MICHELIN Guide Rio de Janeiro & São Paulo 2026 will be unveiled on 13 April at Copacabana Palace, in partnership with Rio’s City Hall.
Ceremony returns to Rio to reveal new selection
First city in the world to receive UNESCO’s World Heritage title as a Cultural Landscape, Rio de Janeiro will host the launch ceremony of the MICHELIN Guide Rio de Janeiro & São Paulo 2026. On 13 April, food lovers will discover the new selection of MICHELIN-recommended restaurants for both cities.
The event highlights Rio’s role as a gastronomic destination that expresses Brazilian identity. The new list will be announced live, with chefs and industry professionals in attendance.
Organized in partnership with the City of Rio de Janeiro, the ceremony strengthens the ties between the Guide and the culinary scenes of Rio and São Paulo. It will be a key date in the 2026 gastronomic calendar.
Economic impact and positioning as a global food destination
According to Rio’s mayor Eduardo Paes, hosting the ceremony helps consolidate the city as a hub for fine dining and tourism. He points to its positive impact on employment and visibility.
“Investing in gastronomic events supports the city’s economic and tourism development. The visibility brought by the MICHELIN Guide attracts tourists and thousands of jobs in the bar and restaurant sector. We must be proud of Rio and Brazil’s gastronomy and show it to the world. It is part of our identity.”
The ceremony will take place at the iconic Belmond Copacabana Palace, one of Brazil’s most celebrated luxury hotels. All chefs featured in the new selection are expected to attend.
On stage, MICHELIN will announce the new and retained Starred Restaurants, as well as all establishments listed in the selection and those awarded the Bib Gourmand distinction. This recognizes both high-end venues and more casual addresses with great value for money.
Rio and São Paulo share the spotlight
For Daniela Maia, Rio’s Secretary of Tourism, the ceremony reflects the city’s growing stature as a culinary destination. She emphasizes how the event supports local creative industries.
“Rio has been consolidating itself as a gastronomic destination. Hosting the MICHELIN Guide ceremony again strengthens the city’s powerful economy. It recognizes the growth of our culinary scene and reinforces Rio’s position as a tourism and cultural reference. It is another step toward placing the city at the center of great global experiences.”
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, highlights Rio’s mix of creativity, diversity and innovation. He describes the city as a cultural reference and gateway to Brazilian tourism.
“Rio de Janeiro is a destination that brings together creativity, diversity and innovation. Hosting the ceremony reinforces its role as a cultural reference and gateway to tourism in Brazil. It is an opportunity to highlight gastronomy and show how it shapes Brazilian identity. This event is about recognizing the talent and dedication of professionals who turn gastronomy into an unforgettable experience.”
Poullennec also underscores the importance of São Paulo in the Guide. With more than 150,000 bars and restaurants, the city is presented as a living lab of flavors and concepts in Latin America.
“São Paulo is Latin America’s largest metropolis and home to over 150,000 bars and restaurants, a true mosaic of cultures and flavors. This scale makes the city not only a gastronomic hub but also a creativity lab for unique experiences.”
Live broadcast and access to the new selection
The MICHELIN Guide Rio de Janeiro & São Paulo 2026 ceremony will be streamed live on the Guide’s official YouTube channel. Viewers worldwide will be able to follow the announcements in real time.
Right after the event, the new selection will be published on the MICHELIN Guide website and app. These platforms allow food lovers and travelers to browse all recommended restaurants in Brazil and around the globe.
Users can search by location, cuisine style and MICHELIN distinction, making it easier to plan gastronomic itineraries. The digital tools complement the ceremony with detailed, always-updated information.
Methodology: five key criteria and anonymous inspectors
The selection is carried out independently by an international team of anonymous MICHELIN inspectors. As in all countries, they follow a unified methodology focused on the quality of the cuisine.
Restaurants are evaluated collectively based on five unchanged criteria: quality of the ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, personality of the chef and cuisine and consistency over time. The inspectors consider the menu as a whole rather than individual dishes.
This approach ensures consistency across regions while respecting local identities. It also guarantees that each distinction reflects multiple visits and a shared professional assessment.
About Michelin
Michelin is building global leadership in composites and experiences that transform lives. A pioneer in material science for more than 130 years, the company uses its expertise to support human progress and a more sustainable world.
Drawing on its deep knowledge of polymer-based composites, Michelin designs high-quality tires and components for mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies and healthcare. Customer insight and product excellence guide the development of connected solutions and data- and AI-driven services for professional fleets.
Beyond manufacturing, Michelin curates outstanding restaurants and hotels through the MICHELIN Guide, a benchmark for global hospitality. Together, its technologies and its Guide aim to deliver meaningful, high-value experiences to people around the world.