Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
The Michelin Guide will unveil its new American South guide at an invite-only Nov. 3 ceremony at the Peace Center in Greenville. For the first time, South Carolina restaurants could be awarded one, two or three highly coveted Michelin stars — considered one of the highest achievements in the restaurant world. If you’re new to the Michelin Guide, here’s how it works: Restaurants are evaluated by anonymous inspectors who visit them multiple times throughout the year. They follow a historical methodology, based on five universal criteria: Quality products Harmony of flavors Mastery of cooking techniques Voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine Consistency between each visit and throughout the menu Michelin's Bib Gourmand "recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices." Today there are more than 3,000 restaurants with Michelin stars — 300 of which are in the U.S. as of 2024. They’re located in places where the guide operates: California, Colorado, New York City, Chicago, Florida, Texas, metro Atlanta and Washington, D.C. The six additional states in Michelin’s new American South guide are anticipated to add to that list. The new, first-of-its-kind regional guide includes restaurants from South Carolina as well as Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. The selection of the restaurants that will fill the guide has been in the works for over a year, Michelin North America's anonymous chief inspector told The Post and Courier via email. "As we embark on this new chapter, we’re going beyond the biggest Southern cities to better uncover the authentic food culture of the American South," they said. "Each region is different and that will be reflected by the restaurants in the selection. Although it’s referred to as the American South, each state and locality has its own character that the Inspection team was impressed with." Post and Courier readers know more than most about the state's dining scene. That's why we asked you the question that’s being debated among dining circles across the state: Which South Carolina restaurants should receive a star? "Chubby Fish wows us every time," one reader wrote. "The food and atmosphere seem simple but once you tuck into one of their plates you can see just how much care they put into developing flavors that lift you up out of your seat. Very special restaurant for South Carolina and the greater United States." Chubby Fish received the most votes in our reader survey. FIG, Vern's, Merci and The Restaurant at Zero George are also frontrunners to receive a Michelin star — or two — according to our readers. "If any Charleston restaurant is deserving of TWO Michelin stars, it is FIG," another reader wrote. "Iconic, classic, elegant, polished, delicious, with exemplary service." Michelin's American South guide will be unveiled at 7:15 p.m. Nov. 3. Food Editor Parker Milner will be in Greenville to cover the ceremony live. For updates on winners, visit postandcourier.com/food or follow the newspaper on social media @postandcourier.
