From how to dress for a Michelin star restaurant to what the stars mean, many diners have questions before their first Michelin meal. With several Michelin restaurants on our luxury tours, including luxury train travel, we want you to know what to expect at a Michelin star restaurant and that all essential Michelin star restaurant dress code. 

See how Exceptional Dining takes centre stage on every Luxury Gold journey.

What Is A Michelin Star Restaurant?

Yes, it’s that Michelin. The Michelin food guide originated in the early 1900s when the founders of the Michelin tire company wanted to encourage motorists to take road trips—and buy tires. So, they created a guide for those in search of good food on road trips. The guide started by offering a single star and expanded up to three stars. Discerning diners began to refer to the guide in the 1960s and 70s. It has since evolved into a guide that gives a restaurant its highest honor. As a prestigious recognition, fewer than 3,000 restaurants have received Michelin notoriety. 

Image credit: @lemonzurestaurant on Instagram

Enjoy seasonal produce and sensational views as you dine at Michelin-starred Le Monzù restaurant on the Italian Isle of Capri, on Ultimate Italy. 

Michelin Star Restaurant Criteria

To be considered for a Michelin star, a Michelin inspector uses the following criteria: 

1. Quality of products 
2. Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques
3. Personality of chef in the cuisine 
4. “Wow” factor and harmony of flavors 
5. Consistency of food between inspectors’ visits 

You may also be interested to read further: How Do Restaurants Get Awarded a Michelin Star?

What Do The Michelin Stars Mean?

The Michelin star awards are issued yearly. A restaurant can both have a star added and taken away from year to year. Unlike other restaurant recognitions, Michelin stars are awarded for the food only. Restaurant style and degree of formality are not considered. An overview of the meaning of the stars: 

One star: high quality cooking 

Two stars: excellent cooking with the personality and talent of the chef evident in the dishes 

Three stars: exceptional cuisine of chefs at the peak of their profession where cooking is elevated to an art form  

You may also enjoy reading: 10 Best Fine Dining Restaurants Around The World

Preparing For Your Meal

Now that you know what you have to look forward to, there’s a lot you can do in advance to make the most of your dining experience. Be sure to inform the restaurant of any dietary requirements or intolerances in advance. Michelin-starred restaurants are accustomed to accommodating vegetarian, vegan and gluten–free as well as other specific dietary requirements. When traveling with Luxury Gold, your travel concierge is also a great point of contact to share any dietary restrictions with. Then, of course, its time to turn your attention to the Michelin star restaurant dress code. 

Image credit: @olivetreebath on Instagram

Taste the best of English cuisine at Michelin-starred restaurant The Olive Tree in Bath, on our British Royale journey.

What To Wear To A Michelin Star Restaurant

Dining at a Michelin Star restaurant is not just about enjoying exquisite cuisine; it’s also an experience that often calls for refined dress. While there is no official Michelin star restaurant dress code, and specific attire required depends on the restaurant and location, dressing smartly is generally the best approach.

For men, a tailored suit or dress pants paired with a crisp button-down collared shirt is a safe choice. A blazer adds sophistication, and a tie may be required at some establishments, so it’s wise to check the restaurant’s guidelines in advance. This can also apply for jeans. Opt for polished dress shoes to complete the look, avoiding overly casual footwear.

Women have a broader range of options but should aim for elegant attire, such as a sophisticated dress or a chic blouse paired with tailored pants or a skirt. Accessories like statement jewelry can always enhance any outfit, and this is the perfect reason to go bold. Heels or stylish flats are suitable for footwear, ensuring comfort without sacrificing style.

Regardless of your choice, keep it at least smart casual and avoid items like shorts, flip-flops or gym wear. Ultimately, the goal is to feel confident and comfortable while respecting the fine dining atmosphere of a Michelin Star restaurant.

Other top tips for a Michelin star restaurant dress code are:  

• When in doubt, dress a little nicer. Dining in a Michelin star restaurant is a special opportunity, so why not elevate your time with a bit dressier attire? 
• Consider the restaurant. Learning a bit about the style and décor or the restaurant will help you to select an outfit that matches the formality of the setting. 
• One strategy is align your dress to the star rating. This simple formula translates to more business casual for 1-star restaurants, while a 2 or 3-star restaurant might call for dressier attire. 
• Don’t be shy about contacting the restaurant. It’s perfectly common and acceptable to contact the restaurant to ask what type of attire patrons wear. Some restaurants even post their attire on their website. Or, ask your friendly travel concierge.

If you love fine dining you will enjoy reading: These Are Our 15 Favorite Michelin Star Restaurants in Italy 

Courses And Pairings

Now that you’ve found the right look for you and the restaurant, it’s time to focus on the meal. Many Michelin star restaurants will present you with a tasting menu and the choice of a drink pairing. A trained sommelier will have matched the beverages with each course to enhance the flavors of the dishes. Because of the multi-course menu, both the dishes and pours of these pairings will be less than a full main course dish and glass of wine. 

