MICHELIN STARS FOR NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANTS, 2025
Chefs E.J. Lagasse (Emeril's), Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith (Saint Germain) and Sue Zemanick (Zasu)
MICHELIN STARS FOR NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANTS, 2025
The mysterious judges for the prestigious Michelin restaurant awards have been researching the local restaurant scene for an undisclosed amount of time, and they have finally announced the results of their deliberations. After much build up and anticipation, the Michelin organization has finally announced - for the first time - the New Orleans restaurants that have met their standards.
Three local restaurants (remember, there's no such thing as a Michelin-starred chef, only Michelin-starred restaurants!) were awarded the coveted stars:
Two Michelin Stars:
Emeril’s
Emeril’s joins only 34 other two star restaurants in the United States – and joins a club of around 500 two-starred restaurants globally. A restaurant with two Michelin stars signifies "excellent cooking, worth a detour," according to the official Michelin Guide criteria - exceptionally crafted dishes that are refined and inspired, showcasing the chef's talent and personality. “The young E.J. Lagasse, son of the indomitable namesake, now oversees a remarkable dining room that has celebrated Creole cuisine for more than three decades,” said the Michelin Guide in their announcement. “His determination is palpable as he charts a new course, bringing contemporary refinement and vibrant originality to the fore. BBQ shrimp tarts, deep-flavored gumbo and superb, golden-brown cornbread paired with French butter feel familiar and new at once.”
One Michelin Star
Saint Germain
Bywater favorite Saint-Germain - a 10-course tasting menu restaurant - was opened by Chefs Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith in 2018. One star is awarded to restaurants "using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavours are prepared to a consistently high standard". “The old adage about not judging a book by its cover couldn’t be more apt for this little restaurant in Bywater,” said the announcement by Michelin. “An unassuming front advertising “natural wines and garden patio” leads to a quaint bar where Chefs Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith start the meal with a few pleasant bites.”
One Michelin Star
Zasu
Chef Sue Zemanick’s Mid-City restaurant, which opened in 2019, was also awarded a star. “Chef Sue Zemanick is no stranger to the New Orleans dining scene, having spent time in the kitchens of some of the city’s famed restaurants before opening Zasu in 2019,” said Michelin. “Set in an easy-to-miss cottage in Mid-City, it’s an elegant oasis with a sleek dining room marked by wood floors, dark green walls and gold tones.”
The following eleven restaurants were awarded the ‘Bib Gourmand’, an award that honors restaurants offering three-course meals at ‘reasonable’ prices.
Acamaya (READ OUR REVIEW)
Cochon
Cochon Butcher
Domilise's Po-Boys & Bar
Dooky Chase’s Restaurant
Hungry Eyes
LUFU NOLA
Mister Mao
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Saba
Turkey and the Wolf
The following restaurants got a 'recommended' status:
Osteria Lupo (READ OUR REVIEW)
The Kingsway (READ OUR REVIEW)
34
Addis
Atchafalaya
August
Clancy's
Compere Lapin
Dakar
Galatoire's
Herbsaint
Killer PoBoys
La Petite Grocery
Molly's Rise & Shine
Patois
Peche
Saffron
Willie Mae's
Coming up: Next week we’ll post the results of our ‘People’s Michelin Star Awards’, with our informal poll on the places that you thought the Michelin Guide missed, plus reviews of some of the Bib Gourmand recipients.
Three local restaurants (remember, there's no such thing as a Michelin-starred chef, only Michelin-starred restaurants!) were awarded the coveted stars:
Two Michelin Stars:
Emeril’s
Emeril’s joins only 34 other two star restaurants in the United States – and joins a club of around 500 two-starred restaurants globally. A restaurant with two Michelin stars signifies "excellent cooking, worth a detour," according to the official Michelin Guide criteria - exceptionally crafted dishes that are refined and inspired, showcasing the chef's talent and personality. “The young E.J. Lagasse, son of the indomitable namesake, now oversees a remarkable dining room that has celebrated Creole cuisine for more than three decades,” said the Michelin Guide in their announcement. “His determination is palpable as he charts a new course, bringing contemporary refinement and vibrant originality to the fore. BBQ shrimp tarts, deep-flavored gumbo and superb, golden-brown cornbread paired with French butter feel familiar and new at once.”
One Michelin Star
Saint Germain
Bywater favorite Saint-Germain - a 10-course tasting menu restaurant - was opened by Chefs Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith in 2018. One star is awarded to restaurants "using top quality ingredients, where dishes with distinct flavours are prepared to a consistently high standard". “The old adage about not judging a book by its cover couldn’t be more apt for this little restaurant in Bywater,” said the announcement by Michelin. “An unassuming front advertising “natural wines and garden patio” leads to a quaint bar where Chefs Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith start the meal with a few pleasant bites.”
One Michelin Star
Zasu
Chef Sue Zemanick’s Mid-City restaurant, which opened in 2019, was also awarded a star. “Chef Sue Zemanick is no stranger to the New Orleans dining scene, having spent time in the kitchens of some of the city’s famed restaurants before opening Zasu in 2019,” said Michelin. “Set in an easy-to-miss cottage in Mid-City, it’s an elegant oasis with a sleek dining room marked by wood floors, dark green walls and gold tones.”
The following eleven restaurants were awarded the ‘Bib Gourmand’, an award that honors restaurants offering three-course meals at ‘reasonable’ prices.
Acamaya (READ OUR REVIEW)
Cochon
Cochon Butcher
Domilise's Po-Boys & Bar
Dooky Chase’s Restaurant
Hungry Eyes
LUFU NOLA
Mister Mao
Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Saba
Turkey and the Wolf
The following restaurants got a 'recommended' status:
Osteria Lupo (READ OUR REVIEW)
The Kingsway (READ OUR REVIEW)
34
Addis
Atchafalaya
August
Clancy's
Compere Lapin
Dakar
Galatoire's
Herbsaint
Killer PoBoys
La Petite Grocery
Molly's Rise & Shine
Patois
Peche
Saffron
Willie Mae's
Coming up: Next week we’ll post the results of our ‘People’s Michelin Star Awards’, with our informal poll on the places that you thought the Michelin Guide missed, plus reviews of some of the Bib Gourmand recipients.
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