Michelin adds three new Texas stars, including Fort Worth’s first

The Michelin Guide released its 2026 Texas selection on Thursday, October 8, 2026. CultureMap Fort Worth reports that the list came without the invite-only ceremony held in the previous two years. The selection awarded three new one-star ratings statewide, including Goldee’s Bar-B-Q in Fort Worth. CultureMap Fort Worth reports it as the city’s first Michelin star, and Fox 4 News reports it as Goldee’s first star.

The other two new stars went to Austin restaurants: Fabrik, a plant-based fine-dining restaurant, and Kappo, a new hotel restaurant that combines Japanese cuisine with French technique, according to Austin CultureMap. The guide added no new stars in Houston or Dallas.

Goldee’s becomes Fort Worth’s first Michelin star

Fox 4 News reports that Michelin cited the brisket, turkey and jalapeño-cheddar sausage at Goldee’s Bar-B-Q. CultureMap Fort Worth describes the award as one of three new Texas stars and the first awarded in Fort Worth.

Both outlets describe the same five criteria Michelin uses: ingredient quality, flavor harmony, culinary technique, the chef’s personality as reflected in the cooking, and consistency over time. Fox 4 News also summarizes the star levels. One star means high-quality cooking, two stars mean excellent cooking, and three stars mean exceptional cuisine.

Neither article includes a quote from Goldee’s owners or staff, and CultureMap reports no prices for the restaurant.

Bib Gourmand split
Houston took five of the six new Bib Gourmands awarded in Texas, according to CultureMap Fort Worth.

Bib Gourmands cluster in Houston, with one in North Texas

CultureMap Fort Worth’s list shows that Houston took five of the six new Bib Gourmands awarded in Texas. The new Houston-area awards went to Bar Buena, Khoi Barbecue, Kitchen Rumors, Murray’s Pizza & Wine and Xolo.

Fox 4 News and CultureMap both report that Resident Taqueria earned a 2026 Bib Gourmand. Fox 4 News lists it among the North Texas recognitions and does not name a city.

CultureMap reports four new Recommended restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area: Fond, Jashan, Mābo and Olōyō. Fox 4 News places all four in Plano, while CultureMap’s article does not give their addresses or neighborhoods. CultureMap Fort Worth lists nine new Recommended restaurants in Houston.

The 2024 launch terms and the expired funding commitment

CultureMap reports that Michelin announced its plans to launch the inaugural Texas guide in July 2024.

CultureMap Fort Worth and Austin CultureMap both report that Michelin’s three-year, $2.7 million commitment to producing the regional guide has expired. No other source read confirms the amount. CultureMap also reports that the press-release format of the 2026 announcement has led some to speculate that Michelin will leave Texas. The article does not confirm that.

Houston took five of the six new Bib Gourmands awarded in Texas.

Conflicting details and open questions

CultureMap Fort Worth reports that Michelin revealed its selections for the inaugural Texas guide in November 2025. Both CultureMap articles report that the 2026 list was released without the invite-only ceremony held in the previous two years.

The sources also differ on how the 2026 list was announced. CultureMap Fort Worth and Austin CultureMap describe a press release, while Fox 4 News says the announcement came by email.

Austin CultureMap reports that Austin now has seven one-star restaurants. CultureMap Fort Worth also names Kappo, and Fox 4 News says only that two Austin restaurants received stars.

The articles read contain no direct quotation from Michelin officials about the 2026 selection, and none from restaurant owners. Fox 4 News reports that ratings are reassessed each year and that a complete 2026 Texas list can be found through a link in its article. The sources read contain no Michelin statement on the guide’s plans beyond 2026.

Photo: Rhododendrites · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons