30 Michelin Star-Worthy Restaurants in Texas: A Guide

30 Michelin Star-Worthy Restaurants in Texas: A Guide

As a passionate culinary enthusiast, I enjoy getting to learn about the different cuisines around the world. In this article, I invite you to join me in my exploration of culinary excellence through the diverse and vibrant food scene of Texas. In a state known for its bold flavours and innovative chefs, the dining experience reaches new heights with 30 Michelin-star-worthy restaurants. From the bustling metropolis of Houston to the charming streets of Austin, Texas emerges as a haven for food connoisseurs seeking the pinnacle of fine dining.

In this article, we embark on a delectable exploration of 30 Michelin-star-worthy restaurants that grace the Lone Star State with their culinary prowess. Each establishment tells a unique story, a narrative of skilful chefs who have mastered the art of transforming local ingredients into culinary masterpieces. Texas, often celebrated for its barbecue and Tex-Mex, surprises and delights with these Michelin-star-worthy gems that elevate the state’s dining scene to a global standard.

1. Riel 

Riel is a modern American restaurant in Houston, Texas led by Executive Chef, co-owner and Manitoba-native Ryan Lachaine. Dedicated to sourcing the highest quality seasonal ingredients, Riel is about highlighting local flavours, utilizing regionally sourced products and allowing room for interpretation. Inspiration for the menu is pulled from the culinary landscape of Texas’ Gulf Coast, Lachaine’s Ukrainian heritage and French-Canadian fare.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 1927 Fairview St, Houston, TX 77019, United States

CALL: +1 832-831-9109

OPEN: Mon – Thur 5 – 10 pm Fri – Sat 5 – 11 pm Sun Closed 

RESERVATIONS: RESY.COM

2. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

One of the things that make Pappas Restaurants different from other restaurant companies is that Pappas not only runs their restaurants to feed their loyal Guests day in and day out, but they also own and drive the trucks that deliver the freshest meats and seafood to their restaurants every day. The Pappas Bros.’ secret to incredible meat is the dry-ageing process, and there are only three written copies of their exact dry-ageing process in existence: one with the Pappas brothers themselves and one at each location. If you like a good steak, this is the restaurant for you.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 10477 Lombardy Ln, Dallas, TX 

CALL: +1 214 – 366-2000

3. Antonio’s Flying Pizza

For more than 40 years Antonio’s Flying Pizza and Italian restaurant has been all about family. Opened in 1971 by Antonio Rosa, it is still family-owned and operated, and the founder can still be seen greeting guests in the dining room. From fresh clams and calamari to hand-tossed pizzas, their menu remains largely unchanged from the early days.  By focusing on the freshest ingredients and sticking to the founder’s original recipes they hope to continue the tradition of exceptional, classic, heart-warming dishes that Houston has come to expect from them. They also treat their customers like guests in their homes.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 2920 Hillcroft Ave, Houston, TX 77057, United States

CALL: +1 713-783-6080

OPEN: Tue – Thur 11 am – 9 pm Fri 11 am – 10 pm Sat 12 – 10 pm Sun, Mon Closed

4. Harry’s Restaurant

For Johnny Platsas, the restaurant industry has been a part of his life for over four decades. A Greek immigrant, he embarked on his American journey in the 1960s making Houston his home, meeting his Ecuadorian wife, Patricia, along the way. The Platsas family’s acquisition of Harry’s began in the early 1990s. Then a rundown building four decades old, they breathe new life into this Montrose institution. Incorporating dishes that reflect their heritage while still maintaining the local comfort food that has made Harry’s iconic with the locals and downtown clientele. Harry’s got a complete makeover in 2018. Staying true to the concept of The Globe on Your Fork,  Harry’s will continue to bring quality ingredients and a variety of dishes that will keep the tradition alive.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS:  318 Tuam St, Houston, Texas 77006

CALL: +1 713-528-0198

OPEN: Mon – Fri 7 am – 2 pm Sat-Sun 7 am – 3 pm Tue Closed

5. Huynh Restaurant

Huynh is a family-run restaurant that serves homemade Vietnamese food in a comfortable urban atmosphere. Huynh Restaurant has been in Houston for over 14 years. Our EaDo location, just behind the convention centre, is easily accessed from 59 or downtown. Their menu includes fresh spring rolls, rice plates, noodle bowls, stir-fry, hot soups, and other fresh traditional Vietnamese dishes.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 912 St Emanuel St, Houston, TX 77003, United States

