HOUSTON — The Lone Star State finally got its Michelin stars on Monday at the first Michelin Guide Texas ceremony honoring the state’s best in the food business.

What You Need To Know

  • Texas restaurants received Michelin Guide honors ranging from Michelin Stars to Green Stars to Bib Gourmands in the state's inaugural guide

  • Michelin Stars are the highest accolade given to restaurants in the guide based on the quality of cooking. A Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants with quality food at a moderate price, and Green Stars are given to restaurants that excel in sustainability

  • Austin and Houston swept in both Bib Gourmands and Michelin Stars

  • Other awards were given to individuals, such as the Young Chef Award, which went to Chef Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria in Austin

Why is Michelin Guide Texas important?

When a restaurant is recognized in the Michelin Guide, it brings prestige and, in turn, more business to a restaurant as the state experiences a tourism boost.

Additionally, Texas is now one of nine cities and states in the U.S. — including New York, Chicago, California, Washington, D.C., California, Miami/Orlando/Tampa and Atlanta — that has its own guide, solidifying it as a prime destination for food lovers.

What awards does Michelin give out?

Michelin Stars are the highest accolade given to restaurants in the guide based on the quality of cooking. Restaurants can receive one, two or three stars.

The rating system is as follows:

  • One star: High quality cooking that is worth a stop
  • Two stars: Excellent cooking that is worth a detour
  • Three stars: Exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey

There's also the Bib Gourmand and the Green Star. A Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants that offer quality food at a moderate price. A Green Star is given to restaurants that excel in sustainability.

“Our anonymous Inspectors were impressed by the culinary community across the state of Texas,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides. “The selection reflects their findings by highlighting uniquely Texas flavors, such as Barbecue and Tex-Mex, as well as several international influences. We are very honored to welcome these restaurants to the Michelin Guide family for the first time and we toast to the tremendous spirit of the Texas restaurant community!”      

From innovative barbecue to Asian-Mexican fusion, here are the featured winners in the French tire company’s very first Texas guide.

One star recipients

Austin

  • Barley Swine

  • Craft Omakase

  • Hestia

  • InterStellar BBQ

  • la Barbecue

  • LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue

  • Olamaie

Dallas

  • Tatsu

Houston

  • BCN Taste & Tradition

  • Le Jardinier Houston

  • March

  • Musaafer

  • Tatemó

Spring

  • CorkScrew BBQ

San Antonio

  • Mixtli

Green Star recipients

Austin

  • Dai Due

  • Emmer & Rye

Bib Gourmand recipients

Austin

  • Briscuits

  • Cuantos Tacos

  • Dai Due

  • Distant Relatives

  • Emma & Rye

  • Franklin Barbecue

  • Kemuri Tatsu-ya

  • KG BBQ

  • Ramen del Barrio

  • La Santa Barbacha

  • Micklethwait Craft Meats

  • Nixta Taqueria

  • Odd Duck

  • Veracruz Fonda & Bar

Lockhart

  • Barbs B Q

Brenham

  • Truth BBQ

San Antonio

  • Cullum's Attaboy

  • Ladino

  • Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery

  • The Jerk Shack

Seguin

  • Burnt Bean Co.

Dallas

  • Gemma

  • Lucia

  • Một Hai Ba

  • Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen

  • Nonna

Fort Worth

  • Goldee's

Farmer’s Branch

  • Cattleack Barbecue

Houston

  • Belly of the Beast

  • Ema

  • Killen's, Cuisine: American

  • Killen's BBQ, Cuisine: Barbecue

  • Mala Sichuan Bistro (with locations in Katy and Sugar Land)

  • Nam Giao

  • Nancy's Hustle

  • nobie's

  • Pinkerton's BBQ (with a location in San Antonio)

  • Rosie Cannonball

  • Street to Kitchen

  • The Pit Room

  • Theodore Rex

Bellaire

  • Blood Bros BBQ

Spring

  • Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q

Tomball

  • Tejas Chocolate

Other awards

Austin

  • Young Chef Award: Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria

San Antonio

  • Service Award: Hailey Pruitt and Lauren Beckman of Mixtli

Dallas

  • Exceptional Cocktails Award: Julian Shaffer of Rye

 

  • Sommelier Award: Stephen McDonald of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

Editor's note: Kau Ba was removed from the list of Bib Gourmand selections after Michelin discovered that the Houston restaurant is permanently closed.

“Upon further investigation, our team has discovered the restaurant has been permanently closed since our Inspection team's visits occurred,” a statement from Michelin reads. (11/14/2024)