Texas could soon be home to a Michelin star restaurant

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas could someday house a Michelin star restaurant, after The MICHELIN Guide announced Tuesday it had expanded operations into the Lone Star State.

Texas joins as the 11th location on The MICHELIN Guide’s list of North America destinations, the company confirmed in the release. Later this year, The MICHELIN Guide will unveil its 2024 Texas restaurants and hotel selections, highlighting institutions in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

“The Texas culinary scene has proven to be an exhilarating one, with multicultural influences, homegrown ingredients, and talent that is rich in ambition,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide, in the release. “Foodies and travel enthusiasts alike will find something to enjoy, with such a broad dining scene spanning farm-to-table dishes, fusion cuisine, upscale dining, and the famous Texas-style barbecue. Texas is a perfect fit for the MICHELIN Guide, based on the experiences of our anonymous Inspectors.”

How does a restaurant earn a Michelin star?

Incoming Texas restaurant selections will be judged based on the five criteria established by the Michelin system:

• Quality products
• Harmony of flavors
• Mastery of cooking techniques
• Voice, personality of the chef as displayed via the cuisine
• Consistency between visits and throughout the menu

Michelin first unveiled its North America Guide in 2005, highlighting institutions in New York. Since, Michelin has expanded and incorporated guides in Washington, D.C.; Chicago; California; Miami, Orlando and Tampa in Florida; Colorado; Atlanta; Toronto; Vancouver; and Mexico.

In a statement to KXAN, the Texas Restaurant Association commended the Lone Star State’s addition to MICHELIN Guide communities.

“The Texas Restaurant Association is pleased to welcome the MICHELIN Guide to Texas—a culinary destination that’s already earned a worldwide reputation for delicious, diverse cuisine and warm hospitality,” said Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, in the statement. “We look forward to working with the MICHELIN Guide to drive new visitors and acclaim to Texas, creating new and repeat customers that will benefit the entire industry and the State of Texas as a whole.”

Wesley Lucas, director of communications at Visit Austin, said it’s been an exciting secret to keep under wraps the past several months. As part of the city’s tourism department, Lucas said the hope is that this international recognition will draw even more visitors to the Texas capital and its variety of cuisines.

“We’re very excited. I mean, this is just such a great opportunity,” she said. “We Austinites and our visitors have long known that we have an amazing culinary scene. And this just further elevates it and shows the world that we do, too.”

Data shared by Michelin flagged the importance robust culinary options can have on travel behavior, with research from Future Partners’ The State of the American Traveler 2024 survey flagging restaurant and dining experiences as top activities for American travelers.

“More visitors means more economic impact for our city, and that’s anyone, from our restaurants to our hotels to our live music venues,” Lucas added. “So at the end of the day, if we do end up seeing what we think and believe we will see — which is increased tourism from this opportunity — everybody around the city is going to benefit from seeing that.”

How did the MICHELIN Guide come to be?

The MICHELIN Guide was established in France at the start of the 20th century “to encourage tire sales by giving practice advise to French motorists,” per the release. So, yes, the same institution that passes out Michelin stars to restaurants is also behind Michelin Tires and, lest we forget, the Michelin Man.

More details on MICHELIN Guide’s Texas expansion are available online .

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