By The Table desk · Last verified 3 October 2026
The Michelin Guide judges restaurants on the food on the plate, not the decor or the service, and gives its verdict in a few simple awards. Stars (one, two or three) mark cooking worth a detour or a special journey. The Bib Gourmand marks very good food at a moderate price, and in Singapore it’s mostly hawker stalls. The 2026 Singapore guide, announced in late July and early August, lists 3 three-star, 9 two-star and 33 one-star restaurants, plus 97 Bib Gourmand picks.
It’s the one restaurant list where a S$6 bowl of noodles and a S$500 tasting menu sit side by side, which is exactly what makes it fun to read. Here’s how to read it.
Quick facts
- Three stars (2026): Odette, Les Amis and Zen.
- New two-stars: 1887 by Andre at Raffles Hotel, which opened in March 2026, and Seroja, promoted from one star.
- Starred hawker: Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle keeps its one star.
- Bib Gourmand: 97 picks, 10 of them new, including Boon Keng Road Fish Head Bee Hoon and King of Laksa.
- Green Stars, for sustainability: Fiz and Seroja.
- 2026 is the Singapore guide’s tenth edition; 17 places have held a Bib Gourmand every year since 2016.
What does each award mean?
| Award | Michelin’s meaning | Singapore, 2026 | What to expect to pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three stars | Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey | 3 | Tasting menus often several hundred dollars a head |
| Two stars | Excellent cooking, worth a detour | 9 | Often S$250 and up for dinner |
| One star | High-quality cooking, worth a stop | 33 | From a hawker bowl to fine-dining menus |
| Bib Gourmand | Good quality, good value | 97 | Mostly hawker prices |
| Selected restaurants | Good cooking, recommended | The rest of the 307 places listed | Varies |
| Green Star | Leading on sustainable practices | 2 | Varies |
Prices are a guide only. Most fine-dining restaurants publish their menus online, and many add service charge and GST on top; see what ++ means.
How do inspectors decide?
Michelin’s inspectors eat anonymously and pay their own bills. They judge the same five things everywhere in the world: the quality of the ingredients, mastery of technique, harmony of flavours, the chef’s personality in the cooking, and consistency across visits and across the menu. Decor, wine lists and service don’t earn stars, which is how a hawker stall can stand on the same list as a hotel dining room.
How do I eat at a starred restaurant?
- Book early. The top tables open weeks or months ahead and fill fast, especially just after the guide is announced.
- Expect a deposit or card guarantee, with a no-show or late-cancellation fee. See how to book a restaurant.
- Try lunch. Many starred kitchens serve a shorter, cheaper lunch menu.
- Tell them about allergies when you book, not at the table.
And the hawker stalls?
No booking, no deposit, just a queue. Bib Gourmand stalls get busier after each announcement, so go early on a weekday, and check the stall’s rest day before you travel. Hawker centres also close for cleaning a few times a year, so check before a long trip across the island.
The WahLiao Verdict
The Michelin Guide is a lovely map, not a commandment. The Bib Gourmand list is the best-value way to use it: 97 places where very good food costs very little. Save the stars for a celebration, book lunch if you’re curious, and remember that the stall near your flat doesn’t need a Michelin plaque to be your favourite.
Questions people ask
When is the next guide?
Singapore’s guide is published once a year, usually mid-year, with the Bib Gourmand list announced shortly before the stars.
Can a restaurant lose its stars?
Yes. Awards are reviewed every year, and a restaurant can be promoted, demoted or dropped. A place that closes or changes chef may also disappear from the list.
Do restaurants pay to be in the guide?
Michelin says inspections are independent and anonymous. Separately, tourism bodies in some cities, including Singapore, have partnered with Michelin to bring the guide there.
Where can I see the full list?
On the Michelin Guide website and app, which you can filter by award, cuisine and area.
Sources: Michelin Guide, Singapore Bib Gourmand 2026; AsiaOne on the 2026 star awards; HungryGoWhere on the 2026 Bib Gourmand list. The Table explains; it does not endorse.
Read next: How a Hawker Centre Works · Do You Tip in Singapore? · Back to The Table
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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