The Michelin Awards Come to the South

Michelin’s expansion to judging the Southeast region including Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, was hotly anticipated with a ceremony in Greenville, South Carolina, also the location of the company’s headquarters for the region, set for Monday night. So, invited chefs, media, and state representatives were stunned when a list of star, Bib Gourmand, and recommended listings began to circulate around midday on Monday, before the scheduled ceremony and announcements. 

State representatives confirmed that this list was sent out at 9:30 a.m. instead of 9:30 p.m. in an error. The list was later confirmed to be accurate, with one 2-star rating going to Emeril’s in New Orleans, plus 18 1-star ratings, 5 green star ratings, and 50 Bib Gourmand awards, along with 159 recommended restaurants across the region.

The subject of much surprised discussion was recommendations but no stars for a number of nationally acclaimed restaurants, among them Charleston’s Chubby Fish, which was recognized earlier this year as 19th on the New York Times’ 50 Best Restaurants in America list, and Dakar Nola in New Orleans, which came in sixth on the list of 2025 North America’s 50 Best Restaurants; in 2024 it received the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant nationally.

We spoke to a number of chefs about their thoughts prior to the leak. Some indicated that they’d experienced an inability to sleep in anticipation, while others shared that they simply continued to do what they always had before Michelin came to the South. After the ceremony, certain chefs related that had they known what level of recognition they were to receive, they might not have attended due to the expense of travel with two weeks’ notice, upwards of $3,000 for two people. 

At the ceremony, though, energy was high in anticipation of the formal recognition of many deserving chefs, restaurateurs, and beverage professionals who were being awarded. Ten restaurants in four states earned a new one-star rating, joining eight Atlanta restaurants, which all maintained their one-star rating. Four Special Awards were also handed out.

Here’s a look at the top Michelin South winners

Louisiana

Emeril’s, New Orleans

Emeril Lagasse’s eponymous restaurant, now helmed by the celebrity chef’s son, EJ Lagasse, was the only restaurant in the region to receive two stars for the elaborate Creole-influenced tasting menu. Father joined son onstage for a hug and a matching jacket.

Young Chef: EJ Lagasse, Emeril’s, New Orleans

EJ Lagasse was also recognized with the Michelin Young Chef award. When asked what it meant to carry on his father’s legacy, he shared, “This is 35 years of work that he put in and started. I don’t think Dad ever thought there would be a day where we’re receiving a Michelin star for a restaurant in New Orleans, so this is something special.”

Saint-Germain, New Orleans

At this Bywater neighborhood restaurant and wine bar, chefs Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith serve a 10-course tasting menu; they were recognized on Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs list in 2021 and are known for their experimental takes. 

Zasu, New Orleans

The only solo-woman-led restaurant to receive a new star, Zazu opened in 2019 under chef Sue Zemanick, who was unable to attend the ceremony. The hardworking chef is known for her seafood dishes and has created a higher-end French Quarter feel in the more casual Mid-City neighborhood. 

North Carolina

counter–, Charlotte

In Charlotte, counter– was recognized with a one-star rating and a green star rating, citing sustainable sourcing by chef Sam Hart, whose themed tasting menu restaurant has been the subject of much discussion since opening in 2020; the restaurant expanded in 2022.

Luminosa, Asheville

The restaurant housed in the Flat Iron Hotel and headed up by chef Graham House was the second North Carolina restaurant honored with a green star for its sustainable sourcing and practices supporting area farmers. House told us, “I’m very humbled. It’s what we’ve been doing since we opened, so we’re happy to be recognized.” The Luminosa menu is Italian-inspired with antipasti, pasta, pizza, and proteins, with a delightful emphasis on produce served in fresh ways. The restaurant also received a Bib Gourmand award for great food at a great value.

Exceptional Cocktails: Colleen Hughes, Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group, Charlotte

Head mixologist for Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group Colleen Hughes was recognized with the “Exceptional Cocktails” award. A number of the group’s Charlotte-based restaurants were also recognized with listings: Ever Andalo, Haberdish, and Supperland.

