I’m just gonna come right out and say it: For the longest time, I thought New Orleans was the spot for Michelin stars. Like, the ultimate. You got that Creole cuisine, that French-y fancy-pants history, the food is legendary. Seriously, I was chilling at a friend’s place, scrolling through Instagram, seeing all these impossibly gorgeous plates of shrimp and grits and turtle soup, and I was like, "Doggone it, these places must be dripping in three-star glory! It’s NOLA!"
Then I went to book a spot for a super important anniversary dinner—I mean, the dinner—and I couldn't find a single Michelin star rating on any of my top picks. I was so confused, I almost dropped my beignet. My whole world was a lie! I had to do a serious deep-dive, like a detective in a crime movie, to figure out the real deal. Turns out, the whole scene just changed, and now New Orleans is officially on the map! So, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we’re about to go on a wild ride to figure out the real scoop on how many Michelin star restaurants are tearing it up in the Big Easy.
🤩 The Big Reveal: How Many Michelin Stars is NOLA Packing? 🤩
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. For decades, New Orleans didn't have any Michelin stars. Zero. Zilch. Nada. And it wasn't because the food wasn't world-class—it was because the famously secretive, tire-company-funded Michelin Guide had never, ever bothered to cover the city. They just focused on the big dogs like New York, Chicago, and parts of California. It was a real snub, honestly! We all knew New Orleans had the chops, but the Michelin man was just sleeping on this incredible culinary scene.
But hold the phone, folks! A massive, historic shift just went down. The Michelin Guide finally expanded to the American South, and New Orleans was right at the top of the list! This is a huge deal, a total game-changer for the city's food reputation on a global scale.
So, drumroll please... As of the inaugural MICHELIN Guide American South 2025 selection, New Orleans has a total of 3 Michelin Starred restaurants!
One restaurant slammed it, earning Two Stars!
Two other places crushed it, each getting One Star!
That makes three Michelin-Starred restaurants, which is a fantastic start and totally confirms what us foodies have known all along: New Orleans is the culinary bomb!
 |
| How Many Michelin Star Restaurants In New Orleans |
Step 1: 🧐 Understanding the Michelin Mystery: Why the Wait?
Before we dive into which restaurants snagged the stars, we gotta talk about the long wait. It’s like waiting for your favorite band to finally tour your town—it takes forever, and you start to think it's never gonna happen.
1.1 It Was All About Geography, Yo
QuickTip: Stop and think when you learn something new.
The main reason NOLA was star-less was simple: Michelin only covered a few specific metropolitan areas in the USA. They don't just roll up to every city. It costs a ton of money for them to send out their anonymous inspectors (the legendary "inspectors" who are basically food ninjas) to wine and dine for a year. New Orleans just wasn't in their rotation. It wasn't personal, it was business!
My personal take? They were straight-up missing out! Imagine missing out on true Creole cooking just because of a spreadsheet. Bad call, Michelin! The sheer number of James Beard Award winners and lifelong, classic French-Creole institutions in this town should have forced their hand years ago.
1.2 The NOLA Vibe Doesn't Need Validation
Let’s be real. New Orleans chefs don't need a French tire company to tell them their food is awesome. The soul of New Orleans cooking is about flavor, culture, and hospitality. It’s about that perfect gumbo that tastes like your Grandma made it, or a po'boy that's messy and magnificent. It’s not always about tiny, fussy portions on a huge white plate.
The local focus is on culinary heritage. Places like Commander's Palace, Antoine's, and Galatoire's have been serving legendary, impeccable food for a century or more! Their reputation is bigger than a star rating. They were already famous. Now, the world just finally caught up.
Step 2: 🏆 Meet the Three New Orleans Starred Restaurants
This is the juicy part, folks! These restaurants are officially the new kings of the New Orleans food mountain, wearing their stars like a crown.
2.1 The Big Winner: Two MICHELIN Stars!
Only one restaurant in New Orleans—and in the entire inaugural American South guide—earned the coveted Two Stars. This means the cooking is “excellent, worth a detour.”
The Spot: Emeril's
The Scoop: Yeah, Bam! Emeril Lagasse's flagship restaurant is back in the spotlight, and this time, it's his son, E.J. Lagasse, leading the charge. The inspectors loved the contemporary Creole cuisine and how it honors the past while blazing a trail for the future. We're talking deep-flavored gumbo and super-refined Creole classics, all served up in a super-sleek dining room. Getting two stars right off the bat? That’s not just good cooking; that’s culinary royalty status. You know they threw down a huge party after that announcement!
2.2 The One-Star Wonders: High-Quality Cooking
QuickTip: A careful read saves time later.
Two other fantastic spots picked up one star each, which means their cooking is “high-quality, worth a stop.” If you’re visiting NOLA, you have to hit these up!
Saint-Germain: This spot is tucked away in the Bywater neighborhood and is all about being creative and bold. They run a tight ship with tasting menus that are constantly changing and pushing the boundaries of what Southern food can be. It’s a great example of New Orleans' new, innovative energy mixing with its old-school charm. It’s totally hip.
