Nashville is preparing to host the second annual Michelin Guide American South ceremony on Oct. 21, and while invitations have arrived, many in the restaurant community are keeping quiet about whether they'll be attending.
An invitation suggests a restaurant is likely to receive some form of recognition, but exactly what that might be remains a closely guarded secret.
Three Nashville restaurants, Bastion, Locust and The Catbird Seat, earned one Michelin star each when the guide made its Southern debut in 2025. Seven others received Bib Gourmand distinctions, while 11 more earned spots on the recommended list.
Will those restaurants retain their distinctions? Will new names join the list? What does it mean for Nashville to host a ceremony honoring
some of the South's most accomplished chefs?
Last year's inaugural Michelin Guide American South ceremony came with an unexpected spoiler.
About 12 hours before chefs and restaurateurs were supposed to learn whether their restaurants had earned a coveted Michelin star or another distinction, the guide released its list of winners early, taking much of the mystery out of the evening.
This year, the anticipation is building again, but the secrets appear to be holding.
Here's what to know about the awards, how they work and how to follow the festivities.
When and where is the Michelin Guide ceremony in Nashville?
The 2026 Michelin Guide American South ceremony will take place Wednesday, Oct. 21, at The Pinnacle, 910 Exchange Lane, in Nashville Yards.
The invitation-only event begins with a welcome reception at 6 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 7:15 p.m. A celebration reception will follow at 8:30 p.m.
What is the difference between a Michelin star, Bib Gourmand and recommended restaurant?
Not every restaurant included in the Michelin Guide has a star. In fact, Michelin recognizes restaurants in several categories, each with a different meaning.
Michelin stars: These are the guide's most prestigious culinary distinctions. Stars are awarded strictly for the food on the plate rather than service or atmosphere. Restaurants can earn one, two or three stars.
One star recognizes high-quality cooking worth a stop. Two stars indicate excellent cooking worth a detour, while three stars signify exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.
Yes, the guide was created as a way to sell tires.
Bib Gourmand: This distinction recognizes restaurants serving good food at a good value. It's not a consolation prize, but a separate recognition of food Michelin's inspectors believe offers particularly good value for the money.
Michelin recommended: These restaurants have earned a place in the guide based on the quality of their cooking, even though they haven't received a star or Bib Gourmand distinction.
Michelin Green Star: This additional distinction recognizes restaurants demonstrating leadership in sustainable gastronomy.
Which Nashville restaurants are already in the Michelin Guide?
Three Nashville restaurants earned one Michelin star each when the guide debuted its American South selection in November 2025:
- Bastion
- The Catbird Seat
- Locust
Seven Nashville restaurants earned Bib Gourmand distinctions:
- Kisser
- Peninsula
- Redheaded Stranger
- Sho Pizza Bar
- SS Gai
- St. Vito Focacceria
- Uzbegim
Another 11 Nashville restaurants appeared on Michelin's recommended list:
- Audrey
- Arnold's Country Kitchen
- Bad Idea
- Café Roze
- Folk
- Hattie B's
- Iggy's
- International Market
- Rolf and Daughters
- Shotgun Willie's
- Tailor
January in Franklin also received a Michelin Green Star for its sustainability practices, including its zero-waste kitchen and commitment to local sourcing.
Bad Idea Beverage Director Alex Burch received Michelin's Sommelier Award.
How does Michelin decide which restaurants receive awards?
Michelin's anonymous inspectors evaluate restaurants using five criteria: the quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavors, the chef's personality expressed through the food, and consistency across the menu and over time.
Inspectors visit restaurants anonymously and pay for their meals.
Restaurants don't apply for stars, and recognition isn't permanent. Michelin reevaluates its selections, meaning restaurants can gain, retain or lose distinctions.
Even restaurants that receive invitations to the annual ceremony aren't told in advance exactly what recognition they might receive.
Why is Nashville hosting the Michelin ceremony?
Last year's inaugural American South ceremony took place in Greenville, South Carolina. This year, Nashville gets its turn in the spotlight.
For the city's hospitality community, the event represents an opportunity to welcome colleagues from across the region and introduce them to Nashville's growing restaurant scene.
