The Michelin Guide has been chronicling the who’s who of global dining culture for over a century. While it was originally established in 1900 to provide French motorists with information about car mechanics, petrol stations, and hotels throughout France — encouraging travel and increasing Michelin tire sales — the guide’s 1926 edition introduced the now-coveted star awarded to exceptional fine dining establishments.
Nowadays, the guide features over 3,500 restaurants in over 40 countries and territories, and encourages gourmands across the globe flock to the establishments achieving one, two, and three-star status. And while there’s no denying that some of these meals are worth shelling out cash for, the exorbitant cost of hitting up Michelin-tier restaurants can wreak havoc on one’s checking account.
