LUXE Serendipity magazine

By Donna Richardson

The MICHELIN Guide is returning to Texas, continuing its recognition of the state’s culinary excellence.

Coveted MICHELIN Stars and other award distinctions will be revealed for restaurants across Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

The 2025 MICHELIN Guide Texas Ceremony will take place on 28 October at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts in Houston. Houston First is the event venue supporter. 

Its return marks another culinary milestone for Texas following a standout debut in 2024.

That inaugural selection included 15 One MICHELIN Star restaurants, 44 Bib Gourmands for exceptional value,

56 Recommended restaurants and two Green Stars for leadership in sustainability. From smoked brisket and elegant omakase to elevated Mexican cuisine and bold contemporary flavours, the Guide celebrated Texas’ rich culinary diversity and affirmed its growing presence on the global culinary stage.

“Texas’ inclusion in the MICHELIN Guide is a powerful validation of the culinary excellence our cities have cultivated for years,” said Tim Fennell, director of Travel Texas.

“The inaugural selection recognised the breadth of our state’s cuisine, from pitmasters celebrating our barbecue traditions to chefs using local ingredients to push the boundaries of creativity. We’re excited to welcome the Guide back and to continue sharing the stories, flavours and innovation that define dining in Texas.”

In 2024, Texas made history with its barbecue. Nearly a quarter of all honoured restaurants were barbecue spots, including la Barbecue, InterStellar BBQ , LeRoy and Lewis in Austin and CorkScrew BBQ in Spring, each of which earned a coveted One MICHELIN Star. These became the first American-style barbecue restaurants in North America to receive that level of distinction from the Guide.

The 2025 selection will once again feature restaurants from across Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, as MICHELIN’s anonymous inspectors continue to evaluate Texas restaurants using their internationally respected standards. 

With a second year of recognition ahead, the return of the MICHELIN Guide reflects a growing spotlight on Texas as a destination for culinary discovery and a platform for the chefs and restaurants shaping what’s next.

Chefs will be invited to discover whether their restaurants have received a MICHELIN Star or another MICHELIN Guide distinction. Attendance is by invitation only.

​“Last year marked a milestone for the Texas restaurant industry, and we’re excited to continue celebrating the state’s exceptional culinary talent at this year’s ceremony,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide. “Texas’ culinary scene boasts a rich heritage, defined by its diverse flavours, unique cuisines, and remarkable talent—qualities that make it distinctly Texan. It offers something for every kind of traveler, and we look forward to unveiling our Inspectors’ findings in the coming months.”

​Michelin announced its first North American Guide in 2005 for New York. Guides have also been added in Chicago (2011); Washington, D.C. (2017); California (San Francisco in 2007, statewide 2019); Florida (Greater Miami, Orlando and Tampa in 2022, adding Greater Fort Lauderdale, The Palm Beaches and St. Pete-Clearwater in 2025, statewide in 2026); Toronto (2022); Vancouver (2022); Colorado (2023); Atlanta (2023), Mexico (2024), Texas (2024), Québec (2024), the American South (2025), Boston (2025) and Philadelphia (2025).

Recognised globally for excellence and quality, the MICHELIN Guide offers a selection of world-class restaurants. ​The famous One, Two and Three MICHELIN Stars identify establishments serving exceptional cuisine that’s rich in flavor, remarkably executed and infused with the personality of a talented chef.

​The Bib Gourmand is a designation given to select restaurants that offer good quality food for a good value – often known as personal favorites among the inspectors when dining on their own time.

​The MICHELIN Green Star honors restaurants that are pioneers in sustainable gastronomy.

​Recommended restaurants and special professional awards are also highlighted by the MICHELIN Guide inspectors.
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The Guide remains a reliable companion for any traveller seeking an unforgettable meal and hospitality experience. The Guide was first published in France at the turn of the 20th century to encourage the development of car mobility as well as tire sales by giving practical advice to motorists. Progressively, the Guide has specialised in restaurant and hotel recommendations. Michelin’s inspectors still use the same criteria and manner of selection that were used by the inspectors in the very beginning.