Austin Scores 7 Michelin Stars in the 2026 Texas Guide
Austin’s restaurant scene just earned another round of international bragging rights. The 2026 Michelin Guide Texas has awarded stars to seven Austin restaurants, including two exciting newcomers, further cementing the city’s reputation as one of the state’s premier dining destinations.
Announced October 8, this year’s guide recognizes 19 Michelin-starred restaurants across Texas, with Austin accounting for seven of them. While Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Fort Worth all earned recognition, Austin leads the state in the number of starred establishments.
The biggest local news comes from Fabrik and Kappo Kappo, two restaurants joining the city’s Michelin-starred ranks.
Fabrik, known for its creative plant-based cuisine and farm-to-table philosophy, earned its first Michelin star after previously appearing in the guide. Meanwhile, Kappo Kappo made an impressive debut, entering the guide with a star for its intimate Japanese omakase experience influenced by French cooking techniques.
Led by brothers Haru and Gohei Kishi, Kappo Kappo combines Japanese culinary traditions with the pair’s experiences living in France, creating a dining experience that feels both personal and technically ambitious.
Austin’s 2026 Michelin-Starred Restaurants
Seven Austin restaurants received one Michelin star in the 2026 Texas guide:
- Barley Swine – Chef-driven, seasonal Texas cuisine with a strong emphasis on local ingredients.
- Craft Omakase – An intimate Japanese tasting experience showcasing precision and exceptional seafood.
- Fabrik – Plant-based fine dining highlighting seasonal produce and thoughtful sourcing. New star for 2026.
- Hestia – Live-fire cooking centered around wood-burning hearths and ingredient-driven dishes.
- InterStellar BBQ – Central Texas barbecue that proves exceptional smoked meats deserve a place alongside fine dining.
- Kappo Kappo – Japanese omakase incorporating classical French techniques. New star for 2026.
- LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue – Inventive Texas barbecue built around creative cuts, seasonal ingredients, and a whole-animal approach.
The lineup speaks to what makes Austin’s culinary identity interesting. Michelin recognition here isn’t confined to white tablecloths and elaborate tasting menus. Two barbecue restaurants stand alongside ambitious Japanese counters, plant-based cooking, and contemporary Texas cuisine.
Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group Continues Its Michelin Run
Austin-based Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group also had plenty to celebrate, maintaining three Michelin stars across its restaurants in Austin and San Antonio for the third consecutive year.
Hestia retained its star, while San Antonio restaurants Isidore and Nicōsi also maintained theirs. The group’s flagship Emmer & Rye and San Antonio restaurants Mezquite and Ladino retained Bib Gourmand distinctions, while Austin’s Ezov remained Michelin Recommended.
The group also received recognition through Michelin’s new Mindful Voices honor, awarded to partner Kevin Fink and Isidore Chef de Cuisine Ian Lanphear for their commitment to sustainability and thoughtful sourcing.
“None of this happens alone. I’m endlessly grateful to my partners, to our teams in Austin and San Antonio, and to the farmers and producers who make our work possible,” Fink said.
Barley Swine Earns Additional Recognition
Beyond its Michelin star, Barley Swine earned another notable distinction when General Manager Stefan Davis received the 2026 Michelin Guide Texas Service Award.
The honor recognizes exceptional hospitality, an important reminder that great restaurants are measured by more than what’s happening on the plate.
Austin’s Dining Scene Keeps Raising the Bar
With seven Michelin-starred restaurants representing everything from smoked brisket to sophisticated omakase, Austin continues to prove that exceptional cooking doesn’t require a single formula.
The city’s chefs are finding recognition by leaning into what they do best, whether that’s celebrating Central Texas ingredients, mastering live-fire cooking, or challenging expectations about what fine dining should look like.
And in a city where some of the best meals still come wrapped in butcher paper, that’s something worth celebrating.
For the complete statewide results, visit the 2026 Michelin Guide Texas.