Park City prepares for Michelin inspectors as guide expands to Utah

Main Street in Park City is home to over 100 restaurants. Photo: TownLift // Randi Randi Sidman-Moore

As Michelin inspectors quietly begin evaluating Utah restaurants, Park City’s tourism leaders say the guide’s arrival could bring global attention and new visitors to the mountain town’s dining scene.

PARK CITY, Utah — The famed Michelin Guide is coming to the Southwest US to review top restaurants in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. Anonymous Michelin inspectors may even bestow the first prized Michelin Stars to deserving Utah restaurants.

“We are excited to showcase the distinct cuisine styles that are representative of the cultures throughout the Southwest, which blends a rich mix of traditions and culinary talent,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide.

In Utah, the guide promises to zero in on restaurants in the Wasatch Culinary Collective, which includes Park City, Salt Lake, and Sundance Resort.

Dan Howard, Vice President of Communications for Visit Park City, noted the guide will attract exactly the right demographic of tourists to Park City restaurants, lodges, and resorts. “Our local chefs are creating culinary excellence for a global community every year and we want to see them get recognition for this outstanding performance,” he said.

With anonymous reviewers currently in the field, Howard says the excitement “puts the restaurants ‘on their toes,’ to quote one of our local Park City chefs.” But he’s also confident that Park City restaurants are always “operating with the goal of providing exceptional dining experiences for truly discerning visitors.”

Although Michelin Stars are perhaps the most well-known achievement from the guide, other awards include Bib Gourmand distinctions for exceptional value, Green Stars for sustainable practices, Michelin Recommended status, and more.

With Park City already being an international destination, Howard sees potential Michelin recognition as a way to bring global recognition to the mountain food scene.

“Our local chefs are creating culinary excellence for a global community every year and we want to see them get recognition for this outstanding performance,” said Howard.

The Guide’s selection process is determined by anonymous Inspectors and remains completely independent, according to Michelin, and the guide only works with destination marketing organizations on marketing and promotional activities.

The upcoming restaurant selection will follow The Guide’s historical methodology, based on five universal criteria: 1) quality products; 2) the harmony of flavors; 3) the mastery of cooking techniques; 4) the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; 5) consistency between each visit and throughout the menu (each restaurant is inspected several times a year).

The full restaurant selection will be revealed during the annual 2026 MICHELIN Guide Southwest Ceremony, which will be announced at a later date next year.