Mississippi Chefs Shine in Second Year of MICHELIN Guide Recognition

Restaurants across Oxford, Jackson, and Coastal Mississippi earn coveted recognition, highlighting the Magnolia State’s growing reputation as a premier culinary destination

Jackson, Miss. (October 23, 2026) – Visit Mississippi celebrates 13 restaurants, and a special award, from the Magnolia State whose restaurants have been recognized by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide at its second American South ceremony on October 21 in Nashville, Tenn. 

“The continued recognition of the culinary prowess of Mississippi is a testament to the enduring passion, talent, and heart of our community,” said Rochelle Hicks, Director of Visit Mississippi. “To see our chefs and restaurants celebrated on such an esteemed stage for the second year in a row is an honor we do not take lightly. The culmination of time-honored tradition and fresh creativity is what makes Mississippi an unforgettable culinary destination.”

MICHELIN Exceptional Cocktail Award

Ally Bowen, Miscellanea Spirit House – 306 S Lamar Blvd, Oxford, Mississippi 38655
At Miscellanea, Bowen oversees the development of a highly inventive cocktail program across the establishment’s experiential rooms. Her work focuses on Prohibition-inspired classics, handmade infusions, and bespoke flavor combinations. This award celebrates her technical precision, creativity, and unique approach to flavor curation behind the bar.

Bib Gourmand

Elvie’s – 809 Manship St., Jackson, Mississippi 39202
Inspired by his grandmother’s timeless recipes and his travels through France, Chef Hunter Evans has transformed Elvie’s into one of Jackson’s most beloved dining destinations. The cozy, light-filled café serves refined Southern fare with French sensibility infused with Gulf seafood, local produce, and house-baked pastries. Guests can expect thoughtful, seasonal dishes paired with polished yet welcoming service.

Sacred Ground Barbecue – 1052 Pocahontas Rd., Jackson, Mississippi 39206
Chef Derek Emerson channels his passion for craftsmanship and Southern flavor into a true labor of love at Sacred Ground BBQ, literally built by hand. Emerson constructed two massive smokers himself, the heart of a smokehouse, where patience and precision define every dish. The menu spans pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoked turkey, tri-tip, and yes, beef ribs – a unique treat in the southeast and a revelation for those tasting them for the first time.

Miscellanea Spirit House – 306 S Lamar Blvd, Oxford, Mississippi 38655
Framed by global traditions and anchored in warm Southern hospitality, Miscellanea’s evolving menu reads like a curated travel journal. Every bite and sip offers a familiar comfort with an adventurous twist, inviting guests to explore a world of flavors crafted to spark curiosity. Created with the ever-explorer in mind, their speakeasy invites guests beyond an unassuming storefront into a collection of three distinct cocktail rooms, each offering its own atmosphere, story, and sense of discovery. Every space is designed to encourage guests to linger, explore, and experience something unexpected.

Recommended

Ajax Diner – 118 Courthouse Sq., Oxford, Mississippi 38655
Located on Oxford’s historic Courthouse Square, Ajax Diner is a beloved institution that serves up soulful comfort food prepared from scratch with generous portions. From fried catfish and country-fried steak to chicken and dumplings, every dish reflects the spirit of Mississippi’s warm hospitality. It’s the kind of place where the sweet tea never stops flowing and every meal feels like a southern Sunday supper.

City Grocery – 152 Courthouse Sq., Oxford, Mississippi 38655
Under the leadership of Chef John Currence and Chef de Cuisine Jon “JD” Davis, City Grocery stands as a cornerstone of Oxford’s dining scene and a creative force in contemporary Southern cuisine. Housed in a historic brick building on the Square, the restaurant marries elevated technique with down-home warmth – think collard green dolmas, Mississippi minestrone, smoked duck, and other globally-inspired plates that honor Mississippi’s flavors.

Poppy Pies – 800 Manship Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39202
At Poppy Pies, founders Gray Welch and JeriAnna Shaw turned a pop-up pizza concept into a full-scale operation, delivering exceptional, scratch-made pizza without compromise. This neighborhood favorite pairs expertly crafted Neapolitan, Detroit, and New York-style crusts with creative, bold flavor combinations. With a welcoming, community-focused spirit, Poppy Pies feels both artisan and delightfully down-to-earth.

Pulito Osteria – 800 Manship St., Ste. 104, Jackson, Mississippi 39202
At Pulito Osteria, Chef Chaz Lindsay celebrates the spirit of Italian cooking through the lens of Mississippi ingredients. The open kitchen hums with the rhythm of handmade pasta, locally sourced meats, and vegetables grown by nearby farmers. With a minimalist interior and warm, attentive service, Pulito feels both elevated and inviting.

