MICHELIN Toasts New Class of NC Restaurants

RALEIGH, NC (Oct. 22, 2026) — North Carolina’s roster of restaurants recognized in the MICHELIN Guide American South grew to 58 across 10 destinations in a ceremony Wednesday in Nashville, TN. Special awards were presented to key figures at three restaurants that received first-time recognition, and four restaurants entered the Guide with Bib Gourmand status for quality and value.

All 47 restaurants from 2025’s inaugural Guide, including Charlotte’s starred Counter-, retained their status. Find a map for all 58 here.

Héctor González-Mora, executive chef of The Story of Mi Cariño in Charlotte, received the Young Chef Award, which in 2025 went to to E.J. Lagasse of Emeril’s in New Orleans. González-Mora’s gastro cantina and mezcalería also earned Bib Gourmand status for its Mexican and Latin American cuisine.

The Sommelier Award was presented to William Mellon of manna, a Wilmington restaurant long celebrated for its farm-to-table fare and bar offerings. Mellon, the restaurant’s proprietor, oversees the wine program with sommelier Alden McInnis. Manna, with Carson Jewell as executive chef, joins the Guide as a recommended restaurant.

Sam Diminich, who founded Charlotte’s sustainability-focused Your Farms Your Table as an act of resilience, was recognized in MICHELIN’s new Mindful Voices program. Diminich’s Restaurant Constance secured its first recommendation with the inaugural MICHELIN Guide American South.

“North Carolina’s culinary scene has long been a source of pride,” said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit NC. “It’s exciting to see the international spotlight zoom in on even more of our chefs and restaurateurs than the 47 chosen for the inaugural regional guide. Their achievement speaks to a powerful blend of innovation and tradition, of timeless foodways and global influence, and also gracious service, a MICHELIN standard and a hallmark of Southern hospitality.”

Bib Gourmand newcomers

Restaurants in Carrboro, Durham and Raleigh joined The Story of Mi Cariño with Bib Gourmand designations:

• Tesoro, Carrboro. David Peretin’s 26-seat neighborhood restaurant serves housemade pasta, seasonal plates and classic sweets with Italian, French and Croatian influences. 
• Ajja, Raleigh. Chef Cheetie Kumar interprets specialties from the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East in a dynamic indoor-outdoor neighborhood space.   
• Ideal’s Sandwich & Grocery, Durham. Ian Bracken and Paul Chirico create Northeast-style masterpieces (think Philly roast pork, Harlem chopped cheese) using house-made bread.

Newly recommended

Six more restaurants make their debut in the Guide’s second edition:

• Native Fine Diner, Greenville. Luke Owens defines the “fine diner” concept with reimagined classics crafted with locally sourced ingredients.
• L'Ostrica, Charlotte. The tasting menus from Eric Ferguson and Cat Carter build on global influences, seasonal ingredients and inspired beverage pairings.
• Albertine, Charlotte. Contemporary cuisine from Joe and Katy Kindred draws on Mediterranean influence and Southern roots in a stylish setting. 
• Spaghett, Charlotte. The ingredient-driven craft pasta and cocktail house is helmed by chef Kendall Moore and bar director Amanda Britton in partnership with Sam Hart of Counter-.
• Pump Social, Concord. Rachael and A.J. Donner have transformed a once-busy downtown service station into a gathering place for hand-crafted sandwiches, salads, grain bowls and beverages.
• Salita Pizza, Wilmington. Naturally leavened dough, organic ingredients and crusts blistered in Mario Acunto ovens distinguish Jim Diecchio’s pies.

The ‘MICHELIN effect’

The American South Guide covers North Carolina plus Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and the pre-existing Atlanta Guide. It represents a partnership between the Travel South USA, Visit NC and other state tourism entities. Explore Asheville, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Discover Durham and Visit Raleigh are supporting partners. Visit NC’s participation opens the door for restaurants across the state to be considered.

“The case for pursuing a place in the MICHELIN Guide grows out of research that shows a positive effect on visitation and local economies,” Tuttell said. “The ‘MICHELIN effect’ goes well beyond the recognized restaurants.”

He cited a 2025 study from EY, the multinational professional services network, that found:

• 74% of travelers surveyed consider MICHELIN’s presence as a decisive criterion when choosing a destination.
• 76% are prepared to extend their stay to enjoy an experience in a restaurant recommended by the MICHELIN Guide.
• 80% are prepared to pay more to experience this level of excellence.

The effect is felt deeply at the restaurant level.

“It was obvious this year, after receiving our MICHELIN recommendation, not only were more guests visiting the Fearrington House but we were also drawing a younger crowd looking for an experience,” said Paul Gagne, executive chef at the Fearrington House Restaurant in Pittsboro. “We traditionally always had very predictable slowdowns throughout the year, but this past year we had none, we have been booked consistently the entire year.”

Inaugural honorees

For the 2025 MICHELIN Guide American South, North Carolina’s 47 included restaurants was the most of any state.

Counter-, a themed experience in Charlotte, merited a MICHELIN star. Seven other restaurants received the Bib Gourmand distinction for quality fare at an accessible price: Sam Jones BBQ and Mala Pata in Raleigh; Prime BBQ in Knightdale; Lang Van in Charlotte; and Luminosa, Mother and Little Chango in Asheville.

Four chefs/restaurateurs earned recommendations for multiple restaurants:

• Charlotte’s Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown for Haberdish, Ever Andalo and Supperland, whose head mixologist, Colleen Hughes, won the 2025 American South Exceptional Cocktails Award.
• Scott Crawford for Crawford and Son, Jolie and Brodeto in Raleigh.
• Joe and Katy Kindred for Kindred in Davidson and Hello, Sailor in Cornelius (and now Albertine in Charlotte).
• Robin Anthony for Prime Fish and Omakase Experience by Prime Fish in Charlotte.

The recommended list f0r Raleigh and Cary also includes Herons, Brewery Bhavana, Poole’s, the Pit Authentic Barbecue, Tamasha, St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar, Stanbury and Dampf Good BBQ. Durham’s Seraphine, Nikos, Nanas and Little Bull earned notice, as did the Fearrington House Restaurant in Pittsboro.

Others from Charlotte are Customshop, Restaurant Constance, Rada and Little Mama. Asheville recommendations are Cúrate bar de Tapas, Table, Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse, Tall John’s, Soprana Rooftop Cantina, Golden Hour, Good Hot Fish, All Day Darling, Addissae Ethiopian Restaurant, The Admiral, Sunny Point Café and Leo’s House of Thirst.

“MICHELIN values consistency, and North Carolina’s inaugural 47 prove that they’re worthy,” Tuttell said. “It’s even more exciting to see the number rise to 58.”

About Visit North Carolina 

Visit North Carolina, the state's official destination marketing organization, is part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, a private nonprofit corporation that serves as North Carolina’s economic development organization. The EDPNC focuses on business and job recruitment, existing industry support, international trade, tourism and film marketing. 

The mission of Visit NC is to unify and lead the state in positioning North Carolina as a preferred destination for leisure travel, group tours, meetings and conventions, sports events and film production to maximize economic vitality statewide. Each year, North Carolina welcomes about 40 million visitors who spend more than $37 billion during their visit. The tourism industry employs more than 230,000 people and generates more than $2.7 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information, travel ideas and inspiration, go to VisitNC.com.

Contact

Veda Gilbert ǀ Suzanne Brown ǀ Emily Neeley
media@VisitNC.com