Diana Barton, a publicist whose DBPR firm represents restaurants in Nashville and Birmingham, expects something of a reunion as chefs and restaurateurs gather for the ceremony.
The Southeast's culinary community is closely connected, she said, and many visiting chefs are already making reservations at Nashville restaurants.
Barton said she sees the ceremony as a rare opportunity for people who spend their careers serving others to enjoy a celebration of their own.
"People who own restaurants rarely get to be the guests of honor anywhere," Barton said.
Last year, brothers Max and Ben Goldberg of Strategic Hospitality gathered with friends, family and fellow restaurant industry professionals at Bastion, their restaurant in Nashville's Wedgewood-Houston, to watch the ceremony unfold from Greenville. All three Michelin-starred restaurants in Nashville belong under the Strategic Hospitality umbrella.
Even though the winners had already been announced, the evening was memorable, the Goldbergs said.
Ben Goldberg recalled the restaurant filled with people celebrating one another's accomplishments, while Max Goldberg said he was particularly struck by the genuine enthusiasm Nashville's restaurant community showed for its peers.
Max had learned about the awards earlier that day while standing in a kitchen with his wife. Among the first people to congratulate him were acclaimed restaurateurs Thomas Keller and Will Guidara, two of his heroes in hospitality.
Later, surrounded by friends and colleagues at Bastion, the significance of the day began to sink in.
"It was definitely, you know, one of those pinch-me moments," he said. "And something that I'll cherish forever."
He said the support among Nashville's restaurateurs is something he doesn't take for granted.
"I can truly attest that that is the case here," he said. "And unfortunately, I don't think that's the case everywhere."
What does Michelin recognition mean for Nashville upscale restaurants?
For restaurants that earned a place in last year's guide, the recognition has brought more than bragging rights.
Barton said restaurant operators under her umbrella with Michelin distinctions reported increased business following the announcements, and that the attention has lasted longer than the bump restaurants sometimes experience following other national awards.
"All my folks who take reservations said that they are still getting a significant amount of people making inquiries and reservations based on finding them in the Michelin Guide specifically," she said.
Some restaurants also reported more engaged diners, with customers asking questions about ingredients, wine, cooking techniques and the chefs behind their meals. Others have seen increased interest from prospective employees hoping to work at Michelin-recognized restaurants.
The Goldbergs have noticed increased interest from visitors specifically seeking out Michelin-recognized restaurants, along with customers asking for recommendations for other Nashville dining destinations.
Max Goldberg said the recognition has amplified the reputation their restaurants had already established.
"Michelin just added fuel to the fire," he said.
At Bastion, Locust and The Catbird Seat, where dining is a particularly personal experience, the pressure to exceed customers' expectations has existed since the restaurants opened.
"I actually don't think very much has changed internally at the restaurants," he said.
Where to celebrate Michelin Guide in Nashville
Although the awards ceremony itself is invitation-only, several celebrations surrounding the event will be open to the public.
Following the Oct. 21 ceremony, three regional celebrations will begin at 9 p.m.:
- A Toast to Tennessee Chefs: Creative Artists Agency at Nashville Yards.
- North Carolina, South Carolina and Atlanta celebration: The Twelve Thirty Club.
- Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi celebration: Alligator Bar.
All three after-parties are open to the public, according to event information.
Though it's not open to the public, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, Hands Please will host an invitation-only gathering in partnership with chef Arnold Myint, Anna Myint and International Market, bringing together chefs, hospitality professionals and others working in the food industry.
Other pop-ups and restaurant events may be announced as the ceremony approaches. Watch local restaurants' social media accounts for opportunities to participate.
How can I watch the Michelin Guide awards ceremony live?
The awards ceremony begins at 7:15 p.m. CDT Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Last year's ceremony was livestreamed on the official Michelin Guide YouTube channel and Michelin's website.
Details about the 2026 livestream have not yet been confirmed.
The Tennessean will also provide coverage of the awards and the Nashville restaurants receiving recognition.
Mackensy Lunsford is the senior dining reporter for The Tennessean. Reach her at mlunsford@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Michelin star awards come to Nashville. Which restaurants could win?