South Carolina

Wild Common, Charleston

“It’s a great accomplishment representing Charleston,” Wild Common chef Orlando Pagan told us. “I work with great people; Charleston’s a great city.” The globally inspired tasting menu restaurant on Cannon Street is part of Easton Porter Group, whose long-standing concept The Restaurant at Zero George, helmed by executive chef Vinson Petrillo, was also honored with a recommendation.

Vern’s, Charleston 

Vern’s, founded by husband-wife duo Dano and Bethany Heinze, formerly of storied McCrady’s restaurant, is a charming and intimate restaurant in Elliottborough that blends American, French, and Italian influences into a menu with dishes like escargot with tarragon and Gruyère and pappardelle with ‘nduja, with a daily wine list curated by Bethany.

Malagon, Charleston 

Taperia Malagon brings Spanish flavors from executive chef Juan Cassalett, one half of the restaurateur power couple that also includes Jill Mathias, co-owner and founder of Chez Nous. A generous and regularly changing menu offers small plates organized by seafood, vegetables, meat, and charcuterie in a tucked-away corner off Spring Street.

Scoundrel, Greenville

This sophisticated French brasserie has been making waves since opening in 2022; when chef-owner Joe Cash was asked onstage why he had returned to Greenville after working around the world in 2- and 3-star Michelin kitchens, he responded, “This is my hometown. It’s amazing to build something in our community with all I’ve learned. I’m very excited to be home.”

Tennessee

Sommelier Award: Alex Burch, Bad Idea, Nashville

This award seems to have proved Alex Burch wrong that it was a “bad idea” to open a wine bar in Nasvhille—but his focus on accessibility and demystifying the world of wine has clearly paid off.

Bastion, Nashville

In Wedgewood-Houston, Bastion is known as a casual cocktail bar with a celebrated reservation-only tasting menu from chef Josh Habiger, paired with six wines across courses laid out by ingredient, such as raw cobia, melon, and genmai, and quail, rice, and leek.

The Catbird Seat, Nashville

Husband-wife duo Andy Doubrava and Tiffani Ortiz took home accolades for their charcuterie- and vegetable-forward menus inspired by local farms and minimizing food waste. 

Locust, Nashville

At Locust, chef Trevor Moran’s cuisine blends Japanese flavors and seafood in compact lunch and dinner menus with dishes from lamb dumplings and tuna crisp to to whole Dover sole, with a focus on simple preparations.

Alabama

Outstanding Service, Pardis Stitt, Bottega, Birmingham

Restaurateur and host at Bottega Pardis Stitt was honored for creating an exceptional atmosphere of service at Bottega, which was also included on the recommended restaurants list, along with Chez Fonfon, the other concept helmed by her husband and acclaimed chef Frank Stitt.

Atlanta

Maintaining their stars from last year were eight restaurants: Atlas, Bacchanalia, Hayakawa, Lazy Betty, Mujō, O by Brush, Omakase Table, and Spring. Bacchanalia was also a second-year recipient of a green star, along with The Chastain. Bacchanalia executive chef Kai NaLampoon told us, “It’s always nice to get a nod from Michelin in validation for all our hard work.”

Mississippi

Representing his Jackson concept Pulito Osteria, a recommended restaurant, chef Chaz Lindsay told us he was “super happy to be here. Let’s have a good time.” Chef Hunter Evans, whose Jackson restaurant Elvie’s received a Bib Gourmand award, shared that he was “glad to be with so many great chefs who are friends and our colleagues in the South and celebrate the food here.” And chef Austin Sumrall, of White Pillars in Biloxi, which was recommended, stated that he was “ecstatic” and “overwhelmed,” and that the recognition was “a dream come true. You do all this hard work and then to be recognized for that…” Co-owner Tresse Sumrall, Austin’s wife, added, “We’re proud to be here and to be from Mississippi.”

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