In 2026, the world’s most exciting trips begin at the table. From MICHELIN-selected restaurants and hotels to emerging culinary scenes, these 16 destinations, many well-loved and others more off-the-beaten path, are shaping how – and why – we travel now.
Food has become one of the clearest indicators of where the world is going next. In 2026, that pull is felt everywhere, from obvious Italian heavyweights like Venice and the Amalfi Coast – where a smattering of luxury hotels are due to launch and an
upscale new train from Paris will serve to sharpen alreadyfamous tables – to places that are only just stepping into the light.
In some destinations, landmark events like the World Cup and big anniversaries serve as catalysts to put these destinations on
travellers’ maps – as have the recent launches of brand-new MICHELIN Guides.
For instance, in Cebu, Philippines; Wrocław, Poland; and Jiangsu, China, formal recognition doesn’t create ambition so much as
reveal it, bringing cuisines that have long been cooking with confidence, depth and a strong sense of place to the global stage.
These are the places to go now, according to our MICHELIN Guide Inspectors and our experts on the ground – before the reservations get harder to come by, the prices rise and the rest of the world catches on.
Venice, Italy
Why go now: A hotel renaissance is about to reset the city’s dining scene.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 62, including two Two-Star restaurants, eight One-Star restaurants and three Bib Gourmands.
Venice enters 2026 with a surge of high-profile openings by hospitality heavyweights on the cards – Orient Express, Cheval Blanc, Rosewood and Airelles are all vying for a piece of the floating city – reshaping how travellers experience and eat. Currently, a handful of local chefs are reworking lagoon cuisine with restraint and confidence, like at the discreet, family owned and run Vini da Gigio, but spots like these are few and far between, hiding among an inevitable slew of tourist traps.
And with the arrival of more high-end hotels by internationally renowned groups also comes the promise of big-name chefs
heading up these hotels’ swanky restaurants, possibly driving up the dining standards across the city (as well as prices).
The neighbourhoods about to see a shift include the northern indie area of Cannaregio, close to where the Orient Express will
open inside Palazzo Donà Giovannelli. The laid-back island of Giudecca, south of the main island, is also set for change as Airelles Venezia prepares to open its doors on April 1, steps from the soon-to-reopen Three-MICHELIN-Key Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice.
However, despite the changes in the pipeline, travellers willing to swap sweltering summers and the Biennale period (May 9 to Nov. 22) for quieter, crisp winters will still be able to revel in a calmer Venice, when the city ticks to a slower, more local pace. And of course, when reservations at some of the city’s top (old and new) dining spots are easier to come by.
Where to Stay: Venice hotels are spectacular and distinct in their own way, from the Aman Venice inside a palazzo on the Grand Canal, to smaller tucked-away abodes like Madama Venice.
Czechia (Beyond Prague)
Why go now: A nation-wide MICHELIN Guide redraws the map.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 79, including one Two-Star restaurant, eight One-Star restaurants and 18 Bib Gourmands.
The Czechia’s first countrywide MICHELIN Guide pushes attention beyond the capital of Prague, toward spa towns, rural inns and forest-framed kitchens. Potatoes, freshwater fish and foraged mushrooms anchor menus rooted in place and seasonality. And late spring to early autumn reveals markets, cycling routes and river towns at their best.
For our MICHELIN Guide Inspectors, places to bookmark this year for their exceptional food scene are the South Moravian
region, known for its mountains, caves, rivers and local produce, as well as the extremely pretty UNESCO spa town of Karlovy Vary, home to the Grandhotel Pupp, which was reportedly Wes Anderson’s inspiration for the Grand Budapest Hotel in his 2014 feature film of the same name. For more riverside towns and crystal-clear lakes, South and Central Bohemia should also be on travel lists. Right now, the country feels quietly open and newly confident; a perfect balance for exploring.
Where to Stay: Czechia is scattered with dreamy stays, from One-Key castle hotel Villa Julius a Emma – Luxury Boutique Retreat in Carlsbad to the hip W Hotel in Prague.
The Dolomites, Italy
Why go now: The Winter Games bring global attention – and lasting change.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 149, including one Three-Star restaurant, two Two-Star restaurants, 34 One-Star restaurants and 18 Bib Gourmands.
Cortina is hosting the Winter Olympic Games Feb. 6-22, making 2026 a turning point for the Dolomites in North Italy, with new
infrastructure, refined mountain hotels and increasingly ambitious alpine cooking. Buckwheat, speck and mountain cheeses root menus in the terroir, making them feel local but modern, thanks to chefs looking to techniques outside of the Italian Alps.
