7 Michelin Star-Worthy Restaurants in Houston You Don’t Want to Miss

Houston is the largest city in Texas, with over 10,000 restaurants and dozens of cuisines to fit every taste. But if you’re looking for the best restaurants in the area, you might wonder about those with a famed Michelin Star (or three).

While some Houston restaurants are worthy of a Michelin Star, Michelin unfortunately (and surprisingly) hasn’t released a guide for Houston or any other Texas city. Michelin has only produced guides for seven U.S. cities or states, with just over 1,500 restaurants receiving at least one coveted star.

Houston has plenty of elegant and unique restaurants to choose from, and we’ve selected seven that are definitely worthy of your money — and Michelin Stars. Every detail matters at these restaurants, right down to the minute you walk in. We think you’ll find these restaurants to be the best of the best — and hopefully, Michelin will too one day!

We chose these Houston restaurants based on Michelin Guide criteria, such as consistency, technique, and, of course, the chef. Some of these restaurants have over a thousand 4- or 5-star ratings on Yelp, making it clear they’re not to be missed. (For more great food, here’s a look at the best seafood restaurant in every state .)

State of Grace

One of the sayings at State of Grace is “make haste with leisure,” and when you take a seat in one of the booths or at the bar, you understand exactly what they mean. The atmosphere at State of Grace perfectly combines leisure and comfort with style and luxury.

State of Grace allows you to book a private party for an intimate dining experience. Alternatively, Thursday through Saturday, you can enjoy a seven-course meal with executive chef John Quinn and his talented team. Some of the signature dishes at State of Grace include the Crescent Farms Duck, Iberico Pork Jowl, and their signature Roasted Oysters, which you can enjoy at the oyster bar. As with many restaurants, their menu is subject to change, so check back regularly for their latest offerings.

Le Jardinier

Led by Alain Verzeroli and executive pastry chef Salvatore Martone, Le Jardinier opened in Houston in May 2021. Since the New York location of Le Jardinier received a Michelin Star, locals and traveling foodies were eagerly awaiting the opening of the Houston location.

The concept of this restaurant originated in New York, which is to combine creative ingredients with French-inspired cuisine. The name, Le Jardinier, translates to “the gardener,” which speaks to the focus on seasonal vegetables in many of their dishes.

A meal at Le Jardinier is an experience in itself, and the elegant atmosphere adds to the overall beauty of your meal. Located in the Museum of Fine Arts, each meal on the menu is a form of art, from the Herb-Crusted Cod to the Carolina Gold Risotto, complete with a sweet potato puree and a side of broccoli.

Bludorn

Cocktails, wine, and seasonal cuisine are just a few of the offerings at Bludorn that make this restaurant worth the visit. Executive chef Aaron Bludorn focuses on New American and French-inspired cuisine that displays his passion for food and fresh ingredients.

Even if you’ve visited Bludorn before, there’s always something new to enjoy with their seasonal menu. For the fall, you have signature dishes such as the chicken with rutabaga, swiss chard, sweet potato, and black truffle, or the quail with black-eyed peas and bacon.

For an intimate dining experience, Bludorn offers private dining and menus that they will customize to fit your group or gathering. No matter what time of year you visit, Bludorn creates a memorable experience with excellent cuisine and the level of hospitality you’ll only find in Texas.

BCN Taste & Tradition

This dream came to life when he met a Barcelonian chef who could recreate the scents, tastes, and memories from their homeland. Each dish is inspired by the culture of Spain. Some of the signature dishes include the Sous Vide Rabbit Loin with aromatic herbs and porcini rice and the Confit Pork Cheeks with Chanterelle mushrooms. Or, you can choose one of their fresh seafood dishes, like the Grilled Salmon with arugula and lemon.

Your meal at BCN Taste & Tradition wouldn’t be complete without one of their delectable desserts. Whether you choose the chocolate molten cake with hazelnut and vanilla ice cream or the flan drizzled in toffee sauce and caramel whipped cream, it will be the perfect end to your elegant meal.

Uchi

Uchi is a unique experience unlike any other restaurant in the area, with offerings of nontraditional Japanese cuisine. It was founded by Tyson Cole, who won the James Beard Award in 2011 for Best Chef.

The creativity and talent of Cole are evident in each detail at Uchi, even when it comes to the style and furniture in the building. Located in a historic Houston building, each detail was carefully selected by designers and architects.

Some signature items on their menu are the Hama Chili and the 72-Hour Short Rib. You can also choose to experience the Chef’s Tasting Menu, which includes 10 delicious courses.

Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse

This list of Michelin Star-worthy restaurants wouldn’t be complete without a high-end steakhouse. If you’re looking for the top steakhouse in Houston, find time to dine at Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse which Houston Press voted as the best steakhouse in Houston.

Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse has also won numerous awards and recognition from USA Today, Zagat, Houston Culinary Awards, and Open Table, just to name a few. Even if you’re not in the mood for steak, they also offer elegant dishes such as chicken paige with sun-dried tomatoes and lemon butter, or Szechuan pepper-crusted tuna with soy ginger butter and fresh wasabi.

Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse has expanded to Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and Lake Charles. The restaurant was founded in Houston by restaurateur Tilman Fertitta and his father Vic Fertitta. Foodies absolutely need to try this restaurant on their next trip to Houston.

Nobie’s

Certainly the quirkiest restaurant on the list, Nobie’s stands out as one of the most-loved restaurants in Houston. Their slightly eccentric menu and atmosphere make it a unique and interesting dining experience.

Chef Martin Stayer was inspired by his grandmother, Nobie, to open this Houston restaurant. Stayer worked in Michelin Star restaurants across Chicago before opening Nobie’s and is passionate about serving fresh produce and ingredients from local farms in Houston.

There’s always something new and exciting to enjoy with a constantly evolving menu of 20-25 daily items. Their menu includes items such as Texas tartare, brie with local honey, and a selection of salads. You can complete your meal with one of their daily desserts, like strawberry cheesecake or the more delicate olive oil cake. (Visiting the Lone Star State? Here are Texas’ most unique tourist destinations .)

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