Texas has officially arrived on the global culinary map with the unveiling of its inaugural Michelin Guide selection. Announced at a grand ceremony in Houston’s 713 Music Hall, the Michelin Guide Texas 2024 celebrates the state’s diverse and vibrant dining scene, awarding stars to 15 exceptional restaurants and recognizing two establishments with the coveted Green Star for sustainability.
The comprehensive guide features a total of 116 restaurants across Texas, spanning an impressive 26 cuisine types. This landmark event marks a significant milestone for Texas gastronomy, acknowledging the dedication and innovation of chefs and restaurant teams throughout the state.
Chef teams from various Texas restaurants are recognized on stage during the first ever MICHELIN Guide Texas award ceremony.
“Our anonymous Inspectors were deeply impressed by the culinary landscape of Texas,” stated Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “This inaugural selection truly captures the essence of Texas dining, highlighting unique flavors like barbecue and Tex-Mex alongside a rich tapestry of international culinary influences. We are incredibly proud to welcome these restaurants into the MICHELIN Guide family and commend the remarkable spirit of the Texas restaurant community.”
Texas Michelin Star Restaurants: A Culinary Constellation
The heart of the Michelin Guide recognition lies in its prestigious star system, awarded to restaurants offering exceptional cuisine. Here are the one-MICHELIN-Star restaurants in Texas, celebrated for their high-quality cooking, mastery of techniques, and distinct culinary personalities:
Austin Michelin Star Restaurants
Austin’s vibrant culinary scene shines brightly with seven restaurants earning one Michelin star, showcasing a range of cuisines from contemporary American to Japanese and, notably, Texas barbecue.
Barley Swine (Contemporary)
Barley Swine offers a relaxed yet passionate dining experience, helmed by Chef/owner Bryce Gilmore. This restaurant emphasizes local ingredients and Southwestern flavors, drawing inspiration from Mexican and Southern culinary traditions with a modern, global touch. The seasonal tasting menu is known for its refined yet playful dishes, highlighting sustainability practices.
Craft Omakase (Japanese)
Located in Austin’s Rosedale neighborhood, Craft Omakase provides an intimate and sophisticated Japanese dining experience. Chefs Charlie Wang and Nguyen Nguyen curate a creative omakase menu, showcasing expertly prepared nigiri and innovative bites. High-quality fish, largely sourced from Japan, takes center stage in their refined and flavorful creations.
Hestia (American)
Hestia, situated in downtown Austin, is a haven for live fire cooking. The restaurant’s open kitchen features a prominent 20-foot hearth, where Texas produce and proteins are transformed into contemporary dishes. Both à la carte and tasting menus highlight the art of cooking with flames and smoke, creating dishes with depth and unique flavors.
The dynamic open kitchen at Hestia, showcasing the live fire cooking techniques that define their Michelin-starred American cuisine.
InterStellar BBQ (Barbecue)
InterStellar BBQ has quickly become an Austin barbecue destination, drawing long lines for pitmaster John Bates’s expertly smoked meats. Using post oak and a simple salt, pepper, and garlic rub for their brisket, InterStellar excels in classic Texas barbecue. Beyond brisket, they offer peach tea-glazed pork belly, beer-brined turkey, and flavorful sausages, alongside enticing side dishes.
la Barbecue (Barbecue)
Carrying on the legacy of LeAnn Mueller, la Barbecue, now led by Ali Clem, is a celebrated barbecue joint known for its exceptional smoked meats. Their custom-built pit is where “meaty miracles” happen, producing sublimely succulent brisket, house-made sausages, and ribs. The menu features spicy accents and beloved sides like mac and cheese.
Leroy and Lewis Barbecue (Barbecue)
Evolving from a food truck, Leroy and Lewis Barbecue offers a spacious setting to enjoy innovative barbecue. While brisket is featured weekly, the menu diversifies with daily specials like spice-crusted beef cheeks and creative sausages. This barbecue spot blends tradition with inventive flavors and sides.
Olamaie (American)
Named after the chef’s family matriarchs, Olamaie in North Austin offers charming Southern cuisine with contemporary polish. Their cocktail program is notable, and the menu features refined Southern dishes, including the must-try buttermilk biscuits and novel takes on classics like chicken and dumplings.
Dallas Michelin Star Restaurant
Dallas secures its first Michelin star with a highly acclaimed sushi restaurant, emphasizing the city’s growing fine dining scene.
Tatsu Dallas (Japanese)
Tatsu Dallas, an intimate ten-seat sushi counter in the Continental Gin Building, offers an authentic Edomae-style omakase experience. Chef Tatsuya Sekiguchi meticulously crafts each of the 14 courses, progressing through delicate to richer flavors, featuring fish sourced from around the world and Hokkaido rice.
Houston Michelin Star Restaurants
Houston’s diverse culinary landscape is recognized with five Michelin-starred restaurants, showcasing Spanish, French, Mediterranean, Indian, and Mexican cuisines.
