This summer, chart a culinary course through the newest destinations featured in The MICHELIN Guide. In the United States, Texas and Florida emerge as gastronomic powerhouses, where regional traditions meet bold innovation. Mexico City continues to redefine contemporary Latin American cuisine with an ever-evolving fine dining scene. Across the Pacific, South Korea’s vibrant coastal city of Busan joins China’s Jiangsu and Fujian provinces — each offering deeply rooted, regional expressions of flavor now recognized on the global stage. In Europe, Austria’s timeless elegance and alpine refinement round out a season of exceptional new discoveries for the epicurious traveler.
1. Texas, US
One of the most recent additions to The MICHELIN Guide, Texas truly has its own culture — a unique accent, swagger, style, and of course, cuisine. You can’t talk about Austin’s food scene without mentioning Franklin Barbecue, an institution and MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand restaurant, where hungry patrons line up for meltingly tender ribs, flavor-packed pulled pork, and classic sides like slaw and pinto beans. Other spots to have on your radar include MICHELIN-Starred la Barbecue, where the mouth-watering sliced brisket sandwiches and house-made jalapeño sausages with spicy sides like chipotle coleslaw and fresh kimchi are all the rage. And One-Starred Barley Swine, where Austin-born Chef/owner Bryce Gilmore incorporates the bounty from local farmers in each dish, like Pig Face Carnitas with sweet potato mole and honey fermented radish.
In Dallas, One-Starred Tatsu is one of the city’s most elusive reservations — but those who secure one of just 10 counter seats are treated to a masterful Edomae-style omakase by Chef Tatsuya Sekiguchi. Inside a Houston shopping mall, One-Starred Musaafer stuns with its palatial design and ambitious, intricately spiced Indian cuisine.
Where to Stay:
Independent hoteliers and stylish hospitality groups are upping the ante on accommodations in Texas. Downtown, the One-MICHELIN-Key Austin Proper Hotel is an exceptional stay with modern southwest interiors — think sleek, cowhide-lined elevator walls and jacquard-upholstered headboards in soft damask patterns. In true Texas fashion, rooms are generously sized, with soaring ceilings and views over Lady Bird Lake and the downtown skyline. And if you’ve overindulged on South Congress, head to the Recovery Room in the spa for an infrared sauna and brisk cold plunge.
2. Mexico
The MICHELIN Guide recently turned its gaze to Mexico, spotlighting Mexico City, Oaxaca, the Baja Peninsula, Quintana Roo, and Nuevo León as exciting destinations for summer travel and unforgettable meals.
Mexico City is a compelling place to eat right now, from humble taquerias to cutting-edge fine dining. Chef Enrique Olvera’s world-renowned Two-MICHELIN-Starred restaurant Pujol remains a must-visit. A modern space buzzing with energy, it serves a tasting menu that evolves with the seasons and Olvera’s inspiration — think scallop ceviche with egg salad or the legendary mole madre. At Two-Starred Quintonil, Chef Jorge Vallejo offers a tasting menu rooted in Mexican ingredients but enhanced by global flavors. Expect dishes like crab and blue corn tostada with pipián verde, galangal, and makrut lime, followed by crème fraîche sorbet with caviar and Melipona honey.
At One-Starred Em, Chef Lucho Martinez crafts a seafood-forward menu in an intimate space. Start with a well-stirred cocktail at 686 Bar upstairs, then settle in for dishes like crispy carrot buñuelo with roe or corvina in garlic foam. El Califa de León is a One-Starred taqueria that proves the beauty of simplicity. The Gaonera taco — thin beef filet grilled to order and served on a fresh tortilla — is perfection. Set in the ritzy Pedregal neighborhood, One-Starred Sud 777 from Chef Edgar Núñez delivers thoughtful veggie-forward menus, both tasting and à la carte. Highlights include kampachi tostada, red snapper al pastor, and spinach in almond-garlic purée.
Where to Stay:
After a long day of discovering Distrito Federal, Casa Polanco (Two MICHELIN Keys) is an exceptional place to rest. Housed in a 1940s neocolonial mansion in one of the city’s well-heeled neighborhoods, Casa Polanco offers quiet luxury with its 19 individually designed rooms. Expect marble bathrooms, serene neutrals, and bespoke decor items. There’s no full restaurant, but breakfast and tea service are top-notch.
