Springs restaurants chase Michelin nods
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Colorado Springs restaurants are officially on Michelin's radar for the first time, and discreet inspectors may already be slipping into dining rooms around town.
Why it matters: Michelin Guide recognition can boost a restaurant's profile, draw foodie tourism and elevate the city's culinary reputation.
The latest: Colorado is paying $100,000 this year for Michelin to review restaurants statewide, expanding beyond its previous focus on a handful of mountain and Front Range communities.
- Anonymous inspectors are already in the field scouting new gems to promote "across the state," the Colorado Sun reported last month.
State of play: A handful of Springs establishments are in contention, local experts say, including:
Then there's the Broadmoor, with its fine dining restaurants like The Penrose Room and Summit.
What they're saying: "This is the second biggest market in the state," Springs food journalist Matthew Schniper told Axios. "They're definitely coming here."
- Michelin represents what longtime local chef Jay Gust called "a measurable scale of quality and perfection."
- There could also be "spillover," said James Africano, owner of The Warehouse Restaurant downtown, as visitors travel for a starred restaurant and stick around to explore the city.
Zoom out: Restaurants across Colorado that have already been recognized say they see an immediate boost — not just in business, but in hiring, retention and attention for nearby eateries, too, according to Colorado Restaurant Association spokesperson Denise Mickelsen.
Michelin isn't just about white table cloth dining. In 2024, the guide awarded a star to a New York taco truck.
The big picture: Since 1997, Michelin has also doled out "Bib Gourmand" honors for exceptional food at affordable prices, and Schniper says several Springs spots could fit the bill.
- There's also the "Select Restaurants" category for noteworthy dining.
- Still, the traditional three-star scale remains the gold standard.
Between the lines: Even before the 2026 guide is released, local restaurateurs say the Michelin effect is already changing behavior in the Springs.
- "We want to treat every table like they're the Michelin inspector," Roth's general manager Jeroen Erens told Axios.
Fun fact: Gust, who founded Pizzeria Rustica in Old Colorado City, calls himself a Michelin superfan — he's logged more than 30 starred dining experiences in a personal database.
Reality check: "It's very tough [to get a star]; no room for error," said Erens, who has worked at a three-star restaurant.
- In other words, a Springs snub is still very possible.
What's next: The updated Michelin guide for Colorado drops in September.