Michelin Guide Expands to Great Lakes Region, Includes Cleveland

The prestigious restaurant rating guide will feature six cities in the Great Lakes area, including Cleveland.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:25pm

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The Michelin Guide, a renowned restaurant rating system, announced the launch of a new Great Lakes edition that will include Cleveland among six cities in the region. The collaborative announcement was made at the Milwaukee Art Museum, bringing together tourism officials from Destination Cleveland and other participating cities such as Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh. The move is seen as a significant boost for Cleveland's culinary scene, which has been gaining national attention in recent years.

Why it matters

The inclusion of Cleveland in the Michelin Guide is a major milestone for the city's food and tourism industries. The guide's presence is expected to drive more culinary travelers to the region, as studies show that the guide's ratings are a key factor in destination selection for many travelers. This exposure could lead to an increase in visitors and economic activity for Cleveland's restaurants and hospitality businesses.

The details

The Great Lakes Michelin Guide will cover restaurants in six cities: Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh. Michelin's international director, Gwendal Poullennec, called the initiative 'a momentous occasion,' highlighting the guide's mission to showcase the 'best of the best of the world's gastronomy.' Destination Cleveland's vice president of public relations and communications, Emily Lauer, emphasized the importance of food as a cornerstone of the visitor experience in Cleveland, reflecting the region's diversity, creativity, and character. Destination Cleveland is paying $150,000 per year for the next three years to help launch and support the program in the city.

  • The first Great Lakes Michelin Guide selections will be revealed next year.
  • The contract for the Great Lakes Michelin Guide runs through 2029.

The players

Gwendal Poullennec

The international director of the Michelin Guide.

Emily Lauer

The vice president of public relations and communications at Destination Cleveland.

Destination Cleveland

The tourism organization for the city of Cleveland, Ohio.

Peggy Williams-Smith

The president and chief executive officer of Visit Milwaukee.

Dante Boccuzzi

A Cleveland restaurateur.

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What they’re saying

“Today's announcement reflects the momentum we're seeing in Cleveland's culinary community. Our chefs and restaurants have earned national attention, and we're excited to welcome Michelin inspectors to experience that firsthand. Food is a cornerstone of the visitor experience in Cleveland, in fact. It reflects our region's diversity, creativity and character.”

— Emily Lauer, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications, Destination Cleveland

“Food is changing every day, and inspectors look for places showing a 'willingness to go to the next level.' That, along with a healthy travel climate within the United States, made the collaboration attractive.”

— Gwendal Poullennec, International Director, Michelin Guide

“It is a deeply respected resource in the culinary world. That Michelin association really broadens that opportunity for us. It will expose Cleveland to a whole new group of travelers.”

— Emily Lauer, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications, Destination Cleveland

What’s next

The first Great Lakes Michelin Guide selections will be revealed next year, showcasing the best restaurants in the region.

The takeaway

The addition of Cleveland to the prestigious Michelin Guide is a significant milestone for the city's culinary scene, which has been gaining national recognition in recent years. This move is expected to drive more culinary tourism to the region, further boosting the local food and hospitality industries and exposing Cleveland's diverse and creative dining options to a global audience.