Image credit: @borkonyha on Instagram

On our Harmony of Central Europe luxury tour, enjoy Hungarian/French fusion Michelin-starred dining in Budapest at Borkonyha Winekitchen

The Service

Be prepared for attentive service. You should expect your waitstaff to often be close by, enhancing your experience.  Your waiter will fill your glass, replace your napkin should you step away, and probably clean the crumbs from the table at the end of the meal. 

How long do Michelin Star Meals Take?

A meal at a Michelin restaurant is an experience to remember. And part of that experience is taking your time and savoring each course. Most meals last at least two hours, and often three to four hours. Rest assured that the chef has your experience in mind and has thoughtfully paced the courses and wine pairings for your benefit. In short, settle in and relax into a decadent, memorable evening. 

Where will Michelin dining take you? Browse our collection of luxury small group journeys, many of which include Michelin starred dining.

As a lifelong Londoner, one of the things I love most about the city is that – truly – you can wear what you like. This is the city of diversity, self-expression and creativity – be who you are and feel good doing it. So, why does it feel so easy to get it wrong? Possibly because it’s also the city of the poorly ventilated London Underground, relentless drizzle, and long, uneven walks. And because it’s English. Which means you never know when a unexpected Anglicism is going to catch you unawares. Let’s get into some of the nuances that dictate precisely what to wear to dinner in London. We’ll finish with some dos and don’ts.

How to Dress For Dinner in London:

Dress codes

 If we start by turning our attention to some of the older, classic restaurants, what do we learn? At Claridge’s, “we do not operate any dress code, however we find most of our guests choose smart casual dress”. At The Ritz, “gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie” in the main restaurant, while “shorts, trainers and sportswear are not permitted in any of the hotel’s restaurants or bars”. At Rules, “whilst jacket or tie are not required, we prefer smart dress”.

In a lot of ways, these are the easy ones. You probably wouldn’t even consult the dress code before taking afternoon tea at the Ritz, you’d just know you were embarking on something luxe, and you’d want to dress accordingly. The direction that luxury takes you in is really up to you.

Buttoned up pockets:

 There are some pockets of the city that take dress codes more seriously. For instance, there was a “tightening up” of the dress code at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea recently. It now reads:

“We would like all of our guests to feel free to express their own individual style however, we do ask guests to avoid shorts, tracksuits, hoodies and hats. Smart trainers are fine. We know lots of our guests like to dress smartly which we appreciate. Ultimately we want every guest to feel at home.”

I appreciate the distinction between “smart trainers” and the ones you wear to the gym, or “sportswear”. I think it’s important to know that comfort counts for a lot in London, and you know the difference between one sneaker and another.

Even restaurants frequented by royalty have a smart-casual policy these days, though in these corners of London (Mayfair, Kensington), they can have their own ideas about what that actually means – some state that they prefer a jacket over a shirt, some specify “tailored shorts” – but these are few and far between.

Feeling fancy

In fact the reality is that most high end restaurants in London are so relaxed about clothes, you might want to seek out some addressed that are special enough to flex your fanciest looks. If you’re looking for restaurants with stunning surrounds, consider Berners Tavern for glamorous chandeliers and cornicing to befit a stately home, Bob Bob Ricard for pie and champagne in sumptuous booths, The Dover for seventies Sophia Loren-style splendour or Booking Office 1869 for vast interiors and indoor palm trees.

Dining in London: Dos and Don’ts

Dos:

Black

There is no need to wear black if you usually don’t. But if you own a chic black jacket, dress or pair of pants that makes you feel fabulous, consider it the key to your capsule wardrobe. You can go in any direction you please from there.

 A good coat (or jacket, or indeed shacket)

If your restaurant manager is kind enough to help you slip your coat from your shoulders on to a hanger, you want to feel really good watching it disappear into the closet. In London, for obvious reasons, you cannot underestimate the power of a good coat – it almost doesn’t matter what’s underneath.

Comfy shoes

As we’ve established, even Claridge’s wants you to feel at home. Nothing mars an unforgettable meal like a pair of blisters. Wear the good trainers, or the boots you know like the back of your … foot.

 A woollen jumper

When autumn arrives, knitwear is practically a sport in London. Whether it’s a classic navy cashmere number, or a bright, oversize piece, wearing a jumper you love is the cosiest way to express yourself, and to feel fully ensconced at the table.

Don’ts:

Grey

I’m sure Stanley Tucci could pull it off, but we don’t need to try. If there’s one thing we have enough of here, it’s grey – in the sky and in the hue of people’s sun-deprived skin as winter prattles on. Please consider Londoners by leaving your grey suits at home. 

Tiny umbrellas

I’ve lost more of those soggy minis under restaurant tables than I can bear to think about, but I have a big, gold leopard print (hard to miss) one that’s been with me for almost 10 years.

Worry

You will not “look like a tourist” – there is no such thing here. Even the classic look (cycling shorts, baggy souvenir t-shirt, socks and trainers) looks great in the right establishment (not one that hates sportswear). And everyone is using Google Maps to navigate Soho (although when in Rome – or London – Citymapper is the preferred app of choice).

