Will a Charlotte restaurant earn a Michelin Star this year? Signs point to yes

By Heidi Finley

Updated October 9, 2025 8:22 AM

Does Michelin have its starry eyes on North Carolina for a Guide?

The Michelin Guide is a review of the best restaurants in the world.

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As Michelin prepares for the big reveal of its Michelin Guide American South on Monday, Nov. 3 at Greenville’s Peace Center, many in Charlotte’s restaurant industry are holding their breath.

Invitations to that announcement are a sign that chefs will learn there whether their restaurants have received a Michelin Star or another Michelin Guide distinction — an option in the Carolinas for the very first time. And on the afternoon of Wedesday, Oct. 8, CharlotteFive received an invitation to the ceremony, a hint that our local eateries may be among those highlighted.

The Michelin Guide American South will take a regional focus, highlighting the food culture of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee while incorporating its pre-existing Atlanta Guide.

A full-body shot of the Michelin Man character, Bibendum, at a promotional event. He is wearing his signature costume made of white rings and a blue sash. He stands on a red carpet, with one hand on his hip and the other making a peace sign, in front of a red step-and-repeat wall that reads “THE MICHELIN GUIDE.” — Michelin announced its first North American Guide in 2005 for New York. Since then, the guide has grown to cover cities, states and now regions of the country. Michelin

The American South guide comes at a time of explosive growth for the Michelin Guides. In 2005, Michelin announced its first North American Guide for New York, followed slowly by Chicago (2011); Washington, D.C. (2017); California (San Francisco in 2007, statewide 2019).

Michelin’s areas of focus then cast a wider net, with expansions in Florida (Greater Miami, Orlando and Tampa in 2022, adding Greater Fort Lauderdale, The Palm Beaches and St. Pete-Clearwater in 2025, and going statewide in 2026); Toronto (2022); Vancouver (2022); Colorado (2023); Atlanta (2023), Mexico (2024), Texas (2024), and Québec (2024).

This year’s guides will add coverage to the American South, Boston and Philadelphia.

A panoramic aerial photograph of downtown Greenville, South Carolina, during a vibrant sunset. The foreground is dominated by the green space of Falls Park, the rocky cascades of the Reedy River, and the uniquely curved Liberty Bridge. The modern city skyline is lit up in the background, with the Blue Ridge Mountains on the distant horizon. — Greenville, South Carolina, will host the Michelin Guide ceremony on Monday, Nov. 3 at the Peace Center. Michelin

How does the Michelin Guide rank restaurants?

Among the possibilities for inclusion in the guide are:

Michelin Stars are rewarded for meeting five criteria: quality, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, offering a reflection of the chef’s personality in the cuisine, and consistency over time and across the menu.

Bib Gourmand is a designation given to restaurants that don’t rise to the level of a star but offer good quality food for a good value.

Michelin Green Stars note restaurants that put remarkable effort into sustainability efforts.

What would a Michelin Star mean for Charlotte restaurants?

At its core, the Michelin Guide is meant to be a resource for travelers seeking an outstanding meal with top-notch hospitality. Along with the attention that Michelin recognition brings, big bucks are at stake for Charlotte’s tourism industry.

Inclusion in the guide doesn’t come cheap: North Carolina’s tourism entities including Visit NC, Visit Raleigh, Discover Durham, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and Explore Asheville are teaming up to pay more than $1 million over three years.

James Beard Award Best Chef Southeast finalist Sam Hart, who owns tasting menu restaurant Counter- and new Italian restaurant Spaghett — is among those watching hopefully.

“First off, it is just absolutely fantastic if it does happen,” they previously told CharlotteFive. “Because not only will this be promoting what’s already here, this will also be a huge beacon for chefs to come to Charlotte and come to the surrounding area and open up restaurants here versus somewhere else and take advantage of a foundation that doesn’t exist anywhere else. And that is such a beautiful foundation of hyper local and small farming and diverse farming.”

This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 5:45 AM.

Heidi Finley

The Charlotte Observer

Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription