5 Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy for high end gastronomic experiences

Luciana Soares September, 2020

Did you know that there are 374 Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy? This seal, one of the largest in the gastronomic world, places the country among those who were the most awarded with recognition.

If you enjoy good cuisine and have a trip to Italy in your plans, you must read this article. We will talk about 5 Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and the dishes and delicacies that led them to this important milestone.

The tradition of Michelin stars

One of the most interesting curiosities about the famous Michelin guide concerns its origin. Contrary to what many people imagine, the iconic restaurant guide was originally created as a travel guide that encouraged drivers to hit the road.

However, Michelin guides and maps quickly became a synonym and a reference for haute cuisine and unique gastronomic experiences, which are worth traveling for.

The journey of evaluating and ranking Michelin-starred restaurants began in 1926, when the guide began to highlight notorious one-star establishments. Five years later, the rating rule was modified, and the hierarchy of 0, 1, 2 and 3 stars was introduced.

Due to the popularity of restaurant reviews around the world, the Michelin guide has established itself as a world reference in gastronomy. Today, it evaluates more than 30 thousand establishments in 3 continents of the world.

5 Michelin restaurants in Italy

According to Michelin Guide 2020, 374 Italian restaurants stood out for their gastronomic services. Eleven restaurants achieved 3 Michelin stars, 35, two stars, and 328, one star. See the 5 Michelin restaurants in Italy below!

1. Osteria Francescana (3 Michelin stars)

Booking a table at Osteria Francescana is not an easy task. After all, it is the first Italian restaurant to earn three Michelin stars.

Headed by the renowned chef Massimo Bottura, Osteria Francescana could never be left out of our list of Michelin restaurants in Italy. Located in the heart of Modena, the restaurant’s menu is simple, but based on the excellence of the dish preparations.

In the Guide, we find the following definition for Osteria Francescana:

“The cuisine at this restaurant is certainly top quality. The dishes are light and well balanced, with a focus on adding innovative touches to traditional recipes, without being overly nostalgic. Osteria Francescana once again is confirmed as one of the best international restaurants, while chef Bottura continues to be a renowned culinary talent worldwide.”

If you have the opportunity to visit Osteria Francescana, try the Tasting Menu, with 12 dishes for € 290, and see closely the conceptual and passionate setting of the dishes conducted by Chef Bottura.

2. L’Olivo (2 Michelin stars)

Located on the Island of Capri, one of the paradisiacal places in Italy, L’Olivo is definitely a Michelin restaurant.

According to the guide, it is “A huge and elegant dining room where lighting, fabrics and decoration create a comfortable and elegant environment. Its service gives the restaurant an international touch, a flagship for the creative, elegant and sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine”.

Would you like to know the dishes at L’Olivo’s menu? Get ready to find a wide variety of creations. Led by Chef Andrea Migliaccio, the menu offers everything from stuffed rabbit ravioli with Genoese style to a traditional San Marzano tomato sauce with buffalo ricotta and pesto.

3. La Pergola (3 Michelin stars)

Michelin Guide review is: “This excellent restaurant overlooks the Eternal City, in the magnificent setting of a panoramic roof garden. La Pergola’s Mediterranean cuisine (the constant passion of chef Heinz Beck), with a systematic search for the best quality ingredientes and an additional dose of creativity make its success speak for itself ”.

With such an evaluation, it is impossible not to include La Pergola in the list of Michelin restaurants in Italy. Located in Rome, the place is a must for lovers of good cuisine.

Possibly the most famous restaurant in the city, La Pergola has a tasting menu, with 9 dishes served in small portions and a gourmet menu à la carte.

4. Enrico Bartolini al Mudec (3 Michelin stars)

Treasury of Milan, Enrico Bartolini al Mudec is another Michelin restaurant rated with 3 stars in Italy, the guide’s maximum score.

The restaurant, located on the third floor of the MUDEC – Museo Delle Culture, it is famous for its contemporary cuisine. It develops dishes full of identity and personality, under the coordination of Chef Bartolini.

On the menu, you have a varied 10-course tasting menu for € 250 and individual dishes à la carte.

Discover the Enrico Bartolini al Mudec restaurant.

5. Ora D’Aria (1 estrela Michelin)

Finally, a tip for those who visit Florence and surroundings: the awarded Ora D’Aria restaurant with one Michelin star.

Its architecture is one of the experience highlights. Built in a stone basement, the restaurant’s architecture dates back to Roman time and it has an open kitchen – a feature that proves the reliability of the dish preparations.

The cuisine is based on Tuscan products served in harmony with traditional characteristics and contemporary style.

Commanded by Chef Marco Stabile, the Ora D’Aria menu has different tasting menu options for € 90 as well as individual and group dishes on request.

Shall we travel through Michelin restaurants in Italy?

Knowing the best Michelin restaurants in Italy will certainly make your travel itinerary even more exclusive and unforgettable. After all, we do not have the opportunity to include starred cuisine in our menu every day, do we?

If you need help to create a gastronomic itinerary in Italy, including the best options of Michelin restaurants, count on Cieli di Toscana!

Our team of specialists in Italy can help you organize a tailor-made trip, including all the services you desire.

In our customized itineraries, you will find useful information and suggestions of the best of each city: places to visit, the most beautiful roads to reach the destination, the most convenient parking lots, stores, experiences and much more.

We only recommend places that we already know. So, you will not have unpleasant surprises on your trip.

There is more! Once in Italy, you and your family will not be “alone”. Our local English-speaking staff will be available to make your experience even more complete and peaceful.

Do you want to see what Cieli’s customers say about their experiences in Italy? Check the following testimonials out:

No words to describe the trip you organized for us. Everything was prepared with skill and love, from the travel itinerary to the music at the picnic. We will keep every detail in our minds and hearts.

‐ Eleno Costa & Ane Costa

I would like to thank you for everything! Our trip was perfect, the suggested itineraries were magical, and the hotel was amazing. We enjoyed the great services everywhere we went! See you next time…

‐ Juliana Dijck

Start planning your dream trip right now! Get in touch with us and we will design, together, the best script for you!

Luciana Soares is a journalist passionate about traveling. She works at Cieli di Toscana and has lived in Florence. She knows and loves the beauties of the region.