The 2025 Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau has officially confirmed its latest roster of culinary excellence, featuring significant upgrades and a surge of new talent across both regions. A total of 260 dining establishments were recognized—206 in Hong Kong and 54 in Macau—highlighted by the elevation of Hong Kong’s celebrated contemporary French restaurant, Amber, to the coveted three-star status, solidifying the regions’ position as a global gastronomic powerhouse with nine three-star institutions overall. The full list release also showcased several key promotions and the introduction of 16 entirely new starred restaurants.
Central Gains a New Three-Star Benchmark
The most notable shift in the 2025 Guide is the promotion of Amber, located in Central, Hong Kong, to three stars. This prestigious accolade recognizes Executive Chef Richard Ekkebus’s refined approach to modern dining. Already acknowledged with a Michelin Green Star for its dedication to sustainability, Amber’s cuisine features an evolution toward lighter, dairy-free preparations, innovative international ingredients, and meticulous French technique. This elevation increases Hong Kong’s count of three-star restaurants to seven, joining luminaries such as 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo – Bombana, Caprice, Forum, Sushi Shikon, T’ang Court, and Ta Vie.
Macau also saw a significant boost in the upper tiers, with Cantonese fine-dining establishment 譚卉 (The Huaiyang Garden) ascending to two Michelin stars. Helmed by veteran Chef Tam Kwok-fung, The Huaiyang Garden is praised for its commitment to seasonal ingredients and highly praised dishes, including their fruit-wood smoked Iberico pork ribs. This promotion brings the total number of two-star restaurants across Hong Kong and Macau to 17.
Wave of Promotions Reflects Regional Dynamism
The 2025 Guide welcomed 16 new restaurants across all star categories, signaling a vigorous and expanding culinary scene.
One-Star Promotions and Newcomers:
Hong Kong saw three existing establishments gain their first Michelin star:
- Ami: Blending fine dining with a relaxed bistro atmosphere, Ami is celebrated for its modern French menu that thoughtfully utilizes seasonal produce.
- Plaisance by Mauro Colagreco: This restaurant delivers innovative French courses with a focus on premium sea and land ingredients, presented in a striking aquatic-themed setting.
- Tuber Umberto Bombana: Dedicated to luxurious Italian cuisine and an extensive truffle menu, this establishment showcases expert technical skill under Chef Umberto Bombana’s protégé.
Meanwhile, Macau gained four new one-star recipients, emphasizing diverse international influences, including Aji, which merges Japanese ingredients with precise French cooking, and different concepts within Wing Lei Palace, such as the specialized Japanese sections Miyakawa (sushi) and Tembura (tempura/teppanyaki).
Recognizing Sustainability and Service Excellence
Beyond the traditional star ratings, the 2025 Guide continues to champion professionals committed to sustainability and industry expertise through special awards. Five venues across both cities earned the Michelin Green Star for their commendable environmental practices, including Amber, consolidating its dual achievement this year. Other Green Star recipients include Feuille, Moi, and Roganic in Hong Kong, alongside the IFT Educational Restaurant in Macau.
Three distinguished Special Awards were bestowed upon leading talent:
- Sommelier Award: Carlito Chiu from the one-star restaurant Andō was honored for his deep knowledge of global wines and personalized beverage pairings.
- Young Chef Award: Frankie Wong from the newly added establishment Ankôma received recognition for his impressive skill in fusing French and Asian culinary elements.
- Service Award: Winnie Cheung from the two-star restaurant Wing Lei (Macau) was celebrated for her warm, meticulous, and expert service, elevating the overall guest experience.
The full 2025 list, encompassing Starred, Bib Gourmand, and Selected restaurants, serves as an essential roadmap for food enthusiasts eager to explore the sophisticated and burgeoning dining landscape of Hong Kong and Macau. Diners can expect reservation competition to heighten at these newly promoted venues, especially Amber, marking the city as a center of world-class gastronomy.