Updated: June 2026
The short answer is no. Three stars is the maximum a restaurant can receive from the Michelin Guide, and that has been the case since the three-tier rating system was introduced in 1931. There is no four-star category, no plans to introduce one, and no exceptions have ever been made.
That said, the system is richer and more layered than most people realize. And if you're looking for a way to accumulate more than three Michelin stars under one roof, there are a few creative ways that have happened.
How the Michelin Star System Works
The Michelin Guide was created in 1900 by French tyre manufacturers André and Édouard Michelin as a practical resource for motorists covering petrol stations, mechanics, and hotels rather than restaurants. As the guide grew in popularity, restaurant listings expanded and Michelin began hiring anonymous inspectors to write reviews.
By 1926, the guide had become so focused on dining that Michelin split it into two publications: the Green Guide for motorists and the Red Guide for hotels and restaurants. That same year, the Red Guide introduced its first star rating: a single star awarded to restaurants deemed "a very good restaurant in its category." In 1931, the two- and three-star tiers were added, with meanings that remain unchanged today.
- One star: high quality cooking, worth a stop.
- Two stars: excellent cooking, worth a detour.
- Three stars: exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.
The system has remained structurally identical for nearly a century. As of 2025, there are over 3,000 one-star, 503 two-star, and 153 three-star restaurants worldwide.
Can a Chef Have More Than Three Michelin Stars?
Yes, and this is one of the most common points of confusion around the guide. Stars are awarded to restaurants, not to individual chefs. A chef who owns or runs multiple restaurants can therefore accumulate stars across their portfolio.
As of 2026, the chef with the most active Michelin stars in the world is Yannick Alléno, with 18 stars distributed across 21 restaurants. Alain Ducasse holds 17. This has no bearing on the three-star maximum per restaurant — each individual establishment is evaluated independently.
Can a Single Location Have More Than Three Michelin Stars?
Not through the star system itself, but a single building can house multiple starred restaurants, each with their own independent rating.
The most notable example is the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, which became the first hotel in Europe to contain three separate Michelin-starred restaurants. Le Cinq, Le George, and L'Orangerie are all located within the same building and each holds its own stars, giving the hotel a combined total that far exceeds the three-star maximum any single restaurant can hold.
A similar concentration exists at the Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris, where Yannick Alléno operates multiple concepts under one roof, collectively holding six Michelin stars.
The Michelin Green Star: a Different Kind of Recognition
Introduced in 2020, the Michelin Green Star is a separate award that sits alongside — not above — the traditional star system. It recognizes restaurants that lead the way in sustainable gastronomy: those that combine culinary excellence with meaningful environmental and social responsibility initiatives, from reducing food waste and sourcing locally to supporting biodiversity and fair labor practices.
A restaurant can hold both a Green Star and one, two, or three traditional stars simultaneously. As of 2026, Great Britain and Ireland alone have 37 Green Star restaurants, and the award has been rolled out across most major Michelin Guide markets globally. Michelin temporarily removed Green Star ratings from its website in 2025 but subsequently confirmed that the award still exists and continues to be assigned.
