Michelin has expanded its renowned guide to include the American South, recognizing five restaurants in Memphis. According to Action News 5, this first Southern edition highlights eateries across Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and the Carolinas. The Lobbyist, located at 272 South Main Street and known for its corn mash dish praised by the New York Times, earned a Michelin recommendation.
Four other Memphis restaurants—Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Felicia Suzanne’s, Petals of a Peony, and Hog & Hominy—also made the list, as per WREG. Hog & Hominy and Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen both received the Bib Gourmand award, which honors high-quality food at reasonable prices. Jessica Lambert of The Lobbyist expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying it was an incredible honor to be included in the guide.
The announcement coincides with Downtown Dining Week, and Chandell Ryan, CEO and President of the Downtown Memphis Commission, told Action News 5 that it offers the public a great opportunity to experience special menu items during the celebration.
This year’s Michelin Guide features 228 Bib Gourmand and recommended restaurants representing 44 cuisine styles. While Nashville earned Tennessee’s three Michelin stars, Memphis’s inclusion emphasizes the city’s growing culinary reputation. Commercial Appeal notes that Michelin’s criteria include ingredient quality, flavor balance, technique, and consistency.
Hog & Hominy, described as Italian cooking with Southern roots, stood out to Michelin inspectors, while Felicia Suzanne’s and Petals of a Peony showcased Memphis’s diverse food scene with Southern and Sichuan flavors. The recognition ceremony took place at the Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina, highlighting the American South as a rising culinary destination.
