Atlanta Culinary Stars Shine in City’s Second Year in Michelin Guide 

Four Atlanta restaurants gained single Michelin stars last month, bringing the city’s total of starred restaurants to nine in the second year it has been reviewed in the French tire firm’s renowned travel and dining guide. 

The new entrants showed how Michelin inspectors cast a wider net around the metro area — and that its culinary scene is marked with increasing diversity, both in the styles of cuisine offered and among the chefs who prepare it. 

“The city’s world-renowned warmth and welcome remain constant in the newest gems added for 2024, adding this tasty Je ne sais quoi to already impressive gastronomic offers,” Gwendal Poullennec, the international director of the Michelin Guides, said in a video message at an Oct. 30 ceremony at the Georgia World Congress Center.

The recognition also fixes Atlanta more firmly on the international culinary map as its international visitor numbers climb and as preparations ramp up for landmark global events like the FIFA World Cup in 2026. 

“Atlanta’s really never gotten the recognition that our culinary industry deserves, but by aligning with the Michelin brand, we are now becoming recognized as one of the country’s most notable food destinations, which has elevated our restaurants across the country and across the world,” said William Pate, president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Two Japanese concepts — O by Brush, headed by Jason Liang, and Omakase Table, run by Leonard Yu — were among the four new one-star recipients, along with Spring in Marietta and Staplehouse in Old Fourth Ward. 

The five restaurants who last year each gained one star — reserved for dining spots inspectors saw as “high quality cooking, worth a stop” — all retained them: Atlas, Bacchanalia, Hayakawa, Lazy Betty and Mujō.

Four new restaurants gained a Bib Gourmand, offered to restaurants with “good food at a moderate price,” adding to the 10 selected last year. Masterpiece, Superica, Table & Main and Whoopsie’s made up the new selections in that category. 

Four new “recommended” restaurants brought Atlanta’s total at that level to 34: Hen Mother Cookhouse, Little Sparrow, Nàdair and Woo Nam Jeong.

Across the three designations, Atlanta now has 57 Michelin-acclaimed establishments.

Emcee Mike Jordan, senior editor at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said the designees show how excellence long recognized by Atlantans is now gaining notoriety beyond U.S. borders. 

“This evening is about more than just food. It’s about culture. It’s about the community and the spirit that makes Atlanta a must-visit destination of culinary lovers,” Mr. Jordan said. 

Four local restaurants were also given special awards: 

• Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award to Miles Macquarrie at Kimball House

• Michelin Sommelier Award (sponsored by Franciacorta) to Ashleigh McFadden at Nàdair

• Michelin Outstanding Service Award to Daniel Crawford at Spring

• Michelin Young Chef / Culinary Professional Award to Nolan Wynn at Banshee 

See the full news release listing all the starred, Bib Gourmand and recommended restaurants from Atlanta’s second year in the guide below:

2024-Atlanta-MGC-selection-release_10.28.24

–With reporting from Michal Jensby