Reading the words, ‘Michelin Star Restaurant’ is sure to attract an abundance of hungry diners looking for the best culinary experience of their lives. They expect the food to be better than anything they have ever tasted and the experience incomparable to any other. However, what does the star rating system actually mean? How does it compare to the Michelin Plate symbol? To ensure you know your ratings and the difference between Michelin Star and Michelin Plate before you set foot in a culinary establishment, here’s a simple guide to help your understanding.

What is the Michelin Star Rating?

The Michelin Star Rating consists of three different levels; the 1, 2 and 3 star rating. A 1 star rating may seem very low to many, but Michelin standards tend to differ from the norm. The better the Michelin star rating of a restaurant, the more experienced and talented you can expect a chef to be.  

Michelin’s 1 star rating

The 1 star rating shows that a restaurant and its food is of a high quality for its category. If you’re a fan of Italian food for example, then you may find a 1 star Michelin rated italian restaurant to be better than any other you’ve tried. 

Michelin’s 2 star rating

The 2 star rating signifies excellent food by a very talented chef. You may want to go out of your way to visit a 2 star rated restaurant for extraordinary food and an unforgettable experience.  

Michelin’s 3 star rating

The 3 star rating boasts exceptional cuisine. For this sort of recognition, you may wish to visit a country or area especially to experience food from a world renowned chef.

What is the Michelin Plate symbol?

The rating system differs from the Michelin Plate, but only slightly. The Michelin Plate symbol is given to a restaurant which has been recognised for its quality, but one which may be still working towards those stars or even a specific award. The restaurant could be fairly new, or even have changed hands. This doesn’t mean a restaurant isn’t high quality, just in the process of being recognised on a wider scale.

The difference between Michelin Star and Michelin Plate – explained!

Hopefully, with our simple explanation, the difference between Michelin Star and Michelin Plate is now clear. Now you understand the rating systems, you can make your own decisions for your next dining experience.

Do you want to visit one of the best establishments for your favourite cuisine, or are you willing to travel far and wide for a truly spectacular experience?