Some meals are worth making a special trip for, and a prestigious Michelin-star restaurant almost guarantees an unforgettable dining experience. The famous award is based after all on the reviews of professional diners that travel the world feasting on the best-of-the-best meals (the dream job).
What better way to end a memorable stay at one of the world’s finest hotels, than with a belly full of critically acclaimed cuisine made from the highest quality ingredients. Whether you’re spending the night at one of these high-end hotels or simply passing by, these hotel restaurants are well worth dining in for a lavish bite to eat.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée – Paris, France
The stunning dining room of Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée © Pierre Monetta
The effortlessly elegant Hôtel Plaza Athénée is recognized as one of the best hotels in Paris, but its restaurant is just as equally distinguished. The Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée is ranked the 13th best restaurant in the world according to the World’s Top 50 restaurants list, and for good reason. With a whopping three Michelin stars (the highest award possible), Chef Alain Ducasse’s Parisian restaurant was completely reinvented in 2014. The dramatic and lavish interior of the main dining room features curved stainless steel booths and a chandelier made of Swarovski crystal. The new menu focuses exclusively on healthy, organic and sustainable ingredients with respect to the planet such as fish, veggies and grains. An unforgettable meal at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée is certainly a once in a lifetime experience, with lunch menus starting around £200 and dinner for two easily reaching above the £1000 mark.
Find a room at Hôtel Plaza Athenee
Hotel Copernicus – Kraków, Poland
Guests will find traditional Polish recipes with an innovative twist at the Hotel Copernicus Restaurant © Hotel Copernicus
The only hotel in Poland affiliated with the exclusive French hotel association Relais & Châteaux, Hotel Copernicus is a contemporary-style luxury accommodation with old world charm. A quick step inside will reveal medieval wooden beam ceilings, marble features and panoramic views over Kanonicza Street, the main street in Old Town Kraków.
Featured in the 2017 Michelin Guide, the Hotel Copernicus Restaurant’s renaissance-style eatery focuses on Polish royal cuisine. Headed by Chef Marcin Filipkiewicz, the menu showcases traditional classics with an innovative twist like ‘pierogi’ (savoury filled dumplings) with cider marmalade, sorrel cream soup with caviar and creative desserts like basil ice cream with strawberries. During the warmer summer months, guests are treated to views overlooking the Wawel Castle while enjoying drinks on the outdoor terrace.
Find a room at Hotel Copernicus
Park Hyatt Washington D.C. – Washington D.C., USA
The Blue Duck Tavern’s legendary apple pie © Park Hyatt Washington D.C.
Classic Americana meets luxury at the Park Hyatt Washington D.C. A short distance from the White House and several of D.C.’s major monuments, the hotel’s decor pays tribute to America’s history and culture, as does its award-winning restaurant, the Blue Duck Tavern. The casual-chic Blue Duck Tavern focuses on simple, rustic American cuisine. Hearty comfort food is a staple here. Make sure to order a side of duck fat steak fries while still leaving room for a slice of apple pie that is so famous, even former president Barack Obama keeps coming back for it time and time again. Unlike many other Michelin-starred restaurants, the Blue Duck Tavern is also open for breakfast and brunch – a rare treat for those who prefer to save the best meal of the day for the morning.
Find a room at the Park Hyatt Washington D.C.
The PuLi Hotel and Spa – Shanghai, China
The refined PHÉNIX eatery & bar features a sophisticated and intimate dining area © The PuLi Hotel and Spa
Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of central Shanghai, The PuLi Hotel and Spa is a secluded oasis and Shanghai’s first urban resort. In addition to its 193 spacious rooms, 24-hour butler service, and a world-renowned spa, the PuLi is also the home of the newly revamped one-star Michelin restaurant, the PHÉNIX eatery & bar. The PHÉNIX philosophy is ‘life is about the ingredients’ and Chef Michael Wilson is the mastermind bringing new life to PHÉNIX’s modern French cuisine. Chef Michael’s authentic dishes are all beautifully plated, from the charcuterie assortment of tender veal, Spanish chorizo, saucisson and classic confits, to the larger main dishes like lamb shoulder and suckling pig, perfect for two or three people to share. There is also a cozy lounge area for those who prefer to simply sit back and relax with a glass of wine or a classic cocktail.
Find a room at The PuLi Hotel and Spa
ABaC Restaurant & Hotel – Barcelona, Spain
The creative ABaC Restaurant looks directly into the hotel’s private garden © Marco Pastori
A former house of the US consulate and a protected architectural monument, the building of the boutique ABaC Restaurant & Hotel sits high up on the hills of Barcelona’s Tibidabo Avenue. Its tucked away location is far from the crowded touristy districts of Las Ramblas and Barceloneta, making it the ultimate serene escape in the heart of downtown.
The head of the ABaC Restaurant is Spain’s youngest Michelin-starred chef, Jordi Cruz, who received his first star when he was just 24 years old. Chef Cruz specializes in Catalan inspired cuisine with a modern twist. Each dish is delicately designed to intrigue and inspire the senses – from the unconventional Bloody Mary on the rocks appetizer and round of fresh oysters, to the grilled eel on Chinese bread and Galician salmon with trout eggs. Be prepared though, dining with ABaC can be an all-day event, with a traditional tasting menu taking up to three hours.
Find a room at ABaC Restaurant & Hotel
COMO The Halkin – London, UK
The wave-like ceiling at Ametsa with Arzak Instruction is made from 7,000 glass bottles filled with spices © COMO The Halkin
London’s upscale COMO The Halkin hotel is located in the heart of the exclusive Belgravia district, just a few steps away from Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park. Each of the hotel’s five exquisitely designed floors are themed after a different element, with the décor and color schemes representing water, air, fire, earth and sky.
