Fifteen Alabama restaurants have been honored in Michelin Guide’s inaugural American South selection. The restaurants were honored in three categories: Bib Gourmand, Michelin Outstanding Service Award and in the American South’s 2025 Recommended Restaurants.
“The cuisine of the American South is a rich blend of cultural influences, brought to life by skilled chefs who have crafted some of the region’s most iconic dishes,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide. “Our anonymous inspectors were deeply impressed by the region’s culinary prowess, and this inaugural selection reflects their findings — from Southern staples like barbecue, Creole and seafood, to international flavors.”
The Bib Gourmand restaurants were selected for providing great food at a great value. Those in Alabama receiving the Bib Gourmand distinction are Bayonet, La Fete, Ovenbird and Pizza Grace, of Birmingham; and The Noble South of Mobile.
Those restaurants making the American South’s 2025 Recommended Restaurants list are: 1856 Restaurant in Auburn; Automatic Seafood & Oysters, Bottega, Chez Fonfon, Current Charcoal Grill, Helen, Hot and Hot Fish Club and Reve, of Birmingham; and Purveyor and Salt Smokehouse, of Huntsville.
Eleven of the 15 restaurants are located in Birmingham.
“To have 11 of our restaurants receive Michelin recognition reinforces what locals have long known all along — that Birmingham’s food scene rivals any city in the country,” said Dan Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This will introduce the Greater Birmingham region to a new audience of travelers and food lovers, driving meaningful economic impact and reinforcing our reputation as a vibrant, world-class destination.”
In addition to the restaurant distinctions, Pardis Stitt, co-owner of Bottega in Birmingham, was honored with the Michelin Outstanding Service Award, sponsored by Capital One Dining.
