By Vinod Ram 
New York City’s culinary landscape just got even more exciting. The Michelin Guide New York 2025 has been unveiling its latest selections, and the results mark one of the most historic years yet for NYC Michelin restaurants. From a groundbreaking three-star promotion to dozens of diverse new additions across every borough, this year’s guide reaffirms that New York City remains America’s fine-dining capital.
A Korean Revolution: NYC’s First Three-Star in 12 Years
In December 2024, Jungsik made history as the first Korean restaurant in the United States to earn three Michelin stars, and the first NYC restaurant to join the elite three-star list since 2012.
Chef Yim Jung-sik’s Tribeca flagship has long been a pioneer of “New Korean” cuisine, blending traditional flavors with refined modern techniques. Since opening in 2011, Jungsik has influenced a generation of chefs behind acclaimed spots like Jua, Lysée, and Atomix.
At $295 per person for dinner, Jungsik joins an exclusive club of five three-star Michelin restaurants in NYC: Per Se, Masa, Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin, and now Jungsik.
Read more: Michelin officially confirms 2025 star awards for NYC restaurants.
Two Stars Rising: Excellence Worth a Detour
The Michelin Guide 2025 also celebrated three restaurants elevated to two Michelin stars, recognizing “exceptional cuisine worth a detour.”
- César (Hudson Street) – Helmed by Chef César Ramírez, renowned for meticulous seafood cookery and precision plating.
- Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare – Now under chefs Max Natmessnig and Marco Prins, offering Japanese-French luxury in an intimate setting.
- Sushi Sho – Led by sushi master Keiji Nakazawa, delivering one of the most precise omakase experiences in the US.
These two-star NYC restaurants reaffirm the city’s position at the center of global fine dining.
See the full list on Eater New York.
The New Class: 40+ Restaurants Join the Guide
Throughout 2025, Michelin added more than 40 new restaurants to its New York selection, highlighting the depth and diversity of the city’s dining culture.
Spring Additions (April 2025)
Sixteen restaurants debuted on the list, including:
- Cafe Commerce – Chef Harold Moore’s Upper East Side revival offers French-Italian-inspired contemporary American fare.
- Crane Club – A SoHo hotspot drawing A-list diners (even Taylor Swift!) with chic design and modern comfort food.
- La Tête d’Or – Chef Daniel Boulud’s first-ever steakhouse joins his Michelin-recognized empire.
Summer Additions (July 2025)
Fourteen diverse newcomers reflected NYC’s unmatched global range:
- Kabawa – Chef Paul Carmichael’s vibrant Caribbean fine dining experience in the East Village.
- Yemenat – Bay Ridge’s Yemeni gem, offering traditional dishes in a cozy, welcoming space.
- Hungry Thirsty – Carroll Gardens’ new Thai favorite, famed for its Southern Thai Pla Kra Pong Tod Nam Pla.
- Laliko & Joomak – West Village neighbors bringing Georgian and Korean cuisine to adventurous NYC palates.
See details on Time Out New York.
Fall Additions (October 2025)
Twelve more names joined the list, including:
- Muku – A 10-seat Japanese counter following the traditional “go-ho” rule of five techniques.
- Yamada – Chef Isao Yamada’s serene kaiseki destination known for King crab dumplings and lobster rice.
- Sushi Akira – Chef Nikki Zheng, an alum of Masa and Sushi Nakazawa, debuts on the Upper East Side.
- Taqueria El Chato – Michelin’s recognition of exceptional Mexican street food in NYC.
Explore the complete fall list on Eater NYC.
What This Means for NYC Dining
The Michelin Guide 2025 New York highlights a powerful trend: fine dining in the US is becoming more global, inclusive, and exciting than ever.
- The promotion of Jungsik signals long-overdue recognition of Asian and Korean haute cuisine.
- Additions such as Yemenat, Kabawa, and Laliko reveal Michelin’s growing embrace of underrepresented cuisines.
- The continued rise of Japanese omakase and kaiseki restaurants (like Muku and Yamada) confirms Japan’s central role in NYC’s high-end dining evolution.
- The inclusion of casual excellence like Taqueria El Chato underscores that great food in America needn’t always come with a white tablecloth.
Background reading: Forbes – Michelin Guide 2025: What It Means for American Dining.
What’s Next for Food Lovers
With more than 350 Michelin-recognized restaurants now calling New York City home, dining here has never been more dynamic. Though the official Northeast awards were held in November, Michelin continues unveiling new names throughout the year — keeping chefs and diners alike on their toes.
For food enthusiasts across the USA, this means endless culinary adventures ahead. Whether you’re:
- Splurging $295 on Jungsik’s three-star Korean tasting menu,
- Exploring Hungry Thirsty’s southern Thai flavors, or
- Discovering the intimacy of Muku’s 10-seat Japanese counter,
…the Michelin Guide New York 2025 proves one thing: NYC remains the world’s most exciting place to eat.
Discover all current listings on Michelin Guide USA Official Site.
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