Jalisco joins the Michelin Guide and enters the world gastronomic map

The state of Jalisco will officially join the prestigious Michelin Guide as part of the publication's expansion in Mexico in 2026. The decision recognizes the state's rich gastronomy, the diversity of its cuisine, and the talent of local chefs, restaurants, and producers.

The announcement represents a strategic step for the international positioning of the destination, which has also designated 2027 as the Year of Gastronomy in Jalisco, an initiative that will seek to consolidate its culinary identity through an agenda of events and activities.

Jalisco's Secretary of Tourism, Michelle Fridman, highlighted that the arrival of the Michelin Guide opens a historic opportunity to showcase the state's gastronomic strength to the world.

“Having a guide with the prestige and reputation of Michelin come to our state is a great opportunity to show the world what we're made of. When Mexican gastronomy is represented around the world with a good tequila, birria, or a torta ahogada, Jalisco is intrinsically present,” he noted.

The official emphasized that this recognition will allow Jalisco to continue positioning itself as a world-class tourist destination and strengthen a sector that currently contributes more than 9 percent of the state's Gross Domestic Product. She also highlighted the positive impact that gastronomy has on multiple sectors of the economy.

“When you consume gastronomy, you benefit not only hotels, transport or airlines, but also farmers, fishermen, artisans and an entire production chain,” he explained.

Founded over a century ago, the Michelin Guide is considered one of the world's most influential gastronomic assessments. Its inspectors work anonymously and independently, evaluating restaurants based on five fundamental criteria: quality of ingredients, mastery of culinary technique, harmony of flavors, chef's personality in the kitchen, and menu consistency over time.

Based on these evaluations, restaurants can receive between one and three Michelin stars. One star recognizes high-level cuisine worth discovering; two stars distinguish exceptional cuisine that warrants a detour; and three stars celebrate an extraordinary culinary offering that alone justifies the trip.

In addition to these distinctions, the guide also awards recognitions such as the Bib Gourmand, which highlights restaurants with excellent value for money, and the Green Star, awarded to establishments committed to sustainable practices.

Mexico was first included in the Michelin Guide in 2024 with destinations such as Mexico City, Oaxaca, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Quintana Roo and Nuevo León.

With the expansion announced for 2026, the gastronomic map evaluated in the country will be extended to include new territories, among them Jalisco. Initially, the plan was to evaluate only the culinary scene of Guadalajara, but ultimately the coverage will be extended to other municipalities in the state, allowing for greater visibility of the region's gastronomic diversity.

As part of the evaluation process, Michelin inspectors have already visited the state to conduct the corresponding audits. The first awards ceremony will take place in May, when the selected restaurants will be announced.

Several studies reflect the tourism impact of the Michelin Guide. According to the consulting firm EY, 84 percent of frequent travelers trust the quality of the restaurants selected by the guide, which directly influences their choice of destinations.

Furthermore, 57 percent of travelers would extend their stay in a destination with Michelin-starred restaurants, and 71 percent would be willing to increase their spending to enjoy a culinary experience at these establishments. Even in the business tourism segment, nearly 80 percent of travelers would consider extending their visit to take advantage of this culinary offering.

“We are incredibly excited to see how the innovation and creativity of Mexican cuisine continues to thrive, and the addition of Jalisco reflects our ongoing commitment to highlighting outstanding culinary offerings from across the country,” said Gwendal Poullennec.

With its integration into the Michelin Guide, Jalisco opens a new stage for its gastronomic industry, strengthening its culinary identity and generating new economic opportunities for thousands of people linked to the production chain of tourism and food.