The Michelin Guide will expand its restaurant selection to cover the entire country of Poland for the first time, marking a major milestone for the nation’s rapidly evolving culinary scene.
The expanded selection will be revealed on 27 May 2026 and will introduce restaurants from across Poland, far beyond the destinations previously covered by Michelin inspectors.
Until now, the guide focused primarily on major culinary hubs including Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, Wrocław and the Pomorskie Region. After several years of evaluating restaurants in these areas, inspectors say the growing depth of Polish gastronomy has prompted a nationwide expansion.
Michelin’s international director, Gwendal Poullennec, said inspectors have already been exploring a much broader range of locations, from Szczecin in the west to Lublin in the east, as well as northern coastal cities such as Gdańsk and southern destinations like Zakopane.
“We are delighted to expand The Michelin Guide Poland to include the entirety of this wonderful country and recognize an even greater variety of talented chefs,” Poullennec said, noting that cities including Białystok, Katowice and Łódź will now be part of the inspectors’ search for standout restaurants.
Growing international attention for Polish cuisine
The expansion reflects a surge of international interest in Poland’s food culture, which has evolved rapidly over the past decade as chefs increasingly showcase regional ingredients and traditional recipes through modern techniques.
According to Polish Tourism Organization president Magdalena Krucz, gastronomy has become a central pillar of the country’s tourism strategy.
She said culinary travel is a growing segment among visitors choosing Poland as a destination, with travelers increasingly motivated by restaurant experiences and local food traditions.
“Being featured in The Michelin Guide strengthens the international credibility of our offer and translates directly into growing interest in Poland as a destination for discerning travelers,” Krucz said.
Inspectors continue nationwide search
Michelin inspectors operate anonymously and follow the guide’s long-established evaluation method, which is based on five universal criteria: ingredient quality, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, the chef’s personality expressed through the cuisine, and consistency across the menu and over time.
While the full list of restaurants will not be revealed until May, Michelin says its inspectors have already discovered numerous promising venues across Poland’s cities, seaside resorts and rural regions.
Restaurants and hotels highlighted together
The restaurant selection will also be accompanied by listings from the Michelin hotel guide, which highlights distinctive places to stay worldwide.
Among the Polish properties already featured are Hotel Copernicus and Raffles Europejski Warsaw, as well as the historic Zamek Łeba located between the Baltic Sea and nearby national park landscapes.
Originally launched in France in the early 20th century, the Michelin Guide has grown into one of the most influential global benchmarks for restaurant quality. Its upcoming nationwide selection aims to showcase Poland’s emerging culinary identity and bring international attention to the country’s next generation of chefs.
