Apple Maps has quietly transformed over the past few years — from a basic navigation tool to a rich, curated discovery platform. In 2025, Apple Maps undergoes a significant transformation. Starting today, Apple Maps is no longer just showing you how to get there — it’s helping you decide where to go in the first place.
Apple has officially rolled out a major feature upgrade that brings expert-backed insights, rankings, and ratings from top-tier sources directly into its Maps experience. From MICHELIN-starred restaurants to top-rated golf courses, Apple Maps is becoming a destination in itself — a smarter, more trusted way to explore the world around you.
What’s New: Trusted Experts, Built Into Your Map
Apple Maps users in the U.S. can now view and search for restaurants and hotels with professional distinctions — including
- MICHELIN Starred Restaurants
- Green Star & Bib Gourmand selections
- MICHELIN Key Hotels
- Coming soon: Curated ratings and reviews from The Infatuation and Golf Digest
This isn’t a crowd-sourced review feed or a generic star rating. These are professionally vetted, editorially curated recognitions that carry weight — especially when you’re looking for more than just “somewhere to eat.”
Think of it as the difference between random opinions and trusted voices. That’s what Apple is integrating now — and it’s doing so with intention.
Why It Matters: Quality Over Quantity
In a digital world flooded with reviews, ratings, and comments, quality and context are more important than ever.
Apple Maps is addressing a significant issue: excessive noise on the internet. You can find a hundred conflicting reviews about the same restaurant, hotel, or golf course—and leave feeling even more unsure.
Now, imagine opening your Apple Maps app and instantly seeing that a nearby bistro has a Bib Gourmand rating. That’s a trusted indicator that this place delivers excellent food at a fantastic value — according to MICHELIN, not just random reviews.
What makes a difference? Confidence in your choice.
Apple Maps assists users in simplifying their planning, whether it’s for a weekend getaway, a date night, or an overseas trip, by providing insights from experts who have meticulously curated excellence.
A Closer Look at the Partners: Why They Matter
MICHELIN Guide
Globally synonymous with culinary excellence, MICHELIN’s ratings carry a level of prestige few can match. With this integration, Apple Maps users now get immediate access to MICHELIN stars, Green Star sustainability markers, and Bib Gourmand picks right from the place cards—making dining decisions significantly easier (and tastier).
The Infatuation (Coming Soon)
Known for its sharp, relatable, and sometimes irreverent restaurant reviews, The Infatuation has become a favorite among younger foodies and urban explorers. Its inclusion in Apple Maps will bring personality and precision to everyday food discovery.
Golf Digest (Coming Soon)
As the gold standard in golf course rankings and editorial coverage, Golf Digest’s presence will make Apple Maps an invaluable tool for golfers looking to explore new courses with expert insight and confidence.
Seamless Experience: Booking Right From Maps
Apple is not only uncovering exceptional locations but is also enhancing the process of discovery and action.
With this update, users can now:
- Book select MICHELIN-rated hotels directly from Apple Maps
- (Soon) Schedule reservations through MICHELIN
- (Soon) Book tee times via Supreme Golf
It’s all happening inside the Maps app, creating a frictionless experience from discovery to decision to action.
What Apple Says — And What It Means for the Future
“These new integrations make Maps an even more useful and seamless resource for users to discover great new places whether in their hometown or traveling somewhere new.”
— David Dorn, Senior Director of Internet Software and Services at Apple
This quote underscores something bigger: Apple Maps isn’t trying to replicate Google Maps — it’s carving out its identity as a premium discovery tool, one that prioritizes trust, curation, and aesthetics over sheer volume.
By aligning with expert brands, Apple is turning Maps into more than navigation — it’s becoming a trusted guide, tailored for a generation that wants authenticity, speed, and high standards.
How to Use the Feature
It’s easy. Just open Apple Maps and:
- Use filters to find restaurants with MICHELIN stars or Bib Gourmand distinctions
- Explore hotels with MICHELIN Key designations
- Tap to view photos, reviews, and curated guides
- (Soon) Browse recommendations from The Infatuation and Golf Digest
- Book directly when available — all inside the app
These filters make it easier to plan not just where to go but how to enjoy it better.
From Utility to Curator
Apple Maps’ latest update is more than just a feature — it’s a strategic evolution. It mirrors the decision-making preferences of individuals in the digital era.
Apple is taking a stand: less noise, more trust in a world of options.
By embedding expert voices in a tool we already use daily, Apple is turning Maps into a curated window into the best of the world — not just a way to get from A to B, but a way to discover where to go next and why it’s worth it.
This move isn’t just good for users. It’s also a quiet shift in how digital platforms compete. Apple’s approach is characterized by clarity, elegance, and a profound comprehension of people’s actual needs.
Welcome to the new era of Apple Maps — your personal, expert-powered guide to everywhere.
