The MICHELIN Guide released its 2026 Texas selection today, and while the new Stars landed elsewhere, Houston quietly dominated the rest of the board.
In the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Texas, Houston retained its six One-Star ratings—BCN Taste & Tradition, Le Jardinier, March, Musaafer, Tatemó, and CorkScrew BBQ—while dominating the state’s value categories. Although the city received no new Stars, it claimed five of the state’s six new Bib Gourmands, recognizing Bar Buena, Khói Barbecue, Kitchen Rumors, Murray’s Pizza & Wine, and Xolo. Additionally, Houston secured nine new Recommended restaurants, including Levant BBQ, Sushi Horiuchi, Mayahuel, and Di An Pho.
The full Texas selection includes 149 restaurants across 30 cuisine types. As for Houston, the city has a total of 48 restaurants recognized in the MICHELIN Guide Texas. This breaks down to 6 One-Star restaurants, 23 Bib Gourmand establishments, and 20 Recommended eateries. The city currently holds no Green Stars or special awards.
Fabrik (Austin, vegan): In an airy Tarrytown space with an open kitchen, Chef Je and Silas Wallerstein serve an entirely plant-based tasting menu sourced from Texas farms. Michelin inspectors highlighted their vibrant, centerpiece-worthy treatments of mushrooms, beets, and corn, alongside exceptionally priced biodynamic wine pairings.
Goldee’s Bar-B-Q (Fort Worth, barbecue): Run by a young team with limited daytime hours, the hours-long wait is well worth it. Michelin inspectors praised their post-oak-smoked Black Angus brisket, snappy jalapeño-cheddar sausage, and brisket-studded beans, urging diners to save room for the banana pudding.
Kappo Kappo (Austin, Japanese). Located inside the Austin Proper Hotel, twin brothers Haru and Gohei host a lively, conversational dining experience at their L-shaped counter. Their French-Japanese menu features decadent standouts like a nori-emulsion gougère topped with A5 wagyu, toro tartare, and caviar, alongside a playful bento box featuring a Texas grapefruit terrine.
The 2026 MICHELIN Guide Texas added multiple new Bib Gourmands and Michelin Recommended Houston concepts. The five newly-minted Houston Bib Gourmands concepts include:
Bar Buena, 2002 W. Gray St.
Khói Barbecue, 515 Patton St.
Kitchen Rumors, 2310 Decatur St.
Murray’s Pizza & Wine, 9655 Katy Fwy., Ste. 3115
Xolo, 223 Westheimer Rd.
MICHELIN Recommended concepts in Houston added this year include the following:
1111, 1111 Westheimer Rd.
Angie’s, 1002 W. 11th St., Ste. A
Di An Pho, 12934 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. 108
Jantra, 3401 Harrisburg Blvd., Ste. G. 1/2
Levant BBQ, 5884 Westheimer Rd.
Mayahuel, 811 Buffalo Pk. Dr., Ste. 130
Oru, 746 W. 24th St.
Osteria di Mercato, 3642 University Blvd., #101
Sushi Horiuchi, 2701 W. Dallas St.
Lastly, MICHELIN Special Awards announced three Houston concepts:
Exceptional Cocktails: Angel Bautista of Xolo, 223 Westheimer Rd.
Sommelier: Jessica Cano of Sushi Horiuchi, 2701 W. Dallas St.
Young Chef/Culinary Professional: Jacques Varon and Max Lappe of Baso, 633 W. 19th St., Suite A
“This year marks another standout year for Texas with three new MICHELIN Stars being awarded,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide. He said anonymous Inspectors have watched the state’s culinary talent flourish over the past three years.
Dining and Cooking