Three Michelin stars is the highest rating the guide gives, defined as "exceptional cuisine worth a special journey." As of the 2026 Michelin Guide, only 16 restaurants in the entire United States hold that distinction, spread across just three states: New York, California, and Illinois. Here's the complete list, what each one costs, and what makes it worth the trip.
Prices below reflect the current tasting menu cost per person, before tax, tip, or wine pairing unless noted. These change regularly, so confirm current pricing directly with the restaurant before booking.
Quick Comparison
| Restaurant | City | Cuisine | Price Per Person | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Bernardin | New York, NY | Seafood/French | $350 | Chef Eric Ripert's seafood mastery |
| Per Se | New York, NY | French/American | $425 | Thomas Keller's NYC flagship, Central Park views |
| Sushi Sho | New York, NY | Japanese/Sushi | $450 | Omakase from master chef Keiji Nakazawa |
| Eleven Madison Park | New York, NY | Contemporary American | $385 | Daniel Humm's plant-forward tasting menu |
| Jungsik | New York, NY | Korean | $335 | First Korean restaurant with 3 Michelin stars |
| Smyth | Chicago, IL | Contemporary | $420 to $550 | Only 3-star outside NY or CA, own 20-acre farm |
| Addison | San Diego, CA | International | $395 | Set inside the Grand Del Mar hotel |
| Providence | Los Angeles, CA | Seafood | $375 to $495 | Sustainable, line-caught seafood |
| Somni | West Hollywood, CA | Contemporary/Spanish | $745 to $785 | 20-course menu, mandatory pairing |
| The French Laundry | Yountville, CA | French/American | $425+ | Thomas Keller's original flagship since 1994 |
| Benu | San Francisco, CA | Asian-French | $425 | Corey Lee's Korean-French fusion |
| Quince | San Francisco, CA | Italian/Californian | $390 | Handmade pasta, own organic farm |
| SingleThread | Healdsburg, CA | Japanese/Farm-to-table | $540.75 | 24-acre farm, kaiseki-style menu |
| Atelier Crenn | San Francisco, CA | French/Seafood | $498.15 | Dominique Crenn, seafood-only tasting menu |
| Californios | San Francisco, CA | Mexican | $390 | First 3-star Mexican restaurant in the world |
| Enclos | Sonoma, CA | Contemporary | $295 | Victorian-style building, on-site farm |
New York City (5 Restaurants)
New York holds more three-star restaurants than any other US city individually, though California holds more overall as a state.
Le Bernardin charges $350 for its Chef's Tasting Menu, or $530 with wine pairing, with a $270 vegetarian option also available. Chef Eric Ripert's seafood-focused menu has kept the restaurant among the most consistently respected in the country for decades.
Per Se runs $425 for a nine-course tasting menu, served in a dining room with direct Central Park views. It's Thomas Keller's New York outpost of The French Laundry, though some critics have noted quality dips in recent years despite the price holding steady.
Sushi Sho charges $450 for its omakase menu, plus a 10% administrative fee, under chef Keiji Nakazawa, one of the most respected sushi masters working today. The menu runs through roughly 10 otsumami, seven sushi courses, and three palate cleansers.
Eleven Madison Park offers a full tasting menu for $385, or a shorter bar tasting menu for $225. The restaurant made headlines for going fully plant-based in 2021 before reintroducing meat and fish options in 2025 while keeping the vegan menu available.
Jungsik charges $335 for its signature menu, making it the first Korean restaurant in the US to earn three Michelin stars. Wine pairings range from $145 for non-alcoholic options up to $600 for its premium pairing.
Illinois (1 Restaurant)
Smyth in Chicago is the only three-star restaurant in the country located outside New York or California. The Smyth menu runs $420, while the more elaborate chef's menu runs $550. Run by a husband-and-wife team, the restaurant sources heavily from its own 20-acre farm outside the city.
California (10 Restaurants)
California holds more three-star restaurants than any other state, spread across San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and wine country.
Addison (San Diego) charges $395 for a 10-course tasting menu inside the Grand Del Mar hotel, with a more accessible $198 Tartelette Menu available in its Champagne Lounge.
Providence (Los Angeles) runs $375 for its classic tasting menu and $495 for the chef's tasting menu, built around sustainably sourced, often line-caught seafood.
Somni (West Hollywood) is the most expensive restaurant on this entire list, running $745 to $785 per person since a beverage pairing is mandatory with every reservation. The 20-course menu comes from chef Aitor Zabala, a veteran of El Bulli.
The French Laundry (Yountville) starts at $425 for its standard tasting menu and has run as high as $1,200 per person for special truffle and caviar dinners. It remains one of the most influential restaurants in American fine dining history.
Benu (San Francisco) charges $425 for a tasting menu blending Korean and French technique under chef Corey Lee, and has held its three stars for more than a decade.
Quince (San Francisco) runs $390 for its gastronomy menu, with a $220 five-course lunch option and a $280 California Coast and Valleys menu also available. Much of its produce comes from the restaurant's own organic farm in nearby Bolinas.
SingleThread (Healdsburg) charges $540.75 per person for its 10-course, Japanese-influenced tasting menu, with produce sourced from the property's own 24-acre farm.
Atelier Crenn (San Francisco) runs $498.15 for its seafood-focused tasting menu, notable for having no meat at all on the menu, an unusual choice at this level of dining.
Californios (San Francisco) charges $390 for its tasting menu and holds a genuinely historic distinction: it's the first Mexican restaurant in the world to earn three Michelin stars, blending traditional Mexican cooking with elevated, seasonal California ingredients.
Enclos (Sonoma) is the most accessible restaurant on this list at $295 per person, set in a custom-built Victorian-style structure and sourcing from the on-site Stone Edge Farm.
What It Takes to Earn Three Stars
Michelin defines three stars as cuisine so exceptional it's worth planning a trip specifically to eat there, a meaningfully higher bar than one star ("a very good restaurant") or two stars ("excellent cooking worth a detour"). Inspectors visit anonymously, pay for their own meals, and evaluate based on ingredient quality, technique, the chef's individuality, consistency across visits, and whether the cooking reaches the level of genuine artistry. Stars can be revoked as easily as they're awarded. Several past three-star restaurants, including Alinea in Chicago and The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia, lost their third star in the most recent round of reviews, a reminder that the rating reflects current performance rather than reputation alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many 3-Michelin-star restaurants are there in the US?
As of the 2026 Michelin Guide, there are 16 restaurants in the United States holding three Michelin stars, located in New York, California, and Illinois.
What is the most expensive 3-star Michelin restaurant in the US?
Somni in West Hollywood is currently the most expensive, running $745 to $785 per person since a beverage pairing is required with every reservation.
What is the least expensive 3-star Michelin restaurant in the US?
Enclos in Sonoma, California is the most accessible on this list at $295 per person for its tasting menu.
Is there a 3-Michelin-star restaurant outside of New York and California?
Yes, exactly one: Smyth in Chicago is currently the only three-star restaurant in the US located outside those two states.
Prices and Michelin ratings change annually and are subject to revision. Confirm current pricing and availability directly with each restaurant before booking.
