23 SC restaurants honored as Michelin Guide unveils inaugural American South edition

The home team makes a strong showing in the inaugural edition of the Michelin Guide American South edition.

The guide was unveiled Nov. 3 at the Peace Center in Greenville at an event hosted in the hometown of Michelin North America.

The prestigious guide to restaurants around the world includes 23 South Carolina restaurants, four of which earned a prestigious star rating.

Atlanta had been included in previous guides, according to a news release from Michelin. Only 10 new restaurants in the South received one Michelin star in the first regional edition. Only one received two Michelin stars — Emeril’s of New Orleans, now run by E.J. Lagasse, son of the restaurant’s legendary namesake.

“The cuisine of the American South is a rich blend of cultural influences, brought to life by skilled chefs who have crafted some of the region’s most iconic dishes,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said in the release. “Our anonymous Inspectors were deeply impressed by the region’s culinary prowess, and this inaugural selection reflects their findings — from Southern staples like barbecue, Creole and seafood, to international flavors. We welcome these restaurants to the Michelin Guide family and toast to all the chef and restaurant teams honored tonight.”

Palmetto State restaurants earning one Michelin star were:

• Malagón Mercado y Taperia – Charleston
• Scoundrel – Greenville
• Vern’s – Charleston
• Wild Common – Charleston

Three South Carolina restaurants made the Bib Gourmand list in the guide. The distinction recognizes eateries for great food at a great value, according to the release. Those restaurants were:

• Leon’s Oyster Shop – Charleston
• Lewis Barbecue – Charleston
• Rodney Scott’s BBQ – Charleston

Thirteen other restaurants in the state were added to the American South’s 2025 Recommended list.

• Chubby Fish – Charleston
• Di Vino Rosso – Columbia
• Fig – Charleston
• Husk – Charleston
• Jianna – Greenville
• Lowland – Charleston
• Motor Supply Company – Columbia
• Oak Prime – Myrtle Beach
• Soby’s – Greenville
• Sorelle – Charleston
• The Anchorage – Greenville
• The Establishment – Charleston
• The Restaurant at Zero George – Charleston
• The Obstinate Daughter – Sullivan’s Island
• Topsoil Kitchen – Travelers Rest
• Xiao Bao Biscuit – Charleston

Michelin published its first North American Guide in 2005 for New York, later adding other cities and regions, including Atlanta in 2023 and Texas in 2024, the release stated. The guide was first published at the turn of the 20^th century in France to encourage the development of automobile travel.

“All restaurants in the guide are recommended by Michelin’s anonymous inspectors, who are trained to apply the same time-tested methods used by Michelin inspectors for many decades throughout the world,” the release stated. “This ensures a uniform, international standard of excellence. As a further guarantee of complete objectivity, Michelin inspectors pay all their bills in full, and only the quality of the cuisine is evaluated.”