MICHELIN Guide New Orleans 2025: Starred & Bib Gourmand Restaurants

Celebrating New Orleans’ MICHELIN-Recommended Restaurants

New Orleans has always been known for culinary excellence, but now our restaurants have the chance to earn the absolute gold standard: a MICHELIN star. For the first time since its founding in 1926, the legendary MICHELIN Guide is expanding to include Louisiana. The new MICHELIN American South Selection covers restaurants across Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, and the existing guide in Atlanta, GA. This is a historic moment and one of great celebration and excitement for the many chefs, servers, and hospitality industry workers who have given so much to make our city the world-class destination that it is.

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

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

Emeril’s stands alone as the only restaurant in the MICHELIN Guide American South to receive 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.

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One MICHELIN Star: Saint-Germain and Zasu

Two New Orleans restaurants—Saint-Germain and Zasu—each earned one MICHELIN Star, signifying high-quality cooking worth a stop on any culinary journey.

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.

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) Dakar

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.

Additional Honors

Adding to the celebration, 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.

Zack Smith, Courtesy of Emeril's

Chef E.J. Lagasse

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