Michelin Guide Awards First Stars to Carolina Restaurants in 2025 Ceremony

Five restaurants grabbed Michelin stars this month, marking the first time eateries in North Carolina and South Carolina received recognition from the prestigious guide.

Counter in Charlotte, Malagón Mercado y Taperia in Charleston, Scoundrel in Greenville, Vern's in Charleston, and Wild Common in Charleston each earned one star. A one-star rating means "very good restaurant in its category." Two stars? That's "worthy of a detour." Three stars represents a "special journey."

Counter presents a tasting menu with a musical bent. Malagón Mercado y Taperia dishes out traditional Spanish tapas. Chef Joe Cash, who honed his skills at Per Se and Noma, runs Scoundre l — a French-inspired restaurant on Main Street. Husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Bethany Heinze operate Vern's, serving upscale American fare in a cozy bistro. Wild Common? It bills itself as a tasting menu spot for people who can't stand stuffy tasting menus.

Luminosa in Asheville snagged a Green Star for sourcing local produce and ingredients. The Italian restaurant also claimed Bib Gourmand status.

Bib Gourmand recognizes quality restaurants offering two courses for roughly $50 per person. Ten Carolina spots earned this badge. Lang Van in Charlotte made the cut. So did Leon's Oyster Shop in Charleston, Lewis Barbecue in Charleston, and Little Chango in Asheville.

Three barbecue restaurants landed on the Bib Gourmand list: Prime Barbecue in Knightdale, Rodney Scott's BBQ in Charleston, and Sam Jones BBQ in Raleigh.

The 2025 ceremony brought first-time recognition to Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Colleen Hughes at Supperland won the Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award.

Fifty-one restaurants across the Carolinas received recommendations from the guide. Charleston topped the list with nine. Raleigh and Asheville each got eight, while Charlotte received seven.