Michelin inspectors have awarded Hiroshima the city’s first three-star restaurant in the inaugural issue for the region, which now expands the brand’s coverage of Japan’s culinary landscape from three guides to four.

Michelin has struck a partnership with the largest online reservations provider in Europe that will allow consumers to book a table at a Michelin-rated eatery instantly.

With 66 of its restaurants winning stars in Michelin’s 2013 guide, New York was again confirmed Tuesday as one of the best places in the world to dine — and the unrivaled master of diversity.

After being awarded four more 3-starred restaurants by gastronomy bible Michelin last week, Japan widened the gulf between it and its closest culinary rival, France.

The 2012 edition of the French Michelin guide has handed out a rare three-star ranking to a restaurant tucked into the French Alps, one of just 105 establishments deemed “worth the trip”, according to the secretive estimation of Michelin inspectors.

Chef Emmanuel Renaut’s restaurant Flocons de Sel in Megève, France has become the country’s 26th restaurant to join the ranks of establishments like Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée and Guy Savoy in the exclusive three-starred club.

Tokyo has now more Michelin three star restaurants than Paris, according to the latest edition of the gastronomical guide.

Japan as a whole also beats France, with 32 establishments granted the maximum grade, against 25 in the guide’s home country. Paris has just 10 three star eateries.

Of Tokyo’s 160,000 restaurants, 16 were awarded top marks, 52 got two stars and 179 were deemed worthy of one star by the authors of the Red Guide.