it’s here, all eyes are now focused on November 18, when the list of recognized restaurants will finally be unveiled.
