In international recognized Michelin Guide released its latest list this week, declaring that a total of 12 restaurants in New York City have been included in the 2025 guide’s “Recommended” list for the first time. These restaurants have not yet received any stars or Bib Gourmand recommendations, but they have caught the eye of Michelin inspectors, making them potential contenders for stars in the future.
This new list highlights the diversity of the culinary scene in New York, featuring not only high-end Japanese cuisine but also Cantonese Chinese dishes and Mexican street food, showcasing the city’s status as a melting pot of international flavors.
Among the newly selected restaurants, Muku is an exquisite boutique with only ten seats, where each dish follows the “five methods (goho)” of Japanese cooking – a set of rules encompassing five cooking techniques. Meanwhile, Yamada is a serene kaiseki restaurant where Chef Isao Yamada crafts seasonal delicacies such as king crab dumplings and matsutake mushroom lobster rice. Gui Steakhouse in Times Square also made the list, offering perfectly grilled cuts of Korean and American wagyu beef, challenging the notion that all tourist spot restaurants are mere “traps.”
In the East Village, Bánh Anh Em sees a constant line out the door every morning for its signature dishes like beef brisket and tripe rice noodles, as well as Vietnamese sandwiches made with perfect baguettes. In Chinatown, Lei offers a clever pairing of Chinese small plates with wines, including dishes like watercress in red wine vinegar and ginger lily flower with stir-fried scallops. Sal Tang’s in Greenberg reinterprets classic Chinese-American fusion cuisine in an ambiance adorned with red lanterns.
Experts point out three main characteristics of this new list:
1. Geographic Expansion – Restaurants outside of Brooklyn and Manhattan now have a greater presence, breaking the previous Manhattan-centric trend.
2. Cultural Diversity – Ranging from Japanese cuisine to Caribbean, Georgian, and Mexican street eateries, showcasing the culinary prowess of New York’s diverse ethnicities.
3. Mark of Potential – Being “Recommended” implies that restaurants have the chance to be elevated to star status or Bib Gourmand recommendation in the future, providing a significant boost in branding and exposure for the establishments.
Industry insiders view this list as both Michelin’s latest observation of New York’s dining scene and a potential guide for consumers to explore more diversified culinary options. For restaurant operators, even without earning stars, being listed as “Recommended” is a powerful endorsement in terms of marketability and reputation.
The 2025 Michelin Guide Northeast Awards ceremony is set for November 18th, where restaurants in New York and other regions will be honored.