Foodies, start your engines. The new Southern edition of the Michelin Guide is here, and it expands its existing coverage of Atlanta to include Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. All told, some 243 Southern restaurants earned recognition this year, and thirteen standout spots joined an existing nine in Atlanta in securing coveted Michelin stars (including green stars).
The original Michelin Guide, first published in 1900, was all about getting people to take more road trips in an effort by the eponymous French tire brand to sell more tires. While the guide’s purpose has shifted over the last century toward highlighting top-tier restaurants across the globe, at its core it remains a companion for travelers. To pay homage to these origins, we created an epic gastronomic driving tour that rolls past some of the newest inductees.
The South’s Michelin Guide covers a lot of ground, and this road trip focuses on just a small portion of its highlighted restaurants. This route won’t take you to New Orleans’ Emeril’s, for instance, the only two-star restaurant to appear in this guide, or to the three hot spots in Nashville, but it will take you to all of the newly starred establishments in the Carolinas, plus a couple of Bib Gourmand picks, which Michelin recognizes for both quality and value.
Finagling reservations for all of these places—no less in the same week—may prove challenging. But if the stars align, you’ll buckle up for one of the best weeks of eating in your life.
Saturday–Monday: Charleston
Start your trip in this Lowcountry dining mecca, where three downtown restaurants, Vern’s, Wild Common, and Malagón Mercado y Tapería, earned a star. If you’ll be in town for a few days, consider staying at the Post House Inn, a tiny, timeless retreat (with a delightful downstairs restaurant of its own) just across the river in Mount Pleasant; Michelin awarded it a one key designation in its hotel category.
Dine at Wild Common and Malagón Saturday and Sunday nights. At Wild Common you’ll find what’s probably the most affordable Michelin tasting menu in the country. It’s $95, though you can add on the caviar eggs Benedict for an extra bit of luxury.
At Malagón, dried hams hang above the bar, Spanish dry goods line the shelves, and the extensive tapas menu allows you to taste a wide array of dishes, including its “La Bomba de la Barceloneta,” or pork-stuffed mashed potato, which the Michelin inspector called a must-have.
Vern’s is the only Holy City honoree open on Mondays, but you won’t regret saving this gem for last. The neighborhood American bistro, which feels more like a living room in a Nancy Meyers movie than a restaurant dining room, is known for dishes like succulent roasted chicken and handmade pastas. Be sure to save room for a strawberry granita for dessert. Reservations open thirty days in advance at noon and go quick. If you don’t land one, try going at 5:00 p.m. to snag a bar seat.
Tuesday: Greenville
On Tuesday, make your way up I-26 to Greenville, South Carolina. Dinner is at Scoundrel, a French-inspired spot where the tableside beef tartare presentation is a must and sharing plates is the norm. If you’re killing time before your reservation, Scoundrel chef and owner Joe Cash recommends attending a Greenville Drive minor league baseball game, though you can’t go wrong just strolling the picturesque Reedy River, which flows directly through downtown.
Wednesday: Asheville
The drive from Greenville to Asheville, North Carolina, takes just over an hour, so you’ll have plenty of time to hike, grab a beer, or peruse the city’s myriad art galleries and craft studios before dinner at Luminosa. Known for fresh Italian-Applachian fare like mouthwatering pork and beans agnolotti, Luminosa just earned a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to local produce and sustainability. What’s more, it’s tucked inside the recently reopened Flat Iron Hotel, all the better for rolling straight to bed after dinner.
Thursday: Charlotte
Two hours east in Charlotte, Counter- is the only restaurant in North Carolina to acquire a star in this inaugural American South Michelin Guide. As its name hints, every guest sits at the counter, a sleek U-shaped bar that gives patrons a look at the inner workings of the kitchen. The tasting menus, or “themes,” change quarterly; this fall’s focuses on mountain fare, and up next, executive chef Sam Hart tackles the variations in flavors across the Tar Heel State. Since opening in 2020, the team has never served the same course twice after a theme concludes.
Before dinner, grab a drink at Supperland, recognized for its “Exceptional Cocktail Program” by Michelin. The converted church is known as a gin bar and makes its tonic water in house, but you’ll also find creative cocktails like the purple-hued Intergalactic Love Affair, a playful riff on a vodka soda. If you can’t get into Counter-, Supperland offers a stellar dinner menu, too, inspired by church potlucks of yore.
Friday: Knightdale
Grab a coffee and hit the road early. It’s about a three-hour drive to Knightdale, just east of Raleigh, and you’ll want to be waiting at Prime Barbecue when it opens at 11:00 a.m. There’s often a line stretching out the door, and with its new Bib Gourmand designation it won’t be getting any shorter. Getting there early also means you’ll have the best chance of snagging some of chef Christopher Prieto’s famous burnt ends, which are only available Wednesdays and Fridays—at least until they sell out.
The list is long, and it’ll be tempting to stay on the road to keep trying brake-worthy meals, but your waistline (and wallet) might have other thoughts. Bookmark the full guide for your next road trip.
