Michelin’s new rankings for Florida show a decline in Miami’s restaurant industry and an unexpected rise for Tampa.
The restaurant scene in Miami has been all over the news in recent years. From Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura to the party-starting Tao Hospitality Group, several successful businesses have set up shop in this city.
The Michelin Guide released its yearly star rankings for Florida on May 11; this year’s edition focused on Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. In contrast to last year, when no restaurants in this Gulf Coast city were recognised, three of Tampa’s eateries have been given a coveted star for their exceptional cuisine and service.
Koya is an ambitious Japanese counter run by Adriana and Eric Fralick. They serve dishes with unexpected twists, like a chutoro handroll stuffed with wasabi guacamole and yuzu ice cream with Hokkaido uni. Rocca serves authentic Italian cuisine, including fresh mozzarella drawn from a cart at your table (for an additional $44) and handmade pastas like tortello all’ uovo, which feature an egg yolk at their centre. Lilac, by renowned New York City chef John Fraser, also received a star. It may be found in the recently opened Edition hotel.
“The culinary scene has evolved in Florida, particularly in Tampa,” the top inspector for North America wrote in an email, speaking on the condition of anonymity. We’ve been keeping tabs on Koya and Rocca over the past year.
Only one restaurant in Miami was awarded a Michelin star, and that was the French-influenced tasting menus at the Tambourine Room by Tristan Brand. Despite Orlando’s status as the top US travel and tourism destination in 2022 (thanks in large part to the presence of Disney World), the city’s four one-star eateries have not changed. Over $31 billion was generated in tourism revenue for the city in 2017, which is money that might be spent at restaurants serving more adventurous dishes than what families typically eat.
There has been a surge in the number of potential customers throughout the entire state of Florida, as Florida was the fastest growing state in the country in 2022, according to figures from the US Census Bureau. It has gained four restaurants since last year, bringing the total to 19. L’Atelier de Jol Robuchon in Miami has two Michelin stars and is the best restaurant in Florida; the restaurant also has locations in Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. (The definition of a “two-star” establishment is “excellent cooking; worth a diversion.”)
The Sunshine State doesn’t boast any three-star eateries.
The number of restaurants awarded a Bib Gourmand designation increased from 29 in 2022 to 33 this year. The category is roughly defined by Michelin as restaurants where you can get two dishes, a drink, and a dessert for around $50.
Jaguar Sun, a popular spot for tapas in central Miami, is one of the new Bib Gourmands. The bar staff there won Michelin’s Exceptional Cocktails Award as well. Christina Theofiles, chef and owner of Psomi, a Greek restaurant in Tampa that was recently named to the Bib Gourmand list, received the Michelin Young Chef award.
Itamae, a fantastic Nikkei restaurant in Miami’s Design District, was one of the city’s establishments that did not score well in this year’s rankings, losing both its Bib Gourmand and its Michelin star. Carbone’s Miami location has gone without a Michelin star for two years in a row. The New York City landmark lost its Michelin star in October. The head inspector remarked, “We continue to track Carbone’s progression with repeat visits among different inspectors.”
In 1900, French company Michelin created its first travel guides, and in 1926, it started giving out stars. In conjunction with Visit Florida, the first Florida travel guide will be released in the autumn of 2021. See below for a list of the state’s Michelin-rated eateries. A new entry is denoted by a *.
Rating: 2 / 5 / 5
The Jol Robuchon Restaurant in Miami
One-and-Only MiamiArieteMiami’s Boia DeCoteSushi Azabu’s Cosy Lounge The Beach at MiamiElcieloHidenSan FélixJardinier, or Le JardinierHardy Planting*Tambourine Room at the Surf Club Restaurant, Surfside (by Tristan Brandt)
The Knife and the Spoon Soseki Orlando Capa
Tampa*Koya*Lilac*Rocca
Locally Sourced Cuisine at Miami’s Bib Gourmands(Coral Gables) BachourGrub at Chug’sDoyaGhee (Kendall) Indian Restaurant.Miami’s Original Barbecue*Jaguar SunLucaliThai Tapas from Lung YaiThe Aegean Mandolin RestaurantTrue Eats and Drinks by Michael As Natural As It GetsPhuc YeaRosie’s Miami SanguichCoral Gables, Tinta y Cafe.Breadmaker ZakCoral Gables (Zitz Sum)
