Everything you need to know about the 2026 Michelin Guide Awards in Dublin

The great and the good of the culinary world gather in Dublin on February 9 for the 2026 Michelin Guide Ceremony which will anoint restaurants from across Britain and Ireland with coveted Michelin stars.

It is the first time the awards ceremony is being held in Dublin, a stamp of approval in itself of Ireland's growing reputation on the culinary landscape.

A ceremony for the awarding of Michelin Star Awards for Great Britain & Ireland in 2026 is being hosted in Dublin on Monday night for the first time since the coveted awards began in 1974.

The Michelin Guide rating system began in France in 1926 and one star signifies "a very good restaurant", two stars signify "excellent cooking that is worth a detour" and three stars mean "exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey".

Where are the awards taking place?

The prestigious event is known as the "Oscars of the food world", is being held at the Convention Centre, where the Michelin Guide will unveil new Michelin Stars, with plenty of local interest, as only a handful of counties in Ireland don't boast a Michelin Star restaurant. 

LIVE BLOG: Ireland's best restaurants and chefs on show at Michelin Star Awards in Dublin

Ireland's top eateries and chefs will all be in attendance for the glitzy and exclusive affair and we've got a team on the ground bringing you all the results from across Great Britain & Ireland. 

“We are delighted to bring The MICHELIN Guide Ceremony to Dublin, a city whose energy and creativity mirror the vitality of the region’s gastronomy. Hosting the event here highlights Ireland’s growing place on the culinary map and the excellent of chefs across Great Britain & Ireland. Dublin offers the perfect setting to celebrate the talent and passion that drive our industry forward,” said Gwendal Poullenec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide.

How to watch the ceremony?

The Great Britain & Ireland Ceremony 2026 will be broadcast on the evening of Monday February 9, live via The MICHELIN Guide’s YouTube channel, allowing everyone to share in the excitement of the event. Following the Ceremony, the new restaurant selection will be available on The MICHEIN Guide’s website and app.

Who is in the running from Ireland?

A whole host of Irish restaurants and chefs will be aiming for top honours, not least three eateries in Dublin and two in Cork aiming for a rare third star.

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in the Merrion Hotel Dublin; Chapter One in Dublin 1; Liath in Blackrock, Co Dublin; Dede in Co Cork; and Terre in Co Cork are all on two Michelin stars.

A number of Irish restaurants have already been announced of recipients of the MICHELIN Bib Gourmands – the guide's award for good food at a great price. The Irish restaurants receiving those coveted prizes recently were:

BIGFAN, Dublin
Asian, Chinese

BORGO, Dublin
Italian

Forêt, Dublin
French

Farmgate Lismore, Lismore
Traditional Cuisine

Beyond that, restaurants in most counties are in the running for a new or returning star. Some of the restaurants looking to earn their first star are:

Kaldero, St Stephen's Green, Dublin

The Pullman, Galway

HERA, Dorset Street Lower, Dublin

The Old Spot, Sandymount, Dublin

Blackthorn, The Twelve Hotel, Bearna, Galway

BORGO, Phibsborough Road, Dublin

Vada, Stoneybatter, Dublin

Lena, Portobello, Dublin

Comet, Joshua Lane, Dublin

Amai by Viktor, Harry Street, Dublin