For the first time ever, a New Orleans restaurant has been awarded Michelin star status. The MICHELIN Guide announced the 2025 MICHELIN Guide American South selection on Nov. 3. Emeril’s, the flagship of renowned chef Emeril Lagasse, received two stars in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide. This is a milestone for both the restaurant and New Orleans’ culinary culture.
Ten restaurants earned a Michelin star in the inaugural selection, joining eight pre-existing Atlanta restaurants. Fifty Bib Gourmand awards, plus four special awards, were also revealed. This year’s selection boasts 228 of the best restaurants across the South, with 44 cuisine types represented.
The award honors E.J. Lagasse, Emeril’s son, who leads the kitchen in his father’s iconic restaurant. The younger chef Lagasse has reworked Emeril’s by blending Creole cuisine with fine dining while preserving the sense of warmth and tradition that made Emeril’s a New Orleans staple.
The chef celebrated this honor among two other chefs from Louisiana restaurants, Zasu and Saint-Germain, who each earned one star on the 2025 list.
“The young E.J. Lagasse, son of the indomitable namesake, now oversees a remarkable dining room that has celebrated Creole cuisine for more than three decades. His determination is palpable as he charts a new course, bringing contemporary refinement and vibrant originality to the fore,” The MICHELIN Guide said.
Just last month, Tejal Rao, the chief restaurant critic for The New York Times, gave Emeril’s three stars in her review. Since taking over the kitchen, Lagasse has introduced an innovative tasting menu to the restaurant that emphasizes local ingredients and intricate presentation.
This recognition also marks a turning point in Michelin’s relationship with the city. Until recently, Michelin didn’t rate restaurants in Louisiana. For decades, Michelin was limited to New York, Chicago and San Francisco, later expanding to Miami, Atlanta and Nashville.
Within the last few years, the MICHELIN Guide began expanding into Southern cities, skipping over New Orleans, until now.