Restaurant rating organization the Michelin Guide will reveal the third edition of its Texas selections on October 8, the organization stated, but it’s making a change in how it will make the announcement.
Unlike in 2024 and 2025 when Michelin held elaborate ceremonies in Houston that drew chefs and restaurateurs from across the state, the organization will distribute the list of restaurants via a press release.
Michelin employs anonymous inspectors to evaluate restaurants on five criteria: product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavors; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu. Based on that, they may recognize restaurants with one of three designations:
- Michelin stars, rated at one, two, or three for restaurants that offer exceptional experiences
- Bib Gourmand, described as “restaurants that offer great quality food at good prices”
- Recommended for good restaurants that don’t quite meet the level of either a star or Bib Gourmand
Last year, Michelin added three starred restaurants statewide, including Pearl's Nicosi and Isidore. That brought Texas’ total to 18, along with eight new Bib Gourmands and 16 Recommended restaurants. Overall, 140 restaurants are included in the Guide.
Initially, Michelin made a three-year commitment to Texas, which was paid for in part by a $900,000 partnership with the statewide tourism organization Travel Texas and local tourism organizations in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. No announcement has been made about whether those partnerships will continue, but a Michelin representative provided CultureMap with the following statement about the company’s future in Texas:
“Michelin cannot discuss the terms of its relationships for competitive reasons, although Michelin respects that partners might have disclosure agreements. It’s worth mentioning that once the Guide arrives in a destination, the intent is for it to remain there. Supported by partnerships, the inspectors will continue to evaluate restaurants in the current coverage areas while keeping an eye on other locales as possible culinary hotspots for inclusion.”
In terms of local additions, one possibility is Burnt Bean Co, in Seguin. The barbecue joint has received near-universal acclaim from culinary tastemakers, including a No. 1 spot on Texas Monthly's 2025 50 Best Barbecue Joints in Texas list. A star wouldn't be without precedent. Four Texas barbecue spots currently have one star —CorkScrew BBQ in Spring and Interstellar BBQ, Leroy and Lewis Barbecue, and la Barbecue in Austin.
And if the Michelin Guide does stick around for another year, it will have three new San Antonio restaurants to consider from chefs already in the guide. The duo behind one-star restaurant Mixtli are both working on new projects: Rico Torres on Rosso and Diego Galicia on Filleman House. Houston chef Aaron Bludorn, who is listed but not starred for Bludorn and Bar Bludorn, also has an as-yet unnamed concept going into the former Carriqui space.
---
This article includes additional reporting from Brandon Watson.
