15 December 2025
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This year, MICHELIN’s anonymous Inspectors scoured the globe in search of the most remarkable dining and hospitality experiences. Seasoned pros, they’re no strangers to exceptional meals and memorable stays. And yet, some encounters still managed to stand out — surprising them in the best possible way.
Sometimes those surprises came as cheeky touches, like desserts fashioned after adorable animals or celebrity cameos in the most unexpected places. Other times, they were moments of pure whimsy, transporting guests to another time and place.
From contemporary meals set amid the opulence of the French royal court to reaching blindly into the unknown to grasp a dish, here’s what surprised the Inspectors most last year.
The Trompe l’Oeil Doggy Dessert
Teible, Dubai
Inside Dubai’s contemporary Jameel Arts Centre, Teible is a farm-to-table restaurant with colorful, seasonal dishes and a focus on sustainability.
The surprise came toward the end of the meal: an intriguing dessert called Pug. When it arrived, I was shocked that it was just as described — a small, detailed sculpture of a dog, complete with fur detailing, lying belly-down on my plate, with two small bones nearby as treats. It was an expertly crafted illusion, with the pug made of rich chocolate mousse pressed into a mold.
Most important of all, the mousse itself was of exceptional quality and taste.
All (Dining) Aboard the Orient Express
The Pullman, Galway
When I booked a table at The Pullman, a new opening on the Glenlo Abbey Estate near Galway in the Republic of Ireland, I knew that the restaurant was located within two Orient Express train carriages. I was expecting a unique setting and a menu that showcased the best of Irish produce.
Nothing could have prepared me for the absolute splendor of this restaurant. Stepping inside was like a portal to another time and place. The carriages are from the original Orient Express, yet their restoration is so impressive that I felt like I was dining in the midst of their heyday, nearly 100 years ago, with flawless service to match. Importantly, the cooking lived up to the surroundings, with outstanding produce and skillful execution.
The carriages may be motionless, but my experience was still full of emotion.
An Immersive Dinner in the King’s Court
Le Grand Contrôle, Versailles
A private mansion built in 1681 by Louis XIV’s favorite architect, Le Grand Contrôle is a sprawling historic building located within the Château de Versailles grounds. Here, guests can immerse themselves in the royal court — from the magnificent salons to the elegant dining room with crown moldings, monumental chandeliers and traditional French parquet floors.
My dinner at Alain Ducasse’s on-site restaurant was a delightfully surprising experience. I was expecting a royal touch, but the commitment to the theme was extraordinary. I was immersed in opulence, thanks to servers dressed in period costumes who recreated the atmosphere of the feasts and banquets of yesteryear, inspired by 18th-century cuisine, with a well-choreographed ceremony and carefully thought-out staging that avoided falling into clichés.
It’s not only a journey into the heart of the Château de Versailles, but also into the life of a king — with a 21st-century touch.
A Pristine Duck Feast
Imperial Treasure, Paris
Imperial Treasure is located on the discreet Rue de Bassano linking the Avenue des Champs-Élysées to Avenue Marceau. The menu focuses on Shanghainese cuisine but also features Sichuan, Cantonese and Beijing specialties.
My most surprising dining moment this year was Imperial Treasure’s masterpiece dish: a whole Peking duck of about 1.3 kg (or nearly 3 pounds), blending two breeds — Ireland’s Silver Hill, often called the “Wagyu of duck,” and a Chinese breed raised in Ireland, which is slightly less fatty than European ducks.
Pageantry adds to the experience: During my meal, the duck was carved tableside with finesse. The skin was exquisite — caramelized, perfectly crispy. Then the duck breasts were cut into thin slices: tender meat, fragrant fat, crispy skin, flavors and textures that contrast with the skin. The rest of the duck was cooked in a wok and fried with salt and pepper. This phenomenal Peking duck tasting was truly a moment out of time.
Reaching Into the Unknown
Disfrutar, Barcelona
In Barcelona, Disfrutar is a Three-Starred restaurant helmed by three powerhouse chefs: Eduard Xatruch, Oriol Castro and Mateu Casañas.