February offers spectacle, when the setting sun throws electric-pink light on the mountains, while summer rewards hikers with later days and more moderate temperatures, and diners with more varied produce. Visit before post-Games tourism reshapes prices and pace, if you can.
Where to Stay: Bookmark the rave-worthy Two-MICHELINKey Forestis, known for its wellness offering, or the chalet-style De Len in Cortina.
Wrocław, Poland
Why go now: A Central European food city steps out of the shadows.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 22, including three Bib Gourmands.
Wrocław’s MICHELIN Guide recognition signals its arrival as a food destination for the high calibre of its local Polish cuisine. Chefs are young and ambitious, reinterpreting Silesian traditions – pierogi, game, fermentation – with modern precision.
A vibrant city, Wrocław has a large young population, thanks to its university, meaning ambition is always bubbling in its restaurants. It’s also a gem of a town that’s truly off the beaten path. Cafés and wine bars line the Oder River, giving the city a relaxed atmosphere, and in terms of what to see, the old market square area should be bookmarked for its character, as well as the original old town of Ostrów Tumski. Visit in the warmer months, around May or June, and September, during university
term time, to really see the city come alive.
Where to Stay: Book to stay at One-Key Hotel Altus Palace for its stately style or the more urban PURO Wrocław Stare Miasto.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Why go now: A legendary coastline gets a new way in.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 71, including one Three-Star restaurant, three Two-Star restaurants, 25 One-Star restaurants and six Bib Gourmands.
The launch of Belmond’s new train service starting in May will redefine travellers’ arrival on the Amalfi Coast. Once there, the food remains elemental – anchovies, lemons, hand-rolled pasta – served with renewed confidence. May and late September are ideal, when kitchens cook for seasonality rather than survival and the coast regains its luminosity.
Where to Stay: There are so many sumptuous hotels on the Amalfi Coast, like the Three-Key Il San Pietro di Positano, as well as more boutique stays like Casa Buonocore.
Middle East
Saudi Arabia
Why go now: A newly launched MICHELIN Guide signals a culinary coming-of-age.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 51, including 11 Bib Gourmands.
Saudi Arabia’s new MICHELIN Guide reframes the kingdom as a dining destination to watch. In major cities Riyadh and Jeddah, chefs reinterpret rice dishes, grilled meats and Red Sea seafood within ambitious new cultural districts.
The scene is mostly local but has an international side picking up pace, with Japanese, Chinese, Lebanese and French cuisines taking off. Also worth noting is that alcohol is not available in Saudi Arabia, though as drinking rates fall globally, this may be an incentive rather than a deterrent for a growing demographic of travellers who drink less if at all.
In terms of when to go, cooler months – November through February – bring terrace dining and festival energy, especially after Ramadan, which takes place from mid-February to mid-March in 2026. For travellers seeking what’s next, this is a moment of rare access and momentum in a destination that’s bulking up its infrastructure, hotels and cultural offerings as part of its ambition to feature on travellers’ must-visit lists before the decade is out.
Where to Stay: From desert stays such as Caravan by Habitas AlUla, to island hotels like Two-Key Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, there’s something for every type of traveller.
Asia
Cappadocia, Türkiye
Why go now: Witness a landscape destination’s culinary awakening.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 18, including one One-Star restaurant and five Bib Gourmands.
You’ll no doubt have seen images of dozens of hot air balloons floating in orange-tinted skies above this magnificent land of towering rock formations shaped by centuries of natural erosion. However, Cappadocia’s MICHELIN Guide debut elevates the UNESCO-listed region beyond its natural wonders.
Cappadocia is the place to taste true local fare: 70% of the cuisine is local, with a growing farm-to-table philosophy. Think clay pot stews, soups, grilled meats, ancient grains and Anatolian wines, which are now popping up as part of thoughtful tasting menus, often inside cave hotels that double as dining locales.
In general, chefs tend to work with local produce and traditional techniques, including fermentation. Go in April to May and
October, which offer balance between dramatic skies, cooler temperatures and tables that match the view.
Where to Stay: There area some wonderful hotels to bookmark in the region, like Two-Key Argos in Cappadocia or a cave hotel like Signature Cave Cappadocia, Trademark Collection by Wyndham.
Jiangsu Province, China
Why go now: One of China’s most refined dining destinations steps into focus – and it’s still very affordable.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 73, including five One-Star restaurants and 36 Bib Gourmands.
Jiangsu’s MICHELIN Guide spotlights one of China’s most elegant regional food traditions – freshwater fish, subtle seasoning and classical technique. In the cities of Suzhou and Nanjing, garden culture is paired with deeply serious kitchens.
