Food has long ceased to be merely a bonus of a trip. For a growing number of travelers, it is the main reason for choosing a destination. Against this backdrop, the annual list of the Michelin Guide’s top gastronomic destinations worldwide draws special attention, and this year it offers an intriguing mix of familiar classics and compelling surprises.
To mark the new year, Michelin published its list of 16 recommended gastronomic destinations for 2026, with Italy leading the map with no fewer than three selected regions. Alongside them appear destinations from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America, all promising a deep, diverse, and at times surprising culinary experience.
Italy at the Center – and Not by Chance
Europe continues to be a culinary powerhouse, with Italy once again at the forefront. The selection of three Italian regions comes shortly after Italian gastronomic culture was recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, an official seal of its global significance.
In Venice, alongside hotel renewal, the Michelin Guide highlights restaurants that aim to bring lagoon cuisine back to center stage. Among the standouts is Vini da Gigio, a long-standing family restaurant offering a precise and restrained interpretation of local cuisine, far from tourist traps. At the same time, the opening of new luxury hotels is expected to bring international chefs to the city, raising the culinary bar – and prices as well.
In the Dolomites, the Alpine scene is gaining strength from restaurants such as SanBrite in Cortina, which combines local ingredients, including mountain cheeses and smoked meats, with contemporary techniques. The area is now home to dozens of Michelin-rated restaurants, including one three-star establishment, a sign of exceptional culinary depth for a mountain destination.
On the Amalfi Coast, the experience remains seemingly simple yet exact: Anchovies, lemons, and handmade pasta. Starred restaurants operate alongside more intimate spots, and the new connection via Belmond’s luxury train is expected to attract travelers seeking high-end food without sacrificing a local soul.
Alongside Italy, Michelin also turns the spotlight on less expected European regions: The Czech Republic beyond Prague, with a traditional cuisine seeking broader recognition, and Wrocław in Poland, emerging as a developing gastronomic city.
Asia: The Philippines on the Brink of a Breakthrough
In Asia, the big story of the year is the Philippines. According to Michelin, Filipino cuisine is on the verge of a “global breakthrough,” particularly in the cities of Manila and Cebu, where local flavors and dishes such as adobo, sinigang, and sisig are receiving modern interpretations while maintaining a distinctive balance of sour, salty, and sweet.
In Cebu, for example, the restaurant Pares Batchoy Food House is noted for its precise and accessible local food, demonstrating how street food can evolve into a respected culinary experience.
Alongside the Philippines are China’s Jiangsu Province, with its deep culinary tradition and strong tourism potential, and Cappadocia in Turkey, offering an unusual combination of rich local cuisine and dramatic landscapes.
The Middle East and North America
The sole Middle Eastern representative on the list is Saudi Arabia, which Michelin defines as a destination undergoing “culinary maturation.” According to the guide, traditional dishes are being reinterpreted through modern restaurants and formats, as part of a broader transformation taking place in the country. Restaurants such as Mirzam in Riyadh combine local ingredients with global influences, while desert hospitality complexes like Caravan by Habitas AlUla offer dining experiences connected to the landscape and local identity. Despite the absence of alcohol, Michelin emphasizes the depth and precision of the local cuisine.
In North America, the list ranges from well-known cities and regions, including Boston, Philadelphia, Florida, and the American South, to Canada, with Quebec and Vancouver. The highlight, however, is the legendary Route 66, experiencing a culinary revival ahead of its 100th anniversary. Along the route, which crosses eight states, restaurants, barbecue joints, and motels are being upgraded in preparation for a new wave of tourists. What should you look for? Diners such as Mr. D’z Diner have become attractions in their own right, with classic dishes – pie, chili, and smoked meats – telling a familiar American story, but executed at a higher level than in the past.
Ultimately, Italy continues to lead the global culinary conversation, but the real story of 2026 lies in the blend of tradition and innovation: The Philippines as a destination striving to break forward, Saudi Arabia establishing a new culinary identity, and Route 66 proving that even old icons can gain new life through food.
Michelin’s message is clear: Gastronomic tourism is not a passing trend, but one of the central forces shaping the global travel map. Travelers no longer settle for seeing; they want to taste, experience, and get to know a culture through the plate. For food lovers, this list is an excellent starting point for planning a trip in 2026.