What is a Michelin star?
Michelin stars are given out on a scale of one to three stars, with only top establishments in the world qualifying.
To earn one Michelin star, a restaurant needs to be “a very good restaurant in this category”.
For two stars, it needs to be “excellent cooking, worth a detour”. For three stars, a restaurant must serve “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.”
The history of the Michelin star
According to the Michelin website, the Michelin Guide was originally intended to encourage motorists to explore France, and naturally, buy more Michelin tires.
The little red guidebook was initially free until it relaunched in 1920, costing seven francs.
It listed hotels and restaurants by category. The Michelin star system, ranging from zero to three, began in 1931.
The Michelin Guide has now expanded to 30 territories in three continents.
Michelin restaurant inspectors are experienced food and beverage pros who visit and review restaurants anonymously, so restaurants do not know when they are being considered for a Michelin star.
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Restaurant JAG |
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Specialty |
Restaurant JAG is at Duxton Road, awarded one Michelin Star. No a la carte menu. They serve omakase style. For lunch, they serve Executive Set Lunch – The 3 Expressions – priced at $58++. There is the 6 course Degustation Measured Indulgence Menu at $175++, an 8 course Degustation Opulent Indulgence Menu at $223++. |
| Pricing |
$58 to 223 for set meal |
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Website |
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| Address |
76 Duxton Road, 089535 |
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Telephone |
+65 3138 8455 |
| Operating Hours |
6 pm to 10.30 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
ALMA |
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Specialty |
Alma by Juan Amador at Goodwood Park Hotel along Scotts Road is relatively affordable for a Michelin Starred Restaurant. There are three lunch options at Alma Singapore – 3, 4 and 5 course menus priced at $39++, $55++ and $88++ respectively. Challand duck, Tajima Shortrib, Amaou Strawberry dessert exudes Spanish charm. |
| Pricing |
$39 to $88 for set lunch |
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Website |
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| Address |
Goodwood Park Hotel 22 Scotts Road Singapore 228221 |
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Telephone |
+65- 6735 9937 |
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Operating Hours |
Monday to Thursday: 6.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Coconut Club |
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Specialty |
Coconut Club’s outlet at 28 Ann Siang Road blends coffee shop and modern café design, featured in the Michelin Bib Gourmand 2018. The only main course is Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah ($12.80) – nasi lemak with flavoured fried chicken. Choose between chicken leg or chicken breast and add on side dishes. |
| Pricing |
$12.80 per serving |
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Website |
http://www.thecoconutclub.sg/ |
| Address |
28 Ann Siang Road Singapore 069708 |
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Telephone |
+65 6635 2999 |
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Operating Hours |
Monday – Sunday from 11am – 3 pm Monday – Saturday from 6pm – 9.30 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Go Ang Pratunam Vivo City |
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Specialty |
Go Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice was established in 1960 as a food stall specializing in Hainanese chicken rice in the Pratunam district of Bangkok. In 2019, they were awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award. Single portions of chicken rice ($5.50 for chicken thigh / $4.50 for regular) are fragrant, delectable. |
| Pricing |
$4.50 to $8 per dish |
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Website |
https://www.facebook.com/GoAngSG/ |
| Address |
1 HarbourFront Walk #B2-30 Singapore 098585 |
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Telephone |
+65-62721912 |
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Operating Hours |
11 am to 10 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Qi – House of Sichuan |
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Specialty |
Qi – House of Sichuan is the Singapore branch of the one-Michelin-starred restaurant, Qi Hong Kong. Located at Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) near Shenton, this restaurant serves Sichuan dishes. Hot sour soup, scallion beef, Iberico pork, Mapo tofu, Sichuan style seafood dishes are delectable, spicy, and sour, typical Sichuan style. |
