The MICHELIN Guide officially landed in Georgia as Michelin and Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) unveiled the Michelin Guide Atlanta on July 11, 2023. Finally, on October 24, 2023 at the Rialto Center in downtown Atlanta, the inaugural Michelin ceremony presented its stars, bib gourmands, and other distinctions to Atlanta restaurants.
“We want to recognize that Atlanta is a culinary powerhouse, with a long list of styles and flavors for foodies to enjoy. One might immediately associate the city with Southern cuisine, and rightfully so, but there is much depth here that should not go overlooked,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “Atlanta is brimming with innovation and talent, which is evident in the dining scene, according to our anonymous inspectors.”
The Atlanta restaurant selection followed Michelin’s historical methodology, based on five universal criteria, to ensure each destination’s selection equity:
- Quality products
- The harmony of flavors
- The mastery of cooking techniques
- The voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine
- Consistency between each visit and throughout the menu (each restaurant is inspected several times a year)
“Atlanta’s culinary scene is rich in diversity and constantly evolving but has long been one of the most underappreciated assets in our city,” said William Pate, president and CEO of ACVB. “We are proud of the recognition the MICHELIN Guide will bring to our destination as it highlights our local chefs and cuisine.”
The Michelin ceremony presented the following awards:
One Michelin Star
Atlas – Freddy Money
Bacchanalia – Anne Quatrano, Clifford Harrison and Kai Nalampoon
Hayakawa – Atsushi Hayakawa
Lazy Betty – Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips
Mujō – J. Trent Harris
Bib Gourmand
Arepa Mia
Banshee
Bomb Biscuit Co.
Estrellita
Fishmonger
Fred’s Meat & Bread
Heirloom Market BBQ
Little Bear
The Busy Bee
Antico Pizza Napoletana
Green Star
Bacchanalia
The Chastain
Special Awards
Michelin Service Award – Neal McCarthy and FOH team at Miller Union
Exceptional Cocktails – Jason Furst and bar team at BoccaLupo
Sommelier – Juan Fernando Corest at the Chastain
Young Chef – Jarret Steiber of Little Bear