Zasu: Chef Sue Zemanick is a NOLA vet, and her restaurant is a gorgeous little cottage in Mid-City. Seriously, it’s charming as all get-out. Zasu got its star for elegant seafood dishes that blend classic French cooking techniques with the amazing bounty of the Gulf Coast. Think pristine fish and super-fresh ingredients that just pop with flavor. The name Zasu means “once again” in Slovak, and it’s a nod to her heritage—a little bit of Europe and a lot of Louisiana love!
Step 3: 💸 The "Bib Gourmand" and "Recommended" Shout-Outs
Michelin doesn't just stop at stars. They also shout out places that are incredible but maybe not as fancy-pants as a starred spot. These other categories are where you find the real local gems and the places that won't totally drain your wallet.
3.1 The Bib Gourmand: Great Eats, Great Value
 |
The Bib Gourmand award is the insider’s secret. This is for restaurants that serve “exceptionally good food at moderate prices.” It's the ultimate bang-for-your-buck list. This list is huge in New Orleans, and it includes some of the city's most beloved spots, showing you can get a world-class meal without selling your car.
Killer Po-Boys: Yeah, a po-boy joint on the list! This is the coolest thing because it shows Michelin is finally recognizing that great food doesn't have to be fine dining. I mean, who doesn't love a great sandwich?
Cochon/Cochon Butcher: Donald Link's famous spots made the cut! If you want amazing traditional Cajun Southern dishes, pork goodness, and house-made meats, these are your jam.
Dooky Chase's: This is a New Orleans institution, famous for its Creole cuisine and deep history in the city's civil rights movement. Getting this on the list is a nod to true NOLA heritage.
3.2 MICHELIN Recommended: Don't Sleep on These!
There are a ton of other New Orleans restaurants that got a “Recommended” listing, which basically means, "Hey, this place is good, go check it out!" We're talking about almost 20 recommended spots, including classics like Galatoire’s, Herbsaint, and Compère Lapin. These places are absolutely fantastic, and they’re what make NOLA the ultimate foodie town.
Step 4: 🗺️ Planning Your Michelin-Inspired New Orleans Food Journey
Tip: Read mindfully — avoid distractions.
Okay, so now you know the score. You have three Starred restaurants, a bunch of great Bib Gourmand spots, and a massive list of recommended eateries. How are you gonna tackle this foodie paradise?
4.1 Booking Your Starred Dinner Spot
Look, you gotta snag a reservation at one of the starred spots. Emeril’s, Saint-Germain, and Zasu are going to be packed now that they have their stars.
Pro Tip: Reservations for places like these often open up a month or two in advance. Set an alarm! Don't be a goofball and try to walk in on a Saturday night. Call ‘em, hit the app, do what you gotta do. It’s a must-do experience.
4.2 Making Room for the Classics
You can’t just eat at the fancy places, though. That would be a crime against the city of New Orleans! You have to mix in the classics.
Get Messy: Go get a roast beef po'boy at Parkway Bakery or hit up a Bib Gourmand spot like Turkey and the Wolf for something totally unique and delicious.
Go Classic NOLA: You have to try Oysters Rockefeller (invented at Antoine’s!), a real-deal Gumbo, and some beignets from Café Du Monde. It’s the law, I think.
Remember this: The best food in New Orleans isn't only in the starred spots. It’s everywhere—in the corner joints, the old-school establishments, and the places that have been perfecting their single dish for generations.
FAQ Questions and Answers
How Can I Get a Reservation at an Emeril’s with Two Stars?
You gotta move fast and plan ahead! Emeril's is now one of the most famous restaurants in the American South. Go online to their official website or use a reservation app (like Resy or OpenTable) exactly when their booking window opens. Be flexible with your dates, and consider a weeknight for better luck.
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
Which NOLA Restaurant Has the Most Michelin Stars?
The restaurant with the most Michelin Stars in New Orleans is Emeril's, which was awarded Two Stars in the inaugural American South guide. The other two starred restaurants, Saint-Germain and Zasu, each hold One Star.
Are Commander’s Palace or Antoine’s Michelin Starred?
No, neither Commander’s Palace nor Antoine’s was awarded a Michelin star. However, they are both highly celebrated, historic New Orleans institutions that are part of the MICHELIN Recommended selection in the new guide. They are absolute legends in the Creole culinary world and must-visit spots.
What’s the Difference Between a MICHELIN Star and a Bib Gourmand?
A MICHELIN Star is awarded only for the quality of the food on the plate, based on five universal criteria, representing the pinnacle of cooking. A Bib Gourmand is awarded for restaurants that offer “exceptionally good food at moderate prices.” Basically, a Star is the ultimate quality award, and a Bib Gourmand is the ultimate value award.
Why Did New Orleans Suddenly Get Michelin Stars?
New Orleans suddenly got Michelin Stars because the MICHELIN Guide launched its first-ever selection for the American South region in 2025. Prior to this, their inspectors did not officially cover the city, so the incredible restaurants in NOLA had no opportunity to earn the famous stars!
 |