Texas’ culinary spotlight is about to shine brighter than ever. On Oct. 28, Houston’s Wortham Theater Center will host the reveal of the 2025 Michelin Guide Texas, where chefs across the state will nervously await the results to see if their restaurants have earned a coveted star or another prestigious Michelin distinction.
Here’s everything you need to know:
A Global Legacy With Local Impact
Michelin started in France in 1889, not as a restaurant guide, but as a tire company. Founders Andre and Edouard Michelin created a little red book filled with maps, fuel stops and travel tips to encourage road trips. By 1926, Michelin began awarding stars to fine dining establishments — a tradition that has since grown into a global restaurant rating system covering more than 40,000 establishments worldwide. And now, it’s in Texas.
Previous North Texas Honorees
During its debut year, North Texas saw its share of culinary recognition. Honorees from last year include:
One Star
- Tatsu
Exceptional Cocktail
- Rye
Michelin Recommended
- Smoke ‘N Ash BBQ
- Barsotti’s
- Mister Charles
- Crown Block
- El Carlos Elegante
- Fearing’s
- Georgie
- Knox Bistro
- Mercat Bistro
- Monarch
- Quarter Acre
- Sachet
- Stillwell’s
- Stock & Barrel
- Tei-An
- Written by the Season
- Birrieria Y Taqueria Cortez
- Panther City BBQ
- Harvest at the Masonic
How Restaurants Are Selected
Michelin inspectors, full-time employees of the company, dine anonymously, paying for every meal to guarantee an authentic experience just like any other guest. Their evaluations follow five key criteria:
- Quality of the products
- Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques
- The personality of the chef in their cuisine
- Value for money
- Consistency between visits
What Restaurants Can Win
The Michelin Guide recognizes a range of achievements:
- Green Star: sustainability in action
- Exceptional Cocktail: for standout cocktail programs
- Recommended: inspector-recommended establishments
- Bib Gourmand: high-quality food at reasonable prices
- One Star: very good restaurant
- Two Stars: excellent cooking worth a detour
- Three Stars: exceptional cuisine worth a special journey
The Secret Life Of Michelin Inspectors
Arguably one of the most influential roles in the culinary world, Michelin inspectors remain anonymous to maintain impartiality. They cover the full cost of their meals and follow strict guidelines that have been in place since the 1930s…