BCN Taste & Tradition (Spanish)
BCN Taste & Tradition, set in a 1920s bungalow, delivers Spanish cuisine with flair and warmth. Seafood dishes stand out, alongside expertly prepared meats like Iberian suckling pig. The restaurant features an all-Spanish wine list and an impressive gin and tonic selection, complemented by the owner’s private art collection.
CorkScrew BBQ (Spring; Barbecue)
Located just north of Houston in Spring, CorkScrew BBQ has become a barbecue sensation, known for drawing long lines. Will and Nichole Buckman’s barbecue features prime cuts smoked with red oak, resulting in brisket and beef ribs renowned throughout Texas.
Le Jardinier Houston (French)
Le Jardinier Houston, within the Museum of Fine Arts, brings Chef Alain Verzeroli’s elegant and vegetable-forward French cuisine to Texas. The menu highlights seasonal vegetables, accomplished sauces, and thoughtful cocktails, creating dishes that are both visually stunning and flavorful.
March (Creative/Mediterranean)
March offers an ambitious culinary journey through the Mediterranean. This tasting-menu-only restaurant explores different regions, from North Africa to Spain and Greece, with each menu inspired by a specific area. The experience is both luxurious and engaging, featuring refined and creative dishes.
Musaafer (Indian)
Musaafer, located in a Houston shopping mall, defies expectations with its palatial setting and thrilling Indian cuisine. The restaurant’s grand ambiance is matched by its elaborate and flavorful dishes, showcasing intricate spicing and attention to detail in both traditional and innovative creations.
Tatemó (Mexican)
Tatemó, a tortilleria-turned-tasting menu experience in an unassuming strip mall, celebrates heirloom corn from Mexico. Chef Emmanuel Chavez presents elegant and satisfying riffs on Mexican staples, emphasizing vibrant salsas and creative sauces, and highlighting the versatility of corn.
San Antonio Michelin Star Restaurant
San Antonio’s culinary heritage is honored with a Michelin star for a restaurant deeply rooted in Mexican cuisine.
Mixtli (Mexican)
Mixtli, the brainchild of Chefs Diego Galicia and Rico Torres, is a trailblazing restaurant focused on exploring the breadth of Mexican cuisine. With frequently changing tasting menus, Mixtli delves into different regions and eras of Mexican food, offering both innovative and deeply researched dishes.
A geographical chart depicting the distribution of MICHELIN Star restaurants throughout the major cities in Texas recognized by the Michelin Guide.
Michelin Green Stars: Celebrating Sustainable Practices
Beyond stars for culinary excellence, the Michelin Guide also recognizes restaurants committed to sustainable gastronomy with the Green Star. Texas boasts two restaurants honored with this distinction:
Dai Due (Austin; American)
Dai Due is recognized for its deep commitment to sustainability, sourcing local produce, practicing seed oil-free cooking, implementing recycling and composting programs, and ethically harvesting meat products. Their initiatives extend to minimizing food waste and featuring local Texas wines and beers.
Emmer & Rye (Austin; American)
Emmer & Rye also earns a Green Star for its dedication to local sourcing, utilizing ingredients from Texas farms and their own partner farm. They practice whole animal and fish utilization, compost food waste, and feature a bar program that incorporates house-made and locally sourced ingredients.
A promotional image announcing the Bib Gourmand selections and Special Awards recipients in the MICHELIN Guide Texas 2024.
Bib Gourmand: High-Quality, Great Value
The Michelin Guide also recognizes restaurants offering exceptional food at a more accessible price point with the Bib Gourmand designation. Texas boasts 44 Bib Gourmand restaurants, highlighting a wide array of cuisines and dining styles across the state, ensuring that exceptional dining experiences are available to a broader audience. (For the full list of Bib Gourmand restaurants, please refer to the official MICHELIN Guide website and app).
Special Awards: Recognizing Talent and Expertise
In addition to stars and Bib Gourmands, the Michelin Guide Texas presented four special awards, celebrating individual talent and contributions to the dining experience: (Details on Special Award recipients can be found on the official MICHELIN Guide website and app).
Logos representing the MICHELIN Guide Special Awards categories, celebrating exceptional individuals in the Texas culinary scene.
Michelin Guide: A New Chapter for Texas Dining
The arrival of the Michelin Guide in Texas marks an exciting new chapter for the state’s culinary scene. This recognition not only celebrates the achievements of the awarded restaurants but also elevates the profile of Texas as a premier dining destination for both domestic and international travelers. Explore the full Michelin Guide Texas selection to discover the diverse and exceptional restaurants that make Texas a must-visit for food lovers.
Official graphic announcing the launch of MICHELIN Guide Texas, highlighting the guide’s expansion into the Lone Star State.
(For more information and to explore the full selection, download the MICHELIN Guide app or visit the official website.)
A smartphone displaying the MICHELIN Guide mobile application, encouraging users to download and explore restaurant selections.
