Michelin star

Michelin stars are the world's most prestigious culinary awards, given by the Michelin Guide since 1933. The system has three levels: one star ("high-quality cooking, worth a stop"), two stars ("excellent cooking, worth a detour"), and three stars ("exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey"). Stars are awarded annually by anonymous inspectors who pay for their own meals. What this means for diners: expect formal service, precise cooking, premium pricing (one-star: 80-200 EUR; two-star: 150-350 EUR; three-star: 300-700+ EUR per person, often with mandatory tasting menus). Booking lead times: 2-6 weeks for one-star, 1-6 months for three-star. Dress code is typically smart-casual or formal, check the restaurant's website for specifics.