Siren Social Club – 1409 24th Ave., Gulfport, Mississippi 39501
Just steps from the Gulf, Siren Social Club draws inspiration from the coast beyond its doors, bringing seafood to the forefront through inventive, globally influenced dishes. The lively atmosphere and vibrant cocktails set the stage for a menu that celebrates both indulgence and artistry – garlic shrimp, roasted oysters, caviar service featuring trout, paddlefish, and kaluga, alongside refined plates like Beef Wellington and foie gras mousse. Playful yet polished, Siren captures the modern spirit of coastal Mississippi dining.

Snackbar – 721 N. Lamar Blvd., Oxford, Mississippi 38655
Part brasserie, part oyster bar, Snackbar captures Oxford’s distinctive blend of literary charm and Southern ease.Chef Sebastian Markowitz continues the restaurant’s tradition of marrying French technique with Mississippi soul. The menu celebrates the seasons through locally sourced ingredients, like pecan-crusted quail, butternut squash risotto, cider-glazed scallops, and a daily raw bar featuring Gulf oysters and marinated crab claws. 

Maringouin – The Roost Boutique Hotel, 604 Porter Ave., Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564  
Set within the boutique charm of The Roost in historic Ocean Springs, Maringouin offers a restaurant and speakeasy experience that pairs Southern soul with a bold global bite. Executive Chef Brennan Edmonds crafts a dynamic menu that bridges local Gulf bounty with vibrant international influences, all presented with creative flair. Named after the local term for mosquito, the restaurant captures the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s layered, unpredictable, and deeply flavorful character through every thoughtfully curated course.

Taylor Grocery – 4A Depot St., Taylor, Mississippi 38673
Affectionately known as “that catfish place” since 1977, Taylor Grocery has been a beloved gathering spot for locals and visitors alike for generations. Its weathered charm, live music, and perfectly crispy fried catfish capture the essence of small-town Mississippi dining. The menu offers deep-fried oysters, chicken and shrimp gumbo, Cajun pork chops, and catfish prepared six different ways, alongside homemade desserts like pecan pie and peach cobbler – each dish steeped in Southern comfort and tradition.

Vestige – 715 Washington Ave., Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564
At Vestige, chefs Alex Perry and Kumi Omori merge Southern tradition with Japanese precision to create one of the South’s most distinctive dining experiences. The seasonally driven tasting menu highlights locally sourced vegetables, Gulf fish and foraged coastal ingredients – a reflection of the duo’s thoughtful fusion of cultures, artistry and commitment to sustainability. 

White Pillars – 1696 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Mississippi 39531
Set within a restored 1905 mansion overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, White Pillars offers a dining experience that blends coastal sophistication with Southern heart. Chef and owner Austin Sumrall crafts dishes that spotlight Gulf seafood, heritage grains, and foraged ingredients, all presented with an eye for elegance. The restaurant’s MICHELIN distinction reflects Sumrall’s talent for honoring Mississippi’s bounty while redefining what fine dining means on the coast.

For more information about the culinary offerings available throughout Mississippi, visit visitmississippi.org/flavors. The full list of MICHELIN-starred restaurants in the American South can be found here, as well as the list for the Bib Gourmand winners.

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About Visit Mississippi
Celebrated as the Hospitality State and proudly known as the Birthplace of America’s Music, Mississippi invites visitors to experience a rich tapestry of culture, history and unforgettable adventures. From the soulful sounds of the Delta to the serene beauty of the Gulf Coast and Appalachian foothills, Mississippi is a destination where every journey tells a story.

Visit Mississippi, a division of the Mississippi Development Authority, serves as the state’s official destination marketing organization. As storytellers and cultural ambassadors, we champion Mississippi through strategic global marketing, innovative partnerships, and creative collaboration. Our mission is to elevate the state’s thriving tourism economy and inspire visitors from around the world to discover the magic that is Mississippi. Learn more at visitmississippi.org.

About Michelin North America, Inc.  
Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America, Inc. has approximately 22,000 employees and operates 36 production facilities in the United States (michelinman.com) and Canada (michelin.ca).   

About Travel South USA

Travel South USA is America’s oldest and largest regional travel promotion organization, formed in 1965 by a resolution presented at the Southern Governor’s Conference. The long-standing regional collaboration of the state tourism offices of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia provides a foundation to positively position tourism as a vital and dynamic element in the region’s economic development. Tourism ranks throughout the region as one of the top industries behind manufacturing and agriculture, and is responsible for $220 billion in spending by visitors, generating 1.56 million direct jobs, and more than $15.5 billion in state and local taxes.

Visit Mississippi

Katie Coats
Chief Marketing Officer
kcoats@mississippi.org

Michelin North America

Carly Padgett
Michelin North America
carly.padgett@michelin.com

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