The Texas Michelin Guide
Started in 1900 by French company Michelin — yes, the tire manufacturers — the Michelin Guide has long been the gold standard for adventurous tourists and locals alike seeking a truly outstanding culinary experience. Since the 20th century, the Guide has remained one of the most influential forces in the fine dining world. Even the pioneering French chef Paul Bocuse once said, “Michelin is the only guide that counts.”
In 2024, Texas became the 11th North American location to receive a Michelin Guide. Fifteen restaurants earned a star, and 44 others earned a Bib Gourmand mention for quality and price.
What Is the Michelin Guide?
So how did a tire company get into the business of writing restaurant reviews? Back in 1900s France, cars were still a novelty. To encourage motor travel (and therefore boost tire sales), brothers and founders Édouard and André Michelin came up with the idea for a restaurant guide that would inspire the French to hit the road and explore the country’s many delicious culinary establishments.
The Guide was a hit, and what was once a promotional tool for the automotive industry has now become the world’s foremost guide to fine dining, currently rating more than 40,000 establishments in more than 25 countries across four continents.
Michelin eventually expanded to cover restaurants in other countries across Europe and, as of 2005, the United States. However, it took until 2024 for the Michelin Guide to arrive in the great state of Texas.
How Are the Restaurants Chosen?
The Guide’s anonymous critics — called “Michelin Inspectors” — make a point to book their dining reservations secretly and always pay for their meals so they’ll be treated like any other customer. Restaurants that make the cut are awarded between one and three stars.
The Guide’s anonymous critics — called “Michelin Inspectors” — make a point to book their dining reservations secretly and always pay for their meals so they’ll be treated like any other customer. Restaurants that make the cut are awarded between one and three stars.
- One star: High-quality cooking, worth a stop
- Two stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour
- Three stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey
The Guide also releases a Bib Gourmand list of establishments that provide “exceptionally good food at moderate prices” for travelers looking to save some cash without sacrificing quality.
All restaurants are evaluated on a set of five universal criteria:
- Product quality
- The harmony of flavors
- The mastery of cooking techniques
- The voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine
- Consistency between each visit and throughout the menu
While Michelin hasn’t yet granted Texas chefs any two- or three-star distinctions, they did award an impressive 15 restaurants across the state a single star for their “worth-a-stop” fare.
Unsurprisingly, a few Texas barbecue and Mexican food joints made the list, but so did restaurants serving other cuisines, such as Japanese, French, and Indian.
Shining Stars
15 Texas restaurants deemed star-worthy by Michelin — plus a few notable mentions.
Michelin-Starred Texas Restaurants
Barley Swine
6555 Burnet Road., #400, Austin
Expect seasonal American fare with an emphasis on Southwestern flavors and a commitment to sustainability.
BCN Taste & Tradition
4210 Roseland St., Houston
This Spanish fine dining spot features classic Catalan cuisine served in a historic 1920s home.
CorkScrew BBQ
26608 Keith St., Spring
No frills here; just wood-smoked barbecue staples.
Craft Omakase
4400 N. Lamar Blvd., #102, Austin
One of only two Japanese restaurants on the list, Craft Omakase is famed for its 22-course tasting menu.
Hestia
607 W. Third St., Austin
Enjoy contemporary wood-fired dishes served from an open hearth in an industrial downtown setting.
InterStellar BBQ
12233 Ranch Road. 620 N., #105, Austin
Barbecue enthusiasts begin lining up early for the post oak-smoked brisket, pork belly, and sausage served here.
La Barbecue
2401 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin
The custom barbecue pit at La Barbecue draws meat lovers from across the state. P.S. Don’t miss the mac and cheese.
Le Jardinier Houston
5500 Main St., Houston
Housed in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, this restaurant offers stylish, colorful dishes.
LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue
5621 Emerald Forest Dr., Austin
Another Austin barbecue favorite, LeRoy and Lewis is known for unusual cuts such as beef cheeks and veggie options including cauliflower “burnt ends.”
March
1624 Westheimer Road, Houston
These creative, elegant dishes are inspired by a range of Mediterranean locales, from Northwest Africa to Greece.
Mixtli
812 S. Alamo St., #103, San Antonio
This innovative, modern Mexican cuisine draws on the culinary parts of different Mexican regions with an avant-garde touch.
Musaafer
5115 Westheimer Road., #C-3500, Houston
This grand, two-story setting offers upscale, wonderfully spiced Indian fare.
Olamaie
1610 San Antonio St., Austin
Seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients are the star at this Southern spot in a white clapboard house.
Tatemó
4740 Dacoma St., Unit F, Houston
Tucked within an unassuming strip mall, this stylish taqueria celebrates heirloom Mexican corn.
Tatsu Dallas
3309 Elm St., #120, Dallas
It may be tough to book a reservation at this 10-seat sushi spot, but it’s worth it for the traditional 14-piece omakase experience.
In addition to these starred spots, the Guide also put out a list of 44 Bib Gourmands that offer high-quality food for an affordable price. While many of these restaurants are located in big cities such as Austin and Dallas, others can be found in smaller towns and suburbs across our great state.
Off-The-Beaten-Path Bib Gourmands
- Barbs B Q, Lockhart
- Belly of the Beast, Spring
- Blood Bros. BBQ, Bellaire
- Burnt Bean Co., Seguin
- Killen’s BBQ, Pearland
- Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q, Spring
- Tejas Chocolate, Tomball
Check out these top 10 tearooms for more fine dining opportunities in Texas.
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