| Pricing |
Under $50 per head |
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Website |
|
| Address |
8A Marina Boulevard #02-01, Marina Bay link Mall Singapore, Singapore 018984 |
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Telephone |
+65-6634 8277 |
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Operating Hours |
6 pm to 10 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Putien |
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Specialty |
Putien is a one Michelin Star restaurant listed in the Singapore Michelin Guides 2016 and 2017. Putien has 12 outlets in Singapore. Yellow croaker fish is crispy, tasty. Bamboo herbal prawns ($5.90) tastes fantastic. 100 second croaker ($13.80) is delicate, tasty. Crispy oyster ($16.90), Stir-fried yam with sugar ($13.50) delight. Services: Croaker fish, herbal prawns, fried yam, sweet sour pork, lor mee |
| Pricing |
$16.80 to $68 per set meal |
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Website |
https://www.putien.com/ |
| Address |
252 North Bridge Rd, #02-18 Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103 |
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Telephone |
+65- 6336 2184
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Operating Hours |
11.30 am to 4.30 pm, 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Garibaldi |
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Specialty |
Garibaldi Italian Restaurant & Bar, located in Purvis Street, serves fine Italian fare. It was awarded One Michelin Star in 2017. Tagliolini with Spanner Crab Meat and Asparagus is pasta sprinkled with crab meat, scrumptious. Pan Seared Mediterranean Seabass Filet is delicate, crispy. Cheese Tart with Lemon Chantilly Cream delights. |
| Pricing |
$11.30 to $148.78 per dish |
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Website |
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| Address |
36 Purvis St, #01-02, Singapore 188613 |
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Telephone |
+65- 6837 1468 |
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Operating Hours |
12 pm to 2.30 pm, 6.30 pm to 10.30pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Kam’s Roast |
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Specialty |
Kam’s Roast Singapore was launched in Pacific Plaza in 2016. Kam’s Roast Goose was awarded one Michelin Star in Hong Kong in 2015, 2016 and 2017.The roast meats are the attractions – roast duck, suckling pig, roast pork. Half roast duck ($28), wonton noodles ($8.80) are typical Hong Kong culinary delights. |
| Pricing |
$4.80 to $288 per dish |
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Website |
https://kamsroast.com.sg/ |
| Address |
9 Scotts Road, #01-04/05/06/07, Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228 210 |
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Telephone |
+65 6836 7788 |
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Operating Hours |
10.30 am to 10 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Rhubarb |
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Specialty |
Rhubarb received a one Michelin Star in the 2016 Singapore Michelin Guide. Rhubarb Singapore serves a $45 3-course set lunch. The mushroom soup is rich, hearty. Ballotin of duck liver is light. Canadian pork tenderloin is tender, succulent. Salt cod with cauliflower is tender, well done. Caramelized pineapple is delightful. |
| Pricing |
$45 to $168 per set meal |
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Website |
https://www.rhubarb.sg/ |
| Address | 3 Duxton Hill Singapore 089589 |
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Telephone |
+65-81275001 |
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Operating Hours |
12 pm to 2.15 pm, 6.30 pm to 10 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Yhingthai Palace Thai Restaurant |
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Specialty |
Yhingthai Palace Thai Restaurant is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Thai restaurant, established since 1990. Lemongrass Fried Chicken ($18) tastes great. Prawns with crystal noodles cooked and served in a clay pot ($20) sizzles, dazzles. Thai green curry with beef ($20) is tasty, spicy. Poh pia thord (spring rolls) $3.50 delights. |
| Pricing | $3.50 to $20 per dish |
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Website |
https://www.yhingthai.com.sg/ |
| Address |
36 Purvis Street #01-04 Singapore 188613 |
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Telephone |
+65- 6337 1161 |