3. Jiangsu Province, China
In April 2025, we announced its selection of restaurants in the Jiangsu Province, with 74 establishments spread across Nanjing, Suzhou, and Yangzhou. “These three cities are renowned for their profound historical heritage, splendid cultural legacies, and vibrant economic energy,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide. “Their distinctive culinary cultures further showcase the region’s age-old prosperity and refined sophistication in the most vivid way.”
Perched along the Yangtze River, Nanjing has long been a crossroads of China’s political, economic, and culinary evolution. Inspector favorites include the One-Starred Jiangnan Wok, where you’ll find contemporary takes on traditional Huaiyang cuisine, and Dai Yuet Heen, a light-filled One-Star restaurant inside The Ritz-Carlton that’s known for its Cantonese barbecue. .
Travelers to Suzhou would be wise to reserve a table at One-Starred Dingshan·Jiangyan for bright, refined Suzhou cooking — dishes like Suzhou claypot rice with braised pork, green garlic, and either young bamboo shoots (in the spring) or chestnuts (in autumn), with house-made chile sauce for an extra kick. Fan Shui Chang Yu Mian on North Jiefang Road is a humble noodle spot (and MICHELIN Bib Gourmand restaurant) that shot to fame after a TV feature. Its star: wild-caught rice paddy eel. Whether served in a rich, milky eel bone broth, tossed “dry” with sauce, or stir-fried in a peppery glaze, each dish holds layered textures and deep umami.
Where to Stay:
Top choices include Nanjing, Jiangning, Autograph Collection, a sleek boutique hotel occupying an erstwhile cement factory, and ultra-modern Hualuxe Nanjing Yangtze River, featuring a spa, an expansive health club, indoor tennis and bowling, and a few high-end restaurants.
4. Austria
A new addition to The MICHELIN Guide, Austria is a must-visit. With 82 Starred restaurants, its culinary landscape goes far beyond Wiener schnitzel and picture-perfect pastries. Standout dishes include Wiener beuschel (an offal stew), tafelspitz (a Viennese haute take on pot-au-feu), germknödel (steamed yeast dumplings), and Carinthian cheese ravioli. Some spots not to miss include Vienna’s Three-Star Steirereck im Stadtpark, set in a futuristic building within a large municipal park, where the cuisine surprises with creativity and precision.
In Salzburg, One-Star Esszimmer is where Chef Andreas Kaiblinger crafts classically based yet distinctive dishes, sometimes tying in Asian and Mediterranean seasonings, in a colorful, vibrant setting, with savvy wine pairings. In Graz’s old town, Mohrenwirt (Bib Gourmand) offers organic Austrian fare — like backhendl (breaded fried chicken) and lamb sugo — in a rustic, modern space with city views and a reputation for sustainability. And in Kitzbühel, just steps from the Streif ski slope, Mocking das Wirtshaus (Bib Gourmand) is a stylish alpine inn that serves regional dishes infused with personal touches — think kimchi made in-house or buttery daumnidei (fried potato dumplings) with sauerkraut and apple.
Where to Stay:
Check out Hotel Sans Souci in Vienna (Two MICHELIN Keys) in the artsy Spittelberg district just beyond the Ringstrasse. While the 1872 building nods to history, the interiors, by Philippe Starck’s Yoo design group, are thoroughly of-the-moment. For some old-world elegance, Hotel Sacher Wien (Three MICHELIN Keys) has a nearly 150-year track record of refined service. Rooms and suites offer postcard-worthy views of the Vienna State Opera, the Albertina Museum, and Kärntner Straße.
5. Florida, US
Florida is becoming one of the most compelling culinary destinations in the United States. With The MICHELIN Guide expanding its Florida selection to include Greater Fort Lauderdale, the Palm Beaches, and St. Petersburg-Clearwater in 2025, the Sunshine State’s diverse food scene is getting the spotlight it deserves. Well beyond theme parks and white sand beaches, Florida offers food lovers restaurants and local cuisine worth traveling for.
Chef's Counter at MAASS, tucked inside the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, combines French culinary techniques, Japanese ingredients, and distinctly Floridian touches. Expect dishes like a perfectly seared diver scallop over truffle purée, or a delicate donabe-cooked koshihikari rice layered with maitake mushrooms and a silky Comté foam. In trendy Flagler Village, Heritage (Bib Gourmand) is a place for excellent pizzas, both New York and Napoli style, with excellent toppings like delicate squash blossoms and cold-pulled burrata. Leave space for desserts like the popular olive oil cake topped with a cloud of whipped mascarpone.
At Konro in West Palm Beach, Chef Jacob Bickelhaupt and sommelier Nadia Bickelhaupt lead a counter-only experience where Japanese ingredients meet classical techniques, unfurling over 10 to 14 courses. Standout dishes include a barley risotto with enoki mushrooms, crispy caramelized onions, and black truffle, served in a rich golden egg. Wine pairings are required, curated to match the nuance of each course.
Where to Stay:
There are several standout stays in Palm Beach, including the One Key White Elephant Palm Beach, known for its elegant, decidedly South Florida style; the luxurious Palm House with interiors splashed in shades of millennial pink; and the Two Key Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, a beachfront escape offering top-tier service and serene ocean views.
6. Busan, South Korea
Since being added to The MICHELIN Guide in 2024, Busan is getting more attention for its culinary prowess, with 48 MICHELIN Guide-recommended restaurants. The port city in South Korea is perfect for summer travel, offering beaches, mountains, and temples to explore, plus plenty of exciting dining options.
At Mori, co-owned by Chef Kim Wan-gyu, a Korean chef trained in Japan, and his Japanese wife, the focus is on thoughtfully presented kaiseki dining. Kim brings balance to each dish, using the freshest Busan seafood and seasonal produce. “I use seasonal ingredients to capture natural flavors,” he told The MICHELIN Guide. “I aim to create dishes that satisfy all the senses — sight, touch, taste, and smell — while also being good for your health.”
Palate offers a bold, contemporary take on French cuisine. Chef Kim Jae-hoon’s style reflects his diverse culinary path, from Sydney to Seoul and back to Busan. “I wanted to reflect my life’s journey in my food and what I do happens to be in my hometown of Busan,” he told us. Nestled in the hills of Dalmaji, Fiotto, a One-Starred and MICHELIN Green Star restaurant, is run by a husband-and-wife duo who prepare house-made pastas, kombucha-brewed vinegars, and home-grown produce: Fiotto sources more than 90 percent of its vegetables and fruits from their family farm. They reduce processed ingredients to a minimum and the result is a menu showcasing wholesome ingredients and flavor-packed seasonal dishes. Reservations are a must.
Where to Stay:
Among the newest additions to Busan’s luxury hotel scene, Grand Josun Busan offers breathtaking views of Haeundae Beach from its sleek high-rise facade. Inside, the hotel is bright and sophisticated, with glass, marble, and Art Deco touches. Public spaces like the all-day lounge and cocktail bar offer lux interiors, while the indoor-outdoor pool and on-site sauna give guests a peaceful retreat. Rooms are minimalist but warm, with parquet floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and those unforgettable vistas.
7. Fuijan, China
Tucked along China’s southeastern coast, Fujian province offers travelers coastal charm, misty mountains, and a quietly remarkable culinary heritage. Fujian is stepping into the spotlight, thanks in part to The MICHELIN Guide’s debut here in December 2024.
Fujianese cuisine is defined by its light, fragrant broths, ultra fresh seafood, and an interplay of sweet, sour, and savory. For instance, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, a celebratory soup layered with rare and nourishing ingredients like abalone, sea cucumber, and Jinhua ham is so tasty that, legend has it, it could tempt even vegetarian monks to abandon their vows.
Inside the Shangri-La Hotel, Jiangnan Wok‧Rong (One MICHELIN Star) offers refined Huaiyang cuisine grounded in Fujian’s seasonal bounty, with subtle Minnan flourishes. Dishes like the braised yellow croaker “lion’s head” meatball showcase a delicate, silky texture layered with deep umami. At Wenru No.9 (One Star), tradition and seafood take center stage: Think sliced conch dressed in fragrant red vinasse sauce, or hand-pounded rice cakes. For something more rustic, yet satisfying, Dai Tai (Bib Gourmand) specializes in Yunnanese home-style cooking from the Dai ethnic group. Highlights include the crispy deep-fried pork skin appetizer and fresh bamboo shoots stir-fried with Yunnan ham.
Where to Stay:
Fujian province accommodations tend to be boutique but relatively budget friendly. Stylish options include the futuristic Hualuxe Xiamen Haicang, whose twin-tower design evokes crashing waves, and the sleek W Xiamen, offering panoramic views over the city’s bustling harbor.
Main Image: © Grand Josun Busan Hotel, South Korea
