French Restaurants To Try at Least Once in Your Life, According to Top Michelin-Starred Chefs

Earning one, two or three stars, 668 restaurants in France were recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2026. That can be a real headache for anyone looking for the right restaurant. The goal is not to miss out on restaurants that are truly worth visiting. So the newspaper has created a unique list by surveying some 60 Michelin-starred chefs themselves. They were asked to answer a question that was both simple and complex: Which five restaurants should you absolutely visit at least once in your life? Excluding their own, of course.

Michelin-starred chefs’ top restaurants

Tied for No. 1: La Grenouillère **

Some of the biggest names agreed to take part, including Pierre Gagnaire, Arnaud Donckele, Georges Blanc, César Troisgros, Éric Frechon, and Alexandre Mazzia. The result is a unique list, based on the perspectives of some 30 renowned chefs — who experience the pressure of service firsthand, lead a kitchen staff, and understand the demands of the profession. The results are a mix of expected choices and surprises. Find out which restaurant…