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Operating Hours |
11.30 am to 2 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
True Blue Cuisine |
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Specialty |
True Blue serves authentic Peranakan fare, featured in the Michelin Bib Gourmand. Located beside the Peranakan Museum at Armenian Street, it resembles heritage Peranakan family homes– with ornate furniture, carvings. Nyonya staples like Kueh Pie Tee ($20), Sotong Hitam -squid in black sauce ($20), Assam Prawns ($18), Chap Chye ($15) and Beef Rendang ($18) taste terrific. |
| Pricing |
$4 to $28 per dish |
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Website |
https://www.truebluecuisine.com/ |
| Address | 47/49 Armenian Street Singapore. 179937 |
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Telephone |
+65 6440 0449 |
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Operating Hours |
11.30 pm to 2.30 pm, 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
15 Stamford |
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Specialty |
15 Stamford is helmed by Alvin Leung, celebrity chef behind 3 Michelin-starred Bo Innovation, Hong Kong. The $29 or $39++ set lunch is a deal. Wagyu steak with Sarawak Black Pepper Sauce and Grilled Barramundi with Buah Keluak Sauce are European dishes with a local twist. Rotisserie Chicken rice delights. Services: Chicken rice, Bak Kut Teh, Grilled Barramundi, Wagyu steak, Asian Sea Bass |
| Pricing | $29 to $39 for set lunch |
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Website |
https://www.kempinski.com/en/singapore/the-capitol-singapore/dining/15-stamford-by-alvin-leung/ |
| Address | Lobby Level, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore 15 Stamford Road, Singapore 178906 |
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Telephone |
+65-6715 6871 |
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Operating Hours |
12 pm to 3 pm, 6 pm to 10.30 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
LINO Pasta Bar |
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Specialty |
LINO Pasta Bar is a member of the Les Amis Group of restaurants. Les Amis earned 3-Michelin Stars. A la carte pasta items range from $15 to $19.50 each. $22 set lunch is a three-course meal. Spaghetti alio olio with prawns, Mentaiko chitarra are pasta dishes topped with rich ingredients. Services: Pasta, alcohol, Parma ham, Caesar salad, Italian sausage |
| Pricing | $22 for set lunch |
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Website |
https://linopizzapastabar.com/ |
| Address | 1 Scotts Rd, #03-23/24 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208 |
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Telephone |
+65- 6235 4653 |
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Operating Hours |
11.30 am to 3 pm, 6 pm to 9.30 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
BAM! |
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Specialty |
BAM! is a Michelin plate restaurant, offering an affordable 4 course set for $40++. BAM! Restaurant is in 2 shophouses at Tras Street. Beef Short Rib and the Iberico Pork Jowl & Gyoza are substantial, succulent. Starters include tomatoes and fennel jelly, Toretama egg with salmon roe, light but refreshing. Services: Chicken risotto, Eel tempura, Canadian oyster, seafood rice, cheese platter |
| Pricing | $40 for set lunch |
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Website |
https://www.bam.sg/ |
| Address | 38 Tras St, Singapore 078977 |
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Telephone |
+65- 6226 0500 |
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Operating Hours |
12 pm to 2pm, 6 pm to 10.30 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Café Grafunkt |
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Specialty |
Cafe Grafunkt is described as a “partnership with alumnus of Three Michelin starred Guy Savoy & Eleven Madison Park. Dishing out a slice of Melbourne with specialty coffee, honest delicious meals.” Australian café fare like acai bowls, all day breakfast and mains such as pasta, steak and fish are highlights. Services: Acai bowls, pasta, all day breakfast, steak, fish |
| Pricing | $20 to $25 for set lunch |
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Website |
https://www.grafunkt.com/sg/showsection.asp?SectionID=20 |
| Address | 107 North Bridge Road #04-01 to 06 Funan Mall, 179105 |
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Telephone |
+65-6336 6046 |
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Operating Hours |
11.30 am to 8.30 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
麺 (Men) House Yamamoto |
