by Visit Oxford
Visit Oxford is proud to announce that four local restaurants have been recognized by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide in the inaugural selection for the American South, revealed at a ceremony on November 3. The restaurant honorees – Ajax Diner, City Grocery, Snackbar, and Taylor Grocery – have been named American South 2025 Recommended, representing Oxford’s growing influence on the national dining stage.
“Oxford’s dining scene has long been shaped by passion, creativity, and a deep sense of place,” said Kinney Ferris, Executive Director of Visit Oxford. “To have four of our restaurants recognized by the MICHELIN Guide is an incredible honor and a testament to the talent and heart of the people behind each dish. Our chefs are honoring tradition while continuing to innovate, and we’re thrilled to see their work acknowledged among the best in the South.”
Mississippi’s inclusion in the guide was the result of a joint effort among Visit Oxford, Visit Mississippi, Visit Jackson, and Coastal Mississippi, working together through a regional partnership with Travel South USA to bring the MICHELIN Guide to the state. For Visit Oxford, an organization that champions its restaurant partners year-round, this announcement affirms what locals have long known: Oxford is a culinary destination worth the visit.
Ajax Diner – 118 Courthouse Sq., Oxford, Mississippi 38655
Located on Oxford’s historic Courthouse Square, Ajax Diner is a beloved institution that serves up soulful comfort food prepared from scratch with generous portions. From fried catfish and country-fried steak to chicken and dumplings, every dish reflects the spirit of Mississippi’s warm hospitality. It’s the kind of place where the sweet tea never stops flowing and every meal feels like a southern Sunday supper.
City Grocery – 152 Courthouse Sq., Oxford, Mississippi 38655
Under the leadership of Chef John Currence and Chef de Cuisine Jon “JD” Davis, City Grocery stands as a cornerstone of Oxford’s dining scene and a creative force in contemporary Southern cuisine. Housed in a historic brick building on The Square, the restaurant marries elevated technique with down-home warmth – think collard green dolmas, Mississippi minestrone, smoked duck and other globally-inspired plates that honor Mississippi’s flavors.
Snackbar – 721 N. Lamar Blvd., Oxford, Mississippi 38655
Part brasserie, part oyster bar, Snackbar captures Oxford’s distinctive blend of literary charm and Southern ease. Founded under the direction of James Beard Award–winning chef Vishwesh Bhatt, the kitchen is now helmed by Chefs Bryan Sapp, Sebastian Markowitz and Thomas Henry Freeland. Together, they continue the restaurant’s tradition of marrying French technique with Mississippi soul. The menu celebrates the seasons through locally sourced ingredients, like pecan-crusted quail, butternut squash risotto, cider-glazed scallops and a daily raw bar featuring Gulf oysters and marinated crab claws.
Taylor Grocery – 4A Depot St., Taylor, Mississippi 38673
Affectionately known as “that catfish place” since 1977, Taylor Grocery has been a beloved gathering spot for generations of locals and visitors alike. Its weathered charm, live music and perfectly crispy fried catfish capture the essence of small-town Mississippi dining. Family-owned and deeply rooted in tradition, Taylor Grocery serves up Southern comfort with every dish.
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