By Aude Camus
I was in Macau last night for the 2026 Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau ceremony, held at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort, and if I’m being honest, it felt a lot more low-key than you might expect. No over-the-top theatrics, no dramatic reveals. Just a room full of chefs, restaurateurs and industry people quietly waiting to see how the list would unfold. In a way, it felt quite reflective of where the industry is right now: a little more subdued, a little more introspective, but still very much moving forward.
This year marks the 18th edition of the Guide in Hong Kong & Macau, as well as the global 100th anniversary of the Michelin Star – a milestone that could have felt bigger, but instead played out in a fairly understated way. And honestly, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Because what came out of this year’s list isn’t a dramatic shake-up. It’s more of a steady continuation: familiar names holding strong, a few well-earned promotions, and some new entries that feel thoughtful rather than surprising.
A Ceremony Focused on People, Not Just Stars
One of the evening’s most resonant moments came from Miss Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, who addressed the room with a reminder that recognition alone does not sustain the industry.
“A strong online rating may attract bookings, but it doesn’t attract young chefs to work in the kitchen.”
Later, she returned to the idea of collective effort, underscoring the often‑unseen labour behind every accolade:
“Behind every award is a team that shows up, service after service. To delight, to surprise. The pleasure you bring to the table is what makes this industry so extraordinary.”
In times when the industry comes under critic for harsh conditions (see the recent Noma scandal), these remarks felt especially apt.
New Michelin Stars in Hong Kong and Macau (2026)
While no new restaurants entered the three‑star tier this year, promotions and first‑time wins brought fresh energy to the list.
Newly Awarded One Michelin Star
Four restaurants across Hong Kong and Macau received their first Michelin Star in 2026:
I was in Macau last night for the 2026 Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau ceremony, held at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort, and if I’m being honest, it felt a lot more low-key than you might expect. No over-the-top theatrics, no dramatic reveals. Just a room full of chefs, restaurateurs and industry people quietly waiting to see how the list would unfold. In a way, it felt quite reflective of where the industry is right now: a little more subdued, a little more introspective, but still very much moving forward.
This year marks the 18th edition of the Guide in Hong Kong & Macau, as well as the global 100th anniversary of the Michelin Star – a milestone that could have felt bigger, but instead played out in a fairly understated way. And honestly, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Because what came out of this year’s list isn’t a dramatic shake-up. It’s more of a steady continuation: familiar names holding strong, a few well-earned promotions, and some new entries that feel thoughtful rather than surprising.
A Ceremony Focused on People, Not Just Stars
One of the evening’s most resonant moments came from Miss Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, who addressed the room with a reminder that recognition alone does not sustain the industry.
“A strong online rating may attract bookings, but it doesn’t attract young chefs to work in the kitchen.”
Later, she returned to the idea of collective effort, underscoring the often‑unseen labour behind every accolade:
“Behind every award is a team that shows up, service after service. To delight, to surprise. The pleasure you bring to the table is what makes this industry so extraordinary.”
In times when the industry comes under critic for harsh conditions (see the recent Noma scandal), these remarks felt especially apt.
New Michelin Stars in Hong Kong and Macau (2026)
While no new restaurants entered the three‑star tier this year, promotions and first‑time wins brought fresh energy to the list.
Newly Awarded One Michelin Star
Four restaurants across Hong Kong and Macau received their first Michelin Star in 2026:
- China Tang (Hong Kong): A refined revival of classic Chinese cuisine following its recent refurbishment
- Sushi Takeshi (Hong Kong): A focused, counter‑style omakase rooted in precision and seasonality
- Palace Garden (Macau) : Recognised for preserving near‑lost traditional Cantonese techniques
- Don Alfonso 1890 (Macau) : The first Asian outpost of the historic Italian restaurant from the Amalfi Coast
Newly Promoted to Two Michelin Stars
Two Hong Kong restaurants were elevated to two‑star status this year:
- L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Hong Kong – Returning to the two‑star category following a major refurbishment
- Cristal Room by Anne‑Sophie Pic – Promoted from one to two stars, confirming its place among the city’s most polished French dining rooms
Special Michelin Awards 2026
The individual awards this year placed a strong emphasis on mentorship, service and the future of the profession:
Young Chef Award: Chef Kim Gwan‑ju, Sol
Service Award: Ms Jenny Ye, The Huaiyang Garden (Macau)
Sommelier Award: Floriane Hureau, Caprice
Mentor Chef Award (first ever in Hong Kong & Macau): Chef Paul Lau Ping Lui, Tin Lung Heen
A Note on Female Representation
Despite the depth of talent on display, one aspect of the list remains noticeably limited: female representation. Women were more visible within the Special Awards category, notably in service and wine, yet remain underrepresented in headline chef roles.
This isn’t an indictment of the Guide, but rather a reflection of broader structural challenges within the industry. It is something I hope to see shift in the coming years, with more women, whether in the kitchen, on the floor, or behind the scenes, stepping into the spotlight in Hong Kong and Macau’s dining landscape.
Full Michelin Star List: Hong Kong & Macau 2026
Three Michelin Stars
Hong Kong
8½ Otto e Mezzo – Bombana
Amber
Caprice
Forum
Sushi Shikon
Ta Vie
T’ang Court
Macau
Jade Dragon
Robuchon au Dôme
Two Michelin Stars
Hong Kong
Arbor
Bo Innovation
Cristal Room by Anne‑Sophie Pic ★★ (Promoted)
Lai Ching Heen
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon ★★ (New)
L’Envol
Lung King Heen
Noi by Paulo Airaudo
Octavium
Rùn
Tate
Tin Lung Heen
Ying Jee Club
Macau
Alain Ducasse at Morpheus
Chef Tam’s Seasons
Feng Wei Ju
The Eight
The Huaiyang Garden
Wing Lei
One Michelin Star
Hong Kong
Ami
Andō
Arcane
Beefbar
Belon
Chaat
China Tang ★ (New)
Duddell’s
Épure
Estro
Feuille
Fook Lam Moon (Wan Chai)
Fu Ho
Gaddi’s
Godenya
Hansik Goo
Ho Hung Kee (Causeway Bay)
I M Teppanyaki & Wine
Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Kam’s Roast Goose
Kappo Rin
Liu Yuan Pavilion
Loaf On
Louise
Man Ho (Admiralty)
Man Wah
Mono
Mora
Nagamoto
Neighborhood
New Punjab Club
Pang’s Kitchen
Petrus
Plaisance by Mauro Colagreco
Racines
Roganic
Ryota Kappou Modern
Seventh Son (Wan Chai)
Shang Palace
Spring Moon
Summer Palace
Sun Tung Lok
Sushi Takeshi ★ (New)
Sushi Wadatsumi
The Chairman
The Legacy House
Tosca di Angelo
Tuber Umberto Bombana
Vea
Whey
Xin Rong Ji
Yardbird
Yat Lok (Central)
Yat Tung Heen
Yè Shanghai (Tsim Sha Tsui)
Yong Fu
Zhejiang Heen
Macau
8 ½ Otto e Mezzo - Bombana (Macau)
Aji
Don Alfonso 1890 ★ (New)
Five Foot Road
Lai Heen
Mizumi
Palace Garden ★ (New)
Pearl Dragon
Sushi Kinetsu
Sushi Kissho by Miyakawa
Ying
Zi Yat Heen
Zuicho
