15 restaurants awarded Michelin Stars at 1st Michelin Guide Texas Ceremony

Austin restaurants earned seven of the 15 Michelin Stars awarded to Texas restaurants in the Michelin Guide’s first-ever Texas ceremony, which took place at Houston’s 713 Music Hall on Nov. 11.

Houston followed behind with six more of the coveted stars, which signify a mastery of cooking techniques, per the Michelin Guide criteria. Many other eateries and chefs were recognized for their service, quality, sustainability and affordability.

Some context

Michelin collaborated with marketing organization Houston First and Travel Texas, part of the Texas Economic Development and Tourism office, to bring the invite-only ceremony to Houston.

"Today's Texas is home to some of the finest restaurants in the world, and now those restaurants become more visible to the world from this prestigious guide," Heckman said. "In Houston, our tremendous cultural diversity has produced one of the nation's most acclaimed and dynamic food cities, with more than 12,000 restaurants serving over 80 different types of cuisines from around the globe."

Texas is the 11th state in Michelin Guide’s list of North American destinations, according to Michelin’s website.

The details

Forty three Texas restaurants were awarded a Bib Gourmand rating for “exceptionally good food at moderate prices,” and two restaurants earned Green Stars for their sustainable gastronomy practices.

In total, 15 restaurants received one star from the Michelin Guide. Here’s the full list of restaurants that received stars at the inaugural Houston ceremony by city:

Austin

• Cuisine: contemporary American
• 6555 Burnet Road, Ste. 400, Austin
• www.barleyswine.com

• Cusine: sushi
• 4400 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 102, Austin
• www.craftomakase.com

• Cuisine: American
• 607 W. Third St., Ste. 105, Austin
• www.hestiaaustin.com

• Cuisine: barbecue
• 5621 Emerald Forest Drive, Austin
• www.leroyandlewisbbq.com

• Cuisine: barbecue
• 2401 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin
• www.labarbecue.com

• Cuisine: barbecue
• 12233 Ranch Road 620 N., Ste. 105, Austin
• www.theinterstellarbbq.com

• Cuisine: Southern
• 1610 San Antonio St., Austin
• www.olamaieaustin.com

Tatsu Dallas

• Cuisine: sushi
• 3309 Elm St., Ste. 120, Dallas
• www.tatsu-dallas.com

BCN Taste & Tradition

• Cuisine: Catalan, Spanish
• 4210 Roseland St., Houston
• www.bcnhouston.com

• Cuisine: barbecue
• 26608 Keith St., Spring
• www.corkscreworders.com

• Cuisine: modern French
• 5500 Main St., Ste. 122, Houston
• www.lejardinier-houston.com

• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• 1624 Westheimer Road, Houston
• www.marchrestaurant.com

• Cuisine: modern Indian
• 5115 Westheimer Road, Ste. C-3500, Houston
• www.musaaferhouston.com

• Cuisine: Mexican
• 4740 Dacoma St., Ste. F, Houston
• www.tatemohtx.com

Mixtli

• Cuisine: Mexican
• 812 S. Alamo St., Ste. 103, San Antonio
• www.restaurantmixtli.com

How it works

Tire company Michelin is behind the international restaurant rating system, which began more than a century ago in France to encourage tourism and travel at the genesis of the automobile industry, according to the business’ website.

Anonymous inspectors have been visiting Texas restaurants since July to review and rate the eateries on certain criteria related to their food, according to Michelin’s website. Criteria included:

• Quality products and ingredients
• Harmony of flavors
• Mastery of cooking techniques
• Voice and personality of the chef reflected in the cuisine
• Consistency of food and service between visits by the inspector

• One star: the eatery is “worth a stop” for its high-quality cooking
• Two stars: the restaurant is “worth a detour” for its excellent cooking
• Three stars: the restaurant has exceptional cuisine and is “worth a special journey"

The Texas Restaurant Association and hospitality industry experts said Texas’ inclusion in the Michelin Guide points to the state’s global recognition for “rich, culturally diverse cuisine and exceptional hospitality.”

TRA President and CEO Emily Williams Knight said in an October statement these ratings will support the growth and success of Texas’ food culture.

“This recognition will not only attract more visitors but also provide an economic boost to our restaurants and the broader hospitality industry,” Williams Knight said.

Meanwhile, University of Houston professor Kyle Hight said the state’s diverse culinary landscape is worthy of being celebrated on a “global stage.” Hight is assistant professor for the Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership program and has 14 years of hospitality experience.

“The Michelin Guide’s first Texas edition not only honors the creativity and dedication of our chefs but also shines a light on the unique flavors that make Texas cuisine so special,” Hight said in a Nov. 11 emailed statement.

"This is why the food service industry is a cornerstone of our economy, contributing more than $100 billion in sales last year and serving as the state’s largest private employer," he said.

What’s next?

Abbott congratulated the 117 restaurants selected for awards and said the recognition is a testament to the chef's and restaurateur's "world-class talent."

“The coveted Michelin Stars rankings will have a lasting impact on the Texas economy, bringing travelers from around the world to experience the best that Texas has to offer," he said in a statement. "More than just our world-renowned barbecue and Tex-Mex, every region of Texas offers a rich menu of flavors that draws visitors from across the globe."

The Michelin Guide will hold its annual Texas ceremony in different cities each year to promote the future of the state’s gastronomy and the diversity of its cuisine, per a September news release.

For more details about the event and the eateries that were honored, visit the Michelin Guide website.