Actors aim for an Oscar, singers dream of being recognized with a Grammy, and for restaurant owners, the honor they wish for is a Michelin Star, the highest award a restaurant can obtain. Since its introduction in 1926, restaurants that have distinguished themselves for their cuisine and excellent service have been praised by either one, two, or three Michelin Restaurants. Over the years no exact details have been given about the system, but usually, everything starts when a restaurant gains popularity with the locals, then the first foreigners come to check it out. The Michelin Guide inspectors are fast to come and check with their own eyes about the real deal. And like that, in just a few hours, the fate of not only chefs but also restaurants all over the world are signed. 

In the Caribbean, an area filled with luxurious resorts, some restaurants have been opened by Michelin star chefs that have been recognized with this prestigious award. Here are five chefs and their savoir-faire, that had let them open some of the best restaurants in the world, all located in the Caribbean region.

Café Boulud by Daniel Boulud 

Picture yourself vacationing at Rosewood Baha Mar, one of the most luxurious resorts in the area and you are looking to enjoy some traditional French cuisine combined with the Bahamian hospitality and atmosphere. Café Boulud cannot be missed. The man behind it? Daniel Boulud, the acclaimed French chef, and restaurateur with restaurants located in London, Singapore, New York, and Miami just to name a few. Within Café Boulud, Daniel Boulud has brought to the Bahamas all the savoir-faire that has brought him two Michelin Starts thanks to his most famous restaurant, Daniel in New York. While dining at Café Boulud, guests can choose from a menu filled with dishes resulting from the combination of French cuisine and local seasoning. Like in his other restaurants, in this one is possible to taste dishes that have been created by the 4 muses that have always been Boulud’s inspiration. We have La Tradition, through which is possible to taste traditional French classics and with La Saison guests can choose among recipes characterized by the use of local seasoning. La Mer and Le Voyage, on the other hand, offer specialties made with local seafood in the first, and worldwide cuisine revisited through the French eye in the second. The must-try dishes include lobster with sauce américaine, filet mignon with seared foie gras, and black truffle. Island wines paired with recipes created with local Caribbean ingredients have contributed to making this restaurant a point of attraction for all the guests vacationing in Rosewood Baha Mar.

Fish by Jose Andres, of Jose Andres

Known for being the one that brought the small plates dining concept to America, José Andrés today is considered an exceptional figure in the field of the fine dining food service industry. His vision about the importance of food has brought him to establish in the year 2012 the World Central Kitchen, to provide culinary training to communities as well as food disaster relief in the case of global emergencies. His interest in sustainability and food waste reduction can be seen in how he runs Fish by José, the famous restaurant located in The Cove at Atlantis, Paradise Island. The restaurant’s menu is a highlight of the local produce thanks to dishes made only through the use of ingredients gotten through sustainable practices. Guests dining here can pick dishes on a menu entirely built on the use of local Bahamian seafood. Conch along with crustaceans, and tuna are just examples of the vast variety of Seafood that guests can choose from. The place is characterized by attentive service, custom-made cocktails, and dishes of various sizes to provide guests the opportunity to share among them as many as possible flavors.

The Sand Bar by Jean-Georges Vongerichten

If we had only one word to describe The Sand Bar, located within Eden Rock, the best adjective to use would be laid-back. With a picturesque beach setting, this restaurant in the Caribbean is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing meal thanks to its location on the white beach, overlooking the crystal blue ocean. There is a reason why the resort has been named Eden Rock and the Sand Bar is only the cherry on top for a place that has been known for its luxurious and paradisiac setting. We all dream about waking in the morning and just sitting across the ocean with a delicious cup of black coffee while the morning breeze touches us. Well, within Sand Bar you can make that dream come true as they provide excellent breakfast choices. As for lunch, guests can opt for dishes made with local seafood, whole-wheat pizzas, and salads made with local fruits and vegetables. But who is the mind behind the idea? Jean-Georges Vongerichten is one of the world’s most famous Michelin star chef, with skills that go beyond the kitchen. More like a businessman, Jean-Georges today controls more than 40 restaurants worldwide. He not only looks after the menu and the ingredients used to create astonishing recipes but also at the concept and the architectural design, and staff and its training. Is with this overview that Jean-Georges has created The Sand Bar, a place where guests can enjoy refined dishes surrounded by white beaches and sparkling Caribbean water.

QP Bistro by Antonio Mellino

If you are in the Caribbean this does not mean that you only have to taste local cuisine because, amid the various luxurious resorts scattered around the area, it is possible to enjoy dishes from all over the world. So, what about enjoying some flavors of Italy while being surrounded by the Caribbean water? Founded by Antonio Mellino, the QP Bistro offers all its guests Italian recipes filled with those Mediterranean flavors that have made Italy known around the world. Antonio Mellino is no new entry in this sector, as his restaurant, Quattro Passi located in Nerano has received Two Michelin stars. No wonder QP Bistro is one of the favorite places where to dine when in Barbados! It appears the entire savoir-faire that Mellino has built while on the Amalfi coast has been brought to the Caribbean. First, the entire staff is trained to provide a high level of service to all the guests and the restaurant is run with the philosophy that every dish should be realized with the use of fresh ingredients. Within QP bistro is possible to taste pizzas rich in flavor as well as ice cream all while sitting in a vibrant setting.

Blue by Eric Ripert

A French chef, author, with a specialization in modern French cuisine and with worldwide recognition for his work with seafood, this is who Éric Frank Ripert is. Le Bernardin, the famous restaurant in New York has brought to Eric numerous awards among these the three stars from the Michelin Guide. No wonder Blue, the leading restaurant in Grand Cayman, has achieved notoriety all around the world because is run by none other than Eric Ripert.

What characterizes the restaurant, located in the Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman, is the attention to detail and all the fresh ingredients used to create every single dish. For example, for all seafood dishes made with the produce brought by Cayman’s fisherman, everything is caught responsibly and sustainably. In addition to recipes made with fresh ingredients, guests can pick among a list of nearly 700 wines from all over the world which actually helps as many visitors come here to try the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in all of the Caribbean. With two private dining rooms, this restaurant can be the venue for fancy events such as weddings and birthday parties.