Overthink

Londoners can smell outfit insecurity a mile off. You just pulled this old thing out of the suitcase and threw it on – right? 

What about Crocs and flops?

One has to operate some discretion when it comes to open toes and so forth. It’s a no to your old Havaianas, a yes to your key lime platform Crocs. But that’s just common sense.

There’s something so indulgent about dialling down for room service – staying comfy in your suite, perhaps even in a fluffy bathrobe, reclining in style and waiting for that knock from your server. But what are the rules, and are there things to watch out for? We asked one anonymous industry mole from a five-star hotel for their ultimate room service etiquette tips: any dos and don’ts that will help you get the best out of that luxury tray service. Here’s our ultimate guide for approaching room service etiquette like an insider.

Don’t order when you’re already ravenous

“Twenty to thirty minutes is a typical wait for room service. But at peak times, in big hotels, catering teams reserve the right to take up to an hour to get your food to you. Call down with your order well before you want it to arrive, or you’ll just end up frustrated and hungry.”

Do wear whatever you like

“Is there room service etiquette when it comes to clothing? It’s not uncommon for guests to greet their tray delivery in a bathrobe, pyjamas or sweaty post-gym outfit – trust me, our servers have seen it all. Their job is just to get the tray to you and get that bill signed. The only real ‘don’t’ here would be answering the door undressed or in underwear; a bathrobe won’t make your server uncomfortable, but your underwear might!”

Read next: These Hotels Have the Best Room Service in the World

Breakfast is overrated

“The biggest error I see guests make is ordering eggs for breakfast up to their room. While it’s wonderful to have a lie-in while you wait for your food, eggs simply don’t travel – the scrambled eggs get hard and cold, poached yolks solidify and every style of egg is just so much better fresh from the breakfast buffet station. Coffee can get weaker and colder on the tray, too. As breakfast is far and away the most popular mealtime for room service orders, this is also the order most likely to take a long time. When I’m staying at a hotel, I go down to the restaurant for breakfast.”

The club sandwich is a room service classic for a reason

There are some failsafe room service winners

“You can rarely go wrong with a club sandwich and fries on room service. Not only is it a classic that’s usually been on room service menus for years (and so been perfected), it’s something that travels well and can be jazzed up with condiments. Other failsafe stars of the room service menu include burgers and pasta dishes. Look out for what’s on the 24-hour, usually shorter room service menu – those are the perennial classics we’re confident we can get right any time of day – and what kind of cuisine is served in the main restaurants. If there’s a well-regarded Japanese restaurant onsite, the sushi platters should be just as good delivered to your room.”

You may also like: The World’s Best Hotels in 2024

Know your tips

“As with any kind of food and beverage tipping, room service etiquette for a tip will vary from place to place. In the US, 18%-20% of the room service bill is standard; in most hotels in major cities, a 12-15% service or ‘tray’ charge will be included on your bill. In the rare cases or farther-flung countries where this isn’t the case, rounding up to the nearest 10 or adding on $5 or so’s worth as a tip will be acceptable.”

Want something not on the menu? Just ask

“Most hotels will only bring you what’s on the menu, but if you have a hankering for something simple – a grilled cheese sandwich, say, or a simple tomato salad – that’s not on there, it’s worth asking. It’s not necessarily breaking room service etiquette to ask for a green juice on an uninspiring drinks menu, or for a side of potatoes you don’t see listed in print. Especially in more high end hotels, food and beverage managers will go out of their way to accommodate you.”

Don’t fret about answering the door in your bathrobe (Unsplash/Getty)

Your tray shouldn’t feel stale

“In a poor room service setting, the pitfalls will be obvious: your eggs will be cold, your coffee may have a layer of film across the top, or the contents of the plate may have slid sideways in transit. Hotels with a strong grasp of their room service offering will be able to deliver your food hot, fresh and unspoiled – so don’t be afraid to call down and ask for a replacement item or dish. Consider that you’re paying extra for the tray service: you want the food to be worth the wait.”

Bookmark for later: How to Spend 48 Hours in One of Norway’s Most Scenic Hotels

Be specific

“If you’re a foodie who knows what you like, it pays to be specific. Want that morning coffee to be a machine espresso with a little hot water, not a weaker pot of filter coffee? Say as much when you call in your order. Want ketchup and mayo with that side of fries? Ask specifically, just in case. Whether it’s dressing on the side of a salad or freshly-squeezed OJ, not carton, we’d rather know in advance and get it right first time than risk the dreaded complaint call afterwards.”

What to do when you’re finished

“The universal sign for ‘I’m done with my tray’ is to put it just outside of your hotel door, on the floor – that’s why you’re frequently tripping over people’s trays and champagne buckets in hotel corridors. However, if you don’t want to lug the tray outside, it’s just as acceptable in the world of room service etiquette to call down and say your tray is ready to collect. A member of the F&B team will be up reasonably promptly.”