Charlotte’s dining scene reached a milestone today as Wesley Heights own restaurant Counter- earned the Queen City’s first-ever MICHELIN Star, part of the guide’s inaugural American South edition, according to a press release.
Charlotte bartender Colleen Hughes at Supperland also won the MICHELIN Exceptional Cocktails Award, putting the Queen City squarely on the culinary map.
At the ceremony unveiling the selection, the MICHELIN Guide honored 10 restaurants with One Star and one with Two Stars, plus four special awards and 50 Bib Gourmand distinctions across 228 venues and 44 cuisine types. The only Two-Star went to Emeril’s in New Orleans, while Counter- claimed a One Star for Charlotte and captured a Green Star for sustainability practices.
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Inspectors praised Counter- as “sui generis,” highlighting Chef Sam Hart’s immersive, narrative-driven tasting menus and his sourcing of ingredients from more than 20 nearby farms. They also noted the restaurant’s fermentation and preservation program as exemplary. Meanwhile, Hughes’ award recognized her innovative cocktails at Supperland that blend creativity, craft, and local flair.
This dual acknowledgement signals a significant shift for Charlotte’s culinary landscape — once regional, now gaining national prestige. As the MICHELIN Guide expands into the American South, Charlotte restaurants and mixologists are proving they belong in the conversation.
American South’s 2025 MICHELIN-Starred restaurants
MICHELIN Special Awards
