The MICHELIN Guide has announced its first selection for the American South, recognizing 10 restaurants with One MICHELIN Star and one restaurant with Two Stars. The announcement was made during a ceremony at the Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina.
Emeril’s in New Orleans received Two MICHELIN Stars for its Creole cuisine. According to the Guide’s anonymous inspectors, “The young E.J. Lagasse, son of the indomitable namesake, now oversees a remarkable dining room that has celebrated Creole cuisine for more than three decades. His determination is palpable as he charts a new course, bringing contemporary refinement and vibrant originality to the fore. BBQ shrimp tarts, deep-flavored gumbo and superb, golden-brown cornbread paired with French butter feel familiar and new at once. This is cooking that bursts with personality and class and never at the cost of flavor. Generously spaced tables and plush banquettes offer direct, unobstructed views into a gleaming kitchen fronted by floor-to-ceiling glass. All the while, a superb service team tends to every detail with warmth and generosity.”
In total, 228 restaurants across 44 types of cuisine were included in this inaugural selection for the region.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, said: “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. 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. We welcome these restaurants to the MICHELIN Guide family and toast to all the chef and restaurant teams honored tonight.”
This year’s edition incorporates Atlanta’s pre-existing selection as part of its first regional guide in North America; seven new Recommended restaurants from Atlanta are featured.
Restaurants awarded One MICHELIN Star include Saint-Germain (New Orleans), Zasu (New Orleans), Counter (Charlotte), Malagón Mercado y Taperia (Charleston), Scoundrel (Greenville), Vern’s (Charleston), Wild Common (Charleston), Bastion (Nashville), Locust (Nashville) and The Catbird Seat (Nashville). Inspector notes for each restaurant are available on the official MICHELIN Guide website or mobile app.
Three establishments—Counter in Charlotte; January in Franklin; Luminosa in Asheville—received recognition through the MICHELIN Green Star for their commitment to sustainability practices such as sourcing ingredients locally or minimizing food waste. These join two previously recognized Atlanta establishments: Bacchanalia and The Chastain.
Fifty restaurants earned Bib Gourmand status for providing quality food at good value; Atlanta’s previous Bib Gourmand selections are now included within this regional listing.
In addition to recognizing restaurants, select hotels across cities such as Charleston’s Post House Inn; Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel; and Stonehurst Place in Atlanta were highlighted within MICHELIN’s hotel collection for their style and service.
The full list of awarded establishments can be found on the official MICHELIN Guide website or via its free app.
