Several Asheville restaurants walked away from the MICHELIN Guide American South award ceremony with prestigious honors.

It's the inaugural guide and the first regional selection since the MICHELIN Guide’s expansion into the US in 2005. Out of more than 200 restaurants recognized across Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, here are the award-winning Asheville spots.

Changing the game

Luminosa earned the MICHELIN Green Star, awarded to restaurants excelling in sustainability and pioneering the future of gastronomy. The Flat Iron Hotel restaurant has a zero-waste kitchen and takes farm to table to a new level, sourcing the majority of its ingredients within 50 miles of the restaurant.

Best value

Several spots earned the Bib Gourmand recognition, given to restaurants serving good food for a good value — according to the Guide, they're "often known as personal favorites among the inspectors when dining on their own time." Out of the 50 picks, Little Chango, Luminosa, and Mother all made the list.

A celebratory dinner awaits at Luminosa. | Photo by Andrew Cebulka

Expert recs

More Asheville eateries made the cut as "American South's 2025 Recommended restaurants," handpicked by meticulous inspectors.

How restaurants are assessed

Wonder what the vetting process is like for these prestigious honors? Anonymous inspectors judge each establishment based on five factors: "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."

See the full list of winners.