These fancy, highly-acclaimed restaurants have certainly left a bad taste with some customers.
DailyMail.com has analyzed reviews left by Tripadvisor users to find some the worst ratings for three-star Michelin eateries in the US.
Despite their merit and high price points, there are seven restaurants with dozens of reviews deeming them ‘poor’ or ‘terrible.’
Bite your way down to see some of the complaints dished out by disgruntled diners – with everything from poor customer service and inedible dishes to rip off prices and menu spelling mistakes thrown into the mix.
DailyMail.com has analyzed reviews left by Tripadvisor users to find some the worst ratings for three star Michelin eateries in the US
Eleven Madison Park made its mark as the first ever vegan restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars
Chef Daniel Humm’s New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park made its mark as the first ever vegan restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars.
The Michelin experts highlight the restaurant’s precision, with ‘nothing out of place’ and an array of ‘custom made’ features, ‘from the staff’s suits to the handblown water vases.’
Addressing the plant-based menu, they describe it as ‘a bold vision of luxury dining’ which ‘elevates the concept to unparalleled heights.’
Standout dishes, they say, include ‘the freshly baked,’ the quenelle of tonburi, mimicking caviar, and ‘toothsome braised seitan, wrapped in spinach and dressed with morels.’
Eleven Madison Park has more Tripadvisor reviews than its contemporaries, with 2,697 entries.
While the feedback is mostly positive, 162 diners (6 per cent) have left negative reviews.
One patron who visited the swanky spot in January claimed his wife got some kind of tummy bug after eating there.
He revealed: ‘Unfortunately, about six hours after we left, my wife had the chills, was nauseous, threw up, and had diarrhea.
‘After eight to ten hours of that, she was feeling better. Not sure what she had, but something at dinner was not right.’
Another review left in October 2023 slams the service. It reads: ‘This was our second time at Eleven Madison Park and I was very surprised we weren’t welcomed as returning guest… very disappointing for a restaurant of this caliber.
‘From the time we stepped into the restaurant and was led to our table, the mood was off and things didn’t quite feel right.
‘From beginning to end the service was horrible! It literally took 30 minutes for us to get our first glass of wine. We felt it was way too much unnecessary time spent between meals. So much that we kind of thought they forgot about us.’
Masa, New York: From $750 per person
Masa Takayama became the first Japanese Chef to be awarded three Michelin stars and his restaurant continues to lure diners from far and wide
‘Taste what may be the continent’s best sushi,’ the Michelin guide declares in its overview of Masa in New York.
Masa Takayama became the first Japanese Chef to be awarded three Michelin stars and his restaurant continues to lure diners from far and wide.
The Japanese eatery slides in at one of the more expensive spots, with its Omakase tasting experience priced at $750 per person.
In terms of what bites to expect, the Michelin team says some of the signature creations include ‘a sweet chunk of hairy crab meat dressed in citrusy yuzu,’ a ‘glass coupe of minced toro and a very fine and generous – pile of Osetra caviar,’ and ‘wonderous’ Maine uni ‘served in its shell with caramelized custard and paper-thin white truffle.’
On Tripadvisor, the restaurant has 298 reviews and while many are positive, there are 39 negative pieces of feedback.
One diner who visited the restaurant this February deemed their experience an ‘absolute catastrophe.’
Detailing their disappointing evening, they wrote: ‘What should have been an exceptional evening turned into a series of disappointments.
‘The ambiance was marred by an out-of-place chorus of Happy Birthday songs and a distracting photoshoot at the counter. Mishaps followed, from discovering a hair on one of my plates to the unexpected unavailability of a pre-ordered wine bottle.
‘The most disheartening moment came during the Toro course, where conflicting explanations about its origin cast doubt on the restaurant’s integrity.
‘Despite addressing concerns with the director of operations, disappointments persisted.’
Another poor one out of five review left in February 2022 reads: ‘Ridiculous, bad service, fast food type of sushi…
‘I don’t know how Michelin gives the stars!!?? Portions and plate setting were amateur.’
Addison, San Diego: From $375 per person
Addison in San Diego serves a menu combining ‘global inspiration and Californian sentimentality’
Addison became San Diego’s first three Michelin star restaurant in December 2022.
The Michelin guide praises chef William Bradley for ‘transforming this Southern Californian oasis into a world-class dining destination’ since opening it in 2006.
The food is described as combining ‘global inspiration and Californian sentimentality’ with a ‘playful yet polished’ edge.
Example dishes given include chicken liver churros, Kumamoto oysters with pickled green strawberry and Iberian ham ‘folded over a gloriously golden potato.’
The restaurant’s ten-course tasting menu changes seasonally and is available for $375 a person.
While the experts applaud Bradley’s innovative culinary skills, some Tripadvisor reviewers are unconvinced with 21 negative reviews out of 297 (7 per cent).
One reviewer who visited in December 2023 deemed it their ‘worst experience in a Michelin star restaurant ever.’
They wrote: ‘For starters, a glass of champagne was between $250 and $550…
‘Then the food was mediocre at best. The fish dry, the meat rather tasteless.
‘And the background music was too loud and too “hard” for a dinner. We complained twice and were told that it was the playlist of the chef and that’s it…
‘And the whole dinner was still not finished after 3.5 hours. We left without dessert, It was well past 11pm and we were tired and disappointed.’
Another reviewer who visited Addison the previous month also seemed unimpressed, simply branding it ‘pretentious.’
Their write up reads: ‘Pretentious, uncomfortable, overpriced and food is not memorable.
‘So much effort is expended on trying to impress rather than trying to make the customer comfortable.’
