The Michelin Guide returned to Texas for its second year and Austin showed up like it had something to prove. We did not score any new stars this time but every restaurant that already earned one kept it. So I’m not sure if that means the judges are biased or in love. In a world where anonymous inspectors quietly judge the sould of a restaurant over the course of multiple visits that level of consistency is definitely not accidental.
Emmer and Rye Hospitality Group enjoyed a hero moment. They earned another green star for Emmer and Rye while stacking more love for their concepts in San Antonio. I’m betting their trophy shelf is starting to look like a champion karate dojo that trains on smoked carrots and fermented magic.
Barbecue kept dominating like it always does in this state. Austin continues to prove that slow smoked beef can absolutely sit in the same dining room where sommeliers whisper poetic tasting notes. Anyone arguing otherwise probably believes that queso can be skipped. Those people cannot be trusted.
Michelin added two new Bib Gourmand winners which means flavor and value shook hands. Several newcomers stepped into the recommended category which quietly predicts the next wave of star contenders.
Here are the spots in Austin that brought home the glory.
Michelin Star Restaurants in Austin
• Barley Swine
• Craft Omakase
• Hestia
• Olamaie
• InterStellar BBQ
• La Barbecue
• Leroy and Lewis Barbecue
Green Star Restaurants in Austin
• Nixta Taqueria
• Dai Due
• Emmer and Rye
New Bib Gourmand Winners
• Mercado Sin Nombre
• Parish Barbecue
Returning Bib Gourmand Winners
• Briscuits
• Cuantos Tacos
• Dai Due
• Distant Relatives
• Emmer and Rye
• Franklin Barbecue
• Kemuri Tatsu ya
• KG BBQ
• La Santa Barbacha
• Micklethwait Craft Meats
• Nixta Taqueria
• Odd Duck
• Ramen del Barrio
• Veracruz Fonda and Bar
Newly Recommended Restaurants
• Fabrik
• Le Calamar
• Pasta Bar Austin
• Poeta
• Siti
Individual Honors
• Sommelier Award
Este and Suerte
• Young Chef Award
Barbs B Q
Austin held its ground in a maturing national landscape while adding new culinary voices with interesting ideas. Our chefs continue to push boundaries with quiet confidence. Our dining culture values sustainability and personality. And our barbecue is still problematic in that it makes other cities feel insecure.
Expect reservations to continue evaporating while tourists to ask for directions with a look of hunger in their eyes. Expect chefs to keep dialing up creativity because Austin likes it that way. The 2025 Michelin results prove that Austin is evolving, maturing, and cooking with swagger.