What would a Michelin Guide to NC’s best restaurants include? Our star-worthy list
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Does Michelin have its starry eyes on North Carolina for a Guide?
The Michelin Guide is a review of the best restaurants in the world.
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It’s officially official, Michelin is coming to town.
North Carolina restaurants could soon see coveted stars as Michelin announced its latest guide this week, The American South.
Joining North Carolina in the new guide are Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and the current Atlanta guide. Michelin “restaurant inspectors” are already in dining rooms across the South.
In its Wednesday, April 2, announcement, Michelin said it would award stars later in 2025. The food writers of CharlotteFive and The News Observer have peered into our crystal balls yet again and predicted which North Carolina restaurants might be getting some some Michelin love.
There are three levels of stars in the Michelin guide. One star means “high quality cooking,” two means “excellent cooking” and three designates “exceptional cooking,” the guide’s highest honor.
More recently Michelin created the “Bib Gourmand” award, honoring more affordable, casual restaurants that historically were left out of its fine dining spotlight. There will likely be some stars in North Carolina, but this is where we think our restaurants will shine.
Here are our picks:
North Carolina’s Michelin-worthy restaurants
Charlotte
▪ Counter-: 2001 W Morehead St D, Charlotte, NC 28208
▪ L’Ostrica: 4701 Park Rd D, Charlotte, NC 28209
▪ Restaurant Constance: 2200 Thrift Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
▪ Yunta: 2201 South Blvd Ste 130, Charlotte, NC 28203
North Carolina Triangle
▪ Ajja: 209 Bickett Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27608
▪ Crawford & Son: 618 N. Person St., Raleigh 27604
▪ Fearrington House Restaurant: 2000 Fearrington Village Pittsboro, NC 27312
▪ Hawthorne & Wood: 3140 Environ Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
▪ Herons: 100 Woodland Pond Dr., Cary, NC 27513
▪ M Sushi: 311 Holland St., Durham, NC 27701
▪ Nanas: 2514 University Dr., Durham, NC 27707
▪ Poole’s Diner: 428 S. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27601
▪ Prime BBQ: 403 Knightdale Station Run, Knightdale, NC 27545
Western North Carolina
▪ Chai Pani: 32 Banks Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
▪ Good Hot Fish: 10 Buxton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
▪ Neng Jr’s: 701 Haywood Rd Ste 102, Asheville, NC 28806
▪ Table Asheville: 18 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
This story was originally published April 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "What would a Michelin Guide to NC’s best restaurants include? Our star-worthy list."
