18 December 2025
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Rio de Janeiro, the first city to earn UNESCO’s World Heritage recognition as a Cultural Landscape, is famed for a culinary scene that represents Brazil’s identity. It will host the launch of The MICHELIN Guide Rio de Janeiro & São Paulo 2026, giving food lovers a front-row seat to the announcement of the newest Stars and standout restaurants in these two dynamic cities.
In partnership with Rio’s City Hall, the ceremony will take place at the legendary Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel. Chefs from the featured restaurants will gather as MICHELIN Stars, Bib Gourmand honorees, and newly selected or retained establishments are revealed. For Mayor Eduardo Paes, the city’s gastronomic scene has picked up momentum: “The MICHELIN Guide shines a global spotlight on Carioca and Brazilian cuisine, boosting tourism, creating thousands of jobs, and celebrating a key part of our identity.”
Rio de Janeiro as a Gastronomic Destination
With beaches setting the city’s rhythm, hills meeting the sea, and a luminous energy that mirrors its relaxed spirit, Rio de Janeiro has long been Brazil’s most iconic postcard. Yet a stroll through its neighborhoods — from bustling Copacabana to the charming streets of Botafogo and Santa Teresa — reveals another side of the "Marvelous City": its vibrant culinary scene.From traditional botecos to cutting-edge fine dining, Rio’s restaurants are constantly evolving, offering inventive menus that celebrate local ingredients and global flavors alike. Talented chefs craft dishes infused with the region’s spirit, all served with the warmth and hospitality Cariocas are renowned for. The result is a rich fusion of flavors that delights both first-time visitors and lifelong locals.
The Marvelous City Takes Center Stage for The MICHELIN Guide
"Rio has been cementing its reputation as a gastronomic destination for some years. Hosting The MICHELIN Guide ceremony once again strengthens the city’s economy, celebrates the growth of our culinary scene, and reinforces Rio’s status as a cultural and tourist hub. It’s another step toward placing Rio at the heart of the world’s greatest experiences,” says Rio’s Tourism Secretary, Daniela Maia.Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide, reflects on the ceremony’s return: “Rio de Janeiro is a city of creativity, diversity, and innovation. Hosting this event highlights gastronomy and its vital role in Brazilian identity, while recognizing the talent and dedication of the professionals who make dining unforgettable.”
He also underscores the significance of São Paulo’s culinary scene: “São Paulo, Latin America’s largest city, is home to more than 150,000 bars and restaurants — a vibrant mosaic of cultures and flavors. Its scale makes the city not just a gastronomic hub but a laboratory of creativity, offering truly unique experiences.
The MICHELIN Guide Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo 2026
As with every edition, the new selection for Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo is independently conducted by an international team of specialized and anonymous MICHELIN Guide Inspectors. For nearly a century, The MICHELIN Guide evaluates restaurants based on five criteria: ingredient quality, harmony of flavors, culinary technique mastery, the personality of the kitchen, and consistency over time — always assessing the entirety of a venue's offerings.The ceremony for the launch of The MICHELIN Guide Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo 2026 will be broadcast live on The MICHELIN Guide's official YouTube channel. Following the announcement, the new selection will be accessible on The MICHELIN Guide website and app.
Related Content:
- Every MICHELIN-Starred Restaurant in Rio de Janeiro – Discover the 10 restaurants awarded MICHELIN Stars in Rio.
- The Rio de Janeiro Restaurants Reimagining Brazilian Cuisine – Carioca establishments helping to share new culinary stories from Brazil.
- A Culinary Journey Through Rio de Janeiro with Chef Rafa Costa e Silva – Chef Rafa Costa e Silva suggests the best spots to delight in the Marvelous City.
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