Fall is awards season in the food and hospitality industry, with annual accolades giving us plenty of reasons to celebrate the chefs, restaurants and hospitality professionals who make North Carolina such a delicious place to live and travel.
Again, Chef Taylor Montgomery took the top title of NCRLA Chef of the Year while a relative newcomer, Chef Charmain Devine in Wilmington took top honors as NCRLA Pastry chef of the year. Mixologist and distillery of the year went to Charlotte’s own Ashely Sarkis and her partner distillery, Muddy River.
And now, it’s Michelin’s turn.
Last year, when the Michelin Guide rolled into the American South for the first time, I wrote about what it meant to finally see North Carolina restaurants included in one of the best-known restaurant guides in the world. The 2026 Michelin Guide American South awards just announced October 21 in Nashville, Tennessee, and we’re celebrating another round of recognition for restaurants and hospitality professionals across the state of North Carolina.
Let’s start with kudos to Charlotte’s Counter restaurant, owned by chef Sam Hart. Counter retained its 2026 Michelin Star; while new restaurants joined the Michelin Bib Gourmand and Recommended lists.
In addition several individual awards put a well-deserved spotlight on the people behind the food. I was particularly delighted to see Charlotte chefs Sam Diminich of Restaurant Constance and Grey’s Diner + Community Kitchen, and Héctor González-Mora of The Story of Mi Cariño receive special recognition.
There was exciting news from Wilmington, too, where restaurants and a local wine professional earned Michelin recognition. And while we’re talking about traveling across North Carolina to eat, we should also talk about where to stay. Four more North Carolina hotels joined the Michelin Key selections for 2026.
Michelin, Road Trips and a Delicious North Carolina Dining Goal
Here’s a fun bit of Michelin history that I shared in my original article last year. The Michelin Guide actually began in France in 1900 as a free travel guide published by brothers André and Édouard Michelin, founders of the Michelin tire company. The idea was to encourage people to get out and drive, which, of course, meant more wear on their tires.
The original guide included practical information for motorists, from maps and directions to gas stations, garages, tire repairs and places to eat or spend the night. It wasn’t until 1926 that Michelin began awarding Stars to restaurants, eventually becoming the international authority on dining that we know today.
On the Road Again
I love that Michelin’s story began with a road trip, because that’s exactly how I’d suggest exploring this year’s North Carolina honorees. From the mountains to the coast, a delicious road trip across the state could take you to every restaurant on the list, with plenty of opportunities to discover local farms, markets and food producers along the way.
I’ve had the pleasure of dining at most of the North Carolina restaurants recognized in the 2026 Michelin Guide, but there are still a few I haven’t visited. My goal is to visit the rest over the coming months, and I’ll be sharing those delicious discoveries with you along the way.
If you missed my original article, The Michelin Guide Rolls Into the American South, it’s a good place to start for a little background on how Michelin evaluates restaurants and what its various distinctions mean.
For now, let’s take a look at what’s new for North Carolina in 2026.
Charlotte’s Counter, Retains Its Michelin Star
Congratulations to Chef Sam Hart and the team at Counter-, which retained its One Michelin Star for 2026. The Charlotte restaurant earned the distinction when Michelin first introduced its American South guide in 2025 and remains North Carolina’s only Michelin-starred restaurant.
Four New North Carolina Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurants
I’ve always liked the Bib Gourmand category because it recognizes restaurants serving very good food at a good value, something that doesn’t necessarily require white tablecloths or a special-occasion budget.
Four North Carolina restaurants were named new Bib Gourmand recipients for 2026:
- Ajja, Raleigh
- Ideal’s, Durham
- Tesoro, Carrboro
- The Story of Mi Cariño, Charlotte
They join an impressive group of North Carolina restaurants previously recognized with Bib Gourmand distinctions.
What I particularly like about this collection is the range of food and dining experiences it represents. From barbecue and Vietnamese cuisine to handmade pasta, sandwiches and contemporary Latin-inspired cooking, it’s another reminder that great food in North Carolina comes in many delicious forms.
And one of those new Bib Gourmand restaurants brought home an additional award.
Chef Héctor González-Mora Receives Michelin’s Young Chef Award
One of the biggest Charlotte announcements of the evening was the 2026 Michelin Guide American South Young Chef Award, presented to Chef Héctor González-Mora of The Story of Mi Cariño. Here is Hector’s story on the Michelin Guide site.
Chef Hector’s cooking is inspired by his Los Angeles upbringing and the food cultures of California, Baja California and Mexico. He describes his culinary approach as Left Coast Latino, a fitting description for a restaurant where his personal story and cultural influences play such an important role in what’s on the plate. Leading up to owning his own place, Hector has cooked in several Charlotte restaurants alongside many Charlotte chefs and we are so lucky to have him in our city’s culinary community.
The Story of Mi Cariño also received its first Bib Gourmand designation this year, making this a double celebration for González-Mora and his team.
