Does Philly have Michelin restaurants?

Philadelphia has officially entered the rarefied air of national culinary recognition with the debut of the MICHELIN Guide Northeast Cities edition, which notably includes the City of Brotherly Love alongside established markets like New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.. This moment, unveiled at the Northeast Cities MICHELIN Guide Ceremony held at the Kimmel Center on November 18, 2025, marks a definitive point of acknowledgment for the city’s rapidly developing food scene. The arrival of the guide, which is determined by anonymous inspectors following rigorous standards—evaluating everything from the quality products used to the harmony of flavors and the consistency across multiple visits—validates years of local effort and innovation.

The entire process carries a significant weight, historically rooted in the Michelin tire company’s initial goal of encouraging motorists to travel. For Philadelphia, securing this inclusion involved an investment from the city’s tourism board, viewing the guide's presence as a key component of marketing to drive overnight visitors and fill hotels and restaurants. Gregg Caren, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, viewed the initial results as having "absolutely met, if not exceeded expectations".

# Starred Establishments

The highest honors in the guide are the coveted Red Stars, which operate on a three-tier system. A single star signifies "High quality cooking, worth a stop!". For a brand-new market, receiving three single-star establishments is an impressive start.

In the inaugural 2025 guide for Philadelphia, three restaurants earned the coveted single star:

• Her Place Supper Club, helmed by Chef Amanda Shulman.
• Friday Saturday Sunday, run by the husband and wife team Chad and Hanna Williams.
• Provenance, led by Chef Nich Bazik.

The guide reserves two stars for "Excellent cooking, worth a detour!" and three stars for "Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey!". No Philadelphia establishment reached these higher echelons in the first year, which was not an unexpected outcome for a city joining the guide for the first time. However, the immediate presence of three one-star venues sets a powerful initial benchmark for the local culinary community. As the international director of the Michelin Guide, Gwendal Poullennec, noted, this is "just a beginning," expecting a "positive emulation between the chefs" to raise the bar annually.

# Value Recognitions

While the Red Stars capture the immediate headlines due to their rarity, the structure of the Michelin Guide offers more accessible recognition that often speaks directly to the local dining culture. The Bib Gourmand award shines a light on establishments that provide "good quality, good value cooking," often recognizing smaller, approachable spots without the formality of a full fine-dining experience.

Philadelphia secured ten Bib Gourmand distinctions, a testament to the city’s renowned strength in value-driven, delicious eating. This list notably features some of the city's most beloved institutions, including multiple cheesesteak and pizza vendors.

The ten Bib Gourmand recipients are:

• Angelo's
• Dalessandro's
• Del Rossi's
• Dizengoff
• El Chingon
• Famous 4th Street Deli
• Fiorella
• Pizzeria Beddia
• Royal Sushi & Izakaya
• Sally

The inclusion of classic spots like Dalessandro's and Angelo's alongside acclaimed ethnic and contemporary eateries like Dizengoff and El Chingon suggests that the inspectors appreciated the depth of flavor found across various price points, not just tasting menus. For the average diner looking for a reliable, delicious meal that won't require a major budget commitment, the Bib Gourmand list is arguably the most immediately actionable takeaway from the Guide's debut.

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# Green Distinction

Beyond culinary skill and value, the Michelin Guide now spotlights environmental responsibility through the Green Star distinction, which recognizes restaurants going "above and beyond in sustainability practices". In Philadelphia’s first list, only one venue was awarded this honor: Pietramala. Chef Ian Graye of Pietramala, a vegan eatery, emphasized that reducing the environmental footprint through plant-based menus, sourcing ingredients as close to home as possible from regional farms, and combating inherent restaurant waste were key to their philosophy. This single Green Star placement, alongside the three Red Stars, signals that Philadelphia's culinary innovators are already engaging with global trends in ethical sourcing and waste reduction, even as they earn recognition for flavor.

# Recommended Listings

For restaurants that show high quality but haven't yet reached the stringent threshold for a star, the Michelin Selected category serves as an endorsement. This list is extensive, featuring twenty Philadelphia establishments, including prominent names recognized for their consistent excellence such as Zahav, Vedge, and Kalaya. Other recognized spots include Ambra, Forsythia, Hiroki, Laser Wolf, Laurel, My Loup, and Vetri Cucina, among others. While this category does not carry the prestige of a star, it serves as a significant stamp of approval, signaling that these kitchens are worth the attention of serious diners. The difference between a Selected restaurant and a one-star restaurant is often minute, focusing on aspects like consistency across all dishes or an added layer of refinement in technique or atmosphere.

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# Comparing Neighbors

When looking at Philadelphia’s debut in the context of other cities entering the Guide for the first time, the city’s showing appears notably strong. Boston, which was also welcomed into the Northeast Cities edition, secured only a single one-star restaurant, whereas Philadelphia earned three. Furthermore, unlike Tampa, which received zero stars in its initial guide appearance in 2022, Philly managed to secure significant top-tier recognition immediately.

This initial success positions Philadelphia favorably, though the sheer volume in established markets remains vastly different. For perspective, New York City boasts a staggering 70 starred restaurants (including 5 three-star spots), compared to Philly’s three one-star restaurants.

To visualize the initial snapshot against peer cities announced in the same guide cycle:

This comparative data suggests that the inspectors found a deeper level of starred achievement in Philadelphia's initial survey than in Boston's, indicating that the city’s concentration of high-caliber, chef-driven establishments was sufficient to earn multiple top nods right away.

# Community Impact

The reaction from the local culinary community underscored the cultural significance of this achievement. Chef Chad Williams of Friday Saturday Sunday remarked that the award "brings the light here, and it gives everybody a north star of what we need to shoot for," expressing gratitude that the talent already present in the city—chefs, servers, and sommeliers—was finally receiving national visibility. This sentiment suggests that the award functions less as a capstone and more as a powerful catalyst for internal competition and refinement within the city’s food ecosystem. Seeing peers recognized, as noted by Green Star winner Ian Graye, fosters a sense of collective achievement within a "small, but scrappy community of chefs" ready to compete with larger hubs.

When considering a visit to these newly recognized establishments, a smart dining strategy for Philadelphians and visitors alike involves looking beyond the single star. Given that Pietramala earned both a Green Star and a Michelin Selected mention (it did not receive a Red Star), it demonstrates that a restaurant can excel in a specific area—sustainability—even without a starred ranking, making it a prime target for diners prioritizing eco-conscious dining. Furthermore, since the guide lists 33 total restaurants in Philadelphia and its surroundings, dedicating time to explore the Bib Gourmand and Selected lists is essential for experiencing the city's breadth, as these categories represent the everyday excellence that defines Philadelphia dining, rather than just the occasional splurge. The guide’s inclusion of local favorites like Famous 4th Street Deli in the Bib Gourmand category shows that the inspectors were willing to look past traditional fine dining structures to find value and quality where locals already knew it existed.

The commitment to annual inspection means the list will evolve. This ongoing evaluation ensures that the standards set by the initial selection will continue to push local chefs and restaurateurs to maintain and increase their level of culinary artistry year after year, solidifying Philadelphia's reputation as a significant gastronomic destination.