During my meal early this year, one particular dish stood out as unforgettable: El Miedo, or “the fear” in English. It was pure theater. The waiter presented a smoky box and invited me to reach inside, blindly, through the cold vapor. Inside, I found a perfectly cooked Palamós prawn — juicy and simple. They finished the dish with a spoonful of intense chicken and prawn cream, rich and deeply flavored.
It was unsettling at first, reaching into the unknown, but brilliant. I considered it a clever play on sensation, perception and taste.
Elevators That Play Their Tune
Aria Budapest
A few steps from Saint Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest’s historic city center, Aria Budapest is devoted to music. Designer Zoltan Varro wove musical elements into the very bones of the design, with a lobby leading to four themed wings: Contemporary, Jazz, Opera and Classical. I was delighted to discover how each wing captured the spirit of its music. For example, the Classical rooms embrace Baroque opulence. Rooms in the Jazz wing are inspired by a 1920s jazz club: Hollywood-esque spotlights, exposed brick ceilings and art nouveau furnishings.
Another playful touch: even the four elevators play music matching their respective wings. Expect Beethoven on the way to a Baroque suite, and Miles Davis en route to a jazz room.
An Unexpected Clooney Cameo
Hotel Heritage, Bruges
In the heart of medieval Bruges, Hotel Heritage embodies old-world charm and luxury: plush drapes, crystal chandeliers, ornate crown moldings and more.
I was surprised to discover George Clooney’s face printed, laminated and proudly displayed in such a lavish hotel — hilarious, even. If you’re struggling to use the coffee machine, the hotel provides very precise instructions — and George Clooney is there, quietly looking over. It might not be the most outrageous or extravagant feature, but it lifted my spirit on a cloudy day in Bruges.
Signed by the Sun King
Le Grand Contrôle, Versailles
Staying at Le Grand Contrôle, located on the grounds of the Château de Versailles (and where you’ll also find Alain Ducasse’s exceptional restaurant), is a fully transporting experience. From the setting to the design to the service, everything makes guests feel as though they’re in the king’s court.
My biggest surprise of the year came during a recent stay. While walking through a hallway of rooms, I discovered two framed original letters signed by Louis XIV. They were displayed in a small lounge area with a couple of sofas. It was a quietly special, elegant touch seeing something so historically valuable tucked away in an everyday space. It fits perfectly with the spirit of Versailles and the history of the building.
Norwegian-American Nostalgia
Amerikalinjen, Oslo
This hip boutique hotel takes its name from the Norwegian American airline that transported hopeful Norwegians to the land of opportunity beginning nearly a century ago. The building was, in fact, the airline’s headquarters.
During a recent trip to Oslo, I was delighted to explore Amerikalinjen’s Vista Heritage Room. It’s a common room on the hotel’s first floor and a veritable time capsule. A reconstructed cruise cabin, the room has original luggage and other travel memorabilia. It’s a place to pause, reflect and immerse yourself in journeys of the past.
Sleeping in the Dark
Sextantio, Le Grotte della Civita, Matera
The Sassi di Matera are ancient cave dwellings carved into a ravine in southern Italy, and over the millennia they have been home to residents from Neolithic shepherds to Byzantine monks. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the caves have been revived through the concept of the albergo diffuso, the “scattered hotel,” which allows restoration without compromising their character. Overlooking the Alta Murgia National Park, Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita’s 18 rooms offer an immersion in this extraordinary landscape.
It’s one thing to book a cave room. But I found the actual experience of sleeping inside a cave — especially as a claustrophobic and astigmatic with terrible night vision — among the most vivid experiences of my life. For some, the typical modern comforts of the room — the king bed, the bathtub — might ease them into forgetting the novelty of the situation. Not me. I can best describe the night as completely blind, with no natural light, illuminated only by a few dim lamps and some candles casting their flickering shadows on the cave walls — which is not to say the experience wasn’t restorative. Of course, the dawn light didn’t wake me, and I woke well rested, if more than a little excited to step back into the sunlight.
Illustration Image: Reaching Into the Unknown. ©Debora Szpilman
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