In celebration of Tijuana’s growing culinary prestige, several local restaurants have been formally recognized by the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (CANIRAC) following their recent accolades from the world-renowned Michelin Guide.
Restaurants Awarded for their Excellence
Among the honorees are acclaimed establishments Misión 19, Oryx, and Tacos El Franc, each praised for maintaining exceptional culinary standards throughout the year. CANIRAC Tijuana presented commemorative plaques to the awardees over a two-day tour that included a visit to Carmelita Molino y Cocina, which earned a Michelin Star for the second consecutive year.
Hugo Ramos Reyna, director of CANIRAC Tijuana, highlighted the broader impact of the Michelin Guide on local economies. Established in 1900, the guide not only serves as a global reference for fine dining but also has measurable effects on tourism, he said—boosting visitor numbers by an average of 12% and increasing employment in the hospitality sector between 65% and 79%. These benefits, he added, extend to hotels, transportation, and related industries.
The award ceremony took place at Misión 19, attended by Baja California Secretary of Tourism Zaida Luz López and CANIRAC Tijuana President Rebeca Aguilar Santuario, among other officials and industry leaders.
Influence of the Michelin Guide on Global Gastronomy
With a presence in more than 40 destinations worldwide, the Michelin Guide features over 16,000 establishments, including 3,000 starred restaurants, 3,300 Bib Gourmand honorees, and nearly 9,700 recommended venues.
For Ramos Reyna, the recognition of Tijuana’s restaurants reaffirms the city’s place on the global gastronomic map and underscores the region’s continued rise as a destination for world-class cuisine.
