The newest Michelin Star restaurants in Florida have been announced. Where are they?
The newest Florida restaurants added to the 2023 Michelin guide are out.
And downtown Tampa is the closest place for Manatee County residents to find one.
Two located on Channelside Drive and the other off Gramercy Park Lane, the three Tampa restaurants chosen are among 19 new Florida dining establishments making the cut.
Michelin is a renowned authority in the culinary world with their star system “awarded to restaurants offering outstanding cooking,” the Michelin guide said.
The Michelin Star are annual awards given to newcomers as well as reassessments of existing Michelin Star restaurants, according to the guide.
Nineteen new restaurants in the Sunshine State were included in the Michelin Guide, which brings the total to 135 restaurants for the state in the guide.
The three in Tampa include:
Noble Rice, 615 Channelside Drive #112
Lilac, 500 Channelside Drive
Ponte, 1010 Gramercy Park Lane
Here’s what Michelin wrote about each Tampa restaurant that was included:
Noble Rice
“Restaurants pack this area just off Channelside Drive, but Noble Rice deserves your attention, and not just because it’s a sister spot to Koya. Unlike most minimalist Japanese restaurants, this place has a lively, modern vibe. There is an omakase on offer at a separate counter, but the real draw here is their à la carte sushi-focused menu with some izakaya and small plate options (think shrimp toast and karaage; skewers and ramen).”
“Traditionalists should head for the king salmon nigiri sourced from New Zealand, while bold and creative flavor combinations are found in maki like the negi toro roll, with spicy fatty tuna, scallion, tobanjan kewpie in a black garlic soy sauce. Steer seasonal, as in the bright Dungeness crab salad.”
Lilac
“Situated in the sleek and oh-so-stylish Edition hotel, this concept from John Fraser is a popular spot with in-demand reservations. The small space has a sexy vibe, albeit not a stitch of lilac in sight. Peruse the contemporary four-course prix-fixe with Mediterranean influences, Florida-focused ingredients and French techniques.”
“A meal might include luxe bites like a Diver scallop infused with rosemary smoke and dramatically served under a cloche to well-executed and flavorful lobster feuillantine. Main dishes include Ora King salmon with a Florida stone crab salad or Colorado lamb chop with tender leeks and house-made lamb sausage.Cocktails and wine are on offer, but Lilac has upped the ante when it comes to tableside service with a champagne cocktail cart (yes, please!).”
Ponte
“Chef Christopher Ponte oversees the very grand eponymous restaurant located in midtown Tampa where a cream-and-white palette sets an elegant tone. This is a linen tablecloth kind of place where a comprehensive menu lists dishes with a contemporary and creative American flair.”
“Kick off this memorable meal with Champagne and pearls—oysters finished with a pink peppercorn mignonette foam—or opt for the salmon Wagyu set over crispy sushi rice. Discover an entire section of the menu devoted to steaks with different sauces, toppers and butters. It may read a bit showy, but it’s exciting nonetheless and feels worthy of the price tag. Cocktails are quite literally split down the middle, offering both a classic version of the usual suspects alongside modern takes.”
Other Florida restaurants
Between the existing and new Michelin Star restaurants, they’re located in either Tampa, the Orlando area or Miami area. New restaurants added to Florida outside the Tampa trio were eight in Orlando and Miami.
The new additions to Orlando are: Toledo (Spanish cuisine), Victoria & Albert’s (modern), Twenty Pho Hour (Asian), Kaya (Filipino), Otto’s High Drive (Cuban), Edoboy (sushi), Juju (Japanese) and Doshi (Korean).
