(KMDL-FM) In almost every conversation you have with someone in or about Louisiana, food comes up. It's part of our heritage, and it's not just a means of survival. Food lives in the hearts and souls of those who call Louisiana home. The Michelin Guide, the food industry's "Bible" for good eating, has recognized 40 Louisiana restaurants that take our state's passion for food to a whole new level.
In many cases, our foods and recipes are connected directly to the land and sea, which first provided the ingredients that the first Louisiana residents used to create the iconic dishes that our state is known for far and wide. The Michelin Guide honors those cooks, chefs, and culinary creators for their unique takes on traditional and non-traditional favorites from Louisiana.
What Do Michelin Stars Really Mean for a Restaurant?
According to the Michelin Guide, Louisiana has four "Starred" restaurants. The star system breaks down this way, and we are paraphrasing. A one-star restaurant is very good. It uses top-quality ingredients and serves dishes with consistent flavors. It is considered "worth a stop" if you're visiting a particular area.
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A two-star restaurant, according to Michelin, is a restaurant that offers exceptional food that reflects the chef's personality, and the dishes allow the talent of that chef to shine through. These restaurants are considered to be "worth a detour" according to the Michelin Guide.
A restaurant that earns three Michelin stars has earned the guide's highest honor. The cuisine is less of a meal and more of an art form. The restaurants often feature signature dishes that become legendary over time. These are the places the Michelin Guide deems "worthy of a special trip".
Which Louisiana Restaurants Have Michelin Stars?
In Louisiana, Emeril's in New Orleans is a two-star establishment, while Saint-Germain and Zasu, both in the Crescent City, have earned one star in the Michelin Guide. Dakar NOLA a Senegalase themed restaurant also was awarded a Michelin star. What are the other restaurants that earned a Michelin honor? You can see all 40 of them right here.
Louisiana MICHELIN Stars (4 Restaurants)
• Emeril's – New Orleans (Warehouse District) | Modern Creole
• Dakar NOLA – New Orleans | Senegalese (New Star)
• Saint-Germain – New Orleans (Bywater) | Contemporary French
• Zasu – New Orleans (Mid-City) | American Contemporary / Seafood
Louisiana Bib Gourmand – Great Value (12 Restaurants)
• Acamaya – New Orleans | Mexican
• Cochon – New Orleans | Traditional Cajun / Southern
• Cochon Butcher – New Orleans | Charcuterie / Sandwiches
• Domilise's Po-Boy & Bar – New Orleans | Po-Boys / Local Seafood
• Dooky Chase – New Orleans | Classic Creole
• Hungry Eyes – New Orleans | Contemporary American / Mediterranean
• LUFU NOLA – New Orleans | Indian
• Mister Mao – New Orleans | Global "Tapas" / Eclectic
• Parkway Bakery & Tavern – New Orleans | Traditional Po-Boys
• Saba – New Orleans | Middle Eastern
• Safta's Table – New Orleans | Middle Eastern (New Selection)
• Turkey and the Wolf – New Orleans | Inventive Sandwiches
Louisiana MICHELIN-Recommended (24 Restaurants)
• Addis NOLA – New Orleans | Ethiopian
• Atchafalaya – New Orleans | Creative Creole / Southern
• Casimiro – New Orleans | Contemporary (New Selection)
• Clancy's – New Orleans | Classic Creole / Bistro
• Compère Lapin – New Orleans | Caribbean-influenced Creole
• Elsie's Plate & Pie – Baton Rouge | American / Pies
• Evviva – New Orleans | Contemporary (New Selection)
• Feliciana Bistrôt and Bar – Covington | Contemporary (New Selection)
• Galatoire's – New Orleans | French Creole Heritage
• Herbsaint – New Orleans | French-American Bistro
• Jewel of the South – New Orleans | Contemporary Seasonal / Cocktails
• Killer PoBoys – New Orleans | Modern Po-Boys
• La Petite Grocery – New Orleans | French Bistro / Southern
• Molly's Rise & Shine – New Orleans | Playful Breakfast & Brunch
• Osteria Lupo – New Orleans | Northern Italian
• Patois – New Orleans | French Roots / Southern Twist
• Pêche – New Orleans | Seafood / Wood-fired
• Restaurant August – New Orleans | Contemporary French Creole
• Saffron NOLA – New Orleans | Modern Indian
• Saint Claire – New Orleans | Contemporary (New Selection)
• St. Francisville Inn & Restaurant – St. Francisville | Southern / American Contemporary
• The Crustacean Club – New Orleans | Seafood-forward (New Selection)
• The Kingsway – New Orleans | Contemporary
• Willie Mae's NOLA – New Orleans | Southern Fried Chicken
It's interesting to note that Michelin Stars are not just handed out to "ritzy and famous" places. I have eaten at a Michelin-starred food stall in a hawker center in Singapore that offered some of the best chicken and rice I have ever had. So, don't let looks deceive you.
READ MORE: The (Almost) Complete Guide to Dining in Acadiana
And don't let what some critic says about what's good deter you from trying something or someplace new. If you'd like to see a list of places we like, and you're trying to stay on your budget, give these places a try.
Acadiana Date Night on a Budget - 10 Places Lafayette Locals Love
Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells