MICHELIN Guide New Orleans 2026: Starred & Bib Gourmand Restaurants

Celebrating New Orleans’ MICHELIN-Recommended Restaurants

This year’s MICHELIN Guide American South recognized 37 New Orleans restaurants, nearly one in seven honorees across a region that spans Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Atlanta. That list includes the region’s only Two Star restaurant and more Bib Gourmand picks than any other city in the guide. It’s a big honor for the chefs, servers, and hospitality workers who have made this city a world-class place to eat.

JUMP TO: Two MICHELIN Stars | One MICHELIN Star | Bib Gourmand Honors | MICHELIN-Recognized Restaurants

Randy Schmidt, Courtesy of Emeril's

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Laura Steffan, Courtesy of Emeril's

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Laura Steffan, Courtesy of Emeril's

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Two MICHELIN Stars: Emeril's

For the second year, Emeril’s stands alone as the only restaurant in the MICHELIN Guide American South with two MICHELIN Stars, a distinction that recognizes exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.

Emeril’s

Emeril’s has always been known for its excellence on the New Orleans culinary scene. Still, Chef E.J. Lagasse, son of Chef Emeril Lagasse, has transformed his family namesake into the ultimate expression of refined New Orleans dining. The completely reimagined flagship celebrates bold Creole flavors through an elegant chef's tasting menu that showcases meticulous technique and imaginative artistry in perfect harmony. The thoughtfully redesigned dining room and orchestrated service create an atmosphere where every moment feels intentional and deeply gratifying. Honored as Louisiana's only AAA Five Diamond restaurant and a member of both Relais & Châteaux and Les Grandes Tables du Monde, Emeril's represents the pinnacle of contemporary Louisiana cooking. This is modern Creole cuisine elevated to its highest form—a masterclass in flavor, heritage, and culinary excellence. In 2025, Chef E.J. Lagasse of Emeril’s received the MICHELIN Young Chef/Culinary Professional Award, sponsored by Sysco. The recognition underscores Lagasse’s vision and leadership in carrying forward his family’s culinary legacy while charting a bold, modern path for New Orleans dining.

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(1) Zasu, (2) Chef Sue Zemanick - Zasu, (3) Saint-Germain, (4) Zasu, (5) Chef Serigne Mbaye - Dakar NOLA, (6) Dakar NOLA

One MICHELIN Star: Saint-Germain and Zasu

Three of the American South’s 21 One Star restaurants are in New Orleans. Saint-Germain and Zasu kept their Stars this year, and Dakar NOLA earned its first.

Saint-Germain

Chefs Trey Smith and Blake Aguillard have created something genuinely magical at Saint-Germain. Inside this intimate twelve-seat sanctuary, a ten-course tasting menu unfolds like an evening at the chefs' own table, where every course reveals meticulous technique and a solid creative vision. Each thoughtfully composed bite showcases what's possible when working at such an intimate scale. Recognized by Eater New Orleans, Wine Enthusiast, GQ, and the James Beard Foundation, Saint-Germain delivers an unforgettable evening where hospitality and culinary artistry truly converge.

Zasu

Chef Sue Zemanick's Zasu is housed in a charming Mid-City cottage, where inviting green walls and warm wood create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and thoughtfully refined. The restaurant's name, meaning "once again" in Slovak, honors Zemanick's heritage and the childhood kitchen memories that shaped her cooking. Here, traditional Eastern European favorites (the pierogis are a must) meet Louisiana's Gulf bounty in a menu that lets pristine ingredients shine, blending local and global flavors with elegant technique. The result is cuisine that feels clean and light yet deeply satisfying. As a James Beard Award–winning chef, Zemanick brings exceptional skill and genuine warmth to every plate, where culinary mastery and neighborhood coziness exist in perfect balance.

Dakar NOLA

Dakar NOLA earned its first MICHELIN Star this year, one of only three restaurants in the entire American South to join the One Star list. One of the most celebrated restaurants in the city, Dakar is a modern Senegalese restaurant with a multi-course tasting menu. As each course is served, dive into a menu inspired by Chef Serigne Mbaye’s most cherished memories of his childhood in Senegal. Each dish is accompanied by a story and served family style. Their seasonal seven-course pescatarian tasting menu features rich, bold, and aromatic flavors of Senegalese food and tells the story of the deep cultural connection between Senegambia and New Orleans.

Denny Culbert, Courtesy of Acamaya

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Fried Bologna Sandwich - Turkey and the Wolf

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(1) Acamaya - Interior, (2) Dooky Chase's, (3) Mister Mao, (4) Saba, (5) Turkey and the Wolf, (6) Lufu

Bib Gourmand Honors in New Orleans

In addition to the prestigious stars, the MICHELIN Guide also highlights restaurants offering exceptional food at great value through its Bib Gourmand awards. These eateries are celebrated for outstanding quality, warm service, and affordability. They represent the spirit of New Orleans dining, where fine food meets everyday hospitality. From classic po-boys to inventive small plates, this list reflects the city’s incredible range of flavors and experiences.

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(1) Addis NOLA, (2) Atchafalaya, (3) Restaurant August, (4) Herbsaint, (5) Compere Lapin, (6) Saint Claire

Michelin-Recognized Restaurants in New Orleans

Beyond the Bib Gourmand list, the MICHELIN Guide also recognizes restaurants for their noteworthy cuisine—dining experiences that stand out for creativity, consistency, and craftsmanship, even if they don’t carry a star. In a global context where only a fraction of restaurants earn MICHELIN recognition, being included in this category remains one of the highest honors in the culinary world.

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