A Michelin star is a huge honor for a restaurant and the city of Tampa just got its first-ever Michelin star restaurant.
I’ve only ever been to one Michelin star restaurant and it was every bit the experience I expected. I can’t wait to try more, and now we can, just a short drive away in Tampa.
Lilac is a restaurant located inside Tampa’s first five-star hotel, The Tampa EDITION. And Lilac is now Tampa’s first-ever Michelin star restaurant. Chef and Restauranteur John Fraser is behind the restaurant that features locally sourced and seasonal ingredients with a Mediterranean twist. In a press release, Chef says of the honor: “Earning a Michelin star for Lilac is an incredible milestone both for us and Tampa’s growing dining scene. Receiving this recognition, especially in our first year of opening, is a testament to our commitment to culinary excellence and a validation for our entire team.”
Between their dinner menu and the cocktail menu, it would be hard to make a selection. Some of the dishes jumping out at me include the Atlantic Swordfish and the Spanikopita Cannelloni, and the Chocolate Walnut Crémeux for dessert. Also, the décor of the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous.
You can find more information on Lilac and see their menu here
11 Florida Restaurants Added To Michelin Guide
11 Florida restaurants have been added to the 2023 Michelin Guide.
The Michelin Guide was first published in 1900 in France. Michelin tire company created the guide to encourage people to take road trips and use their ties. Over time, the guide evolved into a restaurant review guide. Restaurants receive ratings based on several factors, including the quality of their food, the chef’s skills, the restaurant’s ambiance, and the quality of service.
How are restaurants rated for the guide?
Earning a Michelin star comes with a very high level of prestige. The Michelin Guide considers a restaurant for the guide only after a trusted source, such as a food critic, chef, or previous Michelin inspector, recommends it. A team then reviews the restaurant and assigns it a rating from one to three stars. A one-star rating means it has very good cuisine, while a two-star rating indicates excellent cuisine. The most exceptional restaurants, those worth a special journey, receive three stars. As one can imagine, a Michelin star can profoundly impact a restaurant’s reputation and business.
The 2023 Michelin guide has added 11 restaurants in Florida, located in both Orlando and Tampa. Gwendal Poullennec is the International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. She said in a statement: “Florida’s finest flavors continue to impress the inspectors, who have enjoyed their visits to the Sunshine State. The restaurant teams are clearly inspired to serve the most delectable cuisine to food lovers – day in and day out. We are excited to celebrate their accomplishments and can’t wait to share those new discoveries with gourmets and travelers.”
You can check out the full list of Florida restaurants in the Michelin Guide here
11 Restaurants Added to the Michelin Guide for 2023:
Marija was born and raised in Illinois, but moved to Florida in 2018. She loves dogs, kayaking, concerts, beachin', checking out new restaurants & is always planning her next vacation. Follow her on Instagram @marija127
