Gordon Ramsay is basically the final boss of the culinary world. You've seen him screaming about raw sea bass on Hell’s Kitchen or saving a failing bistro on Kitchen Nightmares, but behind the TV persona is a guy who actually knows how to cook. Like, really cook.
People ask all the time: how many Michelin stars does Gordon Ramsay have? Right now, as we sit in 2026, the answer is 8 stars.
That number might sound lower than you expected if you’ve heard people throwing around the number 17 or 22. Honestly, it’s confusing. The reason for the discrepancy is that there is a massive difference between how many stars a chef currently holds and how many they’ve earned throughout their entire career.
Gordon has earned 17 Michelin stars across his life. But because restaurants close, chefs move on, or standards slip (it happens to the best of them), he doesn't hold all 17 today. Michelin stars aren't like Olympic gold medals that you keep on a shelf forever. They’re more like a championship title in sports—you have to defend them every single year.
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The Current 2026 Star Count
If you’re looking to eat at a Michelin-starred Ramsay joint today, you’ve got five specific options. Most of them are in London, but he’s still got a strong foothold in France.
- Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (London) – 3 Stars: This is the crown jewel. It’s located on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea. It has held three stars since 2001, which is a ridiculous feat. Most restaurants struggle to keep one star for five years; Gordon has kept three for a quarter of a century.
- Le Pressoir d’Argent (Bordeaux, France) – 2 Stars: This place is famous for its silver lobster press—one of only a few in the world. It’s high-end, classic, and very, very French.
- Pétrus by Gordon Ramsay (London) – 1 Star: Located in Belgravia, this is where you go if you’re a wine fanatic. It’s named after the legendary Château Pétrus wine.
- Restaurant 1890 (London) – 1 Star: Tucked away in the Savoy Hotel, this is one of his newer wins. It’s an intimate spot that pays homage to Georges Auguste Escoffier.
- Gordon Ramsay au Trianon (Versailles, France) – 1 Star: A gorgeous dining room right near the Palace of Versailles.
Why did he lose so many stars?
It’s a fair question. If he had 17 and now has 8, did he get bad at cooking?
Not really. Most of the "lost" stars happened because the restaurants simply closed their doors. When a restaurant closes, the stars vanish instantly.
Take Amaryllis in Glasgow, for example. It won a star but closed back in 2004. Then there was Maze in London, which was a massive hit for a decade before it eventually lost its star and shut down in 2019. Ramsay also had a famous run in New York at The London, which held two stars. When Michelin stripped those stars in 2013, Ramsay famously said he cried. He told reporters it was a "very emotional thing for any chef."
It’s a brutal business. Michelin inspectors are anonymous. They show up unannounced. If the seasoning is off or the service isn't perfect on the day they visit, that's it.
The "Matt Abé" Factor
It's also worth noting that Gordon isn't actually in the kitchen every night at these places. He can't be—he’s in Los Angeles filming TV or opening a new Street Pizza in Seoul.
The real magic at the flagship Restaurant Gordon Ramsay comes from Matt Abé, the Co-Chef Patron. In the world of high-end dining, the "Chef Patron" is the one doing the heavy lifting while the big name (Ramsay) provides the vision and the funding. Recently, there's been talk in the industry about Matt Abé's influence and how he’s maintained that 3-star status through sheer discipline.
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Is Ramsay still the "best" in the world?
In terms of star count, he’s currently third on the all-time list.
The late Joël Robuchon is still the undisputed king with 31 stars earned over his career. Alain Ducasse is second with 21. Gordon sits at 17 (total earned).
Some food critics argue that Ramsay has "sold out" by focusing on burgers and TV shows rather than fine dining. But the data doesn't really support that. While he does have a massive empire of casual spots like Gordon Ramsay Burger and Fish & Chips, he has consistently protected his high-end "star" restaurants. Keeping a 3-star rating for 25 years isn't something you do by accident or on reputation alone.
What you should do next
If you're planning a trip to one of these spots, don't just show up. Here is the reality of dining at this level:
- Book months in advance: For Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, you usually need to book at least 2–3 months out, especially for weekend slots.
- Check the dress code: This isn't the place for your "Hell’s Kitchen" graphic tee. Most of these require "smart-elegant" attire—meaning jackets for men and no sneakers.
- Budget accordingly: A meal at the 3-star flagship will easily run you £200–£300 per person without wine. If you want the experience without the second mortgage, try Restaurant 1890 or Pétrus for lunch menus, which are often significantly cheaper than the dinner tasting menus.
Ultimately, Gordon Ramsay’s 8 current Michelin stars prove he’s more than just a loud guy on television. He’s managed to build a global business empire while maintaining a level of technical excellence that most chefs can only dream of. Whether you love him or hate him, the man knows his way around a kitchen.