Its one-star Michelin restaurant, Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, takes inspiration from the acclaimed three-star restaurant Azark in San Sebastian, Spain. In collaboration with her father, Chef Elena Arzak creates an ever-changing menu of playful Basque dishes from the freshest locally-sourced ingredients. With a focus on molecular gastronomy, Chef Elena is known for transforming an ordinary plate of food into a creative delight for all the senses. At Amesta with Azark Instruction, there is also the option to indulge in a Spanish-style afternoon tea with Iberico ham, sweet churros and sparkling cava.
Find a room at COMO The Halkin
The Yeatman – Porto, Portugal
Vitello tonnato and spicy tuna © The Yeatman Hotel
Built high on a hill in Gaia with sweeping views over the Douro River, The Yeatman is the only five-star hotel in Porto. Set in the heart of Porto’s award-winning port wine cellars, The Yeatman is a luxury wine spa hotel with a sauna, indoor panoramic infinity pool and almost every room themed after a Portuguese winery.
The Yeatman’s Restaurant, the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the city, is deeply connected to the country’s food heritage. With an emphasis on fresh Portuguese seafood, guests can choose from a huge selection of fish ranging from the traditional lobster and crawfish to the more exotic mackerel and scorpion fish, all artfully paired with Portuguese wines. The hotel bar is also the only one in town open 24 hours, the perfect setting for a nightcap with panoramic views.
Read more: Porto beyond the port: a 3-day guide to Portugal’s northern capital
Belmond Hotel Cipriani – Venice, Italy
Complete with panoramic views of the Venetian Lagoon © Belmond Hotel Cipriani
A favorite among celebrities and socialites, a stay at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani is one for the bucket list. To get to the hotel, guests are chauffeured across the Venetian Lagoon on the hotel’s private water taxi to arrive at their lavish accommodation, which is complete with an Olympic-sized heated outdoor pool – the most spectacular swimming pool in Venice.
The hotel’s upscale, one Michelin-starred Oro Restaurant is equally fit for the rich and famous. A domed gold leaf ceiling, from which the restaurant gets its name from, is lavishly decorated with an impressive chandelier made completely of Murano glass. Nothing but the highest quality ingredients are used in the kitchen. While the menu features classic Italian favorites including pasta, beef and pork dishes, the speciality is Venetian seafood and the shellfish dishes come highly recommended.
Find a room at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani
Hotel Michael – Singapore
Roasted turbot and stuffed zucchini flower © Resorts World Sentosa
Resorts World Sentosa is not just a 49-hectare island with six themed hotels, it is also home of Hotel Michael – a tribute to one of America’s greatest contemporary architects, Michael Graves. The hotel’s art gallery ambiance is hard to miss, from its mural-adorned walls and artistic furnishings to its decorated bathrooms, complete with mosaic tiled showers. The hotel’s accompanying Michelin starred restaurant, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, serves up avant-garde French classics, courtesy of celebrity chef Joël Robuchon. Meaning ‘the workshop’ in French, L’Atelier draws inspiration from Japanese sushi restaurants with its bright red décor, and has the vibrant atmosphere found in Spanish tapas bars. The restaurant’s iconic open kitchen, complete with a teppanyaki grill surrounded by 32 seats, provides a unique and interactive dining experience. Diners are fully immersed in the meal from the moment they arrive and are encouraged to interact with the chefs throughout the entire experience.
Grand Hôtel Stockholm – Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm’s Matbaren restaurant is effortlessly Scandinavian chic © Magnus Mårding
At first glance, the opulent five-star Grand Hôtel Stockholm might not seem like the kind of place to house an informal one-star Michelin restaurant, and yet that is exactly what it does. The modern and laid-back Matbaren restaurant is the culinary masterpiece of four-time Swedish Chef of the Year winner, Mathias Dahlgren – one of the most celebrated chefs in Europe. In keeping with simple Scandinavian style, the tables at Matbaren are set with brown paper menus and mid-sized dishes are served a la carte, rather than a set tasting menu.
Matbaren’s menu is constantly changing depending on the local ingredients that are in season. One dish that is almost always available is the steamed buns – a must try for any self-respecting foodie. With all the hype surrounding Matbaren, it’s essential to book a reservation online. However, if you’re lucky, there are usually some unreserved spaces available at the bar where you can enjoy a sumptuous meal with a full view of what’s going on in the kitchen.
Find a room at the Grand Hôtel Stockholm
Hotel Fasano São Paulo – São Paulo, Brazil
The spectacular Restaurante Fasano features live piano music every evening © Fasano Hotels and Restaurants
In Brazil, the Fasano name has been synonymous with luxury ever since Vittorio Fasano emigrated from Milan in 1902 to open up a brasserie in the heart of São Paulo. Part of the four-generation family-run empire of Brazilian hotels and restaurants, the Hotel Fasano São Paulo is a high-end boutique hotel located in São Paulo’s trendy Jardins district.
Its very formal Restaurante Fasano is known as one of Brazil’s best Italian restaurants, and one of the oldest Italian restaurants in South America. Restaurante Fasano’s Italian food expertise can be seen throughout its extensive menu, which focuses on regional cuisines from Milan, Umbria, Piemonte and Capri, as well as seafood. The impressive wine list offers a huge selection of ancient Barolos and rare vintages that you wouldn’t normally expect to see so far away from their homeland – giving guests the feeling that they are sampling some of Italy’s finest bottles straight from the hills of Piemonte or Tuscany.
