8 Michelin Star Restaurants NYC You Should Try

New York, also known as “The Big Apple,” is the urban jungle that we all long to visit at least once in our lives. From the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building, there’s so much wonder to see around this city, and spectacles to be found wherever you go.

People from all over the world with different backgrounds, ethnicities, and nationalities come together in this city to chase their dreams or simply live the best of their lives. With these people come their culture, and with culture comes food—it’s no wonder that there’s such a diverse selection of restaurants serving different kinds of cuisine, whether they be traditional staples or experimental fusions.

If you love food, then you’ve probably heard of Michelin Stars. A restaurant having even just one is a big deal because it’s one of the highest forms of recognition someone can have if food is their craft. Since the food scene in New York City is so lively and active, it’s actually become the city with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the United States.

With that, here are some Michelin star restaurants NYC you should definitely try when you visit!

When you ask about Michelin Star restaurants NYC, Le Bernardin would probably be the first restaurant that many would think of. Its New York branch was established in 1986 by siblings Maguy and Gilbert Le Coze, and they got three Michelin stars since the inaugural NYC guide in 2005. They’ve consistently maintained this rating ever since, so if you want to try a Michelin-star restaurant where you can indulge in French cuisine, Le Bernardin might be the choice for you.

If you’re vegan or want to try a vegan menu, Eleven Madison Park is the restaurant you can try. It was established by Chef Daniel Humm and is located at the base of a historic Art Deco building overlooking Madison Square Park. They have fully plant-based menus, and you would also have the choice to include a select few animal proteins if you would like.

Masa was established by Chef Masayoshi Takayama, who was an apprentice of sushi master Suhiyama Toshiaki. It’s one of the most sought-after omakase spots in New York because of the masterful expertise in each dish served. You don’t just get food made from the freshest ingredients, but also an intimate and personal experience with the food, your companion, and the chef.

Bringing traditional Kaiseki to New York, Odo was established by Chef Hiroki Odo who trained at the Kyoto Wakuden. Since the food scene in New York is very experimental with lots of unexpected twists and bringing something new to the table, Odo does the opposite. They serve Kaiseki which is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner prepared meticulously from start to finish for a harmonious dining experience.

Odo Reservations

If you’re a fan of Italian food, Don Angie could be the one of the Michelin Star restaurants NYC you would want to try. Established by married couple, Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, this restaurant offers a delicious selection of Italian dishes and drinks amidst a dining room with a lively and charming interior.

For pasta lovers, Rezdora is a must try in this list of Michelin Star restaurants NYC because their dishes revolve around fresh, hand-made pasta. Its name translates to “head of the household,” who is usually the nonna who handrolls pasta in Italian homes. Chef Stefano Secchi established Rezdora with David Switzer and brought the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna to the tables of New York.

Atomix is a restaurant serving food inspired by Korean traditions. It was established by a married couple, Chef Junghyun and Manager Ellia Park, where the restaurant’s name comes from the word “Ato” meaning gift in ancient Korean. If you dine here, you’ll have an intimate personable experience as you sit at what they call “The Chef’s Counter” which is a u-shaped counter where you can watch your food be prepared.

Compared to the other Michelin Star Restaurants NYC in this list, Jeju Noodle Bar is where to go if you want a more casual and laid back experience with well-recognized food. This restaurant was established by Chef Douglas Kim and they serve Korean comfort food which can be the perfect bite whether you want to celebrate an occasion or simply celebrate life. 

Many Michelin-starred restaurants offer fine dining and are well-loved by many, which can make securing reservations a challenging feat. A lot of them release booking or slots around 30 days prior, so to make sure you’re ready to reserve your slot no matter where you are, you can get Klook’s USA eSIM to stay connected throughout your trip.

These Michelin gems are spread across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and basically most of New York. You can get Klook’s Hop-on hop-off bus pass so that you can also see nearby sights and tourist spots to your delicious adventure!

Since most Michelin star restaurants have a fine dining setting, so you would have to be mindful of the dress codes in each of them, which are usually business casual to formal. On the other hand, there are also some restaurants that have a more casual setting so you’ll be able to wear whatever makes you comfortable. To be sure, you can pack a set or two of smart casual clothing.

Michelin Restaurants are restaurants that have been given at least 1 star by the Michelin guide. They are a group of food experts constantly on the lookout for restaurants and evaluating them based on a set of criteria.

As of 2025, there are 72 restaurants in New York City with at least one Michelin Star. This makes the Big Apple one of the cities in the United States with the most Michelin Star restaurants.

The highest number of Michelin stars a restaurant can have is 3, and among the 72 michelin restaurants in New York, only 5 have 3 stars. The restaurants with 3 Michelin Stars are: Le Bernardin, Masa, Eleven Madison Park, Jungsik New York, and Per Se.