Editor's Note: This story is unlocked for everyone to read courtesy of the CRVA, our partner in nourishing culinary exploration for residents and visitors of the Queen City.
October 21, 2026
Eighteen area restaurants earn 2026 Michelin: American South recognition
Héctor González-Mora and Sam Diminich earn individual distinctions
by TM Petaccia
For the second year, Charlotte played a key role at the Michelin: American South ceremonies. In all, 265 restaurants across North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, along with the Atlanta area of Georgia received recognition (up from 228 last year), including eighteen area restaurants. Counter- maintains its one-star status, still the only restaurant in North Carolina with that distinction. Lang Van also maintains its Bib Gourmand status along with The Story of Mi Cariño netting its first Bib Gourmand.
All of last year’s Charlotte-area Michelin Recommended restaurants maintained their status this year with four new additions:
Albertine (new)
Customshop
Ever Andalo
Haberdish
Hello Sailor
Kindred
L’Ostrica (new)
Little Mama’s
Omakase Experience by PrimeFish
Prime Fish
Pump Social/Concord (new)
Rada
Restaurant Constance
Spaghett (new)
Supperland
Emeril’s in New Orleans netted the evening’s only two-star recommendation, a rollover fom last year.
“We’d be liars if we weren’t striving for the highest honor, however we are grateful for retaining our Michelin Recommendation, said Terrell Johnson. sommelier at Omakase Experience by Prime Fish. “There is no losing. There is either winning or learning. Refinement and excelling past our own limitations is our mission day after day, month after month, year after. We are grateful for the opportunity to do so, so we are very excited for the future version of ourselves.”
“We are incredibly proud of all three restaurants and the amazing teams that make them great,” said Katy Kindred whose Albertine, Hello Sailor, and Kindred are 2026 Michelin Recommended. “They deserve this recognition.”
Stars recognize exceptional cooking, while Bib Gourmands highlight restaurants offering good food at good value. Recommended restaurants have earned the inspectors’ endorsement without a star or Bib Gourmand designation. The Green Star award for restaurants exercising superior sustainabiulity practices was eliminated this year.
In the battle of the Carolinas, North Carolina earned 58 Michelin nods, compared to South Carolina’s 27. However, the Palmetto State won the star battle with four restaurants earning a star compared to N.C.’s one.
Michelin’s anonymous inspectors pay for their meals and assess ingredient quality, cooking technique, harmony of flavors, the personality expressed through the cooking, and consistency. Stars reflect the food, with service, and decor evaluated separately. Recognition is reassessed annually.
In addition to restaurant recognition, two Charlotte individuals received Michelin accolades. Chef Héctor González-Mora of The Story of “Mi Cariño received the “Best Young Chef” while chef Sam Diminich of Restaurant Constance recieived one of the evening’s two Mindful Voices awards, a new editorial distinction highlighting chefs, hoteliers, and wine producers whose innovative practices promote sustainability as well as responsible hospitality. “Mindful Voices will give a platform to all those who are rewriting the rules in their respective fields,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide. “This new framework draws directly from what our Inspection teams witness firsthand: encounters and experiences that are transforming how things are done and that deserve to be shared.”
“My heritage and the places I’ve called home have shaped not only how I cook, but the story I tell through food,” said González-Mora.” At Mi Cariño, we bring those influences together to create something deeply personal. This recognition reflects not only the amazing team behind Mi Cariño, but also the chefs and restaurants across Charlotte and the region who continually push one another to strive for excellence. I’m grateful to the chefs who came before me, who shared their knowledge and helped shape the culinary community we have today. Many of them dreamed of the kind of recognition our city is receiving now, and it means a lot to be part of that progress alongside so many talented people.”
In accepting his award, Diminich said, Food is the last line of defense,” Diminich said in accepting the award. “It’s something we can all agree on and so cooking and hospitality is our language. Hope is the message.” Speaking to UP later, he said, “Channeling community and a sober community into our hospitality all while being of service to each other is the highest form of hospitality and I am honored to be recognized for it.”
“We’re excited to welcome six new recognitions to this year’s Michelin Guide: American South selections, further showcasing the depth and diversity of Charlotte’s culinary community,” said Laura White, chief brand and strategy officer of Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA). “Dining plays an important role in travel motivations, giving visitors compelling reasons to discover Charlotte and return. These distinctions reinforce Charlotte’s growing reputation as one of the South’s leading culinary destinations.”
“Essentially, we are blown away and so grateful.”
Support local food journalism in Charlotte.
UNPRETENTIOUS PALATE is a digital publication covering food and drink in Charlotte. At UP, you’ll find ethical food journalism that isn’t based on free meals. We’ll be your taste testers around the city, letting you know where you can’t miss and where to skip. And we’ll ban any condescending food-writer speak. We’ll tell you the dishes we love, where to go on date night, and the best places for cocktails. You can trust us.
Become an Unpretentious Palate member today to dine better in Charlotte.
Not ready to become a paying Member? Sign up for our free newsletter below.
