Michelin Guide American South 2026: Louisiana Earns 40 Distinctions, Emeril's Retains Two Stars

The MICHELIN Guide Restaurant Ceremony American South 2026 took place in Nashville, Tennessee on 21 October and was widely reported on 22–23 October. Louisiana received 40 distinctions in total — the most of any state in the seven-state regional guide. Emeril Lagasse's Emeril's in New Orleans retained its two-MICHELIN-Star rating for a second consecutive year, the highest honour in the regional selection. Three restaurants received new single stars: Dakar NOLA in New Orleans — one of only three restaurants in the entire seven-state region to gain a new star this cycle — Saint-Germain in New Orleans, and Zasu, also in New Orleans. Georgia was also recognised at the same ceremony, with So. Fox in Atlanta and Uberto Restaurant in Gay, Georgia each earning a new star, alongside two new Bib Gourmands and two new Recommended listings. The regional guide covers Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Michelin described Louisiana's culinary scene as demonstrating consistent world-class quality across diverse styles, from modern Senegalese-Creole fusion to classic French-Creole fine dining.