By Megan Malone
Six new Tampa restaurants were added to Florida’s Michelin Guide on Feb. 14, approximately two months before the admired guide’s 2024-star reveal.
Streetlight Taco, Supernatural Food & Wine, Predalina, The Pearl, Ebbe, and Kosen are “new” additions to the guide. 19 new restaurants were added between Tampa, Miami, and Orlando, the only Florida cities visited by Michelin inspectors.
“I know I can always find a good place to eat in Tampa. Whether it’s tacos, Cuban food, or a burger, I know I can find something within walking distance of downtown,” said Cynthia Rogan, a senior at The University of Tampa.
Restaurants can still earn a spot on the guide without receiving an official award. The restaurants on the list may be eligible for the guide’s coveted star ratings or Bib Gourmand selections in the future. Still, for now, they are highly recommended by Michelin’s secret diners. The establishments highlighted in the guide are to help food lovers enjoy discoveries before the annual announcement of Bib Gourmands and stars.
Here are the six Tampa restaurants added to the Michelin Guide for 2024:
Streetlight Taco: The South Tampa taqueria reimages your typical taco with fresh, creative ingredients.
Supernatural Food & Wine: This casual Downtown Tampa nook serves sandwiches and salads in a bright, inviting environment.
Predalina: This upscale restaurant pays homage to the owners’ Mediterranean heritage.
The Pearl: This restaurant located on beautiful Water Street offers a shareable American menu with a seafood focus.
Ebbe: This sleek, contemporary spot serves a tasting menu reflective of Chef Ebbe Vollmer’s Swedish background.
Kosen: This elegant Japanese restaurant focuses on Chef Wei Chen’s intricate and precise omakase.
Although the James Beard Awards are considered by many the Oscars of the culinary industry, the Michelin Star Guide is conceivably one of the most widely known and respected restaurant ratings systems. The guide is often known for collecting international accolades and recognition for restaurants that get star ratings.
While the number of stars a restaurant can receive is three, receiving any stars at all is considered a major success in the food world. The process is notoriously very secretive; inspectors visit restaurants anonymously and judge eateries on various criteria, including quality of product, mastery of flavors, and excellence in technique.
The guide also presents Bib Gourmand status to restaurants devoted to “best value” restaurants where diners can leave with a sense of satisfaction at having eaten so well at such a reasonable price.
“The restaurant scene in Tampa has improved so much over the past few years I’ve lived here as a student. Nothing beats being able to walk down the street with so many different cuisine options,” said Caitlin Breen, a senior at The University of Tampa.
It’s been three years since the international guide began its raid into Florida. It is part of a partnership between Michelin Guide and the state’s tourism marketing agency, Visit Florida and tourism marketing boards in Tampa, Orlando, and Miami.
Since the guide launched in Florida, local chefs have been hopeful that stars and additional accolades would help bring more widespread recognition to the Tampa Bay area.
“With Tampa growing so quickly as a city, so has its food scene. There are many great options throughout the area, with a little something for everyone. It’s no surprise that six of our restaurants have been added to the Florida Michelin guide, and I’m sure there will be many more to come,” said Alec Talbert, a senior at The University of Tampa.
Only four new stars were dished out in the 2023 edition, and three of them went to Tampa restaurants- Rocca, Lilac, and Koya- and a few more have received Bib Gourmand status, including Rooster & The Till, Gorkhali Kitchen, Psomi, and the since-shuttered Ichicoro Ramen.
Stars and Bib Gourmand selections for the 2024 Michelin Florida guide will be announced at a ceremony in Tampa on April 18.