Atlanta's Culinary Scene Gains Recognition with the First Michelin Guide

The South is getting a new Michelin Guide.

Last week, Michelin announced that their inspectors are presently evaluating Atlanta's culinary scene. This marks the inaugural recognition for the Georgian capital, as it undergoes assessment for the very first time. Excitement builds as the Michelin guide, featuring Atlanta, is scheduled to be released in the upcoming fall season.

“We want to recognize that Atlanta is a culinary powerhouse, with a long list of styles and flavors for foodies to enjoy,” Gwendal Poullennec, the international director of the Michelin Guides, said in a statement. “One might immediately associate the city with Southern cuisine, and rightfully so, but there is much depth here that should not go overlooked.”

The Michelin Guide is working with the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau to promote and market the culinary offerings throughout the city. This isn’t unusual for the company: In the past, it’s worked with local destination marketing organizations in places like California and Florida. Those states paid $600,000 and $150,000, respectively, to help the Michelin Guide come to their states. 

Despite those monetary contributions from states and cities, Michelin maintains that its restaurant selections are independent of outside influence. 

“The Michelin Guide Atlanta came to life thanks to the quality of the city’s culinary scene and the talent of its restaurant teams,” 

Michelin is set to introduce its second new U.S. guide this year, following the announcement of its plans to evaluate Colorado's dining establishments last month. These two destinations will join a select few in the United States that have received the prestigious Michelin stars, including New York, California, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. The evaluation process for these locations relies on the same five essential criteria: the exceptional quality of ingredients, the artful combination of flavors, the skillful mastery of culinary techniques, the chef's unique expression reflected in the dishes, and the consistent excellence observed across multiple visits.

“Atlanta’s culinary scene is rich in diversity and constantly evolving but has long been one of the most underappreciated assets in our city,” William Pate, the president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, said in a statement. “We are proud of the recognition the Michelin Guide will bring to our destination as it highlights our local chefs and cuisine.”

We’ll learn soon enough which Atlanta chefs and restaurants it deems worthy of the coveted stars.