The Michelin Guide has officially been released in Atlanta and as expected, it lists some of the best restaurants in Georgia’s largest city as well as the whole state.
What isn’t expected is the numerous local eateries that received one star!
In this article, we’ll tell you what the Michelin Guide means and how Atlanta’s restaurants rate.
What Is the Michelin Guide?
The Michelin Guide is an annual list that represents that best restaurants in a given area. The rankings of the Michelin Guide are represented by stars, with three of them being the best.
At last count, only 137 restaurants across the globe have achieved three-star status from Michelin.
The restaurants are graded anonymously by Michelin inspectors who are food experts and former restaurant and hospitality professionals. Decisions are made by consensus after the team has ordered from the restaurants and eaten there as many times as it takes to form an opinion.
Quick Links: Atlanta Michelin Guide
- Atlanta’s One Star Restaurants
- Atlanta’s Bib Gourmand Restaurants
- Atlanta’s Green Star Restaurants
- Atlanta’s Michelin-Recommended Restaurants
What Is a Michelin Star?
A Michelin Star is a ranking designation that the best restaurants in a selected area can achieve. The star is based, most of all, on the food.
The criteria that a restaurant has to meet to be awarded a Michelin Star include:
- Quality of the ingredients
- Symmetry of the flavors
- Mastery of various techniques
- Chef’s individual cuisine
- Menu consistency
- both across the entire menu and over time
Awardees were feted at an Atlanta Michelin Guide gala ceremony on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta.
Which Atlanta Restaurants Received a Michelin Star?
Five Atlanta restaurants were awarded one star each: Atlas, Bacchanlia, Hayakawa, Lazy Betty and Mujo. A total of 45 restaurants were recognized in the guide. These restaurants received Michelin Stars.
Michelin Guide: Atlanta One Star Restaurants
Atlas
88 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 | (404) 600-6471
One of the most fancy restaurants in Atlanta, Atlas is a place you definitely want to try. Located in the Regis Hotel in Buckhead, Atlas is an elegant choice with excellent service and a top-notch ambiance.
Here’s what one customer says about Atlas. “Beautiful and elegant is the simple way to describe Atlas. I loved the selection of wine and champagne. The service was good. The ambiance was very romantic and relaxing. The food taste and presentation was perfect. There was a slight mix up with the server asking if we wanted another drink from the menu or something, but we bought a bottle of champagne so all the server had to do was replenish our glasses from the champagne bottle. I forgot to get my ticket validated so instead of 15 for valet parking it was 25. Still not bad for Atlanta parking.”
Bacchanalia
1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30318
Bacchanalia offers an elegant representation of fine-dining and more.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Bacchanalia. “Bacchanalia is an experience that needs to be experienced by all. You can tell every ingredient was masterfully thought out and executed. Every course took you on a food journey that played with your senses in the most delightful way. Your experience comes with a knowledgeable sommelier, so let go and just trust the recommendations, you’ll be glad you did.”
Hayakawa
1055 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (770) 986-0010
Hayakawa is the Japanese joint you frequent for excellent sushi, sake, hot dishes and more.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Hayakawa. “I can confidently tell you that this is the BEST Omakase experience you can get in Atlanta. Haya San (the chef) is very knowledgeable, and unlike other chefs who are relatively quiet during the preparation, he tells you everything about the food, and his life, and answers all your questions. The price tag is there, but the quality (and quantity) of the food, and the chef’s engagement truly make it worth it.”
Lazy Betty
1530 DeKalb Ave NE Ste F, Atlanta, GA 30307 |(404) 975-3692
Lazy Betty is a cozy space with lots of wood grain furniture and awesome food.
Here’s what one Google reviewer says about Lazy Betty: “My wife and I dined at Lazy Betty’s recently. We sat at the Chef’s Table and and had the 10 course tasting menu. It was excellent! Every course had a unique and delicious burst of flavors with beautiful presentation. Aaron Phillips spoke with us frequently throughout the meal. He described each dish, answered questions, was very personable and engaging. The staff was excellent, friendly, helpful, and engaging. Both my wife and I agreed it was the best overall dining experience and food we have had in Atlanta. I strongly recommend trying them out!”
Mujō
691 14th St NW Ste. C, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 400-6832
Here’s what one reviewer says about Mujō. “Mujō is an inspired place with an absolutely wonderful atmosphere. The stark black walls combined with the black clothes of the servers and muted lighting makes the excellent service just blend into the background. The brightly lit bar and kitchen area you sit at focuses you on the sushi that is absolutely delicious.”
The vast majority of restaurants listed in Atlanta’s Michelin Guide are in the Bib Gourmand category.
What Are Bib Gourmand Restaurants?
Restaurants that get Michelin’s Bib Gourmand Award are those that offer the best meals for your money. The Bib award was started in 1997 for those eateries have menu items that are reasonably priced based on the quality and amount of food you get.
The Bib Gourmand list looks like a hodge-podge of different restaurants, styles, cuisines and more because it’s based simply on how much bang you get for your buck. The common denominator for all Bib restaurants is that they have simple dishes on the menu.
What Are Atlanta’s Bib Gourmand Restaurants?
- Antico Pizza Napoletana
- Arepa Mia
- Banshee
- Bomb Biscuit Co.
- The Busy Bee
- Estrellita
- Fishmonger
- Fred’s Meat & Bread
- Heirloom Market BBQ
- Little Bear
Finally, Atlanta’s Michelin Guide spotlighted two restaurants that have made advancements on eco-friendly practices and sustainability.
Atlanta’s Green Star Restaurants
These eateries have made a real effort to reduce waste and operate with as little a carbon footprint as possible. They deserve to be applauded.
- Bacchanalia
- The Chastain
Atlanta’s Michelin-Recommended Restaurants
“A restaurant in the Recommended selection is the sign of a chef using quality ingredients that are well cooked; simply a good meal,” Michael Ellis, International Director of the Michelin Guide books, says on the site. “It means that the inspectors have found the food to be above average, but not quite at star or Bib level.”
- The Alden
- BoccaLupo
- Chai Pani
- The Chastain
- The Deer and the Dove
- Delbar
- Food Terminal
- The General Muir
- Georgia Boy/Southern Belle
- Gunshow
- Han Il Kwan
- Home Grown
- Kamayan ATL
- Kimball House
- LanZhou Ramen
- Lyla Lila
- Marcel
- Miller Union
- Nam Phuong
- Poor Hendrix
- Snackboxe Bistro
- Storico Fresco Alimentari
- Talat Market
- Ticonderoga Club
- Tiny Lou’s
- Tomo
- Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
- The White Bull
- Xi’an Gourmet House
Final Bite
Atlanta’s Michelin Guide is a long-deserved stamp of approval for the city’s restaurant scene.
Many people focus on the one star restaurants, but Michelin actually awards up to three stars for stellar places to eat. But that shouldn’t determine where you choose to put a fork in your mouth.
Check out some of Atlanta’s Bib Gourmand restaurants as well as its Michelin-recommended places recognized as establishments serving good food.