When you think of the best restaurants in the country, large cities like New York or Los Angeles might come to mind. While those cities certainly have their place in the world of fine dining, there are many other cities and states with awe-inspiring restaurants as well. North Carolina is often known for its beautiful scenery, but it’s also home to some of the top foodie cities in the U.S. With unique restaurants in cities like Asheville, Durham, and Raleigh, you may have wondered where the Michelin Star restaurants in North Carolina are located.
Despite the unique, creative, and growing food scene in North Carolina, there aren’t any Michelin Star restaurants in the Tar Heel State. This doesn’t mean there aren’t any restaurants that could be worthy of a Michelin Star. There are definitely some elegant and distinguished restaurants that could make the list; however, North Carolina doesn’t have a Michelin Guide.
Michelin only brought their guide to the United States in 2005, over a hundred years after they created the first guide. As of February 2024, there are seven total locations in the U.S. with Michelin Guides, but Michelin is sure to add more guides in the future. Read on to find out which North Carolina restaurants could be Michelin worthy in the future.
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Michelin Star Worthy Restaurants in North Carolina
North Carolina is a beautiful state with many delicious restaurants. Both the big and small cities in North Carolina are known for their creative food scenes, and some of the restaurants have gained local and nationwide recognition.
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You might wonder why having Michelin Star restaurants matters. Even after 100 years of Michelin Guides, the Michelin Star is still the most prestigious rating a restaurant can receive. Even though Michelin Stars are given to restaurants, not chefs, running the kitchen in a Michelin Star restaurant can still have a significant impact on a chef’s career.
If Michelin decided to come to North Carolina, here are some of the restaurants that could make the cut:
- Stanbury
- Kindred
- The Stanley
- Cúrate
- Bardo
- Epic Chophouse
- McNinch House Restaurant
Not all Michelin-worthy restaurants in the country currently have a Michelin Star, but they could gain one in the future as Michelin continues to expand their U.S. guides. Keep reading to find out why each of these North Carolina restaurants could make the list.
Stanbury
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When you’re looking for an elegant yet comfortable restaurant in North Carolina, Stanbury is the top recommendation. This creative yet stylish establishment will amaze you with the atmosphere, ambiance, and cuisine.
The menu and cuisine at Stanbury changes with the seasons, like many restaurants that prioritize local sourcing of ingredients. At Stanbury, they focus on community and bringing people together over food. While the cuisine is upscale and worthy of recognition, they also focus on simple, fresh ingredients.
Unlike many highly-rated restaurants, Stanbury doesn’t take reservations and only accepts walk-ins. This upscale restaurant is located in downtown Raleigh and offers a unique dining experience compared to the traditional steakhouse or restaurant. While their menu changes regularly, you might see items like the Grilled Ribeye with arugula salad or the Jerk Quail with rice and peas.
Kindred
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This stylish North Carolina restaurant is worth the stop if you’re near Davidson. From the bright, vibrant atmosphere to the stylish interior, Kindred offers an innovative twist on classic American cuisine.
Husband and wife team Joe and Katy Kindred own this creatively designed restaurant. The couple settled in North Carolina to start Kindred after traveling around the world and working in some of the top restaurants in San Francisco.
The menu at Kindred focuses on fresh ingredients and changes with the seasons. The restaurant often offers their famous soft milk bread before your first course. Some items you might enjoy there include the Crispy Oysters with dill yogurt and Calabrian chile oil or the Wagyu Beef Tartare with black mustard and fingerling potatoes.
Cúrate
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In the heart of downtown Asheville, you’ll find the memorable Cúrate Bar De Tapas. Cúrate Bar De Tapas is located inside a renovated bus depot and serves tapas influenced by traditional Spanish cuisine.
The menu at this vibrant restaurant changes seasonally, but it’s always memorable no matter what time of year you visit. Cúrate Bar De Tapas has won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Hospitality and was also recognized by Wine Enthusiast Magazine as one of America’s Top 50 Wine Restaurants.
- The must-have convenient reference guide for every home cook!
