Nashville’s Michelin Moment: Three Local Restaurants Earn Their Stars

Nashville just made culinary history.

For the first time ever, the Michelin Guide — that little red book that’s made chefs sweat and foodies swoon since 1900 — came to the South. And guess what? Three Nashville restaurants walked away with Michelin Stars, officially putting Music City on the global fine-dining map.

This isn’t just about food. It’s about how far Nashville has come — from hot chicken and honky-tonks to haute cuisine.

A Michelin Star-Studded Night for Nashville

When the Michelin Guide announced its first-ever American South edition, all eyes were on Atlanta, Charleston, and yes — Nashville!

Three Nashville spots earned the coveted One Michelin Star distinction:

• Bastion

• Locust

• The Catbird Seat

Each of these restaurants is known for something different- Bastion for its bold, intimate plates; Locust for reimagining simplicity; and The Catbird Seat for its pure culinary theater. Together, they showcase the creative pulse running through Nashville’s dining scene.

Chef Michael Lema of The Catbird Seat even admitted he hoped to earn that star one day... and now he has! It’s the kind of moment that reminds you dreams taste best when served hot and seasoned with hard work.

The Green Star and the Good Folks

While the headlines belong to the stars, A Franklin restaurant also earned Michelin’s Green Star — an honor given for sustainability and environmental practices.

And seven other Nashville establishments were recognized as Bib Gourmands, highlighting exceptional quality at a more approachable price point. Think of that like the Michelin version of “great food without the tuxedo.”

Chef-owned restaurants like Rolf and Daughters, Henrietta Red, and others have spent years blending Southern heart with global inspiration — and it’s paying off.

What This Means for Nashville

This isn’t just a fancy feather in the city’s cap. It’s proof of something bigger: Nashville’s growing sophistication without losing its soul.

We’ve always been storytellers — through guitars, through bourbon, and now through cuisine. Our chefs are doing what our songwriters have done for decades: taking raw emotion and local flavor, and turning it into art that travels the world.

As a veteran and historian, I’ve seen how recognition can change an entire city’s rhythm. Back in the day, a “hit” meant a record on Broadway. Now, it might be a reservation you had to book three months out. Either way — it’s all Nashville.

The Future Tastes Bright

The Tennessean reported that many chefs couldn’t even attend the ceremony because of the surprise timing — which feels perfectly Southern. Around here, we don’t chase trends; we set them when no one’s looking.

So, what’s next? Michelin will bring more attention, more tourism, and yes — more competition. But the best part is that it’ll make the whole city better. Every local restaurant, from a meat-and-three in Donelson to a tasting counter in The Gulch, now has reason to aim higher.

If you’re visiting Nashville soon, don’t just eat. Experience it! Walk the same streets where culinary dreams are being plated daily.

And if you want to see the city beyond the menus — where the real stories of its rise began — join one of our Nashville Adventures walking tours. We’ll show you the restaurants that made history and the neighborhoods that made them possible.