Spring and autumn are ideal times to visit as it’s not too hot – Nanjing is also known as one of China’s Three Furnaces, with
temperatures peaking in August – and when seasonal produce defines menus. For travellers seeking depth beyond megacities, Jiangsu knows how to please demanding palates.
Where to Stay: There are a handful of hotels in Jiangsu Province, like the futuristic looking Hualuxe Nanjing Yangtze River or urban Andaz Nanjing Hexi.
The Philippines
Why go now: Filipino food claims its global moment in Manila and Cebu.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: In Cebu, our Inspectors have added 18 restaurants, including six Bib Gourmands, and in Manila, there are 88 restaurants, including one Two-Star restaurant, seven One-Star places and 19 Bib Gourmands.
With MICHELIN Guides in Manila and Cebu, Filipino cuisine gains overdue international framing. While the hotel and dining scenes here are already buzzing, a host of local young chefs with independent styles are now leading an emerging wave of food culture steeped in balancing traditional and international techniques.
Still at the heart of Manila’s local cuisine are savoury staples such as sisig, sinigang, inasal and adobo. These dishes showcase a balance of sweet, salty and acidic flavours through the skilled use of regional fruits, spices and cooking techniques like marinating and grilling. Our Inspectors also noted that there’s an abundance of fresh produce year-round, thanks to the great weather, which is the real cornerstone of Filipino cuisine.
In terms of vibe, Manila is a sprawling metropolis with a mix of traditional neighbourhoods and skyscrapers, and this contrasting setting mirrors the various influences in its food scene. The city buzzes with modern dining rooms that mix American, Chinese and Spanish influences, while Filipino food is a blend of the country’s diverse traditions.
In the south of the country, the coastal city of Cebu – the second-largest metropolitan area in the Philippines – is a well developed, iconic destination known for its beaches and swanky resorts. Here, the developing food scene is very much focused on seafood. January to March offers the best weather, best produce and best atmosphere.
Where to Stay: Manila has a handful of good-quality hotels, like the Grand Hyatt Manila for a rooftop pool or Shangri-La the Fort for top service. In Cebu, the One-Key Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort or Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan are great beachside options.
North America
Route 66, USA
Why go now: A century-old road and its restaurants find new relevance.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: Start in Chicago (105 restaurants, including one Three-Star, four Two Stars, 15 One Stars and 33 Bib Gourmands) and finish in Los Angeles (165 restaurants, including two Three-Stars, three Two-Stars, 20 OneStars and 42 Bib Gourmands).
The 100th anniversary of Route 66 makes 2026 the definitive year to drive it. Across eight states, diners, barbecue joints and motels are being revived with care, ready for a fresh wave of visitors. Events will span the route’s 2,448 miles, from Springfield, Missouri’s centennial kick-off in April to Tulsa’s Capital Cruise in May – a bid for the world’s largest classic-car parade – and Amarillo’s 10-day Texas Route 66 Festival in June.
The anniversary also spotlights Indigenous histories, with programs at Albuquerque’s Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre and Oklahoma City’s First Americans Museum. In terms of the food – pie, smoked meat, chilli – it grounds the journey in local staples. And big news for the region this year: We’re launching a MICHELIN Guide for the Southwest, covering Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. It highlights the region’s top dining destinations, including along Route 66, so watch this space if you’re planning to visit.
For now, MICHELIN Guide adepts can follow our Inspector recommendations for where to get their fill of quality plates at
the start and end of the route in Chicago and Los Angeles, where we already have Guides. In terms of when to visit, while many travellers opt for summer, it does get hot; so plan for late spring and early fall for milder temperatures and less traffic on open roads that drive you right to the heart of storybook Americana.
Where to Stay: Route 66 has several stays worth making note of, like ARRIVE Albuquerque, a great option housed in the former ’60s Downtowner Motor Inn. In Chicago, hotel options are plentiful: Go for the Two-Key Pendry. In Los Angeles, the
Three-Key Hotel Bel-Air Dorchester Collection is one of our top picks.
The American South
Why go now: MICHELIN Guide recognition reshapes the southern side of the country’s culinary narrative.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: The MICHELIN Guide American South 2025 includes one Two-Star, 18 One-Stars, 50 Bib Gourmands and 159 selected restaurants across Alabama, Atlanta, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Across the American South, a new culinary clarity is taking hold. In Alabama and Mississippi, chefs elevate regional staples with restraint; Atlanta anchors innovation; Louisiana deepens its Creole and Cajun authority; the Carolinas refine seafood and whole-hog traditions; and Tennessee sharpens its smoke-driven identity.
