Here Are the Results of Eater Austin’s Michelin Guide Texas Reader Survey

French international dining review system Michelin is coming to Texas for the first time this year. The Michelin Guide Texas will cover Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth. The company’s anonymous inspectors have already been dining out in the cities, determining which restaurants are worthy of earning coveted one, two, or three star ratings; Bib Gourmands (awarded to more affordable but still quality dining destinations); and Michelin Green Stars (given to restaurants with highly sustainable/eco-friendly practices).

Eater Austin shared our predictions for Michelin-rated restaurants in Austin last week, then we asked y’all, our dear readers, for your guesses and thoughts about the guide coming to Texas.

Of the 90 respondents, many were excited about Michelin Texas happening, echoing sentiments that it was about time it happened. One person wrote, “If it’s in Colorado, [it] should be in Texas.” (Michelin published its first Colorado guide in 2023.) Another commented that it “should have happened years ago.”

One reader sees that Michelin deeming Austin worthy of dining evaluations proves that the city’s dining scenes are worthy. “It shows that — though our service is distinctly ‘Austin,’ with warm, inviting, but casual hospitality touches — we have a passionate group of chefs and hospitality professionals that have something to say, and are serious at the table with larger cities,” they wrote. But they also caution that Austin restaurants and chefs should keep to a Texas hospitality ethos: “As long as everyone in restaurants remembers they’re here because of what we were already doing and not try to morph into service styles in New York or LA, it will benefit everyone in the industry.”

Others see Michelin’s Texas arrival as an opportunity to level up Austin’s restaurants. One wrote that “it will bring tourism, more talent, and greater level of accountability of excellence beyond local critics.” A reader said, “I hope it raises the quality of the industry in the area,” while another commented, “Honestly, [I] don’t think we need ’em, but if it helps the industry, that’s cool.”

One reader who doesn’t think that Texas restaurants are generally Michelin-worthy does think the guide is a good thing: “It will give restaurants a reason to push the envelope and not become complacent as I feel many have.”

The attention paid to Michelin-approved restaurants would benefit other restaurants and businesses. One person explained that “a high tide raises all ships.”

Some don’t think Austin is worthy of Michelin, though. One explained that, while the guide is “better for the quality level overall” for the state, “no Austin restaurants deserve any stars currently (IMO).” Many of the respondents to the survey agree with that sentiment, especially when it comes to the service components, suggesting that no restaurants would earn stars (see the rundown below). One reader wrote that only Dallas and Houston has restaurants that are Michelin quality, not Austin.

Another wrote that “if they are including service, none” would get stars, but if it was based on “pure taste, some sushi place could sneak in,” predicting that Austin would probably get a “token one star.”

Others are concerned that the arrival of such a huge dining guide in Texas could impact Austin negatively. A reader wrote, “I’m somewhat excited, but also nervous how it might change the Austin dining scene and raise prices even more.” Another bluntly put it: “Shouldn’t have happened. Michelin ruins the culinary scene and experience!” Others worry about increasing prices and harder-to-get reservations.

Still, many agree that Austin will get many Bib Gourmands and recommended restaurant designations. Below are Eater Austin readers’ Michelin top Michelin predictions for Austin, ranked.

One Michelin Star in Austin predictions

1. None
2. Barley Swine
3. Franklin Barbecue
4. Jeffrey’s
5. Hestia/Uchi [tie]

Two Michelin Star in Austin predictions

1. None
2. Otoko
3. Hestia
4. Uchi
5. Birdie’s/Emmer & Rye/Jeffrey’s/Olamaie (tie)

Three Michelin Star in Austin predictions

1. None
2. Uchi
3. Jeffrey’s
4. Barley Swine
5. Canje

Bib Gourmand in Austin predictions

1. Nixta Taqueria
2. Franklin Barbecue
3. Birdie’s/Canje/Odd Duck (tie)
4. Foreign & Domestic/Interstellar BBQ/Loro/Ramen del Barrio/Suerte/Uchiko (tie)
5. Bufalina/Cuantos Tacos/Dai Due/Discada/Emmer & Rye/Este/Hestia/Jeffrey’s/Justine’s/La Barbecue/Launderette/Lenoir/Matt’s El Rancho/Perla’s/Sammie’s/Uchi/Underdog (tie)

Michelin Green Star in Austin predictions

1. Dai Due
2. Emmer & Rye
3. Odd Duck
4. Fabrik
5. Barley Swine/Canje/Intero/L’Oca d’Oro/Nixta Taqueria/Olamaie (tie)

Michelin Recommended in Austin predictions

1. Emmer & Rye/Franklin Barbecue/Suerte (tie)
2. Birdie’s/Odd Duck (tie)
3. Canje/Este/Intero/La Barbecue (tie)