2026 Michelin Guide Texas: Houston restaurants win 5 new Bib Gourmands
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Khói Barbecue. Photo: Courtesy of the restaurant.
Houston didn't earn any new Michelin stars this year, but the region claimed five of the six new Bib Gourmand awards across Texas.
Why it matters: The distinctions underscore Houston's reputation for high-quality dining that doesn't have to break the bank.
- Plus, a star isn't guaranteed every year, so the six Houston-area restaurants that retained their stars continue to meet Michelin's standards.
The big picture: Nearly half of Texas' Bib Gourmand restaurants are in the Houston area. The distinction recognizes quality dining at a good value.
- Houston chefs and hospitality professionals also received three of the four special awards this year: Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award to Angel Bautista for Xolo; Michelin Sommelier Award to Jessica Cano for Sushi Horiuchi; Michelin Young Chef / Culinary Professional Award to Jacques Varon and Max Lappe for Baso.
The five new Houston-area Bib Gourmands are:
State of play: Other Houston-area restaurants retained their Bib Gourmand distinctions.
- Killen's, which closed earlier this year, dropped off the list. Killen's BBQ in Pearland retained its distinction.
- Nine Houston-area restaurants were also newly added to Michelin's Recommended list, which recognizes quality restaurants that don't have a star or Bib Gourmand distinction.
Zoom out: Michelin awarded three new stars across Texas: two in Austin, including plant-based restaurant Fabrik, and one in Fort Worth.
How it works: Anonymous Michelin inspectors evaluate restaurants based on ingredient quality, cooking techniques, flavors, the chef's personality and consistency.
- Bib Gourmands recognize good food at a good value. Service and décor aren't factors in Michelin's food distinctions.
Flashback: 2024 marked the first time Michelin rated Texas restaurants, a long-awaited milestone for the state's acclaimed dining scene.
- Unlike the first two years, which featured ceremonies in Houston, this year's winners were announced in a press release without an awards ceremony.
The intrigue: Aga's, the wildly popular Indo-Pakistani restaurant, was again absent from Michelin's selections. But it may not need the recognition: It was the world's busiest single-location restaurant on Uber Eats in 2025 and has attracted national attention for its devoted following.
The bottom line: We've got great food.
The full 2026 Houston-area Michelin Guide list:
⭐️ Michelin Star · 💸 Bib Gourmand · ✅ Michelin Recommended
⭐️ BCN Taste & Tradition
⭐️ CorkScrew BBQ
⭐️ Le Jardinier Houston
⭐️ March
⭐️ Musaafer
⭐️ Tatemó
💸 Annam
💸 Bar Buena (new)
💸 Belly of the Beast
💸 Blood Bros BBQ
💸 Casaema
💸 ChòpnBlọk
💸 da Gama Canteen
💸 Khói Barbecue (new)
💸 Killen's BBQ
💸 Kitchen Rumors (new)
💸 Mala Sichuan Bistro
💸 Maximo
💸 Murray's Pizza & Wine (new)
💸 Nam Giao
💸 Nancy's Hustle
💸 nobie's
💸 Papalo Taqueria
💸 Pinkerton's Barbecue
💸 Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q
💸 Rosie Cannonball
💸 Street to Kitchen
💸 Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue
💸 The Pit Room
💸 Theodore Rex
💸 Truth BBQ
💸 Xolo (new)
✅ 1111 (new)
✅ Agnes and Sherman
✅ Angie's (new)
✅ Bar Bludorn
✅ Baso
✅ Bludorn
✅ Candente
✅ Credence
✅ Di An Pho (new)
✅ Hong Kong Food Street
✅ Jantra (new)
✅ J-Bar-M Barbecue
✅ Josephine's
✅ Levant BBQ (new)
✅ Mayahuel (new)
✅ Oru (new)
✅ Osteria di Mercato (new)
✅ Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
✅ Perseid
✅ Sushi Horiuchi (new)
✅ The Marigold Club
🍸 Exceptional Cocktails Award: Angel Bautista, Xolo
🍷 Sommelier Award: Jessica Cano, Sushi Horiuchi
👨🍳 Young Chef/Culinary Professional Award: Jacques Varon and Max Lappe, Baso