45 Tennessee Restaurants Shine in 2026 MICHELIN Guide American South Selection

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 22, 2026) – Tennessee’s culinary scene continues to shine as 11 new restaurants joined the 2026 MICHELIN Guide American South, bringing the state’s total to 45 recognized restaurants. Hosted by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. at The Pinnacle Wednesday night, the second annual ceremony brought together chefs and restaurant teams from across the southeast to celebrate the region’s exceptional culinary talent. Tennessee actor and singer/songwriter Charles Esten served as master of ceremonies for the evening.

The 2026 selection includes three One MICHELIN Star restaurants, 12 Bib Gourmands and 30 MICHELIN Recommended restaurants across 10 Tennessee cities, showcasing culinary excellence from the state’s largest cities to its charming small towns.

Tennessee is one of six states included in the MICHELIN Guide American South through a collaborative partnership with Travel South USA, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, and participating states including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina, along with the pre-existing Atlanta Guide. Together, these partners helped bring the globally recognized MICHELIN Guide to the South, bringing international attention to the region’s diverse flavors and culinary innovation.

Complete List of Tennessee Restaurants in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide American South

The 2026 selection includes 11 restaurants recognized for the first time, indicated below as NEW:

One MICHELIN Star (3)

• Bastion, Nashville
• Locust, Nashville
• The Catbird Seat, Nashville

Bib Gourmand (12, including 3 new in 2026)

• A Dopo, Knoxville (NEW)
• Bao Toan Kitchen & Bar, Memphis (NEW)
• Hog & Hominy, Memphis
• Kisser, Nashville
• Little Coyote, Chattanooga
• Maiz De La Vida, Nashville (NEW)
• Peninsula, Nashville
• Redheaded Stranger, Nashville
• S.S. Gai, Nashville
• Sho Pizza Bar, Nashville
• St. Vito, Nashville
• Uzbegim, Nashville

Recommended Restaurants (30, including 8 new in 2026)

• 2nd, Chattanooga (NEW)
• 5th & Taylor, Nashville (NEW)
• Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Memphis
• Arnold’s Country Kitchen, Nashville
• Au Bon Coin, Knoxville (NEW)
• Café Roze, Nashville
• Easy Bistro, Chattanooga
• Fawn, Memphis (NEW)
• Felicia Suzanne’s, Memphis
• Folk, Nashville
• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Nashville
• iggy’s, Nashville
• International Market, Nashville
• J.C. Holdway, Knoxville
• January, Franklin
• Judith, Sewanee
• Junior, Nashville (NEW)
• Lunch, Sewanee
• Main Street Meats, Chattanooga
• Petals of a Peony, Cordova
• Potchke, Knoxville
• Present Tense, Nashville (NEW)
• Raven Steakhouse, Maryville (NEW)
• Rolf & Daughters, Nashville
• Shotgun Willie’s BBQ, Madison
• Tailor, Nashville
• The Lobbyist, Memphis
• The Restaurant at RT Lodge, Maryville
• The Rosecomb, Chattanooga
• Wilder at Windy Hill Farm & Preserve, Loudon (NEW)

Learn more about the MICHELIN Guide by visiting guide.michelin.com. Explore Tennessee’s dining experiences at TNVacation.com and join the conversation on social media with @TNVacation using hashtag #TNSoundsPerfect.

*To request photo assets, email press@TNVacation.com.

About Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is dedicated to driving economic growth and tourism in all 95 counties. TDTD’s global marketing efforts increase visitation to Tennessee, which boosts tax revenue, creates jobs and attracts new investment across the state. Tennessee is a global destination of choice offering visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty and outdoor adventure—all centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations “sound perfect” in Tennessee. Visit TNVacation.com and follow @TNVacation on social media for travel inspiration.

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Media Contacts:
Amanda Murphy
amanda.murphy@TN.gov

Jill Kilgore
jill.kilgore@TN.gov

Chelsea Trott
chelsea.trott@TN.gov

Shelby McAuley
shelby.mcauley@TN.gov