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Specialty |
Konjiki Hototogisu is a Michelin Star ramen restaurant in Tokyo. Chef Atsushi Yamamoto founded it, was awarded one star in 2019 Tokyo Michelin Guide. Japan Foods Holding has introduced Chef Yamamoto’s ramen to Singapore, now in Raffles City, must-tries are Truffle Shio Ramen, Porcini Shoyu Ramen, Ichimai Karaage Rice Set. Services: Porcini Shoyu Ramen, Ichimai Karaage Rice Set, Truffle Shio Ramen, pork gyoza, yuzu fried chicken |
| Pricing | $5.90 to $19.90 per serving |
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Website |
https://www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/rafflescity/en/stores/_house_yamamoto.html |
| Address | 252 North Bridge Rd, #B1-44C Raffles City, Singapore 179103 |
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Telephone |
+65- 6254 9713 |
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Operating Hours |
11.30 am to 3.30 pm, 5.30 pm to 10 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Olivia Restaurant and Lounge |
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Specialty |
Olivia Restaurant & Lounge is a Spanish restaurant at Keong Saik Road, helmed by chef and co-founder, Alain Devahive with experience in Michelin starred restaurants, including el Bulli. “Ibérico bellota” Ham ($34) is generously served. Wagyu Striploin with Truffle Sauce & Confit Piquillo Peppers ($64) is pricey but hearty, substantial. Services: Tenderloin steak, Cod fish, Crispy pork belly, Lobster roll, Angus beef cheek |
| Pricing | $12 to $128 per dish |
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Website |
https://www.olivia.com.sg/ |
| Address | 55 Keong Saik Rd, Singapore 089158 |
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Telephone |
+65- 6221 0522 |
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Operating Hours |
12 pm to 2 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Bismillah Biryani Restaurant |
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Specialty |
Bismillah Biryani Restaurant in Little India is included in the Singapore Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand list. They serve great Biryani Rice and Kebabs. Chicken Biryani ($9) and Chicken Chapli Kebab ($6) is spicy, delectable. They serve Pakistan style dam biryani, with marinated meat, basmati rice, curry gravy and herbs, spices. Services: Chicken Biryani, Fish Biryani, Chicken Dum Biryani, Goat Biryani, Lamb Shank Biryani |
| Pricing | $ 5 to $20 per dish |
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Website |
https://www.bismillahbiryani.com/ |
| Address | 50 Dunlop Street Singapore, Singapore 209379 |
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Telephone |
+65- 9382 7937 |
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Operating Hours |
11.30 am to 8.45 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Crystal Jade Golden Palace |
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Specialty |
Crystal Jade Golden Palace at Paragon has a 1 Michelin star award. Must tries include Shark’s fin dumpling soup, the steamed prawn and chive dumpling ($5.80 per basket) and the fried XO carrot cake ($12.80), Shark’s fin dumpling, Xiao Long Bao oozes with juicy tenderness, tasty soup with rich brewed flavor. Services: Dim sum, Prawn dumpling, Xiao Long Bao, Chive dumpling, Shark’s fin dumpling |
| Pricing | $48 to $178 per person |
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Website |
https://www.crystaljade.com/goldenpalace/ |
| Address | 290 Orchard Rd, #05 – 22 The Paragon, Singapore 238859 |
|
Telephone |
+65-6734 6866 |
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Operating Hours |
11 am to 3 pm, 6 pm to 9.30 pm |
Michelin Featured Restaurant |
Les Amis |
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Specialty |
Les Amis is reasonably priced considering it has a Michelin 3-star award. $155 for a 3-course meal, $195 for 4-course meal. French pate with foie gras, crabmeat refresh as starters. Pheasant, roast duck, French river salmon, and ox tongue are wonderful, substantial mains, end with souffle, ice cream. |
| Pricing | $155 to $480 for set meal |
|
Website |
https://www.lesamis.com.sg/ |
| Address | 1 Scotts Rd, #01 – 16 Shaw Centre, Singapore 228208 |
|
Telephone |
+65-6733 2225 |
|
Operating Hours |
12 pm to 2 pm, 7 pm to 9 pm |
How to win a Michelin star
Jeju Noodle Bar, New York City
Awards: Michelin Star ⭐️
How to get a Michelin Star
Last fall, when Jeju Noodle Bar earned its first Micheline star, manager Kyung Lee says they were not expecting it, because Michelin hadn’t recognized any U.S. noodle shops in the past. “It was a total surprise,” Lee says. “We found out the same day as the customers.”
