Atlanta's Culinary Scene Blossoms with Michelin-Starred Restaurants

Atlanta's capital city can now proudly showcase Michelin-starred restaurants as part of its many attractions.

During a ceremony held at the downtown Rialto Center for the Arts on Tuesday night, five Atlanta restaurants were granted one Michelin star.

Atlas, Bacchanalia, Hayakawa, Lazy Betty, and Mujō were all given a one-star rating, signifying the debut of the French travel guides' arrival in the city.

According to one honoree, the inclusion of Michelin is expected to boost the growth of the culinary community.

"It will simply enhance the existing momentum," stated Aaron Phillips, one of the two executive chef/owners at Lazy Betty, as he eagerly invited new talent and fresh inspiration to join their culinary journey in our city.

Lazy Betty is one of five Atlanta restaurants to receive a Michelin star.

Andrew Thomas Lee/Lazy Betty

Following the ceremony, Phillips and executive chef/owner Ron Hsu discussed the accolade received by Lazy Betty, acknowledging the entire team's contribution, including chef de cuisine Austin Goetzman.

"To be honest, our team deserves this recognition more than we do," expressed Hsu. The inspectors from Michelin highlighted that Hsu and Phillips supervise a modern tasting menu showcasing inventive flavor pairings that highlight locally sourced ingredients.

Restaurants can be awarded anywhere from one to three stars in the Michelin rating system. A single star signifies "high quality cooking" that is deemed "worth a visit". This means that Atlanta has two more prestigious levels to strive for in future rankings.

Michelin has commended the city's "vibrant culinary scene". The anonymous judges were "impressed with the variety of options, as the range of restaurants not only showcases the flavors of the South, but also incorporates a significant amount of international influence," stated Gwendal Poullennec, the international director of the Michelin Guides.

Bib Gourmand and more

Ten restaurants in Atlanta have recently received the prestigious Bib Gourmand designation from Michelin, recognizing them for offering delectable cuisine at affordable prices. Notably, Little Bear, under the skillful guidance of Chef Jarrett Stieber, has also been honored with the coveted Michelin Young Chef Award. In total, the Michelin guide will feature a comprehensive list of 45 remarkable dining establishments in Atlanta, with 30 of them receiving high recommendations.

The 2023 James Beard Award winners include Bacchanalia and The Chastain, both located in Atlanta. These restaurants were also honored with the green star, a prestigious recognition introduced in 2020 to commend their exceptional commitment to sustainability.

Atlanta Japanese restaurant Hayakawa also received a Michelin star.

The Michelin restaurant rating methodology, established over a century ago, centers around five key aspects. These include the use of quality ingredients, the balance and compatibility of flavors, the expertise in culinary techniques, the expression of the chef's unique style and identity through the cuisine, and the regular inspections throughout the year to ensure consistency.

Michelin collaborates with tourism boards, such as the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, to promote the travel industry in the relevant areas, as stated in their July announcement of the Atlanta guide. These partnerships have raised controversy previously. The company assures that their selection process remains entirely unbiased. The Atlanta guide is the second Michelin guide to be introduced in the United States this year, following the announcement of Michelin-starred restaurants in Colorado in September.

The tire company from France initially launched its guidebooks in France in 1900, aiming to serve as a valuable travel resource for drivers. Michelins made its first entry into North America with the introduction of New York as a guidebook destination in 2005. Alongside the latest additions of two US guides this year, Michelin also offers guidebooks for California, Chicago, Miami/Orlando/Tampa in Florida, and Washington, DC. Furthermore, the Canadian cities of Toronto and Vancouver are also featured as Michelin destinations.