Texas’ Hospitality Stars Shine on the National Stage

The Origin of the Michelin Star

A tire company started the Michelin Guide in the early 1900s as a way of encouraging people to drive. It eventually became the hallmark of culinary excellence due to the rising importance of its restaurant ratings.

The idea was simple: if more people drove, they would use more tires. To support this, brothers Édouard and André Michelin created the Michelin Guide to provide useful information to French motorists.  It included maps, tire maintenance tips, and recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and places to visit along the way.

By 1926, the guide started to give stars to top restaurants. The single star became a most prestigious culinary distinction. By the 1930s, it had become a highly respected and sought-after honor within the culinary world.  Over time, Michelin stars became a mark of prestige, signaling that a restaurant offered not just excellent food but also a refined experience. By the 1950s and 1960s, Michelin had expanded its operations to other countries, and the Michelin Guide grew internationally. It now covers many parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with Michelin stars coveted by chefs worldwide.

It is said that the inspectors’ identities are more closely guarded than the secret formula for Coca-Cola. After their consensus, they confer one, two, or three stars for excellence. A green star recognizes sustainability. Bib Gourmand awards recognize good food at allegedly modest prices. And a “recommended” listing acts as the honorable mention category.

2024 Marks the First Year Texas Was Evaluated by Michelin Inspectors

After a lengthy period of discussion and dealmaking between Michelin and the Texas tourism and restaurant industries, Texas now has 28 restaurants that were honored in Michelin’s inaugural Texas Guide. The goal was for Michelin-recognized restaurants to bring more food-centric tourism to Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. 

How Did They Do?

The general consensus was that the judges were somewhat accurate in some cases. But their evaluations were strangely off in others.  “They heard we had great barbecue and steak, so they went to the barbecue restaurants and steakhouses. They’re French tourists, so they hit all the bistros, too,” wrote a Texas Monthly article. 

Michelin did not designate any two- or three-star Texas restaurants. And with three BBQ restaurants in Austin and one in Spring among the 15 single stars bestowed on Texas dining establishments last November, the inspectors were criticized for being “unduly smitten with barbecue.” 

Austin & Houston Dominate the Inaugural Awards

A highlight for Dallas’ industry was the Special Award presented to Julian Shaffer of Dallas’ Rye, who earned Michelin’s Exceptional Cocktails Award.  But how the rest of the awards ended up from a geographical perspective were questioned by some. The sushi restaurant, Tatsu in Deep Ellum, received Dallas’ only Michelin star, and San Antonio’s Mixtlie (Mexican cuisine) earned San Antonio’s sole star.

Austin took home seven of the stars for excellence, with Barley Swine (contemporary cuisine), Craft Omakase (Japanese cuisine), Hestia (American cuisine), and Olamaie (American cuisine) joining Austin’s three BBQ restaurants on the list–InterStellar BBQ, In Barbeque and Leroy and Lewis Barbecue.   Austin also earned the state’s only Green Stars awarded for Dai Due and Emmer & Rye.

Houston claimed a total of six stars, with BCN Taste & Tradition (Spanish cuisine), Le Jardinier (French cuisine), March (Mediterranean cuisine), Masaafer (Indian cuisine) and Tatemo (Mexican cuisine) bestowed honors, in addition to the star earned by CorkScrew BBQ in Spring.

Dallas’ Cattleack, Gemma, Lucia, Mot Hai Ba, Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen, Nonna, and Goldee’s in Fort Worth were seven of the 44 restaurants earning Bib Gourmands for budget-friendly eats.  Only three San Antonio restaurants made the list.  The other 34 were split between Austin and Houston. 

North Texas Restaurants Making the “Recommended” list by Michelin: 

20 Texas Hotels Earn Michelin Keys

2024 was also the first time the MICHELIN Guide highlighted only hotels in North America with 168 new additions in the U.S., 87 in Mexico and 33 in Canada.

The first slate of Key Award recipients in Texas includes the state’s first two Auberge Resort Collection hotels who were both awarded Two-Key status my Michelin—Fort Worth’s Bowie House and the Commodore Perry Estate in Austin. Hotel Emma in San Antonio took the only other Two-Key award. 

The four Dallas hotels earning One Michelin Key recognition were Casa Duro, Hôtel Swexan, Hotel ZaZa Dallas and Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. Hotel Drover in Fort Worth also earned single key honors.

Houston’s two Hotel Zaza locations, the Post Oak Hotel and the Carr Mansion in Galveston took home single keys.  Austin One Key recipients included ARRIVE Austin, Austin Proper Hotel, Fairmont Austin Gold Experience, Hotel Saint Cecilia, Hotel ZaZa Austin, Soho House Austin and The Heywood Hotel.  And El Paso’s The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park also earned single key honors.

Next Up:  The James Beard Awards

“Dean of American cookery.” He was one of the first to elevate American cuisine in the public eye and played a pivotal role in shaping the culinary landscape of the United States.

In 1986, after James Beard’s death, a group of his friends and colleagues, including many prominent chefs and culinary figures, founded the James Beard Foundation, headquartered in New York City.   Its mission was to honor Beard’s legacy, promote American cuisine, and provide resources for the culinary community, including education, advocacy, celebration scholarships and awards. The James Beard Awards were established in 1990 to celebrate the best of American cuisine, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the food world, whether they are chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, or other culinary professionals.

The James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef awards, established in 1990, recognize restaurants and chefs across 25 categories, including for various regions across the country. Three new categories were added this year – Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

The 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award nominees will be announced April 2 and the winners will be recognized at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.