Michelin star restaurants are known to offer refined gastronomic experiences. But, the reputation of these restaurants often precedes them with preconceptions, for instance, hefty price tags.
So, are they worth the hype or is their popularity a mere marketing gimmick? Our verdict? Michelin-star restaurants are absolutely worth it. In this blog, we tell you why.
According to FinancesOnline, an independent B2B review platform, the most expensive meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant this year is $1,761. With this amount for a single meal, you could possibly indulge in a weekend retreat at a luxury resort.
Furthermore, sometimes these restaurants can exude an aura of exclusivity thanks to the unfamiliar cuisine, formal atmosphere, and the perception of pretentiousness.
What’s worth noting is that despite these reservations, Michelin-star restaurants continue to entice people to experience their excellent meals. So much so, that their reputation beckons many discerning diners to travel far and wide.
5 Reasons Why Michelin Restaurants Are Worth It
#1 Rating Criteria
Restaurants must meet the following rigorous criteria to receive the coveted Michelin stars.
- Finest, authentic and freshest ingredients
- Innovative cooking techniques of the chefs, i.e. their artistry in blending textures, tastes, and flavours, and designing presentation techniques.
- Consistency in the quality of the meals.
- The wow factor, i.e. quality of the food, ambience, and the attention to detail of the service staff.
- Infusion of the chef’s personality in the cuisine.
#2 Culinary Excellence
Michelin-star chefs source the finest produce, sustainable seafood, and premium meats to bring flavour and freshness to every meal. Using these ingredients, they dish out inventive, delectable, and stunning menu offerings, including avant-garde meals and reimagined classics.
Many chefs draw inspiration from their hometowns when preparing meals. They infuse regional flavours into their menus to create authentic meals.
Moreover, Michelin-star restaurants go beyond the way to accommodate your dietary preferences by creating alternate meal options. Some of these establishments also offer vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free tasting menus in addition to the regular tasting menus, to cater to diverse palates.
#3 Exceptional Service
Like that of a top fine dining restaurant, Michelin star restaurants usually offer a sophisticated dining journey from the moment you enter until your final dessert course. Let’s picture the entire experience.
The staff at Michelin-star restaurants are usually knowledgeable, well-trained and passionate about cuisines and wine. When you arrive at the restaurant, impeccably trained staff will warmly welcome you. In some restaurants, you could be welcomed with a glass of champagne.
Next, expert sommeliers will guide you in pairing wines with your meal. Some restaurants have a well-stocked bar full of rare and exquisite liquor.
Servers will describe the meals in detail and take in your dietary preferences discretely and professionally. Throughout your dining experience, they will be attentive without being intrusive.
Another typical feature of a Michelin star restaurant is an innovative degustation menu comprising global cuisine. They carefully craft every meal and usually showcase regional influences or the chef’s unique style. The elegant ambience of these establishments further elevates the dining experience.
In select Michelin-starred restaurants, you could have the opportunity to interact with chefs, wherein you can discuss specialities, culinary styles, and other gastronomic topics. These immersive experiences make the dining adventure truly exclusive.
Some Michelin-star restaurants may make your dining experience memorable and thoughtful by giving you a handwritten note from the chef, a surprise amuse-bouche between courses, or a special dessert to celebrate a special occasion.
#4 Elegant Ambience
Most Michelin star restaurants have a luxurious and inviting setting. Plush furnishings, tasteful artwork, and ambient lighting frame the elegant signature of the restaurant.
This is not all. The restaurants arrange the tables meticulously and thoughtfully select the tableware to complement the aesthetics of the place. The dining arrangement is again intimate so that you can enjoy your meals in cosy privacy.
Some Michelin-star restaurants will add to the mood by playing a carefully selected musical piece, live or recorded, or choosing to house their restaurant amidst a scenic locale, offering breathtaking views to you while dining.
#5 Cultural and Social Importance
Michelin star restaurants celebrate the joy of food. They bring together diners from all corners of the world to share authentic culinary experiences. They become spaces for cultural exchange by offering diverse tasting menus or highlighting regional specialities,
For many, dining at a Michelin-star restaurant is more than a meal, it’s an extension of their innate sophistication and social status. It’s about indulging in luxury within an Instagram-worthy ambience. Being seen at one of these restaurants can spark lively conversations for days.
Also, cities with a high number of Michelin starred restaurants are perceived as culinary destinations. They continuously attract visitors worldwide around the year.
Michelin Star Chef Collaboration at Apéritif Restaurant
Apéritif Restaurant in Bali is not content with just offering exceptional dining experiences. We are here to elevate Bali’s culinary landscape by introducing the world’s finest gastronomic delights.
Apéritif Restaurant collaborates with Michelin star chefs around the world to bring the exquisiteness of Michelin-star food to Bali, as Indonesia doesn’t yet have Michelin-star restaurants.
Each collaboration with a Michelin-star chef brings a unique perspective and culinary flair to our menu. It allows us to continuously surprise and delight our diners. From artistic meals to meticulously curated wine pairings, every aspect of the degustation at Apéritif is a stamp of our excellence and innovation. Experience the culinary creativity of Michelin Star dining right here in Ubud, and discover why Apéritif is at the forefront of Bali’s fine-dining scene.