Not forgetting our big story in New Orleans, where Emeril’s, the only Two-Star restaurant in the region, is led by a chef who is
now the youngest in MICHELIN history to helm a restaurant with Two Stars. At only 22 years old, Chef E.J. Lagasse takes the reins at the restaurant that his father, renowned chef and television personality Emeril Lagasse, opened 35 years ago.
MICHELIN Guide recognition accelerates momentum without smoothing edges. Visit in the fall, when heat recedes and harvest flavours dominate.
Where to Stay: As this entry spans several states, take a look at our hotels page for our Inspectors’ top stays.
Florida, USA
Why go now: A statewide MICHELIN Guide reveals the state’s culinary depth.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 162, including two Two-Star restaurants, 26 One-Star restaurants and 36 Bib Gourmands.
Florida’s MICHELIN Guide broadens the state’s culinary identity beyond Miami. In addition to Greater Miami, Orlando and Tampa, the new selection now includes restaurants in Greater Fort Lauderdale, The Palm Beaches and St. Pete-Clearwater. And beginning in 2026, the selection will grow further to become a statewide selection covering all of Florida.
Meanwhile, Tampa, Orlando and Gulf Coast towns gain traction with seafood-driven menus and chef-led dining rooms. In January through to March, the season brings ideal weather and peak openings. In 2026, Florida feels less like a seasonal escape and more like a connected food destination.
Where to Stay: The Three-Key Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Florida Keys is a reliable option, as is the Two-Key Faena in Miami Beach, but we’re adding more and more hotels to our books for the state.
Boston, USA
Why go now: A historic food city looks forward.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 26, including one One-Star and six Bib Gourmands.
Boston’s newly launched MICHELIN Guide signals more than validation – it marks a shift: A new generation of chefs is modernising the city’s seafood legacy, pairing pristine New England shellfish with global techniques and sharper dining rooms. Neighbourhoods like South End and Fort Point feel newly energised, while hotel openings bring fresh ambition. Visit late spring or early fall, when markets and patios come alive and the city’s culinary future feels most visible. And in terms of events, Boston will be celebrating its independent spirit all year long, to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution in the city.
Where to Stay: This city has some top stays, like the Two-Key Whitney Hotel Boston and Newbury, also a holder of Two Keys.
Philadelphia, USA
Why go now: The city ‘s food scene steps out of the shadows.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 33, including three OneStars and 10 Bib Gourmands.
Philadelphia’s MICHELIN Guide recognition crystallises what locals have long known: This is one of the country’s most dynamic dining scenes. Chefs here cook with confidence rather than spectacle, blending immigrant traditions with seasonal mid-Atlantic sourcing. Here, expect neighbourhood restaurants, not white-tablecloth locales.
Go in May to June or September, when markets peak and the city’s walkable neighbourhoods reward lingering from table to table. Adding to the city’s allure in 2026, is the World Cup, which Philadelphia will be co-hosting, as well as yearlong celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary as an independent country from the United Kingdom.
Where to Stay: Among hotels to stay at in Philadelphia, ROOST Midtown is a super stylish option, as is Anna and Bel, which has a MICHELIN Key.
Québec, Canada
Why go now: Terroir-driven cooking with a French focus earns global clarity.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 102, including one Two-Star, eight One-Stars and 17 Bib Gourmands.
Québec’s MICHELIN Guide elevates a food culture built on seasonality, restraint and French influences. Montréal’s inventive bistros coexist with rural tables celebrating maple, game and cold-water seafood. September is ideal, when harvest flavours peak and landscapes glow. In 2026, Québec feels fully international – distinct, grounded and quietly expressive.
Where to Stay: High-end Hôtel Place d’Armes (One MICHELIN Key) is a favourite place to stay in Québec, as is the laid-back Petit Hotel, also with One Key.
Vancouver, Canada
Why go now: The World Cup football tournament sharpens an already great food city.
Total MICHELIN Guide restaurants: 76, including 12 One-Star restaurants and 15 Bib Gourmands.
As a 2026 World Cup host city, Vancouver steps onto a global stage it’s long deserved. The city’s culinary strength lies in its Pacific geography and cultural mix: pristine seafood, Asian influences and a growing spotlight on Indigenous cooking. New waterfront developments and hotel openings add momentum.
Where to Stay: We have a handful of top hotels on our books, including the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, which has Two Keys, and the more intimate Wedgewood (One Key).
(Article source: Time Out)