- Includes more than 8,000 substitutions for ingredients, cookware, and techniques.
- Save time and money on by avoiding trips to grab that "missing" ingredient you don't really need.
When you visit Cúrate, you might experience extravagant dishes like Pan Con Tomate that includes a toasted ciabatta with fresh tomato, garlic, and olive oil. Or, you might enjoy small plates such as the Croquetas De Pollo with creamy chicken fritters and the Vieiras with seared scallops and charred leeks. For dessert, try their warm chocolate mousse or brandy-soaked ladyfinger.
Bardo
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Located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, this American, chef-driven restaurant is the perfect place for a night out. Chef Michael Noll leads the kitchen staff with inspiration from his extensive culinary experiences in Chicago prior to opening Bardo.
The unique take on American classics has lead to Bardo being recognized by numerous publications. Bardo has received recognition from publications like Charlotte Magazine, Forbes, and QC.
Known for its delicious cuisine and exceptional cocktails, dining at Bardo is an overall excellent experience. You can choose from the five-course or ten-course tasting menu with the perfect wine pairings. You'll experience items like the Beef Tartare with green tomatoes or the Pork Belly with apricot and unagi.
Please note that Bardo is currently closed while Michael Noll makes adjustments to the restaurant and considers a new location. Noll is currently offering an in-home dining experience while Bardo remains closed.
Epic Chophouse
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If you’re looking for a delicious steak in North Carolina, Epic Chophouse may be the best choice for you. Whether you’re looking for a romantic night out or a place to relax with a delicious dinner, this restaurant offers some of the best steak and seafood in the state.
Epic Chophouse has a location in Mooresville, with plans to open new locations in Greensboro and Raleigh. This steakhouse has a calm, relaxing atmosphere. Aside from their award-winning menu, they also offer a wide selection of wines to pair with your meal. Epic Chophouse has won awards from Lake Norman Publications for the Best Local Fine Dining and Best Steak.
With a combination of excellent steak and fresh seafood, there’s something on the Epic Chophouse menu for everyone. You can choose from items such as the Calamari Bellissimo or the Wagyu Meatballs to start off with. For your main course, you can choose from a variety of steaks, chops, poultry, pasta, and seafood.
Please note that the Mooresville location is temporarily closed following a fire that damaged the building. There are plans to reopen the location as soon as repairs are complete. In the meantime, for the Epic Chophouse experience, take an hour drive south to their Fort Mill, South Carolina location.
McNinch House Restaurant
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When you dine at the McNinch House, you're not just having a meal. You're also experiencing part of the history of Charlotte. The former Victorian-era home of Mayor Sam McNinch has been one of the most extravagant restaurants in Charlotte for the past 30 years.
The McNinch House Restaurant has won numerous awards over the years, including the AAA Four-Diamond Award. The McNinch House Restaurant has also been recognized by Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Zagat, and Open Table.
You can choose from the Premier Four-Course Menu, Five-Course Grand Menu, or the Chef's Tasting Menu. For those wanting to experience the best of the McNinch House, you can also choose the experience at the Chef’s Table. You might enjoy menu items such as Pork Belly to start off with, followed by the Duck Breast with fall vegetables and smashed potatoes. Finish your experience with their Apple Walnut Cake, Chocolate Crème Brulee, or Cardamom Panna Cotta.
Luxurious Dining Across North Carolina
Whether it’s the highest mountain peak on the East Coast or the beauty of the seasons, there are plenty of reasons to visit North Carolina. No matter what comes to mind when you think of North Carolina, it has an excellent food scene with numerous highly-rated, Michelin-worthy restaurants.
Even though there aren't any Michelin Star Restaurants in North Carolina currently, a Michelin guide could be added to North Carolina in the future. If North Carolina did get its own Michelin Guide, some of these restaurants just might make the list.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Kruck20.
- The must-have convenient reference guide for every home cook!
- Includes more than 8,000 substitutions for ingredients, cookware, and techniques.
- Save time and money on by avoiding trips to grab that "missing" ingredient you don't really need.