The Michelin Guide’s annual ceremony for Britain and Ireland will be held in Dublin for the first time this month – but what is it and why is it such a big deal for Irish food? Here is everything you need to know.
What is the Michelin Guide ceremony and when is it on?
The Michelin Guide ceremony is an annual event where stars and Bib Gourmands for “the most talented restaurant teams and chefs from Britain and Ireland” are awarded. The ceremony is coming to Ireland for the first time on February 9th. It will be held in Convention Centre Dublin, on the north quays of the Liffey.
This year, Michelin came out a little early with Bib Gourmand picks, with five Irish restaurants gaining this status a week ahead. A Bib acknowledges good value for quality cooking.
What is the big deal about it being held in Dublin?
As well as this being Ireland’s first time, the decision has been viewed as a nod to the Irish food scene.
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Although hosting is more of a symbolic achievement rather than a guarantee of more stars, Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said the event in Dublin “highlights Ireland’s growing place on the culinary map and the excellence of chefs across Great Britain and Ireland”.
Who attends? And can I buy tickets?
Attendees will include a mix of chefs, food writers and restaurant industry experts. While tickets aren’t available to the public, the ceremony will be live streamed on the Michelin Guide YouTube channel.
What happens at the actual event?
Doors open in the late afternoon and the ceremony will begin at 6pm. All will be done and dusted by 7.30pm.
The event will begin with “the Green Star sequence”, which Michelin says will focus on “a community of dynamic and innovative establishments and restaurateurs”. This is a complementary recognition to culinary awards such as red stars and is not a distinction in the same way, according to Michelin. This part of the ceremony will not involve physical trophies.
After this stage, the ceremony will name recipients of Bib Gourmands and recognise achievement in individual categories such as young chef and service. Michelin stars will come at the end.
Will we know if any establishment has lost a star at this stage?
After the ceremony, the Michelin Guide will be updated with the new restaurant selection, which will also be available on the Michelin website and app.
The ceremony only awards new stars and Bibs, and does not announce retained stars or lost stars.
If a current holder of a Michelin star or Bib Gourmand loses this status, it will only become apparent after the guide is updated.
Do Michelin stars matter? How does a restaurant get one?
The short answer is yes, but it’s important to note that most of the restaurants in the Michelin Guide do not have any stars at all. They are simply recommended places inspectors think are worth a visit.
Stars, the most coveted prize, are awarded to restaurants offering “outstanding cooking”.
The guide uses five criteria to determine a restaurant’s worthiness: the quality of ingredients, mastery of technique, harmony of flavours, the personality of the chef in the cuisine, and consistency across multiple visits.
One star, Michelin says, is “a very good restaurant in its category”; two stars are for “excellent cooking, worth a detour”; and three stars, the top accolade, are reserved for “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”.
The guide also includes Bib Gourmands, highlighting restaurants offering good food at moderate prices.
Inclusion in the guide offers prestige and boosts the profile of a restaurant or area.
You can read more from our restaurant critic Corinna Hardgrave on how stars are awarded here.
How do you qualify? Can any restaurant apply?
While stars are generally bestowed on more high-end affairs, there have been a few high-profile casual spots that have received the honour such as Mexico city’s Tacos El Califa de León and Bangkok’s Jay.
Restaurants already in the guide do not apply for a star, as they already qualify for consideration.
At time of writing, Ireland has five two-star restaurants, 18 one-star restaurants and 25 restaurants holding Bib Gourmands (the five announced for 2026 will not be reflected in the guide until next week). There are no three-star restaurants in Ireland.
How do Michelin inspectors work?
Michelin inspectors are discreet, making reservations under false names, remaining anonymous and visiting several times before recognising a restaurant.
The Michelin Guide states that inspectors will visit the same restaurant throughout the seasons, for lunch and dinner, both on weekends and during the week. They will also visit solo, in pairs and as groups, to understand “the full character” of a restaurant.
Will any Irish restaurants get three stars on February 9th?
This is the big question, and there are several restaurants vying for the top prize.
Chapter One in Dublin, co-owned by chef-patron Mickael Viljanen and Ross Lewis, has long been earmarked as potential three-star material.
Liath in Blackrock, Co Dublin, run by chef-patron Damien Grey, has also been tipped as a three-star restaurant in waiting.
There are rumours circulating too about Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in Dublin and Dede in Baltimore, Co Cork. It is unlikely that more than one Irish restaurant will achieve three stars in one year, if indeed any achieves the distinction.
Do we expect any new Irish one-star restaurants?
A few names have been whirling around the star conversation, including modern European spot Comet and Brazilian-Irish restaurant Amai by Viktor, both in Dublin.
Restaurants pegged for possible upgrades from one to two stars include the Lady Helen at Mount Juliet in Co Kilkenny.
Where can I see the actual Michelin Guide?
You can see the full Michelin Guide for Ireland online via its website or app here.