CALL:  +1 713-224-8964

OPEN: Mon – Fri 11 am – 3:30 pm, 5-9 pm Sat 11 am – 9 pm Sun closed

6. State of Grace 

State of Grace is a homage to the power of recollection, a place drawn from memory and given a proper frame. Like that warm neighbourhood meeting place from when you grew up. Opened in the classic, refurbished Lamar-River Oaks Shopping Center, State of Grace is a place pulled from recollections. Executive Chef Bobby Matos strums a jubilant medley of old favourites played with new spice, accent, and freshness: southern, American, Latin, Gulf Coast, German, and Asian.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 3258 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098, United States

CALL: +1 832-942-5080

OPEN: Wed-Sat 11 am – 10 pm, Sun 11 am – 9 pm Mon, Tue 5-10 pm 

RESERVATIONS:  OPENTABLE.COM

7. Sister Restaurant

Sister is a restaurant project from Duro Hospitality. Sister will live in the halls of the famed Grape, a Dallas icon for over 40 years. She will serve loosely Italian-inspired neighbourhood fare, wood-fired meats and fish, daily house-made pasta, and lightly Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. The design will feel like a family Trattoria that has grown through the years including collected memorabilia giving the space a quirky and playful feeling. Sister will be a relaxed and comfortable neighbourhood spot for every day. Sister is open seven nights per week.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 2808 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206, United States 

CALL: +1 214-888-8660

OPEN: Wed – Tue 5:30 – 10 pm 

RESERVATIONS:  RESY.COM

8. March

March is about the exploration of this tension and richness that can be reached by no other means but with a clash between worlds over centuries, all piled into one place. This season they delve into Països Catalans, a region whose richness and diversity reflect a blend of Mediterranean, Pyrenean, and French influences, resulting in a unique and flavorful experience. This term primarily describes the cultural-linguistic region but holds diverse meanings depending on the context. We’re exploring the cultural and gastronomic bonds, as well as the important differences among various communities, focusing on Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, the Valencian Community, the Principality of Andorra, and Roussillon.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 1624 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006, United States

CALL:  +1 832-380-2481

OPEN: Tue – Thur 6-11 pm Fri, Sat 6 pm – 12 am Sun, Mon Closed

RESERVATIONS:  MARCHRESTAURANT.COM

9. Canje

Traditional meets modern in this new-age Caribbean restaurant, tucked away on the east side of Austin. Named after the Canje pheasant, the national bird of Guyana, Canje pulls inspiration not just from mainland Guyana, but from Jamaica to Puerto Rico, and all the islands in between. Canje’s menu explores the cooking techniques, ingredients, and many expressions of vibrant food across the entire region. The space boasts a stunning bar, a robust cocktail program and a fun wine list focusing on small producers, built to pair with Caribbean flavours.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 1914 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, United States 

CALL:  +1 512-706-9119

OPEN: Wed – Tue 5 – 11 pm 

RESERVATIONS:  CANJEATX.COM, OPENTABLE.COM

10. Up Scale

Up Scale is nestled on the bustling South Alamo Street and is Carpenter Carpenter’s fine dining establishment. Their chef de cuisine, Rob Arambula, has worked at notable restaurants in Los Angeles and Spain. His curated menu boasts Italian favourites like wagyu bolognese, caviar al limon pasta, and savoury lamb chops. In addition to their varied wine and beer menu, they also offer a line-up of seasonal and signature cocktails all made with the freshest ingredients.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 1024 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78210, United States

CALL:  +1 210-396-7755

OPEN: Wed-Sun 5 – 11 pm Mon – Tue Closed

RESERVATIONS:  OPENTABLE.COM

11. The Honor Bar

Located in the historic Highland Park Village, Honor Bar in Dallas features a large outdoor patio set under a sweeping oak tree and some of our favourite dishes from the Beverly Hills and Montecito locations. Expect an extensive list of wines by the glass alongside hand-crafted cocktails. We can’t wait to see you there! Walk-ins only.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 26 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 75205, United States

CALL:  +1 214-780-0956

OPEN: Tue – Sat 11 am – 10 pm Sun, Mon 11 am – 9 pm 

12. Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano

At Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano, the purpose is to familiarize you with Authentic Mexico City Cuisine which is a fine mixture of long Mexican Heritage which dates back to the Aztecs and a strong European influence from the days of Cortés to Maximilian. At Javier’s, they have chosen to stay away from the more familiar Tex-Mex concept and concentrate their efforts on what we feel is a more realistic image of what Mexico City dining is about. They welcome your patronage and hope that their efforts make your visit an enjoyable one.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 4912 Cole Ave, Dallas, TX 75205, United States

