Photo credit: miami.eater.com
Orlando made headlines at the Michelin Guide Awards held last night, achieving a significant milestone with Sorekara Japanese becoming the first restaurant in Orlando, and only the second in the state, to receive two Michelin stars. The prestigious honor highlights the restaurant’s culinary excellence and places it alongside Miami’s L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which secured this accolade in 2022.
The awards ceremony took place at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, where a range of eateries across Florida were recognized for their culinary achievements. In addition to Sorekara, four other restaurants were honored with one-star ratings: Itamae Ao in Miami, Chef’s Counter at MAASS in Fort Lauderdale, Konro in West Palm Beach, and Ômo by Jônt in Orlando. Miami’s commitment to sustainability was acknowledged with two new Michelin Green Stars awarded to EntreNos and Stubborn Seed.
The Michelin Guide is renowned worldwide as the benchmark for fine dining, using a star system to rate restaurants. One star indicates a “very good restaurant in its category,” while two stars denote a restaurant that is “worthy of a detour.” A three-star rating signifies a “special journey” into exceptional culinary experiences. The guide also includes the Bib Gourmand designation for restaurants that offer high-quality dining at reasonable prices, specifically a two-course meal for around $50.
Miami’s Stars
Miami continues to dominate Florida’s Michelin landscape, retaining the crown for the most stars within the state. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon holds the distinction of being the city’s only two-star establishment. The following restaurants have earned one Michelin star in Miami as of 2025:
- Ariete – An eatery featuring upscale American and Cuban dishes located in Coconut Grove.
- Boia De – An eclectic American spot with Italian influences in the Design District.
- Cote – A high-end Korean steakhouse also situated in the Miami Design District.
- Elcielo Miami – Offers an immersive experience of Colombian cuisine.
- EntreNos – A contemporary restaurant recognized for using locally sourced ingredients (Green Star winner).
- Hiden – A hidden gem providing an omakase dining experience in Wynwood.
- Itamae Ao – Newly awarded for its unique blend of Peruvian and Japanese flavors in Midtown.
- Le Jardinier – A vegetable-centric eatery by a chef trained under Joël Robuchon.
- Los Felix – Specializing in Mexican seafood and tacos in Coconut Grove.
- Ogawa – Upscale Japanese omakase in the MoMo Studio.
- Shingo – Another high-end Japanese omakase located in Coral Gables.
- Stubborn Seed – An American restaurant focusing on tasting menus, led by a Top Chef winner in South Beach.
- The Surf Club Restaurant – Offering American comfort food crafted by Thomas Keller in Surfside.
- Tambourine Room By Tristan Brandt – A modern twist on classic French cuisine influenced by Asian flavors.
Miami’s Bib Gourmand Awardees:
- Bachour
- Chug’s Diner
- El Turco
- Ghee Indian Kitchen
- Hometown Barbecue Miami
- La Natural
- Lucali
- Mandolin Aegean Bistro
- Michael’s Genuine
- Phuc Yea
- Sanguich de Miami
- Tâm Tâm
- Zitz Sum
- Tinta y Cafe
The complete list of Michelin-rated and Bib Gourmand restaurants in Florida captures a total of 172 establishments spanning 39 different types of cuisine.
Many Firsts at the Ceremony
This ceremony marked a notable expansion, as Michelin announced its commitment to evaluating the entire state of Florida in the upcoming year. New cities added to the Michelin Guide for award consideration included Greater Fort Lauderdale, the Palm Beaches, and St. Pete-Clearwater, joining the likes of Greater Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.
With Sorekara Japanese in Orlando claiming two stars, it joins an elite group, becoming only the second restaurant in Florida to achieve this level of recognition.
In a significant shift, the Michelin ceremonies no longer featured Champagne as part of the festivities, instead introducing Italian sparkling wine, Franciacorta, which serves as the official wine partner for the U.S. The region proudly sponsors the Sommelier of the Year Awards, with Jacqueline Pirolo of Macchialina in Miami receiving the accolade this year.
Participants enjoyed offerings from esteemed Franciacorta producers, including Ricci Cubastro, whose winery hosts the Franciacorta Wine Museum; the family-owned and female-led Fratelli Berlucchi, known for its presence in Palm Beach; the organically-farmed Castello Bonomi; and Ferghettina, noted for its distinctive triangular bottle design. This partnership with Michelin U.S. will be ongoing for three years, adding a fresh dynamic to the awards celebrations.
Source
miami.eater.com