Michelin is coming to Australia but Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra are not on the map

The Michelin Guide is coming to Australia, but the world's most influential restaurant rating system is skipping over the culinary capitals of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

Instead, Michelin inspectors are in South Australia, secretly reviewing restaurants for the 2027 guide.

Michelin Guide international director Gwendal Poullennec said South Australia has an "impressive diversity of culinary expressions within a single destination".

Launched in France in 1900, the Michelin Guide now operates across Europe, North and South America, as well as countries in the Middle East and Asia.

In 2025, it was announced the Michelin system was coming to New Zealand, though it's understood Tourism New Zealand invested more than $6 million to secure the partnership.

While the guide doesn't cover all of Australia, the introduction of a South Australian edition is a big win for the state government and restaurants throughout the regions.

South Australia's minister for tourism Emily Bourke said she was "proud" to welcome the Michelin Guide to her state.

"Today's announcement is a fantastic recognition of what we already know: our state sits atop the nation's foodie must-visit list," she said.

"With its mix of culture, food, wine, and natural beauty, South Australia offers a vibrant calendar of food festivals and wine events, celebrating culinary excellence, from city dining experiences to regional gourmet celebrations, and we look forward to sharing this with Michelin Guide readers around the world".

The South Australian Government provided financial backing for the arrival of the Michelin Guide, though it's not clear how much was contributed.

Mr Poullennec said South Australia's identity lies "in the freedom chefs enjoy defining their own voice, guided by outstanding produce, a strong relationship to the land and a confident openness to global influences".

"Our Inspectors were struck by the authenticity and personality of the region's dining culture, and we are delighted to spotlight South Australia on the Michelin Guide stage."

The culinary guide was created by the Michelin tyre company to encourage the growth of automobile mobility.

It's since ballooned into an international benchmark for excellence in hospitality.

Restaurants are then awarded a star rating.

One star means the restaurant has "high-quality cooking that is worth a stop", two stars are awarded for "excellent cooking that is worth a detour", while three stars are for restaurants with "exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey".

Michelin also recognises restaurants that "provide good quality food at a moderate price" under the Bib Gourmand category.

Inspectors visit all restaurants anonymously, to ensure objectivity and independence.

The selection of restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide South Australia 2027 will be revealed in October 2026, and was expected to span the region's dining destinations.