CALL:  +1 214-521-4211

OPEN: Wed – Tue 5-10 pm 

13. Hudson House

Inspired by the rich culinary history of the Hudson Valley, Hudson House aims to pair that style of comfort food with the neighbourhood vibe of the West. Hudson House is another prime example of the East Coast-meets-Texas bistro with all the accoutrements of a special occasion meal, from oysters to seafood towers to lobster mac-and-cheese—all paired with what the menu calls the world’s coldest martinis.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 4933 Belt Line Road Addison, TX 75001

CALL: +1 214-702-5002

OPEN: Mon – Wed 11am -9pm, Thur, Fri 11am-10pm Sat 10am – 10pm Sun 10am – 9pm 

RESERVATIONS: https://www.hudsonhousehp.com/reserve-in-addison/ 

14. Uchiba

Uchibā, loosely Uchi Bar in Japanese, is Uchi’s izakaya‑inspired cocktail bar and restaurant delivering a vast selection of Japanese whiskies, yakitori grill items and Uchi classics. Uchiba is less of a typical sushi restaurant and more of a cocktail lounge with Japanese-style bites and a sushi list.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 2817 Maple Ave Floor 2, Dallas, TX 75201, United States

CALL: +1 214-855-5454

OPEN: Wed – Tue 5-11 pm 

RESERVATIONS: SEVENROOMS.COM, OPENTABLE.COM

15. The Charles

The Charles is a nightly eatery in the heart of the Dallas Design District where Italian design and cuisine are interpreted through a Texas lens. The trio behind the toniest new Dallas Design District restaurant, The Charles, shares a deep appreciation for beautiful things, good food, good company, and a way of enjoying them that is distinctly Italian.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 1632 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207, United States

CALL:  +1 469-917-9000

OPEN: Mon – Thur 5-10 pm Fri, Sat 5-11 pm Sun Closed

 16. Royal China

Royal China offers Mandarin, Sichuan, and Shanghai dishes, but it is rightfully beloved for its handmade noodles and dumplings. Patriarch Shu-Chang Buck Kao, a retired Taiwanese diplomat, founded this popular North Dallas restaurant in 1974. While it offers Mandarin, Sichuan, and Shanghai dishes, it is rightfully beloved for its handmade noodles and dumplings. These items come highly recommended on the menu: a sampler platter with eight pan-fried dumplings, two each of vegetable, pork, shrimp and chicken; flat rice noodles with mixed vegetables and your choice of meat or shrimp. Off-menu requests are possible too.  Lunch specials are available Sunday through Friday. Order dinner between 5 and 6 to avoid the rush of neighbourhood regulars.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 6025 Royal Ln #201, Dallas, TX 75230, United States

CALL: +1 214-361-1771

OPEN: Sun – Fri 11 am – 2:30 pm, 4:30 – 9 pm Sat 4:30 – 9:30 pm 

17. Lucia 

Formerly one of Dallas’s tiniest restaurants, this jewel of the dining scene has moved into a large adjacent space once occupied by its late cousin restaurant, Macellaio, and it is better than ever. Chef David Uygur’s Italian-inspired dishes showcase top-tier ingredients with magical flavour melds. The menu includes house-made pasta, charcuterie, and bread, plus phenomenal grilled or braised entrées and sublime desserts. Try the crostone with chicken liver mousse and artichoke conserva and pair it with a glass of valpolicella. Pastas, including a fava bean agnolotti in brodo, are consistent standouts. The succulent pork shoulder with rapini in a rich jus-and-wine reduction is the best pork dish we’ve had in years. The menu is ever-changing, but the online sample sets an accurate tone.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 287 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208, United States

CALL:  +1 214-948-4998

OPEN: Tue – Sat 5-10 pm Sun, Mon Closed

18. Wabi House

This restaurant has become quite the go-to place for getting big bowls of authentic ramen. The menu at Wabi House has signature favourites such as fried chicken karaage, sweet corn fritters, and spicy miso ramen, but you can also branch out with unique bites like roasted bone marrow mushrooms and crispy pork ears.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 1802 Greenville Ave # 100, Dallas, TX 75206, United States

CALL:  +1 469-949-5121

OPEN: Mon – Thur 11 am – 2:30 pm, 5-10 pm Sat, Sun 11 am – 10 pm 

19. Loro

Loro is an Asian smokehouse and bar brought to you by the award-winning chefs behind Uchi and Franklin Barbecue. Together, they merged their love of Asian cuisine and Texas barbecue to offer innovative dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Asian smokehouse meets Texas barbecue. With a menu, you won’t find anywhere else and plenty of seating, Loro will be your new favourite place in Addison. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 14999 Montfort Dr Dallas, Texas 75254

