The South is finally included in the prestigious Michelin Guide, recognizing the best restaurants in the world. The Alabama restaurants named in the Michelin Guide have brought new acclaim to the state.

Many were in attendance as The Michelin Guide’s American South list was announced in Greenville, SC. SoulGrown’s own Holly Swafford was present at the ceremony to celebrate with the 15 restaurants included in the inaugural list. 

What is the Michelin Guide?

What began in 1900 (yes, from the blue-and-white tire company) as a travel aid listing places worth stopping for, has now become the highest and most prestigious culinary and hospitality honor. The guide has many layers and levels of distinction: 

First and foremost – stars. The highest form of recognition within the guide is one, two, and three stars. The inaugural American South list, awards ten restaurants one-star and one restaurant with two stars. The ten restaurants earning one Michelin star in the South came from Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The stand-out restaurant earning two-star’s was the legendary Emeril’s in New Orleans. 

In addition to earning stars, are the following prestigious distinctions: 

Bib Gourmand:

Including 50 restaurants in the South and 5 Alabama restaurants, this competitive distinction highlights restaurants offering the best value; “good quality, good value cooking.” The restaurants offer exemplary food at a more affordable price than the apex of fine dining. These restaurants are places that inspectors typically can be found eating on their weekends by their own choice.  

Special Awards:

In addition to the Bib Gourmand and Stars, 4 Special Awards were given, including one Birmingham, Alabama woman.

Green Star/Sustainability Star:

A newer recognition for restaurants that are excellent in terms of sustainability, environmentally conscious practices, and ethical sourcing. This distinction is often added on top of other distinctions. 

Recommended List:

Being listed in the guide at all is a high honor and mark of great success. They are restaurants with above-average food quality that earned the attention of Michelin inspectors. 

Here is the full list of Alabama restaurants recognized in the Michelin Guide:

Bib Gourmand: 

1. Bayonet, Birmingham 
2. La Fete, Birmingham 
3. OvenBird, Birmingham
4. Pizza Grace, Birmingham
5. The Noble South, Mobile

Michelin Outstanding Service Award:

1. Pardis Stitt, Bottega  

Recommended: 

1. 1856 Restaurant, Auburn
2. Automatic Seafood & Oysters, Birmingham
3. Bottega, Birmingham
4. Chez Fonfon, Birmingham
5. Current Charcoal Grill, Birmingham
6. Helen, Birmingham 
7. Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham
8. Purveyor, Huntsville
9. Rêve, Birmingham
10. Salt Smokehouse, Huntsville 

The full list can be found here.