Michelin Guide to publish 2026 edition for the Czech Republic on 20 November

Fine dining is increasingly attracting visitors beyond Prague. The Michelin Guide’s new nationwide selection aims to give the diversity of Czech gastronomy international visibility once again.

The Michelin Guide will publish its updated restaurant selection for the entire Czech Republic on Friday, 20 November. This marks the nationwide guide’s second year. The selected establishments will receive their plaques on 14 December 2026 at a ceremony at Prague’s Pragovka. The event is being organised by makro ČR as the official project partner and the CzechTourism agency.

The first nationwide selection was published in December 2025 and included 79 restaurants. One establishment received two Michelin stars, while eight were awarded one star. There were also 18 Bib Gourmand distinctions for particularly good food at a reasonable price, as well as four Michelin Green Stars.

Foto: The Eatery, Prague | Mikulas Gottwald | MICHELIN Guide

More attention for restaurants in the regions

According to CzechTourism, the restaurant guide helped raise awareness of Czech gastronomy among international visitors last year. Establishments outside the capital also benefited.

“The past year has shown that the nationwide Michelin Guide has an exceptional reach beyond the country’s borders. It has helped establish the Czech Republic more firmly on the world’s culinary map,” says CzechTourism director Tereza Hofmanová.

The benefits extend beyond the restaurants themselves, Hofmanová emphasises: visitors travelling for a meal may stay overnight locally, explore the town and spend money at other local businesses.

Photo: Casa De Carli

Establishments report rising demand

CzechTourism surveyed the selected restaurants immediately after the publication of the first nationwide selection and again around six months later. About half of the establishments took part. According to the agency, the results should therefore be regarded as indicative only.

The restaurants surveyed reported positive effects on visitor numbers, bookings or interest from guests. Most commonly, they cited an increase in visitor numbers of ten to 15 per cent. Some establishments recorded increases of 30 per cent or more.

According to the restaurant, La Villa in Zlín previously welcomed mainly guests from within a radius of around 40 kilometres. Visitors now travel from around 300 kilometres away and from Slovakia. Some combine their restaurant visit with an overnight stay in the region.

Foto: Restaurant Soyka | Matěj Gajdošík | Michelin Guide

Prague’s U Matěje restaurant reports a change in its customer mix since receiving its Bib Gourmand distinction. International visitors, who previously accounted for only a very small proportion, now make up around a fifth of its customers. Sůl a Řepa in Strakonice reports a 30 per cent increase in turnover and growing interest from Austria, Germany and other parts of the Czech Republic.

Three-year partnership since 2025

The Czech Republic’s partnership with the Michelin Guide began in 2025 and is set to run for three years. It includes the annually updated digital restaurant selection, management of the Czech section of the Michelin website, as well as articles, paid social media campaigns and a promotional video about Czech gastronomy.

The restaurants are selected by anonymous Michelin inspectors using internationally consistent criteria. In addition to one, two or three stars, the guide awards the Bib Gourmand distinction. The restaurant selection is reviewed and updated annually.