The French Laundry has had three stars since 2006 and the late Anthony Bourdain once lauded it as ‘the best restaurant in the world, period’
The French Laundry from chef Thomas Keller is described as a ‘legendary destination’ by the Michelin experts.
The restaurant, located in wine country of California, has had three stars since 2006 and the late Anthony Bourdain once lauded it as ‘the best restaurant in the world, period.’
The Michelin guide praises Keller’s ability to ‘pair classic French techniques with wildly fresh ingredients in a setting that is a perfect storm of restaurant greatness,’ with some of his signature dishes including ‘oysters with white sturgeon caviar in a warm sabayon studded with tapioca pearls,’ and ‘Wolf Ranch quail is then presented with white asparagus and dark cherries.’
While the majority of diners have given The French Laundry a thumbs up, it has a total of 143 negative reviews out of 1,725 entries (8.2 per cent) with the complaints ranging from the food being ‘pretentious’ to ‘rip off’ prices.
One customer wrote after their visit in March 2023, ‘absolutely the worst Michelin rated restaurant with any stars.’
Their main complaint was that their reservation made through American Express’ concierge service wasn’t in the system and they were made to wait for an hour.
Another diner who visited in July 2022 deemed the experience ‘nothing memorable.’
They wrote: ‘If I could rate zero stars, I would. This overpriced dinosaur is a tourist trap with unfriendly service, pretentious food from a generation ago, and a poorly executed shuffle of untrained children.
‘I could not wait to leave. If this is a great restaurant, then American dining should be the laughing stock of the world. What an embarrassment.’
Benu, San Francisco: From $390 per person
The Michelin guide describes Benu in San Francisco as an ‘oasis in the center of the city’
Benu’s website notes that it was the first restaurant in San Francisco to receive three stars from the Michelin Guide in 2014.
The guide describes the Asian eatery as an ‘oasis in the center of the city’ with chef Corey Lee whipping up ‘highly-technical small bites.’
Some of his creations are revealed as ‘barbecued quail with house-made XO sauce’ and ‘faux-shark’s fin.’
It currently has 23 ‘poor’ or ‘terrible’ reviews out of 260 on Tripadvisor (8.8 per cent) but none of these are recent.
The last review giving the restaurant just a one rating out of five and titled ‘wildly overpriced and pretentious’ is from March 2022.
The customer vented: ‘The “meal” is not so much of a meal as it is a floorshow. It’s a theatrical experience and the dishes are merely props.
‘If you have no palate and you are easily dazzled by unique appearing foodstuffs, this may be the place you are looking for. For me, it was a disaster.’
Other disgruntled diners previously complained of ‘bland’ food and ‘rude’ service and one entry from August 2018 deems it ‘worst restaurant ever.’
Single Thread, Healdsburg: From $475 per person
The majority of the ingredients at Single Thread in California are sourced from the neighboring 24 acre field
Single Thread in California landed three Michelin stars in 2019. The Michelin Guide reveals that the restaurant ‘combines exquisitely with the deeply personal vision of owners Chef Kyle Connaughton and head farmer Katina Connaughton.’
The majority of the ingredients are sourced from the neighboring 24-acre field, while the style of the Connaughton’s cooking is said to be influenced by their time in Japan.
No dishes are detailed, but the guide says the ‘expert use of the donabe (Japanese claypot) is a signature, transforming seafood and vegetables alike.’
In total, the restaurant has 13 poor and terrible reviews out of 143 (9 per cent).
One disappointed diner wrote after their visit in January: ‘While the food presentation was visually appealing, it regrettably fell short in terms of taste. The flavors didn’t live up to the promising aesthetic. Moreover, the service had a somewhat awkward vibe, which affected the overall dining experience.
‘The letter sent to diners requesting a tip in advance is in poor taste. A gratuity is supposed to be an expression of gratitude, not a compulsory subsidy.
‘A check brought to the table before dessert is served is ludicrous.’
Another reviewer who visited in January 2023 titled their entry ‘well short of expectations,’ with their final note being: ‘Not something we would recommend for the cost vs value received in return.’
Smyth, Chicago: From $325 per person
The Michelin guide describes Smyth in Chicago as ‘very chic’ with ‘lounge styling’ and an open kitchen
Smyth in Chicago is the worst-rated three Michelin over all, with 19 out of 173 (10.9 per cent) of reviewers rating it poor or terrible. It gained its three stars in 2023.
The Michelin guide describes the restaurant as ‘very chic’ with ‘lounge styling’ and an open kitchen.
In terms of the food, chef John Shields and Karen Urie Shields are praised for their bold and creative cooking style. Some of the menu items are revealed as ‘wagyu sided by a truffle-flavored doughnut with marrow glaze’ and new potato ice cream.
Despite the praise, out of all of the three Michelin’s in the country, Tripadvisor reviewers gave Smyth the most damning reviews.
One unhappy customer said of his experience in 2022: ‘I had very high expectations when I visited Smyth, but I have to say that I had a very poor experience (not even remotely comparable to other Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago).
‘The tasting menu was repetitive (three courses of lobster?) and very oily, so you could not taste the ingredients… The ‘caviar’ courses are not prepared with real caviar (from sturgeon), but with regular fish eggs – the chocolate caviar plate is inedible.
‘The last dessert (the ‘mussel’) had a very strong bitter aftertaste. Service was rushed and inattentive.’
Another Tripadvisor reviewer wrote after visiting the eatery this January: ‘Disappointing on multiple levels; do not recommend. Top three critiques: the food started to taste the same (akin to blended seafood in salt), took four ‘courses’ and an ask to receive the martini I ordered, and a spelling error, which is ‘fine’ if you’re not a three star Michelin restaurant.’
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