The Young Chef Award recognizes an individual whose talent and promise have caught Michelin’s attention, and I look forward to eating at Mi Cariño soon and to watching what Chef Hector does next.
Sam Diminich: A Michelin Recognition That Goes Beyond the Restaurant
This is one of the announcements that made me especially happy. I’ve know Sam Dimininch a long time and I have a tremendous amount of respect for all his has accomplished.
Charlotte Chef Sam Diminich, owner of Restaurant Constance and Grey’s Diner + Community Kitchen, was recognized through Michelin’s Mindful Voices initiative, which shines a light on hospitality professionals whose work and personal experiences are helping change the industry.
If you’ve followed Sam’s story, you’ll understand why this recognition means so much more than another restaurant award.
Sam has spoken openly about his journey through addiction and recovery, the challenges of rebuilding his life and career, and the role hospitality has played in that process. Rather than keeping those experiences private, he has used them to help others in an industry where substance abuse, addiction and mental health struggles have too often been ignored.
His work with Ben’s Friends, a national support community for food and beverage professionals facing addiction and substance abuse challenges, is an important part of that story. So is the way he has approached building his own restaurant businesses.
Restaurant Constance: Connecting the Farm and the Table
Restaurant Constance, named for Sam’s daughter, remains a Michelin Recommended restaurant in the 2026 guide. The Charlotte restaurant is built around seasonal ingredients and Sam’s relationships with local farmers, growers and producers, with menus that reflect what is available and what those ingredients inspire him to cook.
That approach to cooking is something I’ve always appreciated, and it’s one of the reasons I enjoy sharing Sam’s work with readers.
In 2025, Sam was also named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast, another recognition of the work he and his team have been doing at Restaurant Constance. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him cook on several occasions, including the 2025 Chef’s Against Cancer fundraiser, where he joined other Charlotte chefs in preparing a memorable dinner to support an important cause.
Grey’s Diner + Community Kitchen: Hospitality with a Bigger Purpose
In April 2026, Sam and his team opened Grey’s Diner + Community Kitchen on The Plaza in Charlotte, bringing many of the same values behind Restaurant Constance into a more casual neighborhood setting.
Grey’s takes the familiar idea of an American diner and builds on it with a commitment to community, locally sourced ingredients and the belief that good food and genuine hospitality should be accessible to more people.
While Grey’s itself did not receive a Michelin restaurant designation, its mission is an important part of understanding why Sam’s Mindful Voices recognition is so appropriate.
Michelin’s initiative gives hospitality professionals a platform to share the experiences, ideas and practices that are changing their industry. Sam’s willingness to talk about recovery, his ongoing work to support others and his belief that food can help bring people together certainly fit that description.
Giving Back and Supporting the Community
In addition to his work at both Charlotte restaurants, Sam also leads the Your Farms Your Table team in crafting a Community Supported Meals program providing locally-sourced, nutritious meals to mental health and recovery facilities in the Charlotte area, including the McLeod Center for Wellness and the HopeWay Foundation.
During the awards ceremony, Sam spoke about food and hospitality as a common language, and about hope as the message behind his work.
For me, that’s what makes this particular award so meaningful. Restaurant Constance and Grey’s are two very different restaurants, but they share a philosophy that reaches beyond the menu. Since Sam set out on his on in 2020, he has been building his business around the idea that hospitality can create opportunities, foster relationships and make a difference in people’s lives.
I’ve always believed that some of the best stories in our food community are about the people behind the restaurants and the connections they make along the way. Sam’s story is certainly one of them, and I couldn’t be happier to see him recognized on a national level. Much deserved accolades. Congratulations, my friend.
And this might be a bit of a spoiler, but I can’t wait to see Chef Sam and several other Charlotte chefs and places I love on an upcoming episode with one of my favorite’s Phil Rosenthal.
That’s right the legendary Phil Rosenthal of Netflix’s Someone Feed Phil and now his own You Tube show, has been filming in Charlotte this week. As soon as I learn when and where the episode will air I’ll be the first to let you know. More about Phil later, for now lets get back to Michelin in North Carolina.
Wilmington Makes Its Mark on the 2026 Michelin Guide
If you’ve been following my food and travel adventures, you know I love a good reason to head to Wilmington, and the 2026 Michelin announcements have given us several more.
Two Wilmington restaurants, Manna and Salita Pizza, joined the Michelin Recommended list this year, bringing new attention to the Port City’s growing culinary reputation.
There was also a special individual honor for William Mellon of Manna, who received the 2026 Michelin Guide American South Sommelier Award.
Mellon’s passion for wine and the extensive wine program he has developed at Manna are certainly worth celebrating. His recognition is also a reminder that an exceptional dining experience isn’t just about what comes out of the kitchen. A thoughtful wine program, the ability to introduce diners to something new and the hospitality that surrounds it all can be just as memorable as the food.
