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Four South Carolina restaurants have been awarded a prestigious Michelin Star.The inaugural Michelin Guide American South Ceremony will be held in Greenville.The guide also recognized restaurants with “Bib Gourmand” and other recommendations.
The Michelin Guide has announced the inaugural selection for the American South ahead of schedule, and four Palmetto State restaurants were honored with the distinguished Michelin Star.
“The cuisine of the American South is a rich blend of cultural influences, brought to life by skilled chefs who have crafted some of the region’s most iconic dishes,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide. “Our anonymous Inspectors were deeply impressed by the region’s culinary prowess, and this inaugural selection reflects their findings — from Southern staples like barbecue, Creole and seafood, to international flavors.”
Downtown Greenville will host the Michelin Guide’s debut American South Ceremony at the Peace Center on Monday, Nov. 3, at 7:15 p.m., bringing restaurants from all over the South together to celebrate the prestigious wins.
The ceremony will also recognize “Bib Gourmand” restaurants ― those that serve exceptional food at moderate prices ― and Green Star restaurants highlighted for their “inspiring visions.”
Here’s what restaurants exceeded Michelin’s expectations in South Carolina, including multiple Upstate staples.
What South Carolina restaurants received a Michelin Star?Malagón Mercado y Taperia (Charleston; Spanish cuisine)
“Chef Juan Cassalett’s tapas-focused, Spanish menu has a clear spark. Nothing is overcomplicated, and there is beauty in the precision in dishes like fried rabbit leg with a savory crème fraîche dipping sauce and la bomba de la Barceloneta, with diced pork stuffed inside mashed potato and then fried.”
Scoundrel (Greenville; French cuisine)
“Chef/owner Joe Cash’s upscale French bistro charms with an elegant dining room with hardwood floors and brick walls, a full-service bar and an engaging staff who make everyone feel well cared for and welcomed. It’s the hottest table in town, and reservations are a must, though seats at the bar feel far from a consolation prize.”
Vern’s (Charleston; American Contemporary cuisine)
“Lowcountry ingredients are championed on a menu that reflects Chef Daniel Heinze’s travels. It all shifts with the seasons, but items like charred sourdough with allium butter or raw yellowfin tuna with Calabrian chili are dynamic starters.”
Wild Common (Charleston; American Contemporary cuisine)
“Chef Orlando Pagán’s tasting menu is far from common, and while upgrades like caviar eggs Benedict and wagyu are indeed available, there’s nothing standard here. From the price (less than $100) and the focus on local ingredients to the wildly creative dishes with a global bent, this is fine dining injected with a bit of fun.”
What are the Michelin Guide’s American South Bib Gourmand restaurants of 2025?Leon’s Oyster Shop (Charleston)Rodney Scott’s BBQ (Charleston)What South Carolina restaurants does the Michelin Guide recommend trying in 2025?Chubby Fish (Charleston)Di Vino Rosso (Columbia)Fig (Charleston)Husk (Charleston)Jianna (Greenville)Lowland (Charleston)Motor Supply Company (Columbia)Oak Prime (Myrtle Beach)Soby’s (Greenville)Sorelle (Charleston)The Anchorage (Greenville)The Establishment (Charleston)The Obstinate Daughter (Sullivan’s Island)The Restaurant at Zero George (Charleston)Topsoil Kitchen (Travelers Rest)Xiao Bao Biscuit (Charleston)
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News, part of the USA Today Network. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com.
Dining and Cooking