Michelin-Star Restaurants in Houston (2025)

The famous idiom about not judging a book by its cover couldn’t be more applicable than to this tortilleria-turned-tasting menu. In an empty strip mall with little around except for a brewery and a doughnut shop, Chef Emmanuel Chavez delivers a beautifully pitched and portioned experience that celebrates heirloom corn from across Mexico. His riffs on ceviche, quesadillas, and gorditas are elegant to behold and even more satisfying to eat thanks, in part, to vibrant salsas and other creative sauce work. The most original and striking effort might be the black-as-night mole negro, which comes blanketed under a tortilla made from nixtamalized plantains. If you want wine, you’ll have to bring your own as the restaurant doesn’t have a liquor license. - Michelin Inspector

Dramatic design meets regional Indian cooking in this Galleria stunner. Michelin-starred for its precise spicing and showstopping dishes like the 72-hour dal, it’s frequently highlighted by local critics and national editors for pushing Houston’s dining narrative.

Will and Nichole Buckman’s Old Town Spring smokehouse earned Michelin’s nod—historic for Texas barbecue. Lines form early for brisket and beef ribs; local publications repeatedly praise its consistency and community roots. Go early or risk a sellout.