Introduction to the Michelin Guide Texas
The new Michelin Guide for Texas has been revealed, and it’s an exciting time for foodies in the Lone Star State. Austin, Houston, and San Antonio joined forces with Dallas and Fort Worth to bring the prestigious restaurant rating service to Texas last year. Each city’s convention and visitor’s bureau invested thousands of dollars in the hopes of attracting more travelers to the state.
How the Michelin Guide Works
Michelin gave out at least one star to almost every city in 2024, but no restaurant can rest on its laurels. Michelin starts from scratch each year, and in 2025, they added new restaurants to their existing guide. No restaurants were removed from the 2025 Texas Michelin Guide, and some even received upgrades. For example, Nicosi, a San Antonio restaurant, rose from Recommended to earn a star.
Michelin Star Ratings
The highest rating achieved across the state was one star, with 18 restaurants in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio receiving this distinction. One of the new starred restaurants added to Michelin’s list in 2025 was Mamani, a Dallas restaurant that has been open for less than two months. Unfortunately, there were no 2-star or 3-star accolades, the highest Michelin achievements, in Texas.
Other Michelin Awards
In addition to the star ratings, Michelin also gives out other awards. The Bib Gourmand award recognizes restaurants that offer good quality at a good value. In Texas, there were 52 Bib Gourmand restaurants, eight more than in the 2024 guide. The rule of thumb is that a diner at a Bib Gourmand restaurant can have two courses, along with a glass of wine or dessert, for about $50 before tax or tip.
Recommended Restaurants
Seventy restaurants were selected as “Recommended” by Michelin. This designation signals that the restaurant was still notable to inspectors but did not qualify for a star rating or Bib Gourmand. There were also four special awards extended by Michelin to individuals in the industry, including the Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award, the Michelin Sommelier Award, the Michelin Outstanding Service Award, and the Michelin Young Chef/Culinary Professional Award.
Michelin Inspectors’ Criteria
Michelin inspectors evaluate restaurants based on five criteria: product quality, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine, and consistency over time and across the entire menu. Michelin applies the same consistency and fairness in any market, just like they do in Paris or New York.
City-by-City Breakdown
Here’s a look at the Michelin restaurants in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, presented by city in alphabetical order.
Austin Michelin Restaurants
Austin has several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Barley Swine, Craft Omakase, Hestia, InterStellar BBQ, La Barbecue, Leroy and Lewis Barbecue, and Olamaie. There are also three Green Star Michelin restaurants in Austin: Dai Due, Emmer & Rye, and Nixta Taqueria.
Dallas Michelin Restaurants
Dallas has two Michelin-starred restaurants: Tatsu and Mamani. There are also several Bib Gourmand Michelin restaurants in Dallas, including Cattleack, Gemma, Lucia, Một Hai Ba, Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen, and Nonna.
Fort Worth Michelin Restaurants
Fort Worth has one Bib Gourmand restaurant, Goldee’s Barbecue. There are also several recommended restaurants in Fort Worth, including Birrieria y Taqueria Cortez, Panther City BBQ, and Smoke’N Ash BBQ.
Houston Michelin Restaurants
Houston has several Michelin-starred restaurants, including BCN Taste & Tradition, CorkScrew BBQ, Le Jardinier Houston, March, Musaafer, and Tatemó. There are also several Bib Gourmand Michelin restaurants in Houston, including Annam, Belly of the Beast, Blood Bros BBQ, and more.
San Antonio Michelin Restaurants
San Antonio has three Michelin-starred restaurants: Mixtli, Isidore, and Nicōsi. There is also one Green Star Michelin restaurant in San Antonio: Isidore. Several Bib Gourmand Michelin restaurants in San Antonio include Burnt Bean Co., Cullum’s Attaboy, and The Jerk Shack.
Conclusion
The Michelin Guide Texas is a great resource for foodies in the state. With its rigorous evaluation process and emphasis on quality and consistency, Michelin helps diners navigate the best restaurants in Texas. Whether you’re in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, or San Antonio, there’s a Michelin-starred or recommended restaurant waiting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Michelin Guide?
A: The Michelin Guide is a prestigious restaurant rating service that evaluates restaurants based on quality, technique, and consistency.
Q: How many Michelin stars can a restaurant receive?
A: A restaurant can receive one, two, or three Michelin stars, with three being the highest rating.
Q: What is the difference between a Michelin star and a Bib Gourmand?
A: A Michelin star recognizes exceptional cuisine, while a Bib Gourmand recognizes good quality at a good value.
Q: How do Michelin inspectors evaluate restaurants?
A: Michelin inspectors evaluate restaurants based on five criteria: product quality, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, the personality of the chef, and consistency over time and across the entire menu.
Q: Can a restaurant lose its Michelin star?
A: Yes, a restaurant can lose its Michelin star if it fails to maintain its quality and consistency over time.