CALL: +1 214-894-5676

OPEN: Mon – Fri 2 -6 pm 

20. Las Palmas

Las Palmas Tex Mex celebrates 20th-century Mexican cuisine in Texas. When dining with them, you’ll enjoy their flavorful cuisine made with the highest quality ingredients in an atmosphere that is both hospitable and energetic. You’ll also find cold martinis, frozen margaritas, and other classic cocktails at their bar. They are proud to serve the City of Dallas from the heart of its historic Uptown area and to be a part of the great story this unique city tells.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 2708 Routh Street Dallas, Texas 75201

CALL: +1 214 647 1232

OPEN: Sun-Wed 11 am – 10 pm Thur – Sat 11 am – 11 pm 

RESERVATIONS: RESY.COM

21. Emmer & Rye

Opened in 2015, Emmer & Rye is a restaurant designed around the farmer’s haul, featuring a menu that changes daily with a focus on seasonal and local cuisine. Heirloom grains are milled fresh for house-made pasta, bread, and desserts, whole animal butchery is done on-site, and an extensive in-house fermentation program captures flavours at their peak and preserves them for the off-season. Emmer & Rye is a carbon-neutral restaurant. They work with Zero FoodPrint to help offset carbon emissions.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: SkyHouse, 51 Rainey St UNIT 110, Austin, TX 78701, United States 

CALL: +1 512-366-5530

OPEN: Tue – Sun 5:30 – 10 pm Mon Closed

RESERVATIONS: OPENTABLE.COM

22. Franklin Barbecue

There’s only one Franklin Barbecue and they’re only open for lunch. They offer dine-in eating with no need to preorder, just get in line. Line’s form early in the morning. They also offer preorders for 5 pounds or more. Just order on their website up to 6 weeks in advance for takeout. Their busy location is located just East of the Texas Capitol, close to downtown.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702, United States 

CALL: +1 512-653-1187

OPEN: Tue – Sun 11 am – 3 pm 

23. Kemuri Tatsu-Ya

This izakaya-meets-smokehouse is unlike anything else in Austin. Even Kemuri Tatsu-ya’s interior is a hybrid of Japanese and Texan aesthetics: Austere wood panelling and intimate booths are reminiscent of the izakayas in Tokyo and Texas-pride taxidermy hangs on the walls. The ambience strikes the perfect key of east-meets-south. The full-service bar shakes up cocktails inflected with Japanese ingredients like the Mizu lemongrass shochu in the Hannya-Chan and features speciality sake and shochu plus flights of Japanese whisky. Shareable dishes with Japanese and Texan influences make this menu irresistible. The servers here will happily walk you through the menu. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS:  2713 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702, United States

CALL: +1 512-803-2224

OPEN: Wed – Tue 5-10 pm 

RESERVATIONS:  RESY.COM

24. Odd Duck

Odd Duck is a place to celebrate the love of food and drink. Gather with friends and family for a dinner driven by the hospitality and passion of their staff. They take pride in their values and hope to continue to grow and support the local food community. The restaurant from James Beard Award-nominated chef Bryce Gilmore epitomizes contemporary Austin cuisine. He and his team take Texas-forever ingredients from seasonal carrots and tomatoes, grass-fed cattle, and chickens raised nearby and deploy them in a slate of fun, flavorful small plates, where influences range from Indian to German-inspired cuisines. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704, United States

CALL: +1 512-433-6521

OPEN: Sun – Thur 5-9 pm Fri, Sat 5 – 9:30 pm 

25. Tamale House East

Since 1958, the Tamale House has always been a neighbourhood spot. Back then, Grandma Carmen and Grandpa Moses Vasquez served the downtown Austin community. That community included Mexican-American African-American and Greek-American businesspeople who had their small businesses lining Congress Avenue. It included working-class folks, senators and even a president. What they all had in common was a love of the authentic, handmade, fresh Mexican food that was served out of a tiny window from a tiny kitchen on a tiny sliver of land. It was the very same food that Carmen served at her kitchen table at home. True to form, they remain a neighbourhood spot. And while the neighbourhood has changed, they remain steadfast in cooking the old-fashioned way, making everything fresh and from scratch.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 1707 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702, United States

CALL: +1 512-495-9504

OPEN: Mon – Thur closed Fri 5-10 pm Sat, Sun 9 am – 10 pm 

26. Cattleack BBQ

Cattleack Barbeque, a North Dallas BBQ joint, was founded in 2010 and is owned by Andrew Castelan. Cattleack Barbeque is known for its top-notch, fall-off-the-bone, melt-in-your-mouth smoked meats. That’s why they’re branded the best. Head pitmaster Todd David doesn’t take that tagline lightly. He pours his heart, soul and Special Reserve BBQ sauce into making sure that every single item on the menu leaves you thinking, Wow. This is the best darn BBQ I’ve ever had!

