Think Michelin is just about fancy dining? Its Nashville selections include hot chicken, Thai food and barbecue — and yes, some intricate tasting menus too.
The 2026 Michelin Guide American South released Oct. 21 recognized 23 Nashville restaurants: three with one star for high-quality cooking, eight with Bib Gourmands for good food at a good value, and 12 recommended restaurants that earned inspectors' endorsement without a star or Bib Gourmand. January at Southall Farm & Inn in nearby Franklin is also recommended.
Bastion, Locust and The Catbird Seat each retained the single star they earned in the inaugural 2025 American South selection. Four Nashville restaurants joined the guide in 2026: Maiz de la Vida earned a Bib Gourmand, while 5th &
Taylor, Junior and Present Tense received recommended listings. All of the city's 2025 selections returned.
Below is the complete list for 2026, organized by distinction.
What do Michelin's distinctions mean?
Michelin's inspectors recommend all restaurants in the guide, but they receive different levels and types of recognition. Only restaurants awarded one, two or three stars are Michelin-starred. Nashville currently has three one-star restaurants and none with two or three stars.
- One Michelin star: High-quality cooking worth a stop.
- Two Michelin stars: Excellent cuisine worth a detour.
- Three Michelin stars: Exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.
- Bib Gourmand: Good food at a good value.
- Recommended: Restaurant inspectors endorse for inclusion in the guide without awarding a star or Bib Gourmand.
Nashville restaurants with one Michelin star
All three restaurants first earned their stars in 2025 and retained them in 2026.
- Bastion: 434 Houston St.
- Locust: 2305 12th Ave. S.
- The Catbird Seat: 700 Eighth Ave. S., fifth floor.
Nashville Bib Gourmand restaurants
These restaurants are recognized for good food at a good value. Maiz de la Vida joined the selection in 2026; the others first received the distinction in 2025.
- Kisser: 747 Douglas Ave., Suite 105B.
- Maiz de la Vida: 606 Eighth Ave. S., Suite 100.
- Peninsula: 1035 W. Eastland Ave.
- Redheaded Stranger: 305 Arrington St.
- S.S. Gai: 1101 McKennie Ave., Bay 3.
- Sho Pizza Bar: 1309 McGavock Pike.
- St. Vito Focacceria: 605 Mansion St.
- Uzbegim: 117 28th Ave. N.
Michelin-recommended Nashville restaurants
5th & Taylor, Junior and Present Tense joined the guide in 2026. The remaining restaurants first appeared in the 2025 selection.
- 5th & Taylor: 1411 Fifth Ave. N.
- Arnold's Country Kitchen: 605 Eighth Ave. S.
- Cafe Roze: 1115 Porter Road.
- Folk: 823 Meridian St.
- Hattie B's Hot Chicken: 112 19th Ave. S. The guide recognizes the Midtown location.
- iggy's: 609 Merritt Ave., Suite 101.
- International Market: 2013 Belmont Blvd.
- Junior: 907 Dickerson Pike.
- Present Tense: 509 Houston St.
- Rolf and Daughters: 700 Taylor St.
- Shotgun Willie's BBQ: 1500 Gallatin Pike S., Suite 104, Madison.
- Tailor: 620 Taylor St.
Michelin recognition in nearby Franklin
January at Southall Farm & Inn, 2200 Osage Loop, is included among Michelin's recommended restaurants in both the 2025 and 2026 selections.
January also received a Green Star in 2025 for its sustainability practices. Michelin announced in 2026 that it was discontinuing the Green Star while introducing Mindful Voices, an editorial platform highlighting people and practices across food, hospitality and wine. January's recommended listing is separate from its former Green Star recognition.
Mackensy Lunsford is the senior dining reporter for The Tennessean. Reach her at mlunsford@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Every Michelin-recognized restaurant in Nashville, Franklin
