The Michelin Guide is an amazing way to instantly find your way into the best food in a given city. Well, if you can secure a reservation. The challenge for avid travelers though, is that the guide isn’t everywhere — yet.
Stunning foodie cities such as Cape Town in South Africa, and even parts of California weren’t previously included in coverage. Florida wasn’t included at all, despite quite a few worthy restaurants.
That’s all changed. The Michelin Guide has officially landed in Florida, with Greater Miami, Tampa and Orlando factoring into both the Michelin Star and Bib Gourmand coverage.
If you’re headed to these areas, there are 15 restaurants which are celebrating their first Michelin Star, and even more worthy of a visit, with Bib Gourmand status.
Florida Gets First 15 Michelin Starred Restaurants
If you needed another reason to visit Florida, you’ve got quite a few today. If you needed “a” reason to visit Florida, you now have 15 good ones.
11 Miami restaurants, and a total of 15 Florida restaurants can now celebrate their illustrious status as Michelin Starred dining establishments. In an unveil ceremony on June 9th, the Michelin Guide awarded its first ever Florida stars and bib gourmands.
A total of 29 restaurants received bib gourmand status, across Miami, Tampa and Orlando. Bib Gourmands are a distinction just below Michelin Star status, which signify great cooking, just in a typically less formal setting.
Sometimes, some might argue they’re better! Though to counter that, a distinction of three Michelin Stars means the experience is so incredible and refined, that’s worth traveling from anywhere just to experience the meal alone.
While no Florida restaurants managed to earn elusive three star status, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon Miami squeezed out the only two star Michelin distinction. The 14 others on the star list gained a singular, impressive star.
Here’s a look at Miami’s new Michelin starred crop…
- L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
- Ariete
- Boia De
- Cote Miami
- The Den at Sushi Azabu Miami
- Elcielo Miami
- Hiden
- Le Jardinier
- Los Félix
- Stubborn Seed
- The Surf Club Restaurant
Kadence, Capa, Knife & Spoon and Soseki in Orlando round out the star list for this inaugural edition of the Florida guide. Tampa’s Rooster and The Till, Ichicoro Ramen and Rocca put up the city’s best fight, each earning Bib Gourmands.
New Dining Hotspots And Getting In
Miami is always a steady flow of glitz, glam and fine dining, but with these new star distinctions, competition will be heating up. Orlando is also clearly welcoming in a new era of cuisine, with Tampa nipping at the heels.
With the hype of Michelin Stars comes an influx of interest, and if you’re traveling into the area, using a credit card which can unlock top tables at top restaurants definitely helps.
Capital One has a partnership with the Michelin Guide, Chase provides access and experiences through Tock, and Amex has the Global Dining Collection, with VIP tables through Resy.
Bon appetite, y’all.
