How Many Michelin Star Restaurants in Texas: Key Takeaways
- Texas has 15 Michelin-starred restaurants as of August 2025, all with one star.
- Austin leads with 7 starred restaurants, followed by Houston with 5.
- Four American-style barbecue restaurants in Texas earned Michelin stars, a North American first.
Texas entered the Michelin scene with its first guide in late 2024, showcasing the state's vibrant culinary scene.
This article explores the distribution and significance of Michelin-starred restaurants across Texas.
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1. Overview of Michelin Star Restaurants in Texas
In November 2024, the Michelin Guide released its inaugural Texas edition, recognizing 15 restaurants—each awarded one Michelin star.
These Canadian stars mark a major milestone for Texas, highlighting its rise as a culinary destination.
Unlike regions with multi-star establishments, Texas’ initial Michelin selections all earned single stars, indicating high-quality dining experiences.
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2. Distribution of Michelin Stars Across Texas Cities
The Michelin-starred restaurants are concentrated primarily in Texas’ major cities:
- Austin: 7 restaurants
- Houston: 5 restaurants
- Dallas: 1 restaurant
- San Antonio: 1 restaurant
- Spring: 1 restaurant
This distribution illustrates Austin and Houston as key culinary hubs within the state.
Austin Michelin Star Restaurants
Austin leads the state with seven starred eateries:
- Barley Swine
- Craft Omakase
- Hestia
- InterStellar BBQ
- la Barbecue
- LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue
- Olamaie
Notably, Austin's mix showcases a range from high-end Japanese omakase to innovative barbecue.
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Houston Michelin Star Restaurants
Houston’s five starred restaurants include:
- BCN Taste & Tradition
- Le Jardinier Houston
- March
- Musaafer
- Tatemó
Houston’s diverse culinary scene reflects in its Michelin picks, focusing on contemporary and international flavors.
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Michelin Star Restaurants in Dallas, San Antonio, and Spring
- Dallas: Tatsu Dallas
- San Antonio: Mixtli
- Spring: CorkScrew BBQ
These cities contribute to the statewide culinary variety, highlighting both upscale dining and regional specialties like barbecue.
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3. Significance of Barbecue Restaurants Receiving Michelin Stars
Four barbecue establishments in Texas received Michelin stars: InterStellar BBQ, la Barbecue, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, and CorkScrew BBQ in Spring.
This is a historic achievement as these represent the first American-style barbecue restaurants in North America to earn Michelin stars.
This recognition elevates barbecue—a deeply rooted Texas tradition—to fine dining status on the global culinary map.
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4. Michelin Guide Texas Bib Gourmand and Culinary Diversity
Beyond stars, the 2024 Michelin Guide for Texas also awarded 45 establishments the Bib Gourmand distinction, signaling great food at reasonable prices.
In total, the guide features 117 restaurants spanning 26 different cuisine types.
This broad array underscores Texas’ rich and diverse culinary landscape, from traditional Tex-Mex to modern international fare.
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5. Collaborative Effort to Launch the Texas Michelin Guide
The Texas edition of the Michelin Guide was produced through partnership funding from the state’s tourism agency and visitor bureaus of its five largest cities.
This joint effort illustrates Texas’ dedication to promoting its culinary excellence and attracting food tourism.
Such collaboration ensures that Texas' unique food culture gains visibility on a prestigious international platform.
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6. Where to Learn More About Texas Michelin Star Restaurants
For those interested in exploring the Texas Michelin-starred dining scene or planning culinary travel, official resources provide authoritative information:
- Travel Texas - Official Tourism Website
- Michelin Guide - Official Website
- Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office
- Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Houston First Corporation
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How Many Michelin Star Restaurants in Texas: Conclusion
Texas’ entry into the Michelin Guide in 2024 brought 15 single-starred restaurants across five cities to the spotlight.
Austin and Houston stand out as major culinary destinations, with several barbecue spots earning unique Michelin recognition.
The guide and its collaborative backing reflect Texas' ascent as a diverse, high-quality food destination on the global stage.
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