And while we’re celebrating Wilmington’s culinary talent, let’s not forget that the Port City is also home to our 2026 NCRLA Chef Showdown Pastry Chef of the Year, Charmain Devine. Michelin isn’t the only organization recognizing the exceptional talent coming out of Wilmington’s kitchens, and I think there’s a much bigger story to tell about the chefs and hospitality professionals who are helping put this coastal city on the culinary map.
I’ll save more of that story for another article, but for now, Wilmington certainly deserves a spot on your North Carolina culinary travel list.
Michelin Recognition Reaches Beyond North Carolina’s Largest Cities
Wilmington wasn’t the only community outside the state’s traditional dining destinations to receive attention this year.
One of my favorite places, Native Fine Diner, owned by Chef Luke Owens, in Greenville NC also joined the Michelin Recommended list, adding another eastern North Carolina destination to the guide.
I’ve said for years that some of North Carolina’s most interesting food stories are found when you get off the interstate and explore the smaller cities and communities around the state. It’s encouraging to see Michelin beginning to recognize more of that culinary talent.
Four New North Carolina Hotels Earn Michelin Keys in 2026
Michelin isn’t just about restaurants anymore. The guide also recognizes exceptional hotels through its Michelin Key program, and the 2026 selections offer some wonderful ideas for planning your next North Carolina getaway.
Much like Michelin Stars recognize restaurants, Michelin Keys recognize hotels for the quality and character of the overall guest experience. Inspectors consider everything from design and service to the personality of the property and its connection to the surrounding destination.
In September 2026, Michelin announced four new North Carolina hotel honorees, including two properties receiving Two Keys and two receiving One Key.
Two Michelin Keys: Exceptional Stays in the North Carolina Mountains
Cataloochee Ranch in Maggie Valley and The Swag in Waynesville each received Two Michelin Keys, a distinction Michelin describes as an exceptional stay.
Both properties offer a chance to experience Western North Carolina in a setting where the landscape is very much part of the experience. Their recognition also gives travelers another reason to explore the mountain communities and the food, farms and local businesses that make this region special.
One Michelin Key: Raleigh and Pittsboro
Heights House Hotel in Raleigh and The Fearrington House Inn in Pittsboro each received One Michelin Key, Michelin’s designation for a very special stay.
Heights House brings the recognition to a beautifully restored historic property in Raleigh, while Fearrington offers a lovely connection between food, travel and hospitality in the countryside outside Chapel Hill.
Fearrington is particularly interesting because the property now has recognition on both sides of the experience. The Fearrington House Restaurant is Michelin Recommended, and The Fearrington House Inn holds a Michelin Key.
That’s a pretty good reason to plan a weekend away!
All Nine Michelin Key Hotels in North Carolina
The four new honorees join five properties previously recognized by Michelin, bringing North Carolina’s 2026 Michelin Key hotel list to nine.
Two Michelin Keys
- Cataloochee Ranch, Maggie Valley
- The Swag, Waynesville
One Michelin Key
- Blind Tiger Asheville, Asheville
- The Ivey’s Hotel, Charlotte
- Proximity Hotel, Greensboro
- The Fearrington House Inn, Pittsboro
- Heights House Hotel, Raleigh
- ARRIVE Wilmington, Wilmington
- Dreamers BnB, Wilmington
From the mountains to the coast, these nine hotels offer a nice starting point for planning a North Carolina road trip, especially if you’re like me and tend to plan travel around where you’re going to eat.
What the 2026 Michelin Awards Mean for North Carolina
When Michelin first announced its plans to include the American South, there was plenty of conversation about what the guide might mean for North Carolina’s restaurant industry. A year later, I think the more interesting story is what Michelin is beginning to discover about the food and the people who make this state such a delicious place to live and travel.
We have extraordinary chefs working in fine dining restaurants, but we also have talented cooks preparing barbecue, sandwiches, pastries, pizza and dishes inspired by family traditions and cultures from around the world. We have restaurant owners building relationships with local farmers and producers, hospitality professionals creating memorable experiences for their guests and chefs who are finding ways to use their businesses to support the communities around them.
That’s why I was particularly happy to see the individual awards presented to Sam Diminich, Héctor González-Mora and William Mellon this year. Their recognition reminds us that the people behind the food are every bit as important as the restaurants themselves.
Michelin may be bringing more international attention to North Carolina, but the talent, creativity and sense of community that make our food scene special have been here all along.
And whether you’re planning a special dinner, a weekend getaway or a delicious road trip across the state, I hope these awards encourage you to explore somewhere new, revisit a restaurant you already love and continue supporting the people who make North Carolina’s food community what it is.
More About Heidi Billotto
I’m Heidi Billotto, a Charlotte, NC-based food and travel writer, cooking instructor and the Executive Producer of the NCRLA Chef Showdown. Much of what I do comes back to the same thing: connecting people through food.
Over the years, I’ve built wonderful relationships with small family farmers, chefs, independent producers and regional makers. I love helping people discover their work, and then showing readers how to bring those ingredients home to their own tables.
Known for deep relationships, genuine curiosity, joyful style and sincere passion, I elevate local food culture through cooking, teaching, travel and media.
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