Highlights from the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida Ceremony

Back to where the culinary fireworks first lit up in 2022. Orlando once again played host to the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida Ceremony, casting its magic at the Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World. Talk about full-circle main character energy!

With bells, whistles, and caviar bumps, the Guide’s elusive anonymous inspectors bestowed 31 shimmering stars, including one new Two MICHELIN Star recipient and four new One MICHELIN Stars.

Two Stars

Sorekara (Orlando, FL)

One Star

Ômo by Jônt (Winter Park, FL)

Chef’s Counter at MAASS (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Itamae AO (Miami, FL)

Konro (West Palm Beach, FL)

The stellar ceremony included the cities of Miami, Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. After breezing past check-in lines, guests entered the red carpet vortex. Within five steps: greetings by bubbles and bite-sized decadence. Each city provided a mini activation with interactive activities, fun selfie ops, and hometown pride on display. Miami cafecito? Full stop. Claro que sí. MICHELIN Guide food, wine, and spirits sponsors showcased their products in style, offering endless bites and pours. Of course, Bibendum made the rounds like the A-list celeb he is.

Attendees strolled and explored for about an hour before being gently ushered to their seats. The ceremony kicked off right on time—no time to waste when there is so much to discuss and announce! Tears, celebration, and audible gasps filled the room for the next hour as each selection was revealed.

Emcee Java Ingram delivered the show’s script with elegance and charm, leading honorees to the stage for heartfelt interviews and priceless unscripted moments. The camaraderie? Off the charts. Hugs. High-fives. Toothy grins.

“Florida has proven to be an international culinary destination, with the expansion to three new cities and five restaurants being welcomed into the MICHELIN Star family in this year’s selection,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “Our anonymous Inspectors continued to be delighted by Florida’s culinary community, and we congratulate all of the chefs and restaurants being honored in this year’s selection.”

Chef Nando Chang of ITAMAE AO didn’t yet know, but he would go on to score the sole MICHELIN Star in Miami just a few minutes later after I spoke to him. He mentioned, “It’s a bit nerve-racking because I wish I was surrounded by my team. This is a merit that is earned by a group of people. But I am here representing while they are at service right now as we speak, so, it’s as good as it can be.” After winning, he calmly made his way to the stage. When host Ingram asked what the star meant to him, he gave one of the most meaningful and touching replies of the night: “It just means that people like my father, undocumented immigrants who came to this country over 30, 35 years ago, still have a future in this country.“

This year’s selection also welcomed two brilliant new Green Stars in Miami, with EntreNos and Stubborn Seed being recognized for their efforts in sustainable gastronomy. The full Florida constellation, including Bib Gourmands and recommended restaurants, totals 172 eateries spanning 39 cuisine types.

On a personal note, thank you to whoever greenlit so many chairs this year—my heeled toes are singing your praises. Keep that kind of VIP treatment coming, por favor.

As always, if you listened to my recent MICHELIN Guide Florida: Perspective & Predictions podcast, you knew most of these picks were probably happening. Stay tuned for my next episode, where I break down the night with the kind of unfiltered commentary you know and love. Predictions? Check. Snubs? You bet. Drama? Maybe.

Next year, this Guide is going statewide. From Key West to Jacksonville to Pensacola and every delicious dish in between, Florida is about to go full supernova. Inspectors, pack your sunscreen and stretchy pants. It’s going to be hot, in every possible way.