Chef Douglas Kim has worked in other Michelin-starred restaurants including Chef’s Table and Per Se, so Lee believes that Kim’s commitment to quality helped them become the first Michelin-starred noodle shop in the U.S.
“Although [Chef Douglas] says he didn’t expect it, deep in his heart he really was going for it,” Lee says. “You can clearly tell in his food and his ingredient usage; he was really going for the star.”
Q & A session with Werner Loens, Director of the Michelin Guide
Can you tell us about the Michelin Guide and what it represents?
For more than 120 years, the Michelin Guide has been a tool for Mobility.
Initially, the guide was designed to contribute to motorists’ mobility, making car driving safer, with leisure.
Initial guides presented a list of garages where motorists could get their vehicles repaired and a list of hotels where they could stay while repairs were being carried out, which at the time could take several days.
Then we added itineraries and attributed numbers to the roads, hence the numbering of the roads we know today, such as the N7 and D54.
How do you find the restaurants you are going to visit?
Each region is assigned an inspector who is responsible for seeking out restaurants.
The inspector finds restaurants that they think are worth testing.
Today, with the internet and social networks, it is much easier to discover new restaurants.
You must imagine that back in the day, everything was done on the ground. Inspectors would only find out about restaurants through word-of-mouth.
How does a chef get their first Michelin star?
We follow the chefs for whom cooking is a real art form.
Those who use the best products, master the techniques, master taste and refined cuisine and, most importantly, are consistent.
To be considered for a Michelin star, the chef must demonstrate this.
What advice do you have for chefs aspiring to win a Michelin star?
We do not offer advice to chefs because we support the expression of their creativity.
We have criteria on which our inspectors base their reports, but we prefer to keep them hush and allow their natural cooking instincts to shine through.
What are your selection criteria?
Our primary goal is, above all else, to eat well.
For that reason, we base our selections for Michelin star restaurants on the quality of products used, the chef’s mastery of culinary techniques, the taste of the food, savoir-faire and, as I mentioned earlier, consistency.
How important is food? What are the other factors that contribute to a restaurant’s greatness?
A Michelin star is primarily awarded based on what is on the plate.
The restaurant’s ambience is less of an important factor for us.
We also consider the quality to price ratio, which corresponds more to the style of restaurants.
We know that service and process differ between small-scale restaurants and those with large teams of experienced professionals.
There are simpler, less formal restaurants that still demonstrate a mastery of the art of cooking.
What would stop you from going back to a restaurant?
Put simply, a poor dining experience.
I would not go back to a restaurant that operates like a factory where food is churned out on a production line and the chef is not emotionally invested in what they are producing.
The 5 selection criteria for Michelin star restaurants
High-quality produce
Chefs with a mastery of culinary techniques
The taste of the food
Savoir-faire
A consistently excellent dining experience.
Michelin Star Restaurants in Singapore
The results of the 2019 Singapore Michelin Star list were finalized and published, with a total of 44 restaurants lauded for their culinary excellence, up from 39 in 2018.
Odette and Les Amis were both awarded with three Michelin stars, and the list as a whole saw seven new additions to its ranks.
Arguably the most coveted culinary accolade in the world, the Michelin Star list celebrates top dining establishments around the globe, with each star denoting grades of excellence.
Restaurants are rated based on five criteria: quality of ingredients used, mastery of cooking technique and flavors, projection of the chef’s personality in his or her cuisine, value for money, as well as consistency over time and across the entire menu.
Sample costs of Michelin Star Restaurants
There are three lunch options at Alma, Goodwood Park Hotel Singapore, a Michelin star awarded joint– 3, 4 and 5 course menus priced at $39++, $55++ and $88++ respectively.
Garibaldi – Michelin Star Italian Restaurant in Purvis Street serves an affordable Set Lunch Menu ($39++) and an interesting Chef’s Lunch Menu ($88++).
Editor’s Note:
While every precaution has been made to ensure the accuracy and fairness of this listing, we acknowledge that they may be inaccuracies. Therefore, we urge you to contact the service provider above for the correct information and/or contact us with the correct information.
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