French Restaurants To Try at Least Once in Your Life, According to Top Michelin-Starred Chefs

City PM Reviewed Jul 19, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

In 2026, the Michelin Guide recognized 668 restaurants in France with one, two, or three stars.

668 restaurants · restaurants in France

The newspaper surveyed approximately 60 Michelin-starred chefs to compile a list of five essential restaurants each, excluding their own.

about 60 chefs · Michelin-starred chefs5 restaurants · restaurants each chef recommended

The final list was based on the perspectives of approximately 30 renowned chefs who experience the pressure of service firsthand and lead kitchen staff.

about 30 chefs · renowned chefs whose perspectives formed the list

Earning one, two or three stars, 668 restaurants in France were recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2026. That can be a real headache for anyone looking for the right restaurant. The goal is not to miss out on restaurants that are truly worth visiting. So the newspaper has created a unique list by surveying some 60 Michelin-starred chefs themselves. They were asked to answer a question that was both simple and complex: Which five restaurants should you absolutely visit at least once in your life? Excluding their own, of course.

Some of the biggest names agreed to take part, including Pierre Gagnaire, Arnaud Donckele, Georges Blanc, César Troisgros, Éric Frechon, and Alexandre Mazzia. The result is a unique list, based on the perspectives of some 30 renowned chefs — who experience the pressure of service firsthand, lead a kitchen staff, and understand the demands of the profession. The results are a mix of expected choices and surprises. Find out which restaurant…

This article was originally published by City PM ↗. citations.press indexes the source-backed facts above and links to the original. Something wrong? Corrections policy · Report an error