MICHELIN Guide expands to Milwaukee; 5 other Great Lakes cities

MILWAUKEE – VISIT Milwaukee announced on Wednesday, April 8, that MICHELIN Guide will expand into the American Great Lakes, placing Milwaukee on the global map of world-class dining.

Milwaukee joins MICHELIN Guide

What we know:

According to a news release, the MICHELIN Guide will evaluate restaurants across a six-city Great Lakes region, including Milwaukee, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh. 

“This is a transformational moment for Milwaukee,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. “A MICHELIN Star can change lives. It can elevate chefs, energize neighborhoods, and bring global attention to a city. Today, Milwaukee steps onto that global stage, and the world is about to discover what we have known all along: Milwaukee is one of America’s great food cities.”

The full MICHELIN Guide American Great Lakes restaurant selection will be announced in 2027, with details about the inaugural awards ceremony to be shared at a later date.

Exposure for restaurants

What they’re saying:

The MICHELIN Guide is seen as an opportunity that creates new exposure for restaurants in southeast Wisconsin.

“I think Milwaukee is super slept on. I think it’s one of the best cities in the whole wide world, especially when it comes to our food scene,” said Alo Mora, a hostess at Josa on the River, a new upscale, Black-owned restaurant in downtown Milwaukee. “We definitely have some soul, some American influences. My personal favorites include the ribeye, the salmon bites.” 

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“It is exciting to know that that maybe we’ll see a little bit more international recognition for dining here,” said Richard Kerhin of Apertivo. 

“I think Milwaukee is so full of so many talents across the board. But I think our culinary scene definitely deserves that MICHELIN accreditation,” Mora said. 

What is the MICHELIN Guide?

Dig deeper:

The MICHELIN Guide sends anonymous inspectors to evaluate restaurants based on rigorous, globally consistent criteria. 

With inspectors already in the field across the Great Lakes, Milwaukee’s restaurants now have the opportunity to earn distinctions, including MICHELIN Stars, Bib Gourmand recognition, and Green Stars for mindful gastronomy.

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Reaction

Common Council President José Pérez

“The quality of Milwaukee’s culinary offerings and its overall food scene is among the very best in the world. We take a back seat to absolutely no one when it comes to the diversity and breadth of our menus and what delectable dishes our amazing food and beverage entrepreneurs have to offer.

“This is why I am so pleased by the announcement today (in coordination with VISIT Milwaukee) that Michelin Guide is coming to take a closer look at Milwaukee (and a few other cities in the Midwest) as part of its new Michelin Guide American Great Lakes edition. This is great news for our great city and especially for our wide array of restaurants, bars, food trucks, and cafes.

“This review isn’t just about examining fine dining: It will help showcase the great diversity that exists in our neighborhood food spots – places big and small that make our mouths water.

“We have produced James Beard Award winners and were the focus of a season of “Top Chef,” but this is going to be different. This is a great chance for our culinary entrepreneurs to shine and to be recognized, and for the richly diverse neighborhoods we love to get a spotlight.”