Washington, DC Restaurants Fail To Earn Three Michelin Stars

The Michelin Guide — widely accepted as the gold standard of fine cuisine around the world — put out its first-ever guide to Washington, D.C. However, apparently our nation's capital has a long way to go to make it to the top of the top because no restaurants were given the coveted three-star accolade.

Jose Andres' popular molecular gastronomy hub, Minibar, received two stars. Other restaurants that got this honor were Pineapple & Pearls, an upscale café with dishes like Mexican hot chocolate buns, and the highly decorated Inn at Little Washington.

Michelin director Michael Ellis said the culinary community of Washington, D.C. should not despair, because it's fairly common for first-time city guides to not contain any three-star restaurants.

However, "all of the pieces didn't necessarily come together," Ellis told Eater. "Some of the two star restaurants flirted with three."

Washington, D.C. is currently the only U.S. city with no three-star restaurants, but the city is hoping to change that in time for next year's guide.