The Michelin Guide has grown from a little European travel guide to a global authority on dining and currently the dining scenes in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, and Washington D.C. It has overlooked Texas in the past, but that’s all about to change as it will be covering Texas and its five biggest cities this year, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Houston!
Updated August 2024
THE MICHELIN GUIDE
If you aren’t familiar, the Michelin Guide started over a century ago by the French tire company Michelin, initially to boost European tourism by encouraging road trips. Today, it stands as the ultimate accolade for restaurants worldwide in the form of one, two or three stars, that recognizes excellence in culinary experiences.
Pictured above: Tatsu Dallas. Header photo: Lucia.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR TEXAS
Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio will be featured in the Michelin Guide by the end of 2024! This means our local dining spots could be on par with some of the world's top culinary cities. According to The Dallas Morning News, the guide’s inspectors, known for their rigorous and secretive evaluations, will be trying a diverse range of dishes including iconic Texas cuisines like barbeque and Tex-Mex.
Including Texas in the Michelin Guide provides an opportunity for local chefs and restaurants to gain international recognition and attract food enthusiasts from all around the world, which is a huge deal for Texas! It is expected to attract top culinary talent from across the country, meaning even more amazing food and dining experiences for everyone! As mentioned by The Dallas Morning News, it will draw foodies from all over, boosting tourism and bringing in more business for our local spots. Many international travelers use the Michelin Guide to pick where to eat, so we could expect an influx of visitors ready to explore our dining scene!
THE CRITERIA & DISTINCTIONS
Michelin inspectors award stars based on the quality of ingredients, the skill in preparing and combining flavors, creativity, consistency, and the overall dining experience. These criteria ensure that only the best of the best earn the coveted stars. Learn more about Michelin’s criteria. The distinctions are as follows:
Michelin Stars: Ranging from one star for very good cooking, to two stars meaning it's worth a detour, and three stars for exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.
Bib Gourmand: Recognizes restaurants offering good food at moderate prices.
The Plate Michelin: Acknowledges quality food.
Green Star: Awarded for outstanding sustainable practices.
Selected: A lesser talked about distinction that doesn't come with a star, but signifies "simply a good meal" that is well cooked with quality ingredients.
OUR PREDICTIONS
Our team has been buzzing about potential Michelin stars, and we're sharing our predictions! If you're observing that our lists are quite long, cities with the Michelin Guide have dozens, if not hundreds, of restaurants with distinction! PS stay tuned for our announcement when the Guide is announced.
AUSTIN (44 predictions)
2 Star: Craft Omakase, Uchiko
1 Star: DipDipDip Tatsu-Ya, Emmer & Rye, Fabrik, Hestia, Jeffrey's, Otoko, Tsuke Edomae, Uchi
Bib Gourmand: Cuantos Tacos, Dee Dee, Discada, Fonda San Miguel, Franklin Barbecue, Interstellar BBQ, La Barbecue, Loro, Matt's El Rancho, Nixta Taqueria, The Peached Tortilla, Ramen Tatsu-Ya, Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ, Veracruz All Natural
Selected: Apt 115, Barley Swine, Birdie's, Canje, Comedor, Dai Due, El Naranjo, Este, Foreign & Domestic, Intero, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, Laundrette, Lutie's, Lenoir, Odd Duck, Olamaie, Oseyo, Suerte, Tare, Toshokan
DALLAS (58 predictions)
1 Star: Georgie, Lucia, Petra and the Beast, Purepecha, Quarter Acre, Shoyo, Tei-An, Uchi
Bib Gourmand: Ayahuasca, Cattleack BBQ, Hutchins BBQ, El Come Taco, Fond, Jeng Chi, Jimmy's Food Store, Gonzalez, Molino Oloyo, La Casita Bakeshop, Las Palmas Tex-Mex, Loro, Ngon Vietnamese, Mike's Chicken, Revolver Taco, Resident Taqueria, Ruins, The Market Cafe at Bonton Farms, Vaquero's Texas Bar-B-Q, Zavala's
Selected: Billy Can Can, Bob's Steakhouse, Cafe Momentum, Dakota's Steakhouse, El Carlos, Fearings, Gemma, Jose, Kinzo, Knife, Mister Charles, Mot Hai Ba, Naminohana, Nonna, Osteria Il Muro, Restaurant Beatrice, Roots Southern Table, Rye, Sachet, Sanjh, Sister, Tango Room, Tei Tei Robata, The Charles, The Heritage Table, The Mansion Restaurant, Uchiba, Written by the Seasons,
FORT WORTH (20 predictions)
1 Star: Don Artemio, Maiden
Bib Gourmand: Birria y Taqueria de Cortez, Carshon’s Delicatessen, Dayne's Craft Barbecue, Goldee's BBQ, Hurtado BBQ (Arlington), Panther City BBQ, Righteous Foods, Taste Community Restaurant
Selected: 61 Osteria, Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine, Cafe Modern, Clay Pigeon, Ellerbe Fine Foods, Grace, Hatsuyuki, Paris 7th, Reata Restaurant, Saint-Emilion Restaurant
HOUSTON (62 predictions)
2 Star: Aga's Restaurant and Catering, March, Le Jardinier
1 Star: BCN Taste & Tradition, Bludorn, Doris Metropolitan, Ishtia, Musaafer, Neo, Steak48, Th Prsrv, Tatemo, Tris, Uchiko,
Bib Gourmand: Candente, Corkscrew BBQ, El Taconazo, Gatlin's BBQ, Gatlin's Fins & Feathers, Kasra Persian Grill, Kenny & Ziggy's, Koffeteria, Nancy's Hustle, Original Timmy Chan, Pinkerton's BBQ, Pondicheri, Street Food Thai Market, Street to Kitchen, Teotihuacan, Tiny Champions, The Breakfast Klub, Truth BBQ, Turkey Leg Hut
Selected: Amrina, Artisan's, Baso, B&B Butchers, Caracol, Chez Nous, ChòpnBlọk, Cochinita & Co., Hugo's, Katami, Kata Robata, Jūn, Kiran's, Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette, Mala Sichuan Bistro, Money Cat, MF Sushi, Navy Blue, Nobie's, Phat Eatery, Potente, Riel, State of Grace, Squable, Theodore Rex, Turner's, Xochi.
SAN ANTONIO (32 predictions)
1 star: A Way to the Heart, Bliss, Mixtli, Mon Chou Chou, Signature
Bib: 2M Smokehouse, Cullum’s Attagirl, Curry Boys BBQ, Garcia’s, Leche de Tigre, Blanco Cafe, Delia’s Tamales, El Chaparral, Fred’s Fish Fry, Kung Fu Noodle, Rudy’s Seafood, Paloma Blanca, Reese Bros Barbecue, Teka Molino, La Fonda on Main, Liberty Bar, Mi Tierra Café y Panadería, Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
Selected: Best Quality Daughter, Clementine, Ladino, Pharm Table, Biga on the Banks, The Magpie, Cured, Silo Terrace Oyster Bar, Supper