Above: Culinary art at IL Ritorno, photo by Skyler June
The culinary scene has never been more exciting in Pinellas County. New concepts continue to open, visionary chefs are pushing creative boundaries and diners are embracing everything from intimate omakase counters to refined tasting menus. But even with the inclusion of the area in the Michelin rating system, we are still reaching for those elusive stars.
Elliott Aster by Galdones Photography
Founded by the French tire company Michelin in 1900, the guide began as a practical handbook for motorists, offering travel tips and recommendations on where to stop along the way. Hotels joined its pages in 1920 and six years later Michelin awarded its first restaurant star.
The now-famous hierarchy of one, two and three stars soon followed, evolving into what many consider the world's most influential measure of gastronomic excellence.
More than a century later, the guide's reach extends far beyond Europe, drawing millions of readers and helping shape dining tourism around the globe. In recent years, Michelin has accelerated its growth through underwriting from the tourism industry, a model that has generated some criticism and debate but also brought the guide to destinations that previously sat outside its spotlight.
Florida became eligible for consideration in 2022 through a collaboration between Visit Florida and regional tourism agencies in Miami, Orlando and Tampa. Since then, coverage has expanded statewide, opening the door for a wide range of communities to be evaluated alongside some of the nation's most celebrated dining destinations.
The Tides Seafood Market & Provisions
Tampa Bay Times food critic Helen Freund has commented that when the Michelin Guide focused on fewer regions, the company covered its own costs. The more recent expansion, however, is purely built on financial support from destination marketing organizations. In fact, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater agreed to pay $90,000 annually for 2025 and 2026 to extend Michelin’s coverage to Pinellas County and position the area for inclusion in the guide.
Freund is quick to point out the tangible returns and positive impact for our area from Michelin's growing presence.
The Tides Seafood Market & Provisions
“It's created some momentum that we didn't have before,” she says. “Michelin is still the most esteemed and widely respected ranking system in the world. There are definitely other organizations that are encroaching on that territory, but I think you still expect when you go to a restaurant and it has a star, that it is going to be a very, very good meal.”
While some local media outlets have chosen to focus on the lack of stars being awarded, others understand that this period is setting the table for future success. This is especially true given that Pinellas County diners have long embraced a food culture that does not always fit Michelin's traditional mold of white-tablecloth dining. Aside from some noteworthy exceptions, the area's true strengths lie in chef-driven neighborhood eateries, inventive ingredient-driven menus and approachable hospitality. And anytime the Michelin Guide enters a certain market, it is not long until more culinary talent follows.
In Between Days
“There are so many places we can get information about restaurants now. It's really been democratized with social media and websites like Yelp; we don't necessarily need these gatekeepers as much as we used to,” Dalia Colon, chef, host and executive producer of WUSF's The Zest podcast, asserts while still recognizing the guide’s potential impact. “Restaurants operate on such thin margins that just knowing that you're booked out for the next few months with these people who want to eat at the restaurants in the Michelin Guide is a huge deal.”
Michelin recognition extends beyond stars. The Bib Gourmand award, introduced in 1997, celebrates restaurants serving exceptional food at reasonable prices. Inclusion as a “recommended” restaurant has also become a distinctive achievement in its own right. Recipients receive the guide's signature cherry-red plaque and an invitation into a conversation that reaches diners around the world.
“Having the plaque on the door is huge,” explains Nathan Howey, executive chef for St. Pete eateries Fortu and Isu. “Obviously, it's great marketing for us.”
Fortu first earned recommended status in 2025 and has retained the distinction, joining a growing collection of local restaurants recognized by Michelin inspectors.
Fortu
From modern fine dining to neighborhood seafood markets, Pinellas County now has six restaurants officially recognized as recommended selections, all celebrated for delivering above-average food and exceptional experiences.
The list includes Chef David Benstock's IL Ritorno, known for its elevated modern Italian cuisine, Fortu's sophisticated pan-Asian steakhouse concept and the approachable fine dining experience at Elliott Aster inside the historic Vinoy Resort. For fans of Japanese culture and music enthusiasts, downtown St. Pete also offers a meticulous premium omakase adventure at Sushi Sho Rexley and creative plates paired with curated music at In Between Days, a vibrant and intimate listening bar. Outside of the downtown core, Safety Harbor features the county's final recommended spot, The Tides Market, a hybrid seafood market and neighborhood eatery celebrated for its exceptionally fresh Gulf seafood and simple, precise execution.
IL Ritorno
For a destination that only recently entered Michelin's orbit, that growing roster represents meaningful progress. Recognition places local restaurants in front of travelers from around the world, reinforces Tampa Bay's reputation and gives chefs another reason to invest and innovate.
"The food scene here has evolved into a true reflection of our vibrant and thriving community,” offers Steve Grimes, chief marketing officer for Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. “Our destination’s culinary culture is fueled by the passion, talent and distinct personality that chefs pour into their kitchens. That authenticity is why residents take so much pride in our restaurants."
Sushi Sho Rexley
Whether the first Michelin star arrives next year or several years from now, the trajectory is clear. The region's food scene is growing steadily, pushing the boundaries of flavor and innovation, attracting talent and earning attention as an evolving culinary destination.
What is also clear after a spate of recent closings is that the local hospitality industry is currently facing challenges and many of our favorite establishments need your support if they are going to continue to thrive. Every reservation, every appetizer and every toast over a shared dessert helps ensure another memorable chapter in our community’s epicurean story.
Photos courtesy Visit St. Pete-Clearwater
