The Michelin Guide is coming back to Texas, and this year’s ceremony will be held in Houston on Oct. 28. The event will reveal which Texas restaurants have earned the prestigious Michelin stars, Bib Gourmand distinction, or a place on the Recommended list.
This marks the second year the internationally recognized guide has been ranking restaurants in the Lone Star State. Last year, Austin made a splash, taking home seven of the 15 Michelin stars awarded to Texas restaurants. Austin also earned 15 of the 45 Bib Gourmand designations, which recognize restaurants serving “great meals at good value.”
The 2024 winners included tasting menu destination Barley Swine, Southern restaurant Olamaie, and live-fire fine dining spot Hestia.
The list notably included several food trucks and trailers, such as Cuantos Tacos and Distant Relatives. Additionally, Dai Due and Emmer & Rye were recognized with a Green Star for their commitment to sustainable gastronomy, and Nixta Taqueria’s chef-owner, Edgar Rico, won the Young Chef/Culinary Professional Award.
Three Austin barbecue joints earned Michelin stars. Franklin Barbecue awarded Bib Gourmand
The inaugural Texas ceremony was also notable for recognizing American-style barbecue for the first time. Three Austin barbecue joints earned stars: LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, praised for its innovative menu and counter-service style; La Barbecue, which was honored for its excellent brisket with a peppery, dark bark; and Interstellar BBQ, celebrated for its creative menu additions like pulled lamb and a sweet peach tea-glazed pork belly.
While Franklin Barbecue, a renowned Austin institution, did not receive a star, it was honored with a Bib Gourmand designation. This distinction is given to restaurants that offer “good food at a reasonable price.” Several other popular Austin barbecue spots also received Bib Gourmands, including food trucks and trailers like Distant Relatives, KG BBQ, and Micklethwait Craft Meats.
According to Gwendal Poullennec, the international director of the Michelin Guide, the Texas culinary scene’s rich heritage and diverse flavors make it distinctly Texan. The upcoming ceremony will be an opportunity to celebrate the state’s exceptional talent once again. Restaurants can receive up to three stars, with new stars being assigned and existing stars re-evaluated each year by Michelin’s inspectors, who use five universal criteria to make their selections.
Dining and Cooking