Athens Emerges as Michelin Star Destination

The expansion of the Michelin Guide to include Thessaloniki and Santorini in 2026 marks a significant moment for Greek gastronomy, building on the foundation laid in Athens. This move signals a growing international recognition of Greece's diverse culinary landscape, extending beyond the capital. The 2026 guide will be the first to feature all three destinations, with the selections for Athens, Santorini, and Thessaloniki to be unveiled in the second half of the year. As of the last selection, Athens is home to 12 Michelin-starred restaurants. Among these, Delta Restaurant at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre stands out as the city's only establishment with two stars. Chefs Giorgos Papazacharias and Thanos Feskos at Delta are noted for their sustainability focus and Nordic influences, earning the restaurant a Michelin Green Star as well. The culinary scene in Athens is characterized by a new generation of chefs who are combining Greek traditions and local ingredients with modern techniques. For instance, Chef Petros Dimas of Makris restaurant earned a Michelin star within 15 months of opening by focusing on Greek produce, much of it from his family's own farm. This trend of looking inward at native ingredients is a defining feature of the city's fine-dining evolution. The growth in Michelin recognition for Athens has been a recent and rapid development. After having five restaurants awarded stars in 2019, the city saw an increase with more additions in the following years, showcasing the dynamic and evolving nature of its high-end dining scene. This culinary ascent is now setting the stage for the broader acknowledgment of Greek cuisine with the upcoming 2026 Michelin Guide.