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7 restaurants in Austin earn MICHELIN Stars

Let’s dig into the first-ever picks, including 14 local Bib Gourmand Awards and a handful of MICHELIN-recommended spots, for the MICHELIN Guide Texas.

A unique culinary creation with an artistic presentation. A small, round base, possibly a bread or pastry, is topped with a creamy, lightly toasted layer of sauce or cheese. Skewered on top are succulent, charred pieces of meat or mushroom, stacked and crowned with a tiny figurine of a skull in a top hat. The background is softly blurred, with hints of other elegantly plated dishes.

Barley Swine’s contemporary cuisine was praised for its use of local ingredients and “global sophistication.”

Photo by Richard Casteel

It’s celebration time for dozens of chefs and restaurateurs across Texas. The 2024 MICHELIN Guide Texas selections are here, and the Lone Star State is shining brighter than ever.

The first-ever MICHELIN Guide awardees in Texas were announced during a ceremony in Houston on Monday, Nov. 11. Across Texas, 15 restaurants received one MICHELIN Star, including seven restaurants in the Capital City — more than any other city in the state. No Texas restaurant received two or three stars.

Without further ado, let’s dig into the local awards.

One MICHELIN Star

According to MICHELIN, one Star is “awarded to restaurants using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavours are prepared to a consistently high standard.”

Barley Swine, 6555 Burnet Rd., Ste. #400
MICHELIN Inspectors raved about chef and owner Bryce Gilmore’s use of local ingredients to create flavorful dishes inspired by Mexican and Southern traditions.

A beautifully crafted piece of sushi, presented on a wooden board. The sushi piece showcases a glossy, lightly marbled slice of fish, possibly mackerel or a similar type, placed atop a delicate mound of rice. The fish has been drizzled with a subtle sauce, enhancing its sheen and highlighting its texture. Atop the fish lies a small garnish, adding a touch of color and flavor contrast. The background is softly blurred, drawing full attention to the sushi's intricate details.

MICHELIN inspectors enjoyed crudo of hamachi, ocean trout, and sea scallop at Craft Omakase.

Photo by Taylor Elliot

Craft Omakase, 4400 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. #102
“Skillfully handled” fish from Japan is the star of the show at this Rosedale restaurant, where chefs Charlie Wang and Nguyen Nguyen delight diners’ taste buds with a curated lineup of nigiri and more Japanese bites.

Hestia, 607 W. 3rd St., Ste. #105
Anchored by a 20-ft hearth in an open kitchen, the American restaurant’s focus on live-fire cooking pays off in dishes like the “embered” cantaloupe with green tomato and shiso blossoms.

InterStellar BBQ, 12233 Ranch Rd. 620 N., Ste. #105
Living up to its name, pitmaster John Bates’ barbecue restaurant is now officially among the stars. MICHELIN complimented its simple brisket, peach tea-glazed pork belly, beer-brined tipsy turkey, Frito pie, smoked scalloped potatoes, and poblano-creamed corn.

la Barbecue, 2401 E. Cesar Chavez St.
Don’t let the wait time deter you from this barbecue haven, where the smoked beef, sausages + pork and beef ribs are accompanied by equally impressive side dishes. As MICHELIN put it, “don’t miss the mac and cheese.”

A spread of Texas-style barbecue and sides arranged on a table. At the center is a platter piled high with a variety of smoked meats, including brisket, sausage, pulled pork, and ribs, served with pickles, bread, and sauces. Surrounding the main platter are plates of colorful sides, such as coleslaw, chips and dip, vegetables, and potato salad.

MICHELIN called LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue’s banana pudding tiramisu a “clever hybrid.”

Photo by Jessica Attie

LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, 5621 Emerald Forest Dr.
MICHELIN sung the praises of this casual eatery, noting its specials throughout the week like “melt-in-your mouth beef cheeks” and the brisket.

Olamaie, 1610 San Antonio St.
This American restaurant’s cocktail menu, buttermilk biscuits, whipped honey butter, chicken pressé, blackened dayboat fish, gumbo, and red rice with Gulf shrimp were highlighted by MICHELIN.

New Green Stars

Awarded to restaurants that are “role models” in the sustainable gastronomy sphere, this is MICHELIN’s newest award that debuted in France in 2020.

Dai Due, 2406 Manor Rd.
“Nearly everything” is sourced from Texas at this American restaurant, where standouts on the menu include the smoked pork Porterhouse chop and the cold meat board with antelope salami and wild boar.

Emmer & Rye, 51 Rainey St., Unit #110
The Rainey Street restaurant was lauded for its in-house fermentation program, ties to small farms in Texas, and freshly ground heirloom grains.

New Bib Gourmands

Named after Bibendum, aka the Michelin Man himself, this award “recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.”

  • Barbs B Q
  • Briscuits
  • Cuantos Tacos
  • Dai Due
  • Distant Relatives
  • Emmer & Rye
  • Franklin Barbecue
  • Kemuri Tatsu-ya
  • KG BBQ
  • La Santa Barbacha
  • Micklethwait Craft Meats
  • Nixta Taqueria
  • Odd Duck
  • Ramen del Barrio
  • Veracruz Fonda & Bar
A bowl sits on the center of a blue and white mosaic table. Inside the bowl, a piece of fish sits in orange and red oil and is garnished with green herbs and blue and purple flowers.

Nixta Taqueria’s menu is influenced by what’s growing at Texas farms.

Photo by Edgar Rico

In addition to Nixta Taqueria’s Bib Gourmand, its chef Edgar Rico took home the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Texas Young Chef Award Winner.

While not quite at a Star or Bib Gourmand level, these Austin restaurants were recognized by MICHELIN Inspectors as “above average.”

A close-up photo of pasta on a white plate, sprinkled with green leaves and lemon zest.

Birdie’s has also earned nods from the Global Tastemakers Awards + the James Beard Awards.

Photo by @mksrn

  • Apt 115
  • Birdie’s
  • Comedor
  • Con Todo
  • Discada
  • DipDipDip Tatsu-ya
  • Este
  • Ezov
  • Garrison
  • Jeffrey’s
  • Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop
  • La Condesa
  • Launderette
  • Lenoir
  • Ling Kitchen
  • Lutie’s
  • Maie Day
  • Mexta
  • Mum Foods Smokehouse and Delicatessen
  • Suerte
  • Tare
  • Terry Black’s BBQ
  • Toshokan

Are you hungry yet? Before you go, let us know how many MICHELIN-starred restaurants you’ve dined at in Austin.

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