Thailand's Culinary Stars Shine in MICHELIN Guide 2026

MICHELIN has officially unveiled the 2026 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Thailand, highlighting the much-anticipated recognitions within the culinary world: the esteemed MICHELIN Stars. This year's accolades feature two restaurants awarded the prestigious Three MICHELIN Stars, including one that has been elevated from Two MICHELIN Stars. Additionally, there are eight restaurants holding Two MICHELIN Stars, with two having been promoted from One MICHELIN Star. Finally, the list boasts 33 One MICHELIN Stars, including three new entrants and four upgraded from the MICHELIN Selected category.

The ceremony kicked off with the announcement of restaurants committed to sustainability. Amid rumours that the MICHELIN Green Star would be discontinued, it came as a pleasant surprise that the award is still in place. This year, five restaurants received this prestigious accolade. Among the four returning honorees are Baan Tepa and Haoma from Bangkok, as well as Jampa and Pru from Phuket. Joining this esteemed group for the first time is GOAT, also located in Bangkok.

The ceremony continued with three MICHELIN Guide Special Awards, starting with The MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award. This award, presented by Blancpain, praises a young chef who has proven to have a unique personality and/or an identity in culinary creations. This year, this award was given to Suwijak Kunghae, Chef-Owner of Royd, a MICHELIN Selected restaurant in Phuket.

Fondly referred to as Mond or Chef Mond by those close to him, Chef Suwijak is no stranger in this industry. Before his venture with Royd, he co-founded Mizulim, an exclusive chef's table venue that featured meticulously paired cocktails. With a foundation in French cuisine and a rich upbringing steeped in Thai Southern flavours, he harmoniously blends these two culinary traditions. His dishes showcase a remarkable precision and an acute sense of flavour.

Next came The MICHELIN Guide Opening of the Year Award, which recognises an individual and their team for the successful launch of a dining venue within the past year. This award highlights a creative degustation concept and a cuisine that has made a significant mark on the local food scene. This year's honour, presented by UOB, goes to Wilfrid Hocquet, Owner-Chef of Margo, who has years of experience in MICHELIN-starred fine-dining restaurants both inside and outside Thailand.

Margo, which opened its doors in June 2025, is a French restaurant that made a splash in the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2026 as part of the MICHELIN Selected list. Its menu showcases refined French classics, all within a lively atmosphere and seamless service provided by a talented team. Despite being new, Margo exudes an air of established charm—casual yet sophisticated, thoughtfully curated, and brimming with potential.

At the ceremony, The MICHELIN Guide Service Award was announced as the following distinction, an honour designed to encourage and celebrate hospitality professionals who significantly elevate the overall dining experience. This year, the award—presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand—was bestowed upon Arsen Brahaj, the Restaurant Manager of Aulis, a One MICHELIN Star establishment in Phang-Nga.

Brahaj, originally from Albania, brings multilingual ability and international experience to his role, having previously served as a supervisor at Simon Rogan's MICHELIN-Starred restaurant in Malta. At Aulis, he not only leads the service team but also crafts thoughtful drink pairings that showcase local produce. His approach to hospitality—marked by warm guest interactions, enthusiastic explanations of each course, and close coordination with the kitchen—ensures a smooth, polished, and memorable dining experience.

Later, the ceremony continued with the announcement of the list of One MICHELIN-Starred restaurants. There are 33 honoured restaurants in total, led by Aksorn from Bangkok, by seasoned chef David Thomson, who was surprised by the MICHELIN Thailand team with a special award: The MICHELIN Guide Mentor Chef Award, presented by WP Energy. The list of One MICHELIN-starred restaurants also includes Bo.Lan, Cannubi by Umberto Bombana and etcha, all from Bangkok, as newcomers, and a group of Bangkok's restaurants promoted from MICHELIN Selected, including Gaggan, Juksunchae, Suahi Saito and Nusara.

Next on the agenda was the announcement of the restaurants awarded Two MICHELIN Stars. This year, a total of eight establishments received this prestigious recognition, highlighting the remarkable culinary talent and innovation in the dining scene. Among these elite restaurants, two achieved a significant honour by being promoted from One MICHELIN Star to the status of Two MICHELIN Stars. Notably, Le Normandie, now under the patronage of renowned chef Anne-Sophie Pic, made its mark with its exquisite menu and refined dining experience. Alongside Le Normandie, INDDEE also garnered acclaim for its outstanding culinary offerings, showcasing the diverse flavours and creativity that have become synonymous with excellence in the culinary world.

The MICHELIN Guide team threw another surprise by tricking everyone into believing that Sühring Bangkok remained on the list of Two MICHELIN Stars. In reality, this German restaurant in Bangkok now joins Sorn, the first Thai restaurant in the world and the first restaurant in Thailand with Three MICHELIN Stars, on this prestigious accolade.

With its blend of returning favourites, exciting newcomers, and inspiring stories of growth and innovation, the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2026 reflects a dining landscape that continues to evolve with remarkable momentum. The full MICHELIN Guide list is available here.

Credits

Article: Wariya Intreyonk

Photos: MICHELIN Guide