Philadelphia is finally getting its first-ever Michelin Guide on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

The city will host this year’s 2025 Michelin Guide Northeast Cities Ceremony at the Kimmel Center. The ceremony will also unveil the new and updated guides for Boston, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. 

“We are excited to honor and celebrate the talented culinary community of the Northeast Cities in the iconic city of Philadelphia, which is a shining example of hospitality,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, in a statement. “These five cities are home to a rich foundation of culinary history and culture that makes each city stand out for its unique talent and local flavors.”

The famous Michelin inspectors have been in Philly for quite some time now, testing out restaurants and choosing which they believe is red-star worthy. Our city, along with Boston, are the two on the list receiving their first-ever guides.

For a quick recap, one red star (⭐) demonstrates that a restaurant is very good; two (⭐⭐) means an excellent restaurant worth a detour, and three (⭐⭐⭐) is the most prestigious — denoting an exceptional spot worthy of a special journey. 

Currently, there are only 16 restaurants in the United States with a three-star rating.

Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, visits the Liberty Bell during his trip to Philadelphia in May 2025. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Who Michelin decrees star worthy is certainly up in the air. Any restaurant in the city is eligible, so while upscale favorites like Zahav, Royal Sushi and Izakaya or Friday, Saturday, Sunday, are definitely on the table — places like South Philly Barbacoa or Angelo’s, in theory, could earn a star as well. 

Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, called the new Michelin guide “a milestone years in the making,” in a statement.

“Hosting the Northeast Cities Ceremony at the iconic Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts makes it all the more special,” he added, “as we’ll see Philadelphia’s restaurants earn their first Michelin accolades right here in their own backyard.”

If you want to hear more about the Michelin Guide’s history — like why a tire company has created the international food guide — or other Michelin awards that may impact your date-night reservations, check out our article all about the guide’s award structure. (We’re really into the Bib Gourmand.) We also got to chat with Poullennec about his take on the Philly scene and the covert Michelin inspectors who fly into the city.

Any restaurant that earns a star during Tuesday night’s ceremony is destined to make Philly food history. And, of course, here’s hoping we score more red stars than Boston.