The MICHELIN Guide Is Expanding To Include Three New Cities In Florida
A dish from Urban Stillhouse restuarant in Florida
The MICHELIN Guide is expanding for 2025 to highlight new destinations in Florida. The dining guide's 2025 selections will now cover Florida restaurants located in St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Greater Fort Lauderdale and The Palm Beaches.
The MICHELIN Guide's purpose is to observe the evolution of culinary destinations around the world. The guide awards up to three Michelin stars for excellence to select restaurants in specific geographic areas.
Gwendal Poullennec is the international director of the MICHELIN Guides. He explained that MICHELIN is noticing the state of Florida continuing to raise the bar with emerging culinary talent, international food influences and the passion of its local restaurant communities.
'Over the past three years, we've seen the Florida selection grow and strengthen as our inspectors shined a spotlight on their discoveries. We look forward to exploring these new destinations and highlighting the excellence of their local restaurant scenes," Poullennec said.
Florida's dining scene has been experiencing growth, with a surge in foodservice sales, new restaurant openings and increased consumer spending on dining experiences. According to Tastewise, the total foodservice sales in Florida increased by 18.2% year-over-year, with higher growth seen in metropolitan areas. Florida also saw a 12.6% increase in restaurant openings over the past year and tourists contributed significantly to the dining sector, with visitor spending on foodservice growing by 15.4% in 2024.
A destination's dining scene and restaurant options remain a core part of consumer's travel decisions. A December 2024 report from creative insights firm Future Partners shows that 57% of American travelers find 'foodie trips' (traveling to explore destinations known for their food and drink experiences) appealing.
Aerial view of St. Petersburg, Florida at Tampa Bay
St. Petersburg, Florida is already considered a great city for culinary lovers. A 2024 study by InsureMyTrip named it the number one city for foodies. To make this distinction, InsureMyTrip looked at the average rating of restaurants in 99 of the most populated cities in the U.S. and compared that number against the city's number of cafes and bakeries, farmer's markets and prices of cooking classes.
According to Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, 10% of visitors traveled to the destination solely for the food scene in 2024. Tastewise found that the number of new restaurants in the area is increasing and outpacing the statewide average at 14.8% in the past year.
Nick Ocando works in the restaurant industry in St. Petersburg-Clearwater. He's the executive chef at Allelo and director of culinary for Allelo, Juno & the Peacock, and Pluma.
'Local MICHELIN recognition would elevate St. Pete as a premier culinary destination. In addition, this would also attract an increased number of talented hospitality professionals to this market," Ocando said in an email.
Cocktails at Allelo in St. Petersburg-Clearwater
With the new MICHELIN Guide designations, Florida restaurant businesses hope to reach a new tourism audience. The goal is to attract more food-focused travelers who want a MICHELIN Guide approved meal to compliment their sunny day on the beach.
'I hope the MICHELIN Guide highlights how inviting and unique our restaurant culture has become in St. Pete," Ocando said in an email. 'In recent years, especially post-COVID, we've seen an influx of talented culinary minds come into market, adding depth and diversity to our local restaurants." Ocando also noted that the high concentration of privately owned and operated restaurants in the city gives the culinary landscape a distinctive and independent feel.
The MICHELIN Guide's anonymous inspectors are already in the field in Florida, making dining reservations and scouting for culinary gems in the new territories. The selection process is handled by anonymous inspectors who use a historical methodology to independently evaluate a location's restaurants.
The MICHELIN Guide methodology is based on five criteria to ensure selection equity. The criteria include quality products, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine and consistency between each visit and throughout the menu. Restaurants are inspected several times a year. The full 2025 restaurant selection will be revealed later this year during the annual MICHELIN Guide ceremony for Florida.
In 2026 the MICHELIN Guide selection in Florida will grow further to cover the entire state.
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