They invite you to come and experience some of the best BBQs in Texas, right on the edge of Addison, TX and Farmers Branch, TX- North Dallas. Open every Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The 1st Saturday of every month is Whole Hog Day from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  And don’t forget Pits & Punch also the 1st Saturday of every month starting at 9:00 am. They want you to discover why Cattleack Barbeque is branded the best.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 13628 Gamma Rd, Farmers Branch, TX 75244, United States

CALL: +1 972-805-0999

OPEN: Wed – Fri 10 am – 2 pm Sat – Tue Closed 

27. Fearing’s

Created by celebrity Chef Dean Fearing, Fearing’s Restaurant embodies elevated American cuisine with Southwestern flair. Join celebrities, heads of state, and Dallas locals alike for over seven different dining experiences from the Chef’s Table to the Live Oak patio. Whether you’re craving margaritas and bites with friends, or a multi-course dinner with wine pairings, Fearing’s embraces good old-fashioned Southern hospitality with fresh ingredients to deliver exceptional dining experiences.

Chef Dean Fearing’s philosophy is simple: combining the highest quality ingredients into one harmonious meal. It’s no-nonsense cooking that aims to please everyone. From the sizzling aroma of Texas rib-eye cooked over live mesquite, to the inviting warmth of his infamous tortilla soup. It’s simply good food, done right.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201, United States

CALL: +1 214-922-4848

OPEN: Wed – Tue 7 am – 11 am 11:30 am – 2 pm 5:30 – 10 pm 

RESERVATIONS:  OPENTABLE.COM

28. Pondicheri

Anita Jaisinghani, The chef & co-owner of Pondicheri, was born and raised in India and is of Sindhi descent. Her first restaurant job was at the famous Café Annie, where she worked in the pastry department for 2 years. Following her time at Café Annie, Anita opened Indika in 2001 serving deeply personal dishes that illustrated her desire to portray Indian food in a new light. Pondicheri, followed in 2011, expanding with the opening of the Bake Lab + Shop in 2014. With all of her kaleidoscopic menus, Anita combines the complexities of Indian cuisine with leanings toward the ancient body of wisdom of Ayurveda, the magic of spices & the goodness of fresh, local ingredients.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS:  2800 Kirby Dr b132, Houston, TX 77098, United States 

CALL: +1 713-522-2022

OPEN: Sun – Thur 9 am – 9 pm Fri, Sat 9 am – 10 pm 

RESERVATIONS:  RESY.COM

29. Fred’s Texas Cafe

Fred’s Texas Cafe in Fort Worth, TX offers up pipping hot food and smoking good times. Everything on their menu is rated delicious, and their beer is cold. Fred’s goes a little Mardi Gras with a blackened Certified Angus patty, topped with lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, crispy blackened bacon, fresh jalapeños, and red onion. Finished with a tangy remoulade that’ll make your taste buds parade! Choose between a half-pound patty or a whopping 3/4-pound Big Fred patty.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

ADDRESS: 2730 Western Center Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76131, United States  

CALL: +1 817-232-0111

OPEN: Wed – Tue 10:30 am – 10:30 pm 

30. Killen’s Steakhouse

Serving a wide range of high-quality options, from USDA Prime Beef to Japanese Wagyu and everything in between, Killen’s Steakhouse has established itself as one of Houston’s leading dining establishments for over ten years. Killen’s Steakhouse enforces a strict business casual dress code. They do not allow beachwear, cut-off shorts, flip flops, or gym attire including sweatpants, sweatshirts or hoodies. Athletic apparel, jerseys, hats, beanies, bandanas, ball caps, oversized or baggy clothing, tank tops, and sleeveless shirts are prohibited.

No excessively revealing clothing is allowed. Clothing emitting offensive odours is not permitted to be worn anywhere on the property. Admittance to Killen’s Steakhouse is at the discretion of management who reserves the right to refuse service to patrons who are inappropriately dressed regardless of the reservation status. Reservations are highly recommended. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION 

CALL:  +1 281-485-0844

OPEN: Mon – Thur 4-9 pm Fri, Sat 4-10 pm Sun closed

RESERVATIONS:  KILLENSSTEAKHOUSE.COM, OPENTABLE.COM