The next class of Texas restaurants included in the Michelin Guide will be announced at an invite-only ceremony in Houston on October 28.

Held at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, the event will reveal Michelin’s second class of Texas restaurants. In 2024, the Guide made its Texas debut with over 100 entries, including 15 restaurants that earned a highly coveted Michelin star. Since Michelin designations must be maintained annually, the ceremony will show both new entries to the guide and whether any restaurants have been either demoted or removed entirely.

Michelin employs anonymous inspectors to evaluate restaurants on five criteria: product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavors; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu. Based on that, they may recognize restaurants with one of four designations:

• Michelin stars, rated at one, two, or three for restaurants that offer exceptional experiences
• Bib Gourmand, described as “restaurants that offer great quality food at good prices”
• Green stars for “restaurants that are leaders in sustainable gastronomy
• Recommended for good restaurants that don’t quite meet the level of either a star or Bib Gourmand

The guide also gives out professional awards, such as Steven McDonald of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, who received the sommelier award in 2024.

Overall, Texas restaurants will be looking to build on the momentum created with last year’s guide. Since one star was the highest rating any restaurant received in 2024, perhaps Michelin will elevate at least one restaurant to two star status.

Similarly, four Texas barbecue joints received a star in 2024. The ceremony will reveal both whether all four have kept those designations and whether any of those that received Recommended or Bib Gourmand have been elevated to star status.

In Houston, 30 restaurants made the guide — six, one-star restaurants; 17 Bib Gourmand; and seven Recommended. Expect speculation about which restaurants are joining the club to reach a fever pitch between now and October 28.

“Last year marked a milestone for the Texas restaurant industry, and we’re excited to continue celebrating the state’s exceptional culinary talent at this year’s ceremony,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, in a statement. “Texas’ culinary scene boasts a rich heritage, defined by its diverse flavors, unique cuisines, and remarkable talent — qualities that make it distinctly Texan. It offers something for every kind of traveler, and we look forward to unveiling our Inspectors’ findings in the coming months.”