Michelin plans to reveal its expanded Greece restaurant selection guide on October 20, 2026, according to Greek tourism reporting. The announcement will introduce restaurant selections for Thessaloniki and Santorini alongside Athens.
The expansion brings two distinct culinary destinations into Michelin’s Greek restaurant coverage. However, inclusion in the guide does not automatically mean a restaurant earns a star. Michelin also recognizes restaurants through other distinctions and its broader selection.
For travelers, the announcement will offer Michelin’s first restaurant selections across all three destinations. Clickatlife reported the October 20 date, while Tourism Today subsequently outlined plans for publication through Michelin’s digital platforms.
Thessaloniki and Santorini join Athens
Michelin first announced the expansion on December 17, 2025, through its partnership with the Greek National Tourism Organization, or GNTO. Therefore, the approaching release marks the next step in an existing initiative, rather than a newly announced expansion.
Athens has featured in Michelin’s coverage since 1987. Michelin skipped an Athens selection in 2025 while preparing the broader Greek edition. Now, the upcoming announcement will bring the capital together with the two newcomers.
Each destination contributes a different culinary identity. In Thessaloniki, centuries of cultural exchange have shaped the port city’s food traditions. Meanwhile, Santorini’s volcanic landscape and agricultural heritage inform its emphasis on local produce. Athens adds a dining scene that combines longstanding traditions with contemporary creativity.
Michelin’s international director, Gwendal Poullennec, emphasized those differences when announcing the expansion. He pointed to local ingredients, culinary heritage, and chefs’ creativity as defining characteristics of the three destinations.
What Michelin’s restaurant distinctions mean
Although stars attract considerable attention, Michelin’s guide includes several forms of recognition. Its inspectors award one, two, or three stars for cooking that meets increasingly demanding standards.
One star identifies cooking worth a stop. Two stars recognize restaurants worth a detour, while three stars mark cuisine worth a special journey. These distinctions assess the food rather than simply rewarding a restaurant’s reputation.
Meanwhile, the Bib Gourmand recognizes good cooking at reasonable prices. Michelin adjusts its assessment of value to reflect local conditions. Its Selected category also includes restaurants that merit a recommendation without earning stars or a Bib Gourmand.
Separately, the Michelin Green Star recognizes restaurants that demonstrate notable commitments to more sustainable gastronomy. Restaurants can hold that distinction alongside recognition for their cooking.
Michelin’s anonymous inspectors make the rating decisions. They assess ingredient quality, flavor harmony, technical skill, culinary personality, and consistency across menus and visits. Consequently, geographic expansion alone cannot establish which restaurants will receive particular awards.
For GNTO, the partnership forms part of a broader effort to promote Greece through its food culture. The organization hopes stronger culinary recognition will encourage city breaks and help extend the tourism season.
GNTO Secretary General Andreas Fiorentinos described gastronomy as an integral part of the visitor experience. He also emphasized its role in distinguishing Greek destinations and introducing international travelers to their individual identities.
However, those ambitions represent tourism goals, not confirmed increases in arrivals or restaurant bookings. GNTO’s announcement presents the expansion as an opportunity to strengthen destination appeal.
The October 20 release will shift attention from destinations to individual restaurants. Readers will then find the selection through Michelin’s digital platforms, according to Tourism Today’s report.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
