by The Michelin Guide | June 9, 2022
These Are the First Florida Restaurants to Earn Michelin Stars
The inaugural Florida guide highlights eateries in Orlando, Miami and Tampa.
The Michelin Guide released its inaugural Florida edition on Thursday night, showering restaurants in Orlando, Tampa and Miami with stars and special distinctions. The list includes 15 restaurants in Florida, one with two stars and 14 with one star. No one earned three stars, the guide’s highest accolade indicating the eatery is worthy of a special journey. Meet the stars below.
Two Stars
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Miami
Director of Culinary Operations: Alain Verzeroli
Michelin says: “The menu offers both tasting portions and large plates; but go with the seasonal prix fixe. The bread basket is a lovely opener, arriving in advance of such thrilling bites as a seared sea scallop with toasted spices. The Design District setting bears all the beloved hallmarks with its counter and open kitchen.”
One Star
Ariete, Coconut Grove
Chef: Michael Beltran
Michelin says: “Chef Michael Beltran’s Coconut Grove mainstay is immediately welcoming with a menu that weaves together Cuban and French influences to dazzling effect.”
Boia De, Miami
Chefs: Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer
Michelin says: “A neon-pink exclamation mark that glows above the front door is impossible to miss. Surprising is certainly an apt descriptor for Chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer’s distinctive and impressive menu.”
Cote Miami
Proprietor: Simon Kim
Michelin says: “Owner Simon Kim and his team know what they’re doing in this highly stylized Korean steakhouse, which almost feels like a temple to beautifully marbled and aged beef, much of it on display in a nearby room.”
The Den at Sushi Azabu Miami
Chef: Atsushi Okawara
Michelin says: “Tucked away in the Stanton South Beach hotel through Sushi Azabu’s dining room and behind a sliding door is this intimate temple to sushi. Fish flown in a few times a week is treated and dressed minimally, often with just a single brush of nikiri.”
Elcielo Miami
Chef: Juan Manuel Barrientos
Michelin says: “The menu offers diners a taste of traditional Colombian cuisine presented in a modern and dramatic manner. Colombian-born Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos’ culinary artistry has garnered international fame, with various locations, including Washington, D.C.”
Our 3 Takeaways from the first Florida Michelin Guide
Hiden, Miami
Chef: Shingo Akikuni
Michelin says: “This spot is indeed hidden in the thick of bustling Wynwood. Chef Shingo Akikuni sticks to tradition, sourcing most of his product from Japan—beautiful slabs of tuna, sweet botan ebi and generous portions of uni are highlights in a tasting menu that never feels stuffy or overly reverent.”
Le Jardinier Miami
Chef: Alain Verzeroli
Michelin says: “Stylish from head to toe, this dining room is a celebration of the seasons. The menu is a study of vibrant tastes and smart compositions that pack big flavor minus the heaviness.”
Los Félix, Miami
Chef: Sebastian Vargas
Michelin says: “This is cooking that sends guests on a gustatory trip — at the hands of servers who are armed with ample information about the provenance of each ingredient. Recent highlights have included hearty pork cheek carnitas with myriad salsas and snapper crudo topped with shavings of jicama and avocado aïoli.”
Stubborn Seed, Miami Beach
Chef: Jeremy Ford
Michelin says: “Stubborn Seed is sexy and sleek with its industrial chic décor and glass-fronted display kitchen. Chef Jeremy Ford brings the heat, and his ambitious and brashly creative cooking is best enjoyed by way of the tasting menu.”
The Surf Club Restaurant, Surfside
Chef: Thomas Keller
Michelin says: “Located within the elegantly restored landmark, now in league with the Four Seasons, The Surf Club is a prime location for Thomas Keller’s first Florida venture. Sauces are what this team does best, starting with the scallop crudo with buttermilk-basil dressing; followed by the brilliantly reimagined Maine lobster thermidor with sauce Américaine.”
Capa, Orlando
Chef: Gabriel Massip
Michelin says: “At the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World; this steakhouse also flaunts a decidedly Spanish accent. Kick things off with ace tapas before indulging in a main dish, like flame-kissed ribeye with tamarind-ancho sauce.”
Soseki, Orlando
Chef: Michael Collantes
Michelin says: “This tiny operation with Chef Mike Collantes at the helm is an ideal illustration of a contemporary meal expressed by way of an omakase. A laser-like focus on local Florida produce results in a menu that changes monthly.”
Kadence, Orlando
Chefs: Mark V. Berdin, Jennifer Bañagale, Lordfer Lalicon
Michelin says: “The omakase opens with hot dishes and cool sashimi. This is food that’s free-spirited, yet manages to honor the classic methods. Pacing is on point in sashimi like hamachi and hirame. Nigiri, like snapper with lemon and sea salt, will have you yearning for more.”
Knife & Spoon, Orlando
Chef: John Tesar
Michelin says: “This iteration from Chef John Tesar inside the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, is the picture of plush. Care and skill are the hallmarks of this team, as they turn out contemporary steakhouse fare woven with seafood.”
Bib Gourmands
In addition to handing out stars, the guide’s inspectors also identified 29 spots worthy of a Bib Gourmand, a designation that celebrates great food for a good value, which means at least two courses and a glass of wine (or dessert) for less than $49.
Miami
Orlando
Tampa
Michelin Guide Special Awards
Sommelier of the Year: Victoria James, Cote Miami
Exceptional Cocktails Award: Ruben Rolon, Jardinier Miami, L’Atelier Miami
