Detroit restaurants will now be eligible for Michelin stars.
Visit Detroit announced at a press conference Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Milwaukee that the Michelin Guide would launch a Great Lakes edition, with Detroit as one of six cities included in the guide.
This is historic news for Detroit’s culinary scene. In recent years, the Michelin Guide has expanded to include major cities, such as Atlanta, Boston and Philadelphia. The Great Lakes Guide will feature restaurants in Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh.
“We are beyond thrilled to spotlight our city and this region in this new Michelin Guide Great Lakes edition,” said Claude Molinari, President & CEO, Visit Detroit. Molinari was touted by President and CEO of Visit Milwaukee Peggy Williams-Smith as the person responsible for forming the Great Lakes partnership with the Michelin Guide. It was Molinari who, two years ago, gathered the participating partners at a trade show to gauge interest in bring the guide to their respective cities.
“Detroit is a culinary destination on the rise, and the recognition officially puts us on the map as a serious food city,” Molinari said at the press conference. “Our culinary scene is built on authenticity, diversity and affordability, and it’s a story that is still being written. From Greektown to Mexicantown, to one of the largest Middle Eastern food scenes in the USA, the Detroit region offers a true melting pot of international flavors.”
For Detroit chefs, the news is welcome.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to both live in and regularly travel to several cities that house many Michelin starred restaurants, and I’ve felt for a long time that the food and beverage establishments in Detroit deserve far more credit than they receive,” said Sandy Levine, co-owner of Detroit restaurants Freya, Dragonfly, Chartreuse and Dirty Shake.
“In addition to standing up to many larger-market cities, another thing that makes Detroit stand out is its people. Many of the bars and restaurants that make our landscape what it is, reflects my favorite part of Detroit — the grit, style, and culture of its people. Many of these bars and restaurants are owned by people who worked their way up the ladder from busser/dishwasher to line cook/server, with a dream and a bank loan. They’re not toys for millionaires to hang out and look flashy, they’re community hubs that support real people living and dining in a city they love. Michelin coming to Detroit and recognizing the hard work, dedication, passion, and true love that goes into these places means more to the people of a city that’s been mocked for decades than many people realize.”
Detroit chef Omar Mitchell has long expressed his interest in earning a Michelin star. Today, his dream for the opportunity becomes a possibility.
“The arrival of the Michelin Guide to the Great Lakes of Michigan is more than recognition — it’s a defining moment,” he said. “It represents the long overdue spotlight on a region rich with culture, resilience and culinary excellence, and affirms that Detroit’s dining scene is ready to stand on a global stage. For years, chefs like (me) have poured passion, precision, and purpose into elevating the city’s food narrative, and now that dedication meets international validation.
“Simply put, Michelin coming to Michigan means the world is finally tasting what Detroit has always known — and Chef Omar Mitchell is ready.”
The Michelin evaluation process will include establishments in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, and according to a press release by the Michelin Guide, anonymous inspectors are already scouting the region, making reservations at restaurants in Detroit and beyond.
In addition to its one, two and three stars for exceptional restaurants, the Michelin Guide offers additional designations. The Bib Gourmand recognizes restaurants offering good quality food for a good value, while the Green Star honors restaurants practicing sustainable and environmentally conscious gastronomy. There are also special professional awards highlighted by Michelin Guide inspectors.
Detroit-area restaurants that have earned Michelin stars or other designations will be revealed in 2027 at the MICHELIN Guide American Great Lakes Ceremony, which will be announced at a later date.
In 2024, Michelin debuted a travel guide for Detroit, with 5 attractions getting a coveted 3-star rating.
This story will be updated.
Contact Detroit Free Press Dining and Restaurant Critic Lyndsay C. Green at: LCGreen@freepress.com. Follow @LadyLuff on Instagram and X. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for extras and insider scoops on Detroit-area dining.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit restaurants are now eligible for Michelin star ratings
Reporting by Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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