Michelin Tire Company
Español
May 4, 2025
by Brenda Sexton
Did you know the Michelin Star restaurant rating system comes from... the Michelin Tire Company?
It's true. In the late 1800s, brothers André and Édouard Michelin believed that encouraging people to drive more would boost their tire sales. So they published a road guide—with maps, hotel listings, mechanics, and later, restaurant reviews. What began as a clever marketing tool evolved into one of the most prestigious food awards in the world.
Recently, I started noticing Michelin plaques around San Miguel—at the entrance of Hotel Matilda, at the stairs leading to the new restaurant Altar (inside Casa Arca on Reloj), and outside the newly opened Bistro Mexique on Núñez. Had San Miguel restaurants started earning Michelin Stars without anyone talking about it?
This plaque is not for the hotel's restuarant, Bistro Mexique, but for the hotel itself, Maison Mexique, whose entrance is around the corner.
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Don't be fooled. These plaques have nothing to do with restaurants. In fact, not a single restaurant in San Miguel has ever received a Michelin Star.*
There's a different story behind those plaques. And your Hidden Gems hunter turned into an investigative reporter to uncover it.
The Michelin brothers
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The best restaurants have been winning Michelin Stars since the 1800s. Very recently, starting in April 2024, the Michelin Guide also began rating hotels, introducing a new system: the Michelin Key.
According to the Michelin website:
"After selecting thousands of hotels across the globe for our Michelin Guide, it is now our privilege to specially highlight the crème de la crème of our selection. All our hotels excel in design, architecture, service, and personality. The Michelin Key denotes the absolute most outstanding experiences in our selection."
On September 12, 2024, Michelin announced its first list of award-winning hotels in Mexico. In the country as a whole:
Three hotels received Three Keys
Twenty-one received Two Keys
Sixty-three received One Key
Here in San Miguel we made a strong showing, with eight local hotels winning:
One hotel received Two Keys
Seven received One Key
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Two Michelin Keys
Hotel Casa de Sierra Nevada
37 guest rooms, Hospicio 35
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One Michelin Key
Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique
14 guest rooms, Hidalgo 8
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Casa Hoyos – Hotel Boutique
16 guest rooms, Mesones 14
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Hotel Casa Blanca 7
10 guest rooms, Juárez 7
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Hotel Matilda
32 guest rooms, Aldama 53
Matilda, a portrait by Diego Rivera, of the mother of the owner of the hotel hangs in the guest living room area.
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L'Otel–Casa Arca
22 guest rooms, Relox 22
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Madison Mexique
9 guest rooms, San Francisco 55A
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Our Habitas San Miguel
60 rooms, Los Senderos
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Prices from the Michelin Guide $US/night
(on April 25, including tax and fees):
Casa Sierra Nevada $870
Casa 1810 $696
Casa Hoyos $320
Casa Blanca 7 $738
Matilda $619
L'Otel Arca $447
Maison Mezique $251
Our Habitas $336
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As for the restaurants—no Star yet. Currently, the only Michelin-starred restaurants in Mexico are in Mexico City. There are seven:
Quintonil – 2 Star
Pujol – 2 Star
Em – 1 star
Esquina Común – 1 star
Sud 777 – 1 star
Rosetta – 1 star
Taquería El Califa de León – 1 star
So how do we get Michelin to come and review our incredible San Miguel restaurants?
Word on the cobblestones is that municipalities or tourism boards often pay a hefty fee to bring the Michelin team to town. But it's also possible to attract their attention organically—through international buzz, media coverage, and a vibrant culinary scene. Luckily, San Miguel has all three.
Want to nudge the process along? You can send Michelin your feedback (or a friendly suggestion) through their official contact page:
www.guide.michelin.com/en/contact-us
Until then, keep an eye out for those plaques—and the hidden gems behind them.
(All Michelin recognized hotels in
Mexico.)
