No new Austin restaurants received a coveted Michelin star this year, but San Antonio made out like a bandit. The high-end steakhouse Isidore and the all-dessert, restaurant Nicosi, both from Austin’s Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, each received one star at the second Texas guide ceremony on Tuesday, October 28, at Houston’s Wortham Theater Center.
Austin maintained all of its stars in year two, as all seven of the city’s previously awarded restaurants (Barley Swine, Craft Omakase, Hestia, Olamaie, InterStellar BBQ, la Barbecue, and Leroy & Lewis Barbecue) held onto their distinctions.
One new Austin restaurant received a Michelin Green star, a designation that honors forward-thinking, sustainable cooking. Nixta Taqueria was recognized for its nearly all-local menu — except the heirloom corn, sourced from a fifth-generation family of farmers in Oaxaca and used to make its in-house tortillas. Nixta joins 2024’s Green star winners Dai Due and Emmer & Rye, which both retained their Green stars.
Two new Austin restaurants received Bib Gourmands, which recognizes spots with great food at great prices. The additions were Mercado Sin Nombre and Parish Barbecue.
In the special awards category, Celia Pellegrini of Este and Suerte won the Michelin Sommelier Award, and Chuck Charnichart of Barbs B Q took home the Michelin Young Chef / Culinary Professional Award. Last year, the Young Chef Award went to Edgar Rico of Nixta.
Big news from the ceremony around Texas is that Dallas restaurant Mamani earned a star after being open for only two months. Mister Charles in Dallas received the Exceptional Cocktails Award, and Houston’s Credence earned the Outstanding Service Award.
As far as Austin is concerned, Michelin Guide Texas now includes seven one stars, three green stars, and 17 Bib Gourmands.
Yet again, no two or three-stars were awarded to any restaurants in the state. The full Austin list follows below; check out Houston’s and Dallas’s lists on their respective sites.
Michelin’s star designations breaks down as follows:
Three Star Austin Restaurants
Two Star Austin